By Helen Stephens
I still remember the first moment when Peanut and I met. I had lost my precious 8 year old cat, Snoopy, just six weeks before, and my heart was completely broken. My family had encouraged me to look for a companion, not to replace my Snoopy, but to help me heal from her loss. I had looked through the paper for breeder ads, thinking I would get this kind of breed or that kind. I knew I wanted and needed a small dog because I was traveling a lot, and it would need to be portable. I had several breeder appointments picked out, and I was getting ready to go look.One day I received a call from a local Pomeranian breeder, with whom I had left a message days before. She was home, and she told me to come on over. Since she was on the way to my other appointments, I decided to stop by and see what she had to offer.
There are lots of instructions available on how to pick a pet, especially on how to pick a purebred dog. Many people are looking for the champion that will make them thousands of dollars in the ring through prizes, breeding fees, or puppy sales. As for me, I was looking for the dog of my life.
There is something magical that happens when you meet the dog of your life, something intangible and impossible to describe. However it is just as real and just as powerful as falling in love. There is one key difference: the dog of your life will give you the most unconditional love you have ever experienced. The dog of your life will spend his or her entire life just loving you. It is that simple. They live to love you.
You don’t have to make the bed just so. You don’t have to always be in a good mood. You don’t have to be beautiful or well spoken or well read or even be interesting in conversation. Your dog will love you for just being you, and that is what makes this relationship the most important of your life. Your dog will teach you how to love. I’ll share with you what it was like with Peanut and me.
When I walked into the breeder’s house, I thought I knew what I was looking for. I had a list, based on what I had found on the internet and read in books. I wasn’t even sure that I was interested in a Pomeranian. I was really only going there to give every breed a chance, and it was, after all, on the way to my other appointments.
There were five Pomeranian puppies to be seen, all of them exactly four weeks old – three boys and two girls. I met the parents of the puppies, and both were very sweet. (I will say that this is extremely important, because it will give you a clue as to the temperament of their puppies.) I sat with them for over half an hour, just watching them play and interacting with them when they came over to investigate who I was. I got kisses and playful tugs, but the puppy that intrigued me the most was the one that looked directly into my eyes.
One little girl spent the majority of her time sitting by my knee and looking into my face. It was as though she was regarding me and sizing up my character. She never took her eyes off of me, even when one of her little brothers came over and wrestled her to the floor. She simply got up and continued her vigil. At one point, she put both paws on my knee and stood up on her hind legs, as though to get a closer look.
I picked her up and brought her close. She didn’t lick crazily like the other puppies. She put her nose on mine and looked deeply into my eyes. I think at that moment, she looked directly into my soul and saw in me what she was looking for. That’s when I felt it. The magic. I knew at that moment that there was no other dog for me. I actually felt a sense of panic that someone else might buy her. I needed this little dog. She was mine, the perfect fit. I could not put into words at that moment why I knew that she was the one.
I didn’t know you could put a dog on “layaway,” but that is exactly what I did. I gave the breeder a down payment that day and worked with her to get the rest of the money to her over the next two weeks. I visited little Peanut every chance I got, and each time I was with her that feeling of certainty grew. I have never looked back and neither has she.
I brought Peanut home when she was six weeks old, and I worked very hard to build a bond with her that would last. Here are a few of the things that I did to help our relationship grow:
• Sleep Time: Puppies were made to cuddle, so don’t hesitate to bring them into bed with you at night. It will help your little one adjust to the change in environments. After all, if you get them young like I did, they will be accustomed to sleeping with other siblings and will miss the contact that they grew up with. It will also help your puppy identify your smell. The nights spent together will deepen the bond, and before long, you will discover that you depend upon this time together. I cannot sleep properly if Peanut is not there with me.
• Eating Time: For the first few months together, feed them directly from your hand. This will help speed up the bonding process and will encourage your puppy to take food only from you or selected family members. This dependency is important for your puppy’s protection. You will find that your dog will not accept food from others, lessening the chance that someone can lure your dog away from the yard with food and potentially steal them. Peanut will not take a treat from anyone outside the family, even if I am holding her when the treat is offered. She will only accept it from my hand or from one of my trusted family members’ hands.
• Travel Time: Get your new puppy used to car travel. Whether they are big or small, your dog wants to be with you, doing the things that you do. There are loads of stores that allow you to bring in pets. For example, hardware stores, pet stores, banks, and many small businesses will welcome the inclusion of your puppy. When I got Peanut, I took her everywhere I went, and yes, I have been thrown out of stores that were less than understanding about my bringing in a dog, no matter how little and well behaved she is. Don’t let this potential sway you. You may find yourself surprised at the places that will welcome your pet.
• Play Time: Make sure to spend time in play with your puppy every day. The interaction is essential in establishing a bond between you two. Be weary of rough play, however, because this can lead to unacceptable behavior when your dog gets older. Play time is an opportunity for learning and discovery for your puppy, where new toys and games can be introduced. Your puppy will quickly include their own made-up games, like keep away and chase. I discovered very quickly with Peanut that she has a tremendous sense of humor and loves to make me laugh.
No matter where you look for your new dog, whether by seeking out reputable breeders or going to the local shelter, let your heart guide you. This is one of the most important relationships you will ever have, so do it the right way the first time. Give yourself time to meet the available dogs and interact with them for an extended period of time. There is such a thing as love at first sight, and when you meet the right dog, your heart will know, without hesitation, that this is THE one. And hopefully, you will be as blessed as I have been in finding the love of a lifetime.
© Doityourself.com 2006
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