SB has been whining about getting a dog for YEARS. I’ve had to play the role of the mean mommy that won’t let him get one, pointing out the myriad reasons why it’s not the right time. Since we became homeowners, however, it’s gotten more difficult, and besides, I love dogs! I just couldn’t imagine taking on all that grown-up responsibility.
I seemed to have too many high expectations, and dogs are such a crap shoot. You can easily end up with a pain in the ass dog.
It would be perfect if we could adopt an adult dog who is already trained. She should come when you whistle and sit when you snap your fingers. She should be micro-chipped, and come with two dog beds, a bag of toys and a dog backpack. She should of course be extremely cute and have exceptionally soft fur and a sweet face. Oh, and in case I didn’t mention it, this should all be free.
Dude. It happened! Meet Freya!
SQUEEEEEE! She is so wonderful and we already love her so much! She seems to be adjusting well to our dog-door-into-the-basement scenario, and has not protested at all about not being allowed in the main part of the house. (I SHALL win the war on dog hair. I must.)
After several Netflixed episodes of Cesar Milan: Dog Whisperer, we have even learned to walk with her successfully. She is an Alaskan Husky, so her instict is to pull her sled, but Cesar taught us to have her leash really short and to make her walk next to us or behind us, while we radiate calm, assertive energy. And it worked! We even took her to the waterfront yesterday, with all those other dogs and smells and everything, and with continuous, firm, corrective leash pulls, she learned to walk next to us within about 20 minutes. It was SO incredibly rewarding.
Now we need all kinds af advice! Internets, where are the best dogparks around Tacoma? Who knows a good vet? Do we have one of those U-dog-wash places anywhere? Which smaller, local, pet supply stores do you frequent? Or do you just go to Petco? Anyone have any dog owner advice, like, “Don’t ever take your dog here, or never let your dog do that,” ect?
So far, this dog is perfect. YAY, FREYA!!
Oh, she’s darling! Congratulations!
Aw, she’s GREAT! I totally like the “adult pet adoption” thing. I mean, adult pets. We adopted two cats as kittens and one as an adult, and the adult one worked out WAYYYYYYYY better. I’m not even willing to adopt baby animals anymore.
Congratulations! She is adorable. Adopting adult dogs is teh awesome.
Bestest vet in Tacoma is Dr. Natalie Warren at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital. She takes such good care of all our pets. They relax there like they never have at another vet. Their phone number is 274-0225. Tell them Naomi sent you.
We also frequent Mud Bay Grainery (that’s how they spell it) in UP out by the Trader Joe’s. They have awesome pet food and everyone who works there is required to take a course in nutrition before they start working there. I highly recommend Wellness dog food.
Enjoy your new pup!
SO Cute! Yay!
Weird. We know another couple in town with a dog of the same name … and one half of the duo is also a theater Lute.
Coincidence? Likely so. But still weird.
I also recommend Columbia vets at 6th & Pearl. Awesome folks.
Great dog walks: Any Point Defiance Trail especially Owen Beach to the point of the park (low tide of course, check the tables)
Scrub yer pup: Shampooch (next to the Red Hot 6th ave.)
Canine vittles: Next to Nature (they just moved up the hill from their old spot on Pacific Ave, better parking & more floor space. 1600 block of Tacoma Ave.)
Last words of advice: The battle against pet hair is futile. We’ve raised Dalmations over the years and we soon gave up. White hair on dark clothes, black on white and a mixture everywhere else. But every cloud has a silver lining, at least you will have a steady source of fiber in your diet!
We only have cats, but I’ll second the Columbia Vet recommendation.
Wow, just wow! Congratulations! SHe’s adorable and teh awesome and everything everyone’s already said.
Um, remind me, though, to tell you about that name. I have a funny thing about that name. Just not recitable on such a public forum.
Beth: Thanks! How is Dixie?
Swistle: You’re not willing to “adopt baby animals anymore” but baby humans? You take those on with great frequency!
ensie: Ooh! Thanks for all that great advice! I like another excuse to go out to Trader Joe’s.
serror: I know! Yay!
chickadee: Weird! Thanks for the vet rec.
Mike H: You rule! Thanks for all that. The fiber comment almost made me lose my lunch, though. *iwillwin, iwillwin, iwillwin*
jamie: Cats? Really? Just kidding.
Thanks also for the vet rec.
Addled: oooh! Color me intrigued. Did some Norwegian lass break your heart back at the Lutedome?
OMG! I knew you’d give in! Yay! Dogs are great, even mine. Ha! She’s getting better and better every day. I’m so glad that Freya is being the perfect dog. Stay firm and commited to being pack leader, though. Dublin was the “perfect” dog for a couple of weeks before she really got “comfortable”.
However, it sounds like Freya was well trained before. Did you get her from a friend or a shelter? Hopefully you know her history, which always helps with the training!
Enjoy your new furry friend! Wish ours could play together!
Did I mention the “mama” of said twin-named dog is also named Jenny? Uber weird.
Couple more thoughts
Dog toy: The Kong. Practically indestructible. Smear peanut butter inside and keep puppy occupied for a good long time.
Embrace the inevitable:
http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Dog-Hair-Better-Sweater/dp/0312152906
You did say Freya has exceptionally soft fur.
Oh my gosh, she looks so sweet! I’m so happy for you! And Mike is SO right about the Kong with peanut butter in it – keeps my dogs away while we eat dinner every night. Although the noises they make trying to get their tongues in the hole… not for the squeamish.
Ha ha ha–you’re one of us now! Soon you will have a dogster page. You can check out Hannah’s at http://www.dogster.com/dogs/78094.
The war on dog hair is a lost cause. We gave up early, and our Freya’s favorite spot is on the couch. She’s the laziest austrailian shepheard alive.
Vets: Columbia on 6th and Pearl.
Stores: Wag on Proctor. Chirp and Co. next to Wheelock Library. Lucky Dog on 6th ave next to Papa Johns.
Places with Dogs: The off-leash park at Stellicoom (I know, atrocious spelling) is the BEST. Owen Beach for swimming, but go during unpopular hours. We play a lot of fetch at Delong Park, because the park people in North Tacoma starting issuing loads more tickets at 250 a pop.
But we need more story of where she came from!
Jill: I wish we could have a dog date, too! We did get her from a friend, so we know she was happy and well treated.
tacomachickadee: I have since checked out your mysterious Jenny/Freya/Lute combo and she looks familiar in that, “Oh dear, did I know her and have forgotten her, or is she just Lute-y” sort of way. Seriously, college is so blurry to me.
Mike H.: She came with a Kong, but we haven’t tried it out yet. Is peanut butter okay to give to a dog that doesn’t eat people food? Also, see new post.
Jayare: Oh dear. I can only imagine what Sammie can do with that HUGE tongue.
beth: Yes, I am. *sigh* Not exactly sure what the point of Dogster is, though? Just fun? Dog dating?
Jenny: Hi there, mysterious friend! Thanks for all the handy suggestions. I will email you her story!
Congrats on Freya! I didn’t know you were going to make her stay outside and in the cellar tho. My dog is attached to my hip at all times. She loooooooves me.
Dar: It’s funny. I felt badly about it at first, and I thought maybe she would be sad, but Aaron made the basement into his office and spends all day down there. Even when she has the option of being with him, she chooses to be outside most of the time.
Ah, well my dog is so needy. She thinks she’s a small yappy type dog. And giving her Cesar food does not make her shut the F up~ we tried.
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
This post has good and valuable information, Is nice to see some good articles like this one, thank you.