I’ve discovered having a dog is a lot like having kids. They whine, they cause havoc, they need watched constantly, you have to remember to feed them on a regular basis and everyone thinks they get an opinion on how you raise one.
My neighbors are great at informing me if my dog is outside too little or too much. Others will comment on the fact that she is tied up while outside versus running amuck through the subdivision. The vet will question what obedience classes she has taken and friends will wag their fingers because she is required to sleep in a crate at night and not in our bed. Oh the joys of advise from others.
Then there is the advise that one can actually take. The advise I never thought I would take because I was NOT that person. Against my Husband’s desire, we took Fenway to doggie day care. Who was I? Who the hell spends money to take a dog to day care? This girl. Some people whispered the idea to me and I knew others had done it. So there Fenway and I stood at her first day of day care, at a place I had carefully picked out. She jumped on everyone and peed in excitement as she had never done before. One man stepped back from the check in table with his calm dog and waved me to go ahead of him. “First day?” he asked me. Was it that obvious? Yes, we were those people.
We haven’t looked back. Fenway LOVES it. She happily brings me her leash and jumps in the truck. Once a week (sometimes more, I won’t lie) she goes to see her friends and teachers. Once a month they even give her a bath and make her smell like a damn sugar cookie. You would never know she barks at her own farts.
The best part is the part where she comes home and doesn’t. move. an. inch. Not one. She collapses on the couch and sleeps like a brick till morning because what does day care do? It wears her the fuck out. Those are the nights we invite people over for wine and they comment on how well behaved she is. I wrap presents on the floor and she doesn’t tackle the mess. I can fold laundry and somehow manage to make dinner all without her helpful assistance.
Yes, I am the person I never thought I would be. The person I used to make fun of. I have no shame in this. Better yet, my husband will proudly tell you he too is now a believer in the day care.
Through My Mistakes 
She sounds like such a good fur soulmate! and she is adorable. I am glad you have joined ‘us’ in the land of the fur parenting…it really is a joy even if we become ‘those’ people 😉 XO
My sister knew I would join the “fur” side eventually and gives me crap for it often. I’m totally fine being one of “those” people. It is amazing how much you can love the little nuggets!
picture????
I’ve been trying to stay away from posting personal pictures so far. One of these days I will but she certainly looks like your typical black lab…only cuter because I’m biased:)
ok – I bet she is cute!
love love love! I just took B for his interview at his NEW daycare place. He used to go once a week when Eric was in academy. And even though we were broke, I justified the expense bc our dog could not stay home in our little shack for 10 hours a day five days a week! this time, I think it will be good for him to go once a week just to get the exercise he needs. I was also one of those people that made fun of doggie daycare, and now I’m like, well “you’ve obviously never had a dog” haha
I can totally justify the expense too! They need the exercise and the socialization. As much as I get her out for walks and playtime on my own it still isn’t enough. It is amazing what you will suddenly do for a dog:)