PUPPY LOVE — PUPPY PHILOSOPHY

In February 2013, it was necessary to put our beloved Harley-dog down because of oral cancer. As those of you with pets can probably attest, it was one of the hardest things my husband and I had ever had to do. Harley-dog had been adopted to help with my husband’s seasonal affective disorder (SAD). While I taught high school, Hubby took Harley-dog outside each day and got some valuable sunshine rays. It helped his mood to get outside a couple of times each day that winter.

After the vet’s office, we headed across the street to the local mall and sat for a coffee at Barnes & Noble’s.

“I can’t go home. It’s going to be too quiet,” Hubby confessed. I agreed.

“Can we go to see what the animal shelter has?”

I had a better thought. I took out my laptop out of my backpack. “Let’s check their website and see if they are open.” The county animal shelter was on the other side of town, and I didn’t want to drive that far if they weren’t open. We were pleasantly surprised when we discovered a tab for “check out our adoptables.”

Unfortunately, they didn’t have anything that sparked our interest. At that time we weren’t interested in an older dog or a pit bull. We actually wanted something smaller. Something Hubby could possibly take on the truck with him.

So we searched the topic “pets to adopt near me.” Up popped an animal shelter in a nearby town, closer than the West side of the town where we lived. We looked through the pictures of their adoptables and fell in love. Check their hours of operation: OPEN. Pack up the computer and get lids for the coffees and we were on our way.

Many of the dogs from this shelter were just coming back from an adoption fair, including the one whose picture prompted our trip. Although our “planned” choice was too timid and anxious for our home, he was not the only possibility.

Enter the black and white bundle of curiosity who rescued us and played with us and snuggled right into my shoulder. We looked at his paws, AND DETERMINED, he shouldn’t get too big; the animal caregivers agreed.

Pepper, a German short haired pointer and black lab mix, joined our family in early February 2013.

One cuddly, ball of love with the puppy dog eyes that said, “Take me home. Love me.” However, after having him home for four months, I learned that those eyes said something entirely different: “Look out! I’m mischief.”

In his first 16 weeks with us, Pepper taught me many valuable life lessons.

1. A nap in the middle of the afternoon is a good thing.

2. Make sure all paper towels and napkins and tissues are thrown away immediately after use OR they will become chew toys.

3. Take time to smell the roses, or in Pepper’s case, the road, every twig, every little thing that comes his way.

4. There is always a little time to play.

5. Greet everyone with happiness and excitement because they are happy to see you.

6. Sometimes a blanket is your best friend. You can always share your frustrations with it.

7. A spot of sunshine is great to curl up in.

8. Treats are good for you.

9. Drink water, and lots of it. (I don’t know how many times I fill his water bowl a day.)

10. It’s fun to go exploring — under the bed, behind the couch, in the garage.

11. A walk outside is good for you even on the coldest and snowiest days.

12. Make as many friends as you can and value their friendship.

13. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know. (Pepper is constantly bringing me different toys to play fetch with or tug -of-war with.)

14. A snuggle in the morning is good for your spirits.

15. Puppy classes are a necessity.

BONUS: The cat is a great play toy.

Originally published at https://www.coffeeonmyporch.com on May 31, 2013.

Rebecca (Becky) spent 34 years in a teaching career, but when she retired in 2014, she picked up her pen and pursued her passion to write. As a high school English teacher, Becky held the philosophy that she wouldn’t give any writing assignment that she personally wouldn’t or couldn’t do. That philosophy strengthened and broadened her own writing.

In addition to publishing her writing on various platforms, Becky also blogs at Life is for Living, a blog to encourage, motivate, and help others live the best life possible. As an extension of Life is for Living, she also publishes a weekly newsletter, Let’s Chat. (Check it out HERE.) Life is for Living also has a social media presence with the group Coffee on my Porch. (Check it out HERE.)

After teaching writing for 34 years, Becky began Ink & Keyboard, a blog for writers at all levels. She supplements what she writes on the blog with a subscription newsletter, The Writer’s Notebook (Check it out HERE.) and the social media group Ink & Keyboard (Check it out HERE.)

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