The First Week
The day finally arrived. For three weeks toys had been purchased, appointments with the vet made, and studying done to ensure everything was ready for the big day.
Leaving the breeder's home with his information sheets, a box of puppy food and a towel from his bedding to help the transition between homes to go more smoothly, I knew this was the start of something special. On the ride home, he fell asleep three times, draped over my arm and calm as could be. Apart from a bit of excited squirming to start with, he took it all in his stride.
Bailey Dawg ('Bailey' being my choice of name and 'Dawg' being my son's choice) made himself right at home from the start. He had himself a good look around, wore himself out getting to know my son's cat and a rabbit temporarily inside, and promptly fell asleep under my chair, snoring away.
The final thing my son had told me before heading off to school that day, was 'You find Bailey, I go school'. He had been very excited about the arrival of the puppy; it was all he spoke of for three days prior to the event. Upon his return, his face lit up and he exclaimed 'Mommy, you found Bailey! Well done!' Bailey's tail was wagging faster than I've seen any dog's wag in some time, and I knew right then that they were going to be great friends. It will take time for them to bond, but they are off to a flying start. My son takes great joy in following Bailey with toys to ensure he's got things to play with, and often will tell me that Bailey and Mommy are his best friends. I'm glad to know I get to share the spot with the dog, at least!
Bailey is fantastic when it comes to sleeping routines. He's got his own bed at the foot of mine, and is kept secure in my room by means of a baby gate across the doorway. I had intended to buy him a crate, but this wasn't possible before his arrival and so we made due with what we've got. At bedtime, I laid out his papers and put him on his bed with a puppy nylabone and his towel that smelled of his mother and littermates. He whimpered for about one minute, though he never once barked or actually whined, and then he lay down and promptly fell asleep. Bailey woke every two hours or so, would whimper once or twice and come to get his ear scratched, and then return to bed.
The second night he barked once after the lights went out, and then he was mostly quiet the rest of the night. He was restless but mostly quiet up until Friday night when he lay down immediately and slept through. Of course, upon waking this morning, I found him curled up on the top of a stack of books covered securely to protect them from his teeth, nearly level with my bed. It was the closest he can get without actually getting on my bed, and he knows it apparently, as he took the hint from the previous nights and didn't actually get onto my bed.
Bailey Dawg has proven to be very clever, and is easily taught when he's in the mood for it. He is extremely excitable when it comes to feedings, so I began teaching him 'sit' as he sits automatically when he comes to me anyway. This made it very easy to associate the word with the action; he does it all the time! After only two feedings asking him to sit before the food bowl was set down, he figured out that he not only had to sit, but do it quietly and the food was delivered. Its a precaution to ensure even my son can feed him safely.
He's an angel at the vet, affectionate and intelligent... Bailey is a dream, and I can't wait to watch him grow and reach his potential.
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