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My husband and I are animal lovers. The kids fell right in line. When my husband and I first got married I couldn't stand not having a pet around. Instead of opting for a fish I decided on a cat. We went down to the Atlanta Humane Society and came home with a cute cuddly kitten. My husband didn't know much about cats. I really didn't know much either but knew enough. I thought a cat would be a perfect choice for the apt dwellers that we were. My husband thought it was a good choice because of a cat's lifespan. Somewhere along the way my husband was of the understanding that a cat's lifespan was like that of a hamster, one or two years tops. Once our first cat made it past the 5 year mark he started asking questions, questions he should have asked before the adoption. Our first cat lived to be 17 and our second cat lived to be 21.
Day one, we brought her home to kids who had no idea we had fallen head-over-heels in love with this puppy. My husband held the puppy on the ride home. She just snuggled right into the crook of his arm. My husband melted. The puppy slept and made those sweet puppy noises. He said she was just so soft. She would occasionally reach up to give him kisses. The puppy didn't whine, bark or throw-up. Hmmm... The perfect puppy.
We decided to pull into the garage and waltz in with her as if she were just another package. Right before we pulled into the driveway I was running through that "mom list" in my head. What all needs to happen to pull this off successfully. The puppy should go to the bathroom before we take her in. Okay, not the bathroom but you get what I mean. I remember this from others who told me of their puppy escapades. Not too long ago, my son described it perfectly. "Mom, when Bella gets excited it's like shaking up a can of Sprite and then opening it". My husband was on puppy duty while I made sure the kids didn't come running outside unsolicited. Most of the time, my daughter in particular, will come out to the garage whenever she hears the garage door go up. I would like to think its because she misses me but maybe she's afraid she'll miss out on something. I don't know for certain.
So my husband is outside with our precious pup and I'm inside. Sure enough both kids are downstairs ready to burst into the garage. They begin asking their usual barrage of questions when all of a sudden we hear shrieking. More precisely a puppy that sounds as if it were being bludgeoned to death. My first thought was the puppy had gotten loose and with in a matter of seconds got hit by a car. The kids, standing right next to me, are also trying to figure it out. I stood in shock for a second or two then flew out the door in hopes of finding something other than the conclusion my mind has drawn. I left the kids inside, and told them to stay put, so that I could witness this incredible and unexplainable sight. My husband is standing in the garage with our sweet little puppy on a leash at his feet. In a calm almost trance like voice he utters,"Watch this." As his hands reach down for Bella she turns on him sounding as if she wants to rip him apart. She has turned into this vicious attack dog. I couldn't help myself. I laughed until I came close to peeing my pants. This little 5 pound puppy was trying to bite the crap out of my husband. She was reaching for whatever she could sink her teeth into. My husband didn't think it was funny. As a matter of fact he was terrified. Not sacred of the little beast but scared about the decision we made to bring her home. I was confident it was a fluke and she was just scared. After all, my husband isn't the most patient. I could see him trying to get her to go to the bathroom on his time instead of hers. Maybe he tried to motivate her a little too much or maybe the darkness of night and the cool wet grass frightened her. Either we haven't heard her scream anymore hank goodness. She has settled in quite nicely with her family. Now she is a part of our family.
Day 2 with our new addition. At least having this puppy around is making my husband a little more cognizant of time. He wants the puppy to sleep with him because the puppy is so cute and cuddly. Immediately I agree. I know what he's in for. I go to bed earlier than he does. While I paddle off to bed I remind him that every 20 mins the puppy needs to potty. An hour later no bathroom break for Bella and what do you know? She pees on the floor. Really? This is shocking. The puppy has a bladder the size of a head of a pin. My husband exclaims,"Well I just let her out!". Yeah, you did. An hour ago.
This afternoon I'm talking with my parents on the phone. Bella is in my bedroom with me. The other two dogs were in need of a much deserved Bella break. As I'm talking Bella is winding up. She loves to do these quick grab and go episodes where anything in reach of puppy teeth gets chewed on. My daughter used to say "Look how cute Bella is!" when Bella would take off with things. Now Bella isn't so cute. So far she's grabbed my daughter's hair bows, lip gloss, tassels on shoes, pens and pencils and yes, even her homework. Now that I thought was kind of funny. I told her I could write her a note that said, "Bella, our puppy, really did eat Shelby's homework." My daughter didn't see the humor. It's now been a month and a half since Bella's first night here. I think she's home. :0)
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