In these pictures it may look like Boom is listening, but he's not. This surprises me. We chose the German Shephard dog because this breed was described as being, "responsive and highly intelligent".
Life with a puppy has had its challenges. Two days after we got him, we discovered that he had parasites. I thought using a breeder would safeguard us against parasites, but, alas it did not. We got through the parasite ordeal and then we set up shop for a dog. We built a fence in the stairwell, cut a hole in the door and got him a nice heated bed. It wasn't long before we realized that we would need to have water on the roof, so we had a hose installed. Then we faced the dilemma of what and how much to feed him--that was tough considering the fact that we could not read the packages. At times it seems it doesn't matter what we feed him because he chews on everthing and lots of what he chews ends up being swallowed. He has chewed through three of our neighbor's internet cords, chewed up the upholstery on my porch swing and chewed through and then into pieces the cord to his heating pad. He chews up shoes, hats, gloves etc.
Chewing isn't his only problem. He is a mischief maker. One day, when Susan Grace was cleaning up the roof, she left the hose running in one corner while she cleaned in another. While her back was turned, Boom, picked up the hose with his mouth and carried it into the stairwell of our apartment. One hundred gallons of water later, Gracie realized that the hose was dumping into the stairs, not the drain on the roof. Flood! What a mess. It was on that day that I secretly hoped our neighbors would insist that we get rid of the dog. But, that was not to happen.
Gracie spends hours and hours with her dog. I would guess that 75% of it is work and 25% play. Still she does it. She's learned good lessons in responsibility and diligence and love. The other children's reactions: Miriam, much to her sorrow, is allergic to him. Anna, absolutely adores him and would spoil him rotton. James is scared to death of him. Margaret and Daniel aren't allowed to get by him--he jumps up on them and knocks them over. And Jim, he loves him almost as much as Susan Grace does.
Me, well, I'm leaning towards sending him to a really good obedience school.
3 comments:
O.K, I'll admit. He is a little naughty. But he's cute! And definately loveable. And he's smart. I could teach him a trick a day!
Ooops. The above comment is mine.
Oh, Kira will be so jealous, she LOVES DOGS.
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