Puppies are like toddlers - in oh, so many ways. Some of them adorable and some are less so. In recent weeks with Wally (Wallace when he's being less than adorable) I am reminded of: one, when the three-not-so-little Piggins were toddlers; two, the movie and book "Marley and Me" and; three, why puppies are not for the weak.
Like a toddler, when Wally isn't getting the attention he apparently believe is his due, he acts out and becomes Wallace. Like right now, I am trying to catch up on my writing and laundry and he is sitting on the coach (a no-no), ripping various papers to shreds (also a no-no especially when it's homework) and trying to jump up on the table or counter (again, frowned upon big time).
I find that I am trying to pick my battles - but do there really need to be so many of them? Wallace might begin to think his name is "Wally No".
I had the same thoughts when the kids were toddlers. Only they didn't try to shred papers and they were allowed on the furniture. I do remember an incident with Matthew dressed only in his diaper sitting on the floor in front of the refrigerator and another where Michael was on the counter. . .
Like Marley, Wally is never really bad he's just, well, being a puppy. For example, Wally never runs away - completely. Instead he just adopts new people to follow along on walks or runs or he just explores a new home in the 'hood.
Last week, I let him outside and went about my business. When I called for him, he didn't respond. I called his name in the backyard, a little louder in the front and then really loudly again in the back. Over my yells, I heard the home phone ringing - it was a woman that lives on the lakeshore. She had been asked by my neighbor, Katie, to call me to inform me that she had Wally along on her run. Thirty minutes later, Katie came running along with Wally on her dog's leash and her dog was running along.
Apparently, while out front Katie ran by and Wally ran to greet her and just kept running along. Thankfully, Katie was kind enough to take him along!
A couple weeks ago, I met a neighbor I had not yet officially met. She rang the doorbell and had Wally on her dog's leash. Apparently while walking around the block, Wally followed along and even went into their home. Thankfully, she knew where he 'lived' (I use that term loosely).
All "Marley-esque" incidents.
I write that puppies aren't for the weak. And we all know that MS has left me weak at times (this is not a pity party so we're NOT going there) - like yesterday. Poor Wally needed exercise and I just wasn't up to the task. I called my neighbors to see if their kids could walk him and there was no answer. Delaney had late rehearsal and Matthew had plans - so at 4 I put on my shoes and coat, grabbed a leash and went for a needed walk. Wally was thrilled and by the end of the walk, I was hobbling and weaving like a drunken sailor! But he got his walk! And this morning, I called the neighbor and asked her if this afternoon her kids could come take this little black havoc wreaker for a walk.
Thankfully, she's the neighbor who has a dog with similar Marley characteristics - he visited Michael's graduation open house and ate some of the food right off the buffet table!
It takes a village . . . and I am glad for this village. So is Wally!
Like a toddler, when Wally isn't getting the attention he apparently believe is his due, he acts out and becomes Wallace. Like right now, I am trying to catch up on my writing and laundry and he is sitting on the coach (a no-no), ripping various papers to shreds (also a no-no especially when it's homework) and trying to jump up on the table or counter (again, frowned upon big time).
I find that I am trying to pick my battles - but do there really need to be so many of them? Wallace might begin to think his name is "Wally No".
I had the same thoughts when the kids were toddlers. Only they didn't try to shred papers and they were allowed on the furniture. I do remember an incident with Matthew dressed only in his diaper sitting on the floor in front of the refrigerator and another where Michael was on the counter. . .
Like Marley, Wally is never really bad he's just, well, being a puppy. For example, Wally never runs away - completely. Instead he just adopts new people to follow along on walks or runs or he just explores a new home in the 'hood.
Last week, I let him outside and went about my business. When I called for him, he didn't respond. I called his name in the backyard, a little louder in the front and then really loudly again in the back. Over my yells, I heard the home phone ringing - it was a woman that lives on the lakeshore. She had been asked by my neighbor, Katie, to call me to inform me that she had Wally along on her run. Thirty minutes later, Katie came running along with Wally on her dog's leash and her dog was running along.
Apparently, while out front Katie ran by and Wally ran to greet her and just kept running along. Thankfully, Katie was kind enough to take him along!
A couple weeks ago, I met a neighbor I had not yet officially met. She rang the doorbell and had Wally on her dog's leash. Apparently while walking around the block, Wally followed along and even went into their home. Thankfully, she knew where he 'lived' (I use that term loosely).
All "Marley-esque" incidents.
I write that puppies aren't for the weak. And we all know that MS has left me weak at times (this is not a pity party so we're NOT going there) - like yesterday. Poor Wally needed exercise and I just wasn't up to the task. I called my neighbors to see if their kids could walk him and there was no answer. Delaney had late rehearsal and Matthew had plans - so at 4 I put on my shoes and coat, grabbed a leash and went for a needed walk. Wally was thrilled and by the end of the walk, I was hobbling and weaving like a drunken sailor! But he got his walk! And this morning, I called the neighbor and asked her if this afternoon her kids could come take this little black havoc wreaker for a walk.
Thankfully, she's the neighbor who has a dog with similar Marley characteristics - he visited Michael's graduation open house and ate some of the food right off the buffet table!
It takes a village . . . and I am glad for this village. So is Wally!
Hmmm...who else do I remember used to always call thei r do 'damn dog...' or was it 'Dumb dog'? Same thing! :)
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