We are Dog Owners!

Goofy has been an official part of our family for a month now. Against everyone's advice, (including my own mother who told me "don't ever make life-changing decisions when you're pregnant"), against Ron's complete approve and against my better judgement I adopted Goofy. For a while now I've CONSIDERED getting a dog. I wanted to make sure my kids were old enough to help with the responsibility of owning a dog. I feel like owning a pet helps teach your children so much. It helps teach them to be less selfish, gives them responsibility and teaches LOVE. I have always loved animals but hesitated to take this leap because there is so much to pet owning I'm not a fan of. I don't like smelly things (let's face it all dogs smell), I feel like I pick up poop enough with my own kids I don't want more poop issues, and it's a little hard to be tied down with a pet at home. All good reasons to say NO!
I made the mistake of mentioning all these thoughts to my good friend Jenessa. Glad I did because on Thanksgiving weekend she sent me a picture and a text that said "I am bringing a dog home for you" She has family in globe and found Goofy being neglected at a Ranch there. Between then and Christmas we had Goofy over for lots of "playdates" and even dog sat him for a weekend. Jenessa had him at her house while I carefully weighed the options of becoming a dog owner. We obviously fell in love and took that leap!

Goofy really has been a good thing for a our family. He is extremely sweet and mellow. We have him all up to date on his vaccines and got him fixed a couple weeks ago. Next weekend we start doggie school (the boys are really excited about this. I told them they get to come with me and Goofy to puppy school .) So far he has adapted really well (occasional pee accidents-mostly marking his territory) really nothing major and very rare. NO POOP accidents!!! He doesn't chew on the kids toys and is just so loving. He really LOVES attention, and responds quickly to the word NO. The first week or so I had to be really careful with my tone of voice. If I sounded mad at all he would roll over into submission pose on his back and pee himself a little. Poor little guy, I think he may have been abused a little with the previous owner. For now we have Goofy's bed/crate in the back room. It used to be my craft room and our plans are eventually to make it Baby April's room. Goofy LOVES to sleep, he usually takes a couple naps a day and goes to bed very well at night. There are times during the day when I can't find him and then I think to look in his bed and sure enough there he is in his crate napping. Too cute!

 

 His first bath!

  

 The cone of shame

My favorite part of having a dog is watching my kids with him. When Callie is sad or upset (or really any of my kids) he will go to them and love on them. First thing in the morning before they (my kids) even ask for breakfast they go into Goofy's room let him out of the crate and take him outside to pee and feed him. Every night before bed the boys happily take him out to do his duty (sometimes the boys go pee themselves outside to get Goofy to go. That always cracks me up.) Noah happily volunteered to be the "Poop patrol" he is very good at finding poop and picking it up with a bag. All in all I'm really enjoying this dog owning thing no regrets!