RIP Nemo

My friend and co-worker Mouth just lost his dog, Nemo, this week. It was completely shocking and unexpected and, I expect, rather traumatic. He was only about 3 or 4 years old. In the prime of his youth. Nemo had two other dogs that made up his pack and they must be just devastated to lose one of their own. I know Mouth and his family sure are.

I'm not sure exactly what happened. I don't think they are either. He was having tummy issues, vomiting, followed by some serious lethargy. They took him to the emergency vet, but he passed soon after they arrived. The vet thinks he was exposed to something that sent his body into shock, such as poison or a bug bite. Mouth thinks it's the latter. But it's crazy to me that a dog could live in the same environment for multiple years and never be affected by something until one random day. What was the bug? What was the environmental factor at work!? How can we prevent this to happened to our own furkids?! I just don't know, and I've been giving Theo extra hugs ever since I heard.

Much to his dismay, of course. What teenage boy wants hugs from his maternal figure?

The day I heard, that evening Theo unexpectedly and randomly vomited. It was before he had eaten dinner. Husband and I looked at each other uncertainly. Suddenly a random bout of upchucking had a whole other meaning for us. I tend towards hypochondria, and I overcompensate by always trying to tell myself that whatever it is is fine, and I'm just being a hypochondriac. When Theo is sick, he has to get pretty darn sick before I'll take him to the vet, just because adolescents get sick. It happens. And the vet can never do anything besides give him fluids and send me on my way. Right? Well this time the overcompensation didn't kick in. I didn't rush him to the vet for throwing up, but Husband and I both kept a very close eye on him for the rest of the evening. Thankfully, he was fine. No other symptoms reared their ugly head, and we rested easy. But what a time to decide to blow chunks!

Nemo was often a companion on our outings the last 2 years. He loved to play with other dogs, play fetch, and prance around on his goofy little legs. He was adorable and a joy. I will miss him terribly.

I Knew It Was Too Good To Be True

I knew getting first pick of the litter at 8 1/2 weeks was crazy awesome and too good to be true. What breeder would wait that long to plan and place puppies? I never expected it. It was the breeder who told me "we won't let anyone choose until you are ready to decide". That's a direct quote! I understand, I just wish I would have known, since we might have done our travel a little differently.

I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. I emailed the breeder asking what the puppies' personalities are like and she told me that Alvin is a "spitfire" and going to live with someone with active kids. Sally has the pizazz to be with a couple who already have a dog, and Sally "chose them" by greeting them when they visited twice. So that's two down! I don't think we would have chosen Alvin anyway. He sounded like a troublemaker. But Sally was so cute! I was looking forward to meeting her. Though I must say, her descriptions of the puppies and the people she's placing them with, it sounds like a good match to me.

Of the ones that are left she said Simon and Theodore are more laid back and "snugglers". Simon is "ultra quiet" and Theodore is "a little more outgoing". Alice is "gorgeous" and "just as sweet as Sally", and has a great personality. She also said that Dolly is almost too outgoing and as "ornery" as Alvin. Overall she recommends either Theodore or Alice for us, but says that if we're ready to "tackle" Dolly "she might be willing to let her go".

Hmm...first off, I'm thinking definitely no on Dolly. Alvin didn't sound like the one for us, and if the breeder is willing to give her up when she originally planned on keeping her, then that sends up a warning flag for me. Simon sounds like he might be shy and timid, which in everything I've read says is not a good trait in a puppy. They should be curious and happy. There wasn't really much of a description of Alice. Being sweet and having a good personality isn't quite descriptive enough for me. So if I had to choose today, I'd pick Theodore! He snuggles! He's laid back! That's exactly what we said we wanted way back when we put a deposit down on this litter. And go figure, he's been our favorite since the beginning (that has nothing to do with it, I swear!). I made sure to say that while we like laid back, we still want a dog that will be active with us outside. And I asked if Alice was more hyper, since we wouldn't want a dog that's too active, since we both work. I also asked which puppies did better with people and being handled.

I can't be all that mad, since we were originally going to let the breeder choose for us anyway, but I just wasn't expecting it. I'll see what she says when she writes back, and then maybe I'll engage her a little more on when I need to make a decision without losing out. I just didn't think it would be so soon. They're only 4 1/2 weeks old!

So what do you think? Who would you choose based on those descriptions?

Update: The breeder just wrote back and said, basically, that she saw a good fit, and acted accordingly. I can't fault her for that. She did say that she'll watch Theodore and Alice closely because so far they're fairly alike and she wants to see who she thinks would be better for me. She slso said she wants to leave me with at least three options when I come to choose one, and she's thinking Theodore, Alice, and Dolly. So really, that just means she might place Simon before I get there. I think I'd be a little bummed at that, but again, I'd understand.

Also, I'm told Alice is smart like her mama and Theodore is a hunk like his daddy and will probably be on the big side because he looks a bit tubby but she only feels muscle. I told her I appreciate the opportunity to meet Alice and Theodore before I have to choose, and that I'd be disappointed if I didn't get to meet Theodore. Hopefully no one comes along that Theodore takes a liking to! I wonder if Alice is too smart. I don't want a dog that will outwit me! Hehe.

More Puppy Pictures, Sad News

So there's good news and bad news regarding the puppies. The bad news is that the breeder lost two of the male puppies. She said it's always harder with big litters. They were just too small. It's very sad.

But on a good note, the puppies had their tails docked yesterday, so the breeder was able to take individual pictures of the puppies. And good news for you, here they are!

Simon


Alvin


Theodore


Alice


Sally


Dolly


Dolly is going to be staying with the breeder. Based on these pictures alone, I think Theodore is gorgeous. I love his collar, and the blaze on his head, and that little patch of brown in between. Hehe. He looks like a Bowser.

I mentioned in my last post about names that Husband liked the name Bowser. I was kind of joking when I first suggested it, but since then it's grown on us. I think if we get a boy, he's going to be Bowser. What do you think? I can't wait until Halloween. We can dress him up with a red mohawk and spikes. Hehe.

Goodbye Mickey

I forgot to mention in the whirlwind that was my last few weeks that Mickey, Husband and his parent's dog, was put to sleep. We don't know exactly how old he was because he was a rescue, but Husband thinks he was at least fourteen. He had a gray muzzle and his paws were pretty gray as well. He was definitely an old man of a dog. In the years that I knew Mickey, he was a happy dog that loved life. Husband's parents held off on putting him to sleep for months. First his pancreas started to go, and then he started having horrible indigestion. Husband's parents altered his diet to be friendlier on his system, and watched his health closely. Then his legs started to go. The last time I saw him, his back legs were so frail, he couldn't even sit down. He just kind of squatted when you pet him. His parents tried to make him comfortable, including buying him a ramp for getting in and out of their car. Finally, poor Mickey completely lost control of his bowels and had a few other problems. Surprisingly, Husband's parents didn't let go of him for another few weeks. Throughout this ordeal, Mickey was his normal happy self. Sure, he couldn't sit down while you pet him, but he would still wag his tail, stick his tongue out, and enjoy himself. He had discomfort, but he wasn't in pain, which is why Husband's parents waited so long to put him to sleep. They felt that as long as they could keep him comfortable, he deserved to be around as long as possible. Unfortunately, the time came when he was no longer experiencing just "a little discomfort" and it was time to end it.

Husband's parents are visiting for the holidays, and it still hasn't sunk in that Mickey won't be with them. Goodbye Mickey. You were the best companion anyone could want, and you are already missed.