Sunny Solstice Boy...

 

so i took a step in the healing process that i would not normally recommend or do...but here we are.  

i had put myself on some doodle sites as i figured later in spring or fall i would be wanting to get a puppy...there are often waiting lists. well this guy popped up. he's a standard poodle, though can't be registered because he has some white spots on him.  i found those to be cute though 

i went to meet him and decided to bring him home. 

he is so far fairly calm and very snuggly. this evening he has mastered the stairs so i have to keep leaving computer to check on him.

he is 13 weeks old and over 20 pounds already.  

he is snuggling in with Ivy Rose as well.  she's given him a few grumbles here and there, but over all i think she will adjust and likes him.  this morning as i hit the shower he began crying and howling. Ivy came running up the stairs to be with him and the howling stopped. 

the first night he was howling and barking a lot, which i was starting to think, oh no, what have i gotten myself into!  he's doing much less of that today as he gets more settled and confident. 

the first few days i had to carry him down the stairs, he'd gotten the up but not the down.  today he got the up.  the dog door is still not something he's warmed up to. figured that is okay for the moment. 

i was in too much physical pain after the loss. the ectopy was concerning. i do have an appointment but i haven't had any more ectopy.  my anxiety has decreased since this all happened.  a great distraction i think....my emotional support dog. 

he's so far not really being too obnoxious with the cats.  Miss Breezy loves dogs so she has been cozying up to him already.  covid cat is a bit more stand off but he has plenty of places to jump up onto to escape the curious pup. he's not really giving the cats much focus. 

he's also not mouthy yet.  rarely he's been caught attempting to chew so stuff to watch for down the road.  hoping the extra time with mom increased his manners.  there were 12 in litter, two died, ( they were in the same sack)

i keep checking on him as he's quiet downstairs with Ivy Rose. he's always just chilling down there. that first night he would howl and bark anytime i wasn't right next to him.  he has attached himself to me...he knows he belongs here already.  

it almost feels like Tusker knew that my heart was broken and i'd need a pup to help with the healing process. 

so i named him Sunny Solstice Boy since he came over the solstice week and he seems to be bringing light back into our world. i call him Sunny or Sunny Boy.  he seems to like it.  several other options came out.  always crazy trying to come up with a name.  

so far he's had two walks in the bog today. yesterday he did part of the bog and the night we got home he just went to the mailbox and back.  at first you just want the dog to get used to having a collar and leash on.  he's done pretty well.  

will hope for on calls at work this week, but do have a few folks set up to take him in this first week if needed.  of course, it's also New Years so fireworks and being alone could be a terrible thing.

so far, knock on wood, no accidents in the house. 

he's bound to have a few though. the dog door saved me the last round of pups.  

it will be strange to have a full poodle.  a new experience. will have to find a groomer and make sure i get the puppy cut and not some strange poodle cut. 

here was my working list of possible names. internet/thesaurus searches were done. 

in the end, like the decision to let Tusker go, some decisions you just have to make on your own ultimately.  this one was at least not as painful and more fun.  still it can all feel a bit stressful and overwhelming right now.  i think it just doesn't take much right now to make me feel overwhelmed. 

woke from a nap yesterday to this scene....it is helping to distract me from the recent loss of Tusker.  you can never replace a lost dog and they all leave their own special mark on your heart. 

he's just sitting by the couch next to Ivy Rose. 

the temperatures have warmed.  it's sad actually, though i guess nice to not be going outside in 15 below for potty breaks....now it's lots of ice though. 

just hit the bog.  less tennis ball time for Ivy Rose.  worry about slipping and her knees.  that will always be a worry after her surgery. 

he's not a crazy eater but i'm trying to fill him up when i can.  he runs back and grabs a few.  i think he likes the food i'm switching him to better than what she was feeding. 

i made a brave run to the local PetSmart last night.  took both he and Ivy Rose inside.  i put him inside a cart.  it went okay. 

i think he's gonna get pretty big. she said 60 pounds maybe....i'd be surprised if he was only 60 pounds...but of course, poodles are taller and thinner than labs so perhaps that will be the case. 

a different look on their muzzle.  

we shall see how life goes as a poodle owner. 

who would have thought.  

may try to paint a few rocks for Tusker tonight.  a week or so ago i was brushing Ivy Rose and i went to remove the hair and there was still Tusker hair in the brush so i stopped. i think i have a bag of their hair so i may see if i can have  a hat made with the design of the paw and heart in their fur.  could be very cool to have one with their fur mixed together.  keep them together forever that way. 

Tuskers photo's will crop up on here as i still have lots of old photos to add in....so i'll do that over time. 

felt almost embarrassed to tell people i'd gotten a puppy.  feared people would think it was ridiculous and too soon. they have been supportive. it was impulsive i know but i really felt it was the best thing for my healing. 

this is the sky the day i found the puppy.  i woke to this.  Ivy and i hit Ruths with friends and then I went to meet the puppy.  they stopped by to meet puppy yesterday. he's had some visits and he's been so well behaved.  Ivy gets jealous and tries for the attention.  trying to do all i can to make sure she knows she is still top dog 

i think she's happy Sunny is not all that interested in the tennis ball...seemed to be her main concern. 

he has already done some successful fetch.  we've tried some basics.  he isn't impressed with the training treats.  he may be more excited by squeaky noises.  i'll need to look for training classes for him. 

the to do list.  get him insurance, get him a vet appointment made.  Breezy is due for a visit as well so hopefully i can schedule them together. 

the covid numbers in the state have increased. the intubated perhaps up a smidge from a few weeks ago. lots of travel nurses still so i will try for on call if it's available.  take advantage of that. 

so different from a few nights ago.  he's now sleeping by Ivy Rose downstairs. her on the couch and him beside the couch.  

i took the tree down.  it was pretty dry and i figured why risk the lights and needles and ornaments with the new puppy.  

as Ivy and Tusker were only 5 i still had quite  a few dog toys and chew toys so i didn't feel the need to get much of that.  will just have to figure out what works for him for training.  my labs and doodles were always pretty treat motivated. 

my sweet Ivy.  she's such a good girl.  

this scene really warmed my heart. 

she has grumbled a few times, but you expect that with a new puppy in the house.  it's actually preferred. the older dog will hopefully teach the puppy a few manners.  

he saw his first biker.  i had pulled both dogs off the trail for that this morning.  this afternoon there was a big dog kind of tugging towards us. he seemed a bit more anxious after that and less bouncy on the trail for a bit.  it's all about gaining some confidence.  he still has some vaccines so limited walking for a bit. 

puppies jump between your legs so i joked i may trip and break an arm so i may not have to worry about getting on calls.....hopefully not.  there was a time at the beginning of covid where i would have welcomed a broken limb to get out of work.  i have some more understanding why a soldier would shoot their own foot. 

better go keep on eye on the furs. i'll be thrilled if he's not a huge chewer/biter and trains fairly easily. probably will feel easier after having two at once last round. 

plus last time i had total of 3 dogs at the same time. i was pretty exhausted. 

grateful for A. the distraction of Sunny Boy B. feeling less or no ectopy of late. C. support and kindness.