Getting to Know You

Louie August 2006

A big ol' yawn from my new little pup pup. Showing off his lack of molars. Seven weeks old, Louie seems like a normal puppy. Tons of energy followed by unplanned bouts of heavy sleep. Clumsy as all get out! I've never seen a dog run into so many things and not even care, he just keeps going.

I let him go outside to tinkle. I peer of my porch, watching him find a spot. He squats to poo. The weight of his heavy head too big to hold, he slowly starts to tilt forward as the crap falls out the back end. He does a face plant mid-shit. Cutest damn thing I've ever seen. Always so overly careful not to step in his freshly laid turd.

Everyday we have play time in our tiny front lawn. First just getting him to follow me as I run back and forth. Then with a leash attached and, when that seemed to go unnoticed, the leash in hand. Stop together, start together, repeat. He likes follow the leader and it's easy for me to lead. One of my strides is a long way to go for Louie, bounding along all goofy.

His carefree and positive attitude is contagious. When I'm playing with him, we are learning together without ever being aware. We are learning each others language, we are figuring out how to communicate. Where do we stand and how do we get along with one another? Where are the rules and boundary's? They are there but they come about organically and without force. Learning the meaning of 'sit' is as simple as me holding my hand above the top of his head and moving it toward his back end until his back legs fall out from under him. "Sit." I say softly and then we wrestle and frolic. Yes, I said frolic. There was no one else around okay. Louie was not concerned with my coolness or reputation as a tough guy. Soon enough all I had to say was "Sit" and his butt hit the ground, tail wagging.

Meeting Louie

Louie 7 weeks old, 2006

Meeting Louie

That is Louie circa 2006. Little seven week old pup, bright tailed and bushy eyed, as they say. I picked him from a litter of mutts. It was an unplanned pregnancy. The mom Rose, black with a white spot, three quarters lab and a quarter pit. The father, Rio, tan and white, one quarter lab and three quarters pit. Rambling Rose and Rio Grande. Named after Greatful Dead songs. Louie's parents were hippies. Sorry, don't mention it around Louie. He's sensitive about the subject. You know, don't bring up global warming, organic farming or micro brews either. Just to be on the safe side.

Louie's parents weren't married. His mother was very young and his father was a bully but a sweetheart. There was, however, a distant relation between the two, causing me concern regarding the health and intelligence of their offspring. Realizing what would be of these pups was kind of sad. They were so precious, but no one really wanted them.


I got into this idea of raising a puppy head first. Once I heard about Rose being pregnant and decided I would give one a home when they were born regardless of the circumstances of their conception. I was set on putting full effort into training an amazing dog.

I pictured days lying in the sun at the park reading my book on Taoism and puppies, with my calm and trusty friend lying off leash on the grass next to me, catching a Frisbee mid-air, running beside my bicycle.

I quickly came to, remembering that I was a homebody with mild to moderate social anxiety. I don't like lying in the sun and I'm not very confident on a bike. Hey, but I do like taking walks and I'm gentle and can sometimes force patients, so what the heck, I'll try my hand at puppy rearing anyway. If I don't allow my pit-mix to attack and kill anything more adorable then him, then I call that a win!


So how do you pick out a puppy from a litter? It's like picking a M&M from a candy dish. They are all delicious and pretty much taste the same, who cares what color it is unless your some kind of obsessive freak. Am I right? Don't answer that.

Picking a Puppy

I read a few chapters on the subject and learned a few tricks. When the litter is at least six weeks old, stop in and observe.

Watch the Puppies Interact

The 'Eastern European Magic Sleeping Puppy' may not be as cool as it sounds

•  Is there one puppy that is ruthlessly attacking others or foaming at the mouth? This puppy may not be for you, unless you're really into dog fighting, which I don't condone myself.
  
• Is there a puppy hiding in the corner unable to figure out how to turn around and get to the other side where the food is? This puppy rides the short bus.
  
• Is there another puppy waiting in line, confused, behind the short bus puppy in the corner? This puppy is a follower, not a leader. This puppy may have a lot more going on there than just being a puppy, if you know what I mean.
• Is there a puppy that is asleep the entire visit? Has this puppy moved at all? Has the owner of the dogs told you, shifty eyed, that "This puppy is known as an Eastern European Magic Sleeping Puppy."? Is there flies starting to accumulate? This puppy may be deceased. Don't buy this puppy, the will be boring and quickly start to stink.
• Is there a puppy trapped under a heavy object, unable to free himself? You should probably help that puppy. What are you, some kind of sadist?
  
• Is there one puppy playing with others and letting others play with them? Enjoying a toy, interacting with the people around, exploring, following when you call them, running when you run? Now this may be the puppy for you!
   

Inspect the Puppies

Check List to Inspect:

• Teeth, mouth and gums: Make sure your puppy's been brushing and flossing regularly.
• Ears: Infested with insects and stuffed with goo? Does the puppy bite you when you touch their ears or yelp? That puppy might be a wimp.
• Eyes: Can you see the pupil. Do they look at you? Are they cloudy? Don't over think it.
• Paws: How many toes do they have? You don't want some kind of a mutant freak, now do you.
• No-No special private parts (don't let anyone catch you looking at this one, they may not allow you to adopt that puppy after all.)

 
The Final Decision

After short deliberation I realized the little black, tan and white male was for me. He had a white spot on his neck in the shape of a triangle, that's how I'll remember which one I will take home. He has a pleasant demeanor, plays well with others, seems attentive, normal amount of extremities and not viciously attacking anyone. His eyes seem off, different but cool. Since this young puppy is still developing, the best I can tell is that he will probably have blue eyes.

I think there were about seven or eight puppies, but I took home Louie. After trying to call him Turbo, Willie Nelson and politely declined the suggestions of Shark Tooth and Killer, I thought Louie would be nice. Louie Prima. Louie Anderson. My Louis Bernard.

Fast forward one more week:

Now I'm ready to take home my perfectly normal 7 week old puppy.