Dolly was my first dog.we had a couple when I was a kid, but now I am not a kid and well past the early adulthood.
I got her and she was here for me when I was going through a particularly stressful time of my life. She was sick when I got her. I took her to the vet the next day, I took care of her and loved her as if she was a human child. The puppy time was fun and exciting.she was growing and loved to chase the toys that I threw for her down the foyer always bringing them back. She loved me and I loved her.I don't really think that I have ever thought the 'I'm responsible for 20 years.' If you work some long hours at work, make sure that she has access to either puppy pads or a doggy door (but I have heard a lot about birds and coyotes in the last couple of days, so perhaps puppy pads would be best as long as you teach her that is where she should go potty. The ones that I have actually have an odor (only to be smelled by the dogs) that make them want to go potty on them. You will have to have a big bowl of water so that she doesn't run out of it during the day. Feeding would probably be done at your breakfast and your dinner time. I sense she is not a puppy so two feedings a day are perfect. Pia will need some toys to play with while she is home alone. She will need a little bed with a couple soft baby blankets (I got some really nice soft but lightweight ones at Ross) so that she can scratch at them and make a comfy bed and even burrow under the blankets. >From the first week that I had Dolly, because she didn't like her kennel and would poop in it every time that I put her back in.I am talking pooping three or four times in a two hour period because I had to remove all the towels and blankets, clean the kennel out and let it dry and then put the new towels and blankets in it and then she would poop again.I bought one of those metal yard fences that are sold in Petco and PetSmart. I put it up and that little circle became Dolly's area. That is where she went whenever I went out. She was safe, she had food, water, puppy pad, bed, blanket and toys. I would give her one little treat before I went out and tell her that I would be back and asked her to watch the house for me. When I got Desi, I got another of the metal yard fences and made him his own area.he was in danger of being killed by Dolly at first and then because Dolly is a free-feeder and Desi was a food gouger, they could not be left together. Their areas are quite a way apart in the house, but I think it also gives each of them a time to rest, relax and maybe nap. Be prepared when you come home for lots of puppy kisses. Make sure that you have a good vet and find out as soon as possible where there is a good boarding facility close to you. You will be grateful for doing this if anything such as a business trip, a hospitalization, a vacation, etc. you will already know where to take her and then you can concentrate of what you need to do before leaving her at a boarding facility and have a list of what you would like to send with her to the boarding facility. I usually send a blanket that has been handled by me, a favorite toy, and I send their beds but some boarding facilities don't want you to bring that. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of freddyscribbles Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 2:07 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Chihuahuas] First time dog owner panic? I think I should address two things first 1. Adopting this dog was not an impulsive decision. Was it a purely logical one? Probably not. But it was not an impulsive, spontaneous decision. 2. I do not regret adopting this chihuahua That being said, have any of you dealt with first-dog panic? I have owned pets before. They've gradually gotten bigger over time - fish, hamsters, gerbils, rats. Of that lot, I think that the fish had the longest life expectancy - the mutant fish lived for at least eight years. And I've never shirked responsibility - when the gerbils fell ill or tore each other up in a fight, I took them to the vet. Yes...gerbils. To a vet. Granted, this was not in California where gerbils are regrettably (and annoyingly) illegal. I never had any anxiety associated with these animals. Although, there were some issues with the rats. I've grown up with dogs although not directly - my neighbor used to breed Siberian huskies, and the joke was that I was the bipedal child. At any rate, I spent quite a number of summers taking care of the various litters and dogs she had. I'm currently house sitting for a family that has two horses, a dog, and a cat - these are all predominantly outdoor animals. The dog and cat come in at night. Sylvie isn't allowed near the chihuahua until she gets a clean bill of health. To my knowledge, this is a very well behaved dog with a very sweet disposition. But that sort of post-excitement panic is starting to settle in just a little. The 'Oh man, what have I done' sort of thing. A friend said he had the same reaction when he first purchased his chameleon. And that it also passed within a week of ownership. But for now, as things settle in, there is a definite sense of anxiety. Will this end up being an animal that might, at some point, have to deal with my potentially long work days? How long can I expect to be able to leave her on her own? What things are now out of the question due to a dog? How will this later my current lifestyle? Will I be able to provide her with everything she needs? Did I really just commit myself to a relationship that could easily last 10-18 years? I am glad that I rescued her. This sweet little girl definitely deserves a second chance. But in spite of having gone out of my way to make sure she has what she needs - bed, sweater, food, treats, carrier for car travel - part of me is freaking out about the whole thing. I definitely want to make sure she gets healthy. And I suspect that this relationship will work out. Worse case scenario, I re-home her - although I'm hoping this is mostly the (temporary) panic talking. Bottom line - I wanted to save her and get her healthy. Could my life have been easier by finding a healthy dog? Definitely. That's just not the way things worked out. Right now...I'm just sort of feeling a little in over my head suddenly. Have any of you ever experienced this before. Thanks as always for your support! -A
