Cowboy Comes Home

Cowboy arrived today! 

I met his breeder in town at 9:30.  I was given a “puppy book” that included his vaccination records, photos of mom and dad, litter registrations (both ASCA & AKC), and all other pertinent paperwork. Along with that she handed my a bag of puppy food so I could transition him to what I was going to feed, and the little cowboy hat she took his first pictures with. Oh yes, and the puppy.

He was a little nervous and frightened, going from his nice, safe environment with brothers and sisters; familiar sounds, smells and people – to this new stranger with an unfamiliar voice – and NO brothers and sisters. Such a traumatic experience for a baby!

I held him as I chatted with the breeder and he seemed to relax a little bit, but than I placed him in the crate for the ride home and he immediately decided he did not like that.  He was used to a crate, but this was not his crate!  This had smells of other dogs – more dominant dogs – ones who might kill and eat him. He began to cry and bark and howl, and I suspected it was simply because of being in a new place.  I was wrong.  About halfway there I detected a very strong odor of poop – and yes, he pooped in the crate – a lot. 

Took him in to PetSmart and decided I would clean up the crate after I’d bought the collar.  Because they have a waste station near their door, I went to grab a bag but it was empty, so I went back inside and asked for a plastic bag. 

After I cleaned up the crate – and his paws, we headed back home to introduce him to Kizzy.  At first he was very excited to meet her, but she was not sure what in the world this little fuzzy creature was, and backed away from him.  But before long it was Kizzy who wanted to play, and Cowboy who was running away from her.  She isn’t that much bigger than him, but she is still bigger… 

By this evening they were getting along quite well, although Kizzy seems to be just a tiny bit put off by this new pup.  He’s in her territory, after all.  It’s only been two years since Sadie’s been gone, but Kizzy has already become used to having me all to herself.  I need to make sure and set aside some time just for her.

Connie told me that Cowboy is very food motivated – I guess!  He nearly knocked the food dish out of my hand trying to get to his supper tonight, and when I picked it back up he lunged for it.  We will be working on that right away – no food aggression allowed in this house!