So, we are heading to Fremont on Sunday to spend some time with the puppies and determine which one we would most like to call our own. On the surface, considering the innate cuteness of a puppy, that would seem like a hard choice to make, but a few factors will help to determine which of these month-old bundles of fur will proudly wear the name of Parker.
Obviously, the dog will have to look healthy. His fur should be clean and shiny, his eyes should be clear, his nose should not be running. He should breathe clearly. Plus, he should be friendly, rather than shy; active, rather than lethargic; solid, rather than thin. He should be relatively submissive (we don't need any competition for alpha dog in the Monkey House), but not so unprepossessing that he doesn't have a little personality. And, I guess the only way to really figure all that out (besides some scientifically-developed puppy aptitude tests--they're out there), is to spend some time with the dogs and see what happens.
The tricky part of that is that we will be picking from two litters. Part of our job of eliminating unlikely candidates is done by gender. We want a male dog, so that eliminates the puppettes. We want a black Lab, so that eliminates the yellows and the chocolates in these multi-colored litters. I think that leaves us about eight dogs to pick from. Again, not an easy task. I am a bit worried.
What if we pick the wrong one? What if we get duped by some uber-cute rascal of a dog who winds up making that movie dog look like Asta by comparison? What if we introduce a complete nut job to our house, who refuses to be house-broken, refuses to play nice with his older sibling, and refuses to stop eating things that he shouldn't be eating? What if he eats my ATM card? Or, worse yet, what if we get attached to a yellow or a chocolate? That would make our choice that much more complicated, and will that be okay? Well, of course it will. We will choose the right dog. We will train him well. Everything will be fine. But, if I have learned anything in all my years, it's this: you NEVER know what will happen.
Photo taken from Deez Labs (http://www.deezlabs.com).
A tough choice, no doubt. But it's hard to go wrong...and ATM cards can be replaced within 7-10 days. (Six in my case, so SCORE!)
ReplyDeleteYou find the pup with the long, tangly hair that could go in a ponytail, who smells like patchouli, and who has a fondness for tie-dye and berks: that's Your One.
ReplyDeleteOK, in all seriousness I appreciate your thoughtfulness and sometimes forget how earnest how can be with such things. You will choose the right one ! and I look forward to hearing all about it.
Good luck!
I think you'll just *know*. (Mike was after a black kitty when Frank made it known that HE was to be our kitten). And if he turns out to be a little overly sassy, Beth's right, ATMs are easy to replace...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to meet the little rascal.
We can't fall in love with a yellow or chocolate...no looking at them since the deposit is for a black male. And trip postponed until the 9th. I'm sure ATR will update on that front.
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