The Rex-Files

After Keira pulled together a very compelling case via a PowerPoint presentation titled "Mission Puppy" which included short, supportive videos made by her friends this past December, Rex officially joined our family on Feb 27th. Life hasn't been the same and "The Rex-Files" was born.

Rex - DOB 12/26/2020 - 9 weeks old

We met him and his siblings at Aria's Friends in Faribault earlier in Feb. It was a tough decision being surrounded by equally adorable puppies, but Keira ultimately chose this little guy. 

Rex - 2/7/2021 - 6 weeks old

I tried to really enjoy the Friday before picking him up. I wanted to soak up the pleasure of being carefree - sleeping in, coming and going as I pleased, etc. Pandemic life already changed the definition of "carefree". Bringing home a new puppy took it to a new level!

Admittedly, I'm a hesitant, beginner dog owner. I've never been comfortable around animals, in general, and I've never felt like my life has been lacking without a pet. I suppose it's because I've never had one growing up nor for most of my adult life. But, I love my kiddo fiercely and the thought of her being lonely pushed me over the edge. We chose a miniature poodle because I have allergies, they're supposed to be a good breed for people like me and he won't get too big. I certainly don't want to get pushed around by my own dog. 

Fast forward to pickup day. Keira was beyond excited - she was physically jittery. I was anxious and perhaps apprehensive. I think Mark was excited too, but he has an amazing poker face, so I'm not sure how he really felt. He loves dogs though, so I have to think he was pretty excited too, but perhaps too cool to show it. Ha!

When we arrived at Aria's Friends, I asked Mark to check with them to see if they were ready for us. We were all following COVID protocols. As Mark waved to us from the entrance, indicating we could join him, Keira let out a high-pitched squeal I hadn't heard in a long time. All the feels! Keira all but disappeared the moment she saw HER puppy. She got on the ground and started to play with him and pet him. Every time I looked at her, she had a silly grin on her face. She was in heaven.

The folks at Aria's Friends were fantastic! They sent us home with food for a week, a bag of treats, a toy that had been rubbed on Rex's littermates, a health record to share with our vet, and many instructions and tips to be successful with owning a dog - - a puppy to be exact. (I've heard that raising a puppy is different than starting with an older dog - months make a big difference I'm told.) One thing imparted to us is that we have to make sure we show him who's boss...If not, our puppy would quickly learn that he's the boss and that's not something we'd want. What did that even mean?! Oh boy!! Anyway, the breeders also trimmed his nails and gave him a bath, so we went home with a clean pup and could focus on getting him accustomed to his new home. Admittedly, I felt for the little guy. We were the scary people taking him away from the home he'd always known. That's what I would be thinking if I were him.

After an hour of administrative paperwork, tips and tricks, Q&A, etc., it was time to put Rex in the car and head home. He'd never been in a car, so the breeder armed us with a plastic bag and paper towels and the warning that car sickness could be a real possibility. Gulp. My anxiety was through the roof! What if he puked? Would we pull over? Do we clean it up and put him back in the carrier? What if he pees or poops? What if he starts crying?  However, the universe smiled upon us (or maybe only gave us what we, I, could handle). Rex hardly made a sound. We put him in a small pet carrier to ride home next to Keira. She unzipped the sides to keep her hand on him all the way home. Within 10 minutes, he was asleep and stayed that way for the 45 minute ride home. Admittedly, Mark drove much more gingerly and cautiously than typical. I can't remember the last time he drove like that. Maybe when we brought Keira home from the hospital? Maybe. We were already adjusting our lives and behaviors to this little fur ball. But, we were off to a really good start!

Then we got home. Mark and Keira worked to coax him out of the carrier while I went inside to unload the supplies we received from the breeder. They took him to what is now his "potty spot" and he went. Thank goodness he didn't go in the car!! I swear, Aria's Friends must have crate trained him and also worked on potty training. Everything I've read said puppy would need to be let out at least on the hour. But, from when we arrived to the breeder to the time we got home, it was over two hours and he didn't go to the bathroom until we got him home and to his spot. Believe me, I'm not complaining!! I think it would've been a bad start had there been an accident during the car ride. I was prepared for it, but could I really prepare for something for which I have no basis to compare? Reality is never a reflection of how I "imagine" things.

This first week has been rough, but not really because of Rex...and not really because of Mark nor Keira. They have both been great, especially Keira. She's really been carrying most of the responsibilities since Rex came home. It's a little easier for her because when she's not in distance learning and zooming into classes, she has more flexibility to take him out, play with him and take care of him. It's been rough because I haven't been sleeping. Rex has! We prepared to take him out once or twice in the middle of the night, but the little guy has been sleeping through the night (7-8 hours at a time) since we brought him home. Aria's Friends must've had something to do with this. I'm in a heightened state of alert - always listening for him, never wanting to miss his cries, especially if he needs to go out. I don't want to go backwards in his potty training and inadvertently cause issues. When he's awake and we play, his playful nipping scares me because all I can think about is flesh being torn away from my hands. When he's napping and quiet in his crate, I worry something is wrong and he's sick or dead. The dog food and treats offend my olfactory senses. I don't feel like we've bonded. I've been diagnosed (by amateur friends and via articles I've read) with the Puppy Blues. Sleep deprivation has never been a good look on me, so I'm working hard to get a handle on things. We bought a $30 camera from Amazon allowing us to monitor him - see and hear him. That helped me sleep last night. It was either that or a week of 4-5 hours of sleep finally hit me hard.

That's not to say it's been all bad. It really hasn't. There have been many moments when Rex is calm and I'm able to pet, play or train him. Those have been my favorite moments...in addition to when he naps. Keira and Mark seem to be at ease and are happy with this addition. The jury is still out for me. I truly hope it's just the puppy phase and I'll feel differently as he matures, is trained and truly becomes part of our family. I struggled with Keira as an infant, so this isn't completely new to me. But, that was a trying time and I imagine this will be too - a trying time with glimpses and moments of pure joy that will keep me going. These days I become a wreck thinking about Keira starting high school, leaving home...Maybe I'll feel that way about Rex too.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the good moments. Watching Keira with Rex is particularly joyful. Even through the challenges, it's so clear how much she loves him and that's all I need to know.

A girl and her puppy

Sweet puppy naps