Oh my giddy god......

[HangingOver]

I can't actually believe I'm finally typing this... I think I'm getting a dog!

I've wanted one of my own my entire life. I had one growing up and look after friends and neighbours at every available opportunity as I adore dogs so much. A rescue came up locally and I thought he looked lovely, he was snapped up immediately, but came up again yesterday! Me and DP are meeting him this afternoon.

Any tips for meeting a rescue for the first time? Other than being gentle and calm? He's 8 months so a bouncy chap.

ARGGGH! So excited. 😁

He really is isn't he ☺️ Some people think he's funny looking but I think he's so gorgeous

The pate from JR Products always makes my dog’s poo a creamier texture. Actually so does anything with that consistency - yoghurt, peanut butter, primula etc.

Lovely photos.

How very dare they! I think he has film star looks!

He’s soooo gorgeous! People think my dog looks ‘funny’ too because he also has giant ears and long, skinny legs but it’s all part of his charm

People are just so used to labs and spaniels that they forget dogs really do come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all just lovely!

Don’t you come for the Labs & Spaniels!

Seriously though, I agree they are all lovely with all their different shades & sizes. I love seeing everyone’s photos of their pups.

I love labs and spaniels!

It’s just that people forget that the gangly, skinny freaks of the dog world are cute too

All dogs are cute. (Possibly with the exception of the flat faced ones :) )

He’s gorgeous, looks like he’s laughing in that photo

Gorgeous! (From a lab owner )

Pod is gorgeous. Lab/spaniel cross here, and OBVS I think he's the best boy in the whole world, but I have been known to follow a greyhound through the dog park cooing at his long legs and handsome countenance. Just don't tell Bill.

Having a full on "What the hell have I done " day today.

There are people working on the road outside today so all Pod wants to do is stand in the garden and bark at them. When I bring him back in he paces and whines and barks like he needed to pee (and he hasn't been since this morning) so I took him out on the lead a few times for a loo break then started humping my legs and jumping up and ripping holes in my sweater. Maybe it's because I just heard DNanna isn't going to make it to next week when I was supposed to see her and wouldn't know me even if I did but I just sat down and boohooed on the kitchen floor and he ripped the tissue out my hand. I know I won't mean this in an hour but I wish he'd just go away

Oh PodMum I'm so sorry it's a lot all at once isn't it. Sending you big virtual hugs.

There's no real harm in separating yourself from him (in a crate or shut in another room) so you can breathe. Obviously not long term forever but it's same advise newborn mums are given and it can help.

He'll be picking up on your stress too. One of those things that you know but doesn't make it any easier.

Sending you all the love ❤️

I really feel for you.

It's exhausting, and you're dealing with so much - can you have 5 mins to yourself?

Do anything - get out for a walk (with DDog!), pop him in his crate, go for drive with him in the car, anything just to get away from the awfulness of 'right now'?

Sending virtual support.

He sounds like a shark. A sweet, sharky shark.

I started reading this thread and had to stop reading everyone else's contributions as couldn't wait to see how it was all going @HangingOver . To everyone else, I will go back and read as I can see there is a lot of good advice her.

I then read your last post and my heart just broke for you @HangingOver . I only had my Nana for family and I went to phone her last week. That jolt when I realised she has been dead since 2005. I really really hope you get to see her one last time. Could you friend move into help? Someone from the rescue place?

You are doing an amazing job with HangingOverPuppy and it will all be fine. Mine is eight and I remember the stress when she stopped at every single car, and even before that she didn't want to walk far at all, I thought what have I done? We'll never get anywhere. Now I have the most gorgeous girl which everyone in the village loves and is bomb proof.

I hope you get to see your DNanna at least once more. Look after yourself.

So sorry about your nan. I hope you get there in time.

To get you past this tough point, could you hire a dog walker or get someone from the rescue to take him for a run every day?

He probably senses your low mood and feels stressed by that, and the antics are attention-seeking and trying to help in a doggy sort of way. Once I banged my ankle on furniture whilst making the bed and sank to the bedroom floor with a cry of pain, and screeched out a few times. My tiny little dogs came thundering into the room barking and trying to lick my face and paw my arms; they were in rull response mode and trying to help, annoying as it was.

Good luck; he is getting better every day.

So sorry about your Nan.. that absolutely sucks.

I think ALL dog people have days where we just wish they'd go away for a moment, particularly when that dog is an adolescent! It passes, please don't feel bad about that - he is just a clueless self-absorbed bat-eared idiot who has no clue what you're dealing with, because he can't... but the twattery he does is not personal in the slightest.

You're doing a great job with him, hang in there!

Sorry to hear about your Nan, and you’re off day. We’ve all had (have) those days when you question your sanity in getting a dog.

So sorry to hear about your Nanna 😥

Oh @HangingOver , I wish I were close to you and we could rally round. The couple of times that Bill has made me cry, sometimes all I needed was a break. I hadn't realised how much until he started daycare and suddenly I had a day, two days, when I could actually think. I missed him horribly and was desperate to pick him up but it was like having a holiday.

So sorry Hanging

Take any and all offers of help and do whatever you need to do, Pod will be fine.

They can be awful. Have you tried a loose light trailing lead in the house. When ddog was young, and woof-guarding the house/trying me nuts it used to work.
I think this is the idea:
When they are on a lead, they know that you are in charge. When they are 'loose' they take the responsibility onto themselves.
A light trailing lead, without a loop at the end to catch on things, can really help to message that. And it's awful useful to grab.
But maybe this is old news, haven't read whole thread.
Very sorry about your Gran. What tough timing for you.

Pod is looking very majestic in his photographs. I’m so sorry you are going through such a rough time at the moment. I hope you manage to see your nanna and Pod is on his best behaviour.

I know the despairing feeling. I had it with our first dog, the most beautiful black Labrador that drove me crazy as a puppy (although I can’t remember why now). He died nearly two years ago and I honestly wished I was dead too because I couldn’t bear the thought of him being in heaven where he didn’t know anybody! I’m not nuts honestly, he was just the best boy x

Very sorry to hear about your Nana. Pod will be sensing your upset which is why he is acting out. I know that doesn't make it any less annoying, but he isn't doing it to be a pain in the arse. If he is getting too much, I would crate him for a while, or put in somewhere where he will be safe for an hour or so, so that you can breathe for a moment. He will be fine, dogs are resilient and he will have forgotten 10 seconds after you let him out again.

Our dogs will be waiting for us when we get to heaven and they will be sooo excited to see us. I am convinced of it. And they will be their best selves so no puppy nonsense for eternity, just happy walks and playing all the time and an endless supply of high quality dog food.

Nana passed last night 😞

Pod was excellent at the vet this morning but I think I'm in for another afternoon like yesterday. We seem to get stuck in this cycle of bark to go out > bark constantly at neighbours so I go outside to try to distract him > jump up and rip my clothes > get taken in > rinse and repeat. Kong or chewys breaks the cycle briefly then it starts again. Today I'm wearing a t-shirt so there aren't sleeves to tempt him but he's just taken a flying leap at my back and ripped open the back of my t-shirt. Have left a message with the trainer because I need help 😢