Puppy Issues

This morning at approximately 3am I opened my eyes to discover Karl standing over me holding little Dusty. After I managed to get past the fleeting feeling of panic at waking up with someone standing over me in the middle of the night, I noticed that Karl seemed to be on the verge of tears. I rasped, "What are you doing? Put the dog down and go to bed" to which Karl replied in all sincerity, "Matt, I can't live like this." I rolled over and went back to sleep.

I woke up at 6am and found Karl standing in the living room looking down at Dusty who was looking up at Karl. As it turned out, Karl had been up all night with the puppy ---- AGAIN! Karl reminded me that he just couldn't handle the pressure of having a dog. I took a deep breath and said, "It is just a dog. This isn't a baby --- and if you don't want to keep her I will find a home for her" ....However, I am in love with Dusty. It would kill me to lose her, actually. She makes me feel good.

Anyway, I took a shower and when I came out Karl was, once again, looking down at Dusty. Karl commented with tears in his eyes, "I don't think I can part with her" It was so cute --- and funny all at once. The, I should point out it was not at all funny to Karl.

Anyway, after consulting with my assistant, Angie, and the breeder from whom I purchased Dusty ---- we will be applying what I like to call "Tough Puppy Love" --- Tonight, Dusty is going into her little cage, we are going to place a sheet over it, sit it in the living room in the dark --- and let her whine and cry until she just gives it up and goes to sleep. Karl is not allowed to go to her until he wakes up at around 6am. Although it is my opinion that Dusty, while quite cute --- is about as smart as a small bag of rocks --- it is the opinion of just about everyone to whom I spoke that it is Dusty who is training Karl. Actually, Shih Tzus sleep a lot. And this poor puppy is all confused. She doesn't know she needs to sleep --- she just keeps on going and as long as Karl responds she just keeps on crying. So, Operation Tough Puppy Love goes into practice tonight!

Wish us luck! I think Dusty's future with us depends on the success of our tough love. ...and, now, I need to go speak with our next door neighbors to alert them to our puppy and to call us if she should disturb them with her crying tonight. I don't think she is loud enough -- but I don't want our neighbors to hate us!