This is our pooch, Poppie Yo Yo Neck Rumpelstiltskin Mudge Pluto Goofy Olson. No, she's not a purebred, she's a mutt and Ryan named her. She's half Golden Retriever and half Springer/Cocker mix. We got her from the pound when she was a pup. She's just the sweetest thing! It wasn't always that way though!
When she was a puppy she was a handful, as most puppies are. She was adorable but tried our patience no end. She wanted to mouth everything, mainly us, in her soft retriever mouth. She had so much energy I could walk her for two miles and she was just warming up to play ball. She ate my houseplants, dragged pillows over to and slept on couches, watched TV upside down hanging off the couch and in general was all over the place. You couldn't hold her, she wouldn't stay still long enough. There were times when I just sat and cried. Other times I laughed so hard I nearly peed myself.
She's 11 now and some calmer, I don't think she was civil until she was seven! She has been an amazing friend to Ryan and a great source of entertainment for both of us. Make no mistake about it, however, dogs are work and they need their "pack" at home.
A friend of mine watched Ryan with his dog and decided to get her child with special needs a dog. She went out and purchased an expensive pure breed. Shocked at how much work and attention a dog needed she ended up taking him to the pound. A sad story, I think.
Make sure you know dogs before you get one. Dog sit for a while for someone. Investigate breeds that fit your family, not just those that "look cool" or "tough". A Chow is a cool looking dog but is also known as a "One-man" dog who is possessive and jealous. Not one you'd want around kids. Think hard. Are you home enough to train the dog, keep it company and pay attention to it? You need to be.
Poppie has been amazing for Ryan, mutts are usually pretty sweet tempered. I wrote an article on Pet Therapy once and believe me, the health benefits are there! Just make sure you get your pooch from the pound, there are so many that need homes!
See you tomorrow,
Much love and joy,
Karen
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