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While Amanda has been letting go of the apron strings as her middle son leaves for university, I have become the proud owner of a new puppy. Perhaps I have been influenced by Amanda's underlying anxiety over the past few weeks and anticipating how I might feel when my gorgeous golden balls (as he is known by his sister) goes to university.
I have dabbled with the thought that perhaps he may never leave me, but know this is selfish and wrong and I should actively encourage him to leave home at some point in the next few years. After all, we all know the odd (literally) 50 something man who lives with 'mummy', and no-one wants that for their sons!
After months of being texted cute pictures of puppies and almost constant badgering by the teens, we finally relent and agree to buy a puppy. After much laying down of rules, agreements to share the walking (signed in blood) and arguments about what breed, we settle on a labradoodle. Teen daughter wanted a chug (Chihuahua/Pug) and son wanted a Boxer, so this seemed like the perfect compromise, cute and fluffy, but big - but hopefully not too big!
We drive back from the farm in Kent, where we have chosen him out of a litter of 8 gorgeous puppies. He cries most of the way home and we feel like new parents all over again. Teen son is already besotted and tells his Dad off for driving too fast!
We arrive home to settle our baby in and introduce him to teen daughter who has no idea we are getting him today. She is beside herself and immediately starts BBMing all her friends. Within half an hour the living room is filled with teenage girls cooing and saying 'I am so getting a dog.'
We spend the whole evening cuddling him, letting him sit on the sofa and watching him wee on the floor! Everyone is up extra early the next day to make sure he's ok. Teen daughter has had no sleep, as he was in her bed all night and kept waking up!
Within a few days he has already taken over my life and we are now about to embark on toilet training, puppy socialising classes and a strict bed time routine, which is all very time consuming.
I wonder if I have done the right thing, because inevitably he will end up being my responsibility. But I already adore him and besides, he is always pleased to see me and needs me in a way my children no longer do. Oh and he can't talk - whats not to love?
Can we share him please? Ax
Posted by: amanda | September 23, 2010 at 10:16 AM
He is gorgeous! My border terrier(small dog who thinks she is big)is now a year old and it's been a steep learning curve...actually like having another baby in terms of responsibilty and guilt..
Teenage daughters now say I prefer her to them, and although this is not strictly true, I have to say there is something wonderful about the constant adoring love you get...
Posted by: Emma | September 23, 2010 at 11:37 AM
What an adorable pup! Almost 3 years on from getting our pointer, I have no regrets. He is the saviour of my sanity!
Posted by: Karen Bradberry | September 23, 2010 at 12:32 PM
He is my little friend and loves me without question, why didnt I do it sooner!!
Think we may have to start a regular dog lovers column!
J x
Posted by: jane | September 23, 2010 at 12:43 PM
What a sweet baby! That face is irresistible. Your daughter might, however, want to rethink letting the puppy sleep with her. Sharing a bed with a fuzzy, little puppy is fun. Not so much so with a full-grown labradoodle.
Posted by: allyson | September 23, 2010 at 02:43 PM
He is no longer in her bed Allyson. Slept through the whole night on his own without a peep last night, shame my children didn't master sleeping through so quickly !
J x
Posted by: jane | September 23, 2010 at 02:47 PM
I'll be following suit shortly... breed chosen, await birth and then full-on love-fest. x
Posted by: steffi | September 23, 2010 at 03:09 PM
OH we got a dog last Christmas and you are so right - it's like having another baby - only one that you can lock in the kitchen when they get a bit annoying ! much better ! It's a whole new world, what with the training and the socialsing and the toilet training - that was the bit that took the longest for us - once you've got that cracked it all gets a lot easier - good luck x
Posted by: Becky | September 23, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Whatever happened to Mabel ?
sue
Posted by: Sue Evans | September 24, 2010 at 01:34 PM
Never wanted a dog! Had cats, gerbils, rabbits, all a bit if a headache if truth we told! But youngest daughter then 9yrs begged for a puppy and as the older siblings were busy slipping away to Uni and 6th form we went to LOOK at a puppy, note just LOOK! Fluffy 8 wek old Lhasa Apso sat on our laps, pulled hubby's shoes laces out and before we knew the £50 deposit was on the table. 3 years on the whole family dotes on 'our baby boy', we waits so gently for us to come home, and makes sucha fuss of us when we do! Love love him soooo much!
Posted by: jill | September 24, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Mabel lost the plot Sue and went to live in the country with friends (well not sure they are actually friends any more) she was nervous, anti social and hated living in London. She now lives in a barn - by choice. Shame but for the best.
Jill your dog sounds gorgeous!
J
Posted by: jane | September 24, 2010 at 07:02 PM