For several months we talked about if we wanted another dog. On spur of the moment movie and dinner nights I pointed out we couldn't do this if we had a puppy in training. On cold, wet rainy mornings when getting the paper at the end of the driveway required gear, I asked if he missed walking Zed rain or shine. But more he read the ads for puppies in the paper, and said how much he missed his puppy. After the holiday's he started in earnest. I said in Spring, we would ask our vet about a breeder who was trusted.
I said I would know when I was ready when puppies started being cute. And then Shelly our wonderful dog sitter, groomer, savior in time of emergencies sent us two pictures with a note, just thinking of you. The pictures were of Zed and her golden who passed away shortly before Zed started getting sick. They were out in her backyard on a light snow day, shoulder to shoulder patroling the fence. That afternoon we started looking at web sites. This one was too "not cute" and that one was expected to be too small. Then we read about a few breeders who had brought back German Yorkies who were traditionally larger 8- 10 lbs. Then while he was in his office "working" and I was finished the crossword puzzle we each were actually looking at Yorkies. And there she was. She had the perfect face, was 5 lbs at 14 weeks so could be expected to be 8 - 10 lbs when fully grown. She had most of her shots and had been sprayed. Even better she was about an hour and half away. She is too cute, a brindle, not show quality and it is too early to tell if she will have a soft or silky coat but she was it.
I got Bruce to call and of course they said others were coming to look and if we wanted a chance to have her they needed a deposit since I didn't think we could go until Saturday. As luck would have it, afternoon meetings got cancelled and we set out on a miserable, rainy foggy cold afternoon to drive up towards the mountains. I wanted to keep it a secret that we were looking so we could say no, not this one. If she was too timid or lethargic she would have to find another family. Before we left we chose a name Zena the Warrior. If she looked like she could live up to her name she would ours.
The rest is history. She slept through the night no whimpering even though she didn't have any litter mates nearby. By the 24 hour mark she was eating. So far we have managed to get her to poop outside but peeing is a different task. Unlike Zed who felt he needed to lift his leg and needed the perfect blade of grass or something, she is sniff, sniff squat kind of girl.
So while I try to figure out her tells and schedule, it is by the clock. Out first thing, then playtime followed by crate time. As soon as she comes out of the crate we gear up and head to the spot outside. So far we are three for three. But I am not counting on anything but my diligence. Now to convince Papa that crate time is not punishment and she has to pee on a leash. She is in a harness - lesson learned the hardeay with Zed - but it takes a little more time and two hands to get her ready.
Today is day three and despite dawning Uggs and ski jacket cold it has warmed up to fleece weather. I have two weeks to get this schedule thing working before Bruce starts his new job and has to go to the office so Zena and I are on the Puppy Boot Camp program. No backsliding.
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