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Originally Posted by annamc  Thanks very much for the welcome and the advice, guys.  I'm very happy with Miss Molly, not to mention very, very lucky -- I think she's more housebroken than my husband and me are! She uses the doggie door faithfully without a single accident, sits quietly without begging while we eat (although with a winsomely hopeful, powerfully guilt-inducing stare, and much joy when a tidbit of chicken is forthcoming), loves to cuddle and have her tummy rubbed, has no objections to being brushed, and does the Happy Tapdance of Joy whenever my husband and I come home. She sleeps next to me on a pillow, and sleeps all night. She doesn't chew anything she's not supposed to, either! She's so well-behaved she's almost a Stepford Puppy. Her only remotely bad habit is that certain outside noises -- loud birdsong especially -- seem to annoy her, and she feels compelled to go outside and give a couple of barks and a grumbling growl to show them who's boss. She also seems very afraid of people on the few occasions I've taken her out; she trembles and pants. I'm going to try to take her out more often for short periods of time to socialize her a little more.
I'm so glad I have her - I didn't realize just how badly I missed having a Yorkie doing the Happy Tapdance of Joy just for me, or waking up to a warm fuzzy puppy lying under my chin, making happy little noises as I rub her tummy (makes getting up to go to work much harder, though!).
One more question, please; she hasn't been spayed yet. I definitely want to get this done, but I hate to do it while she's still adjusting to the initial bewilderment of losing her old home and gaining a new one; I also don't want her to grow to regard me as The Mean Lady Who Not Only Stole Me, But Made Me Get Stitches, which I'm afraid might happen if I spay her too soon (she's already had a full vet exam and some shots, for which she was very well-behaved but clearly not keen on). She's apparently been in heat twice, the last time two months ago. How long do you think I should wait to spay her? The vet pretty much just said I should get it done before her next heat. I'd like to get it done as soon as I can without traumatizing her.
Anna M.C. |
i was worried about spaying too for the same reason! i adopted my puppy from a shelter and i can't say for sure what her life was like before i came along. she warmed up to me immediately, but was wary of anyone else - including my husband and children. she's coming around, but i'm still her favorite! she trusts me - REALLY trusts me. she just lies in the tub while i bathe her - she's so sweet. i thought, OMG, she is going to think i've abandoned her when i leave her at the vet! in my case, she is 4 months old now and the vet won't spay her until she's 6 months old. i figured that's fine with me because by that time i don't think she will lose her faith in me.
really, i don't think you would have to wait two months (i am only because i have to). if you are loving toward her which i'm sure you are - and you are extra loving when you pick her up from the vet - it won't make a difference. dogs are man's best friend (and woman's)!
i was pushing my puppy away from the door today because she was trying to get out (thinking i was going out) when i was really just opening the door to yell for my kids to come inside. i pushed her away with my foot (gently of course) but her head hit the side of my treadmill. i was like OMG she probably thinks i just abused her!! i picked her up immediately and petted her while i apologized. she just licked me and wagged her tail - dogs are smart - they know who loves them.
i say go ahead and do it as soon as you can get her in.