Puppies typically do not leave their mothers before 8 weeks old. We got Mildred and Bridget under special circumstances. I honestly believe if they hadn’t stayed here with us they would have gotten adopted out. The rest of the litter was given away the very next day. I will admit… I’m frazzled. I have NOT had puppies since I was younger.
My mom and my dad bore the brunt of care for our Dalmation, Gretchen when I was growing up. And in high school, my parents also raised our Chocolate Lab, Sadie Sue. All of the pets throughout my adult life have come to me as grown animals. Mango the Cockatiel. Velveteen the Bunny. Jethro the Husbunny. What am I trying to say?
Puppies are EXHAUSTING. Oh my gosh. So exhausting. There’s been a few days where I’ve just found myself crying. You have to take the puppies out to potty every half hour, every hour. They still have accidents even after peeing outside RIGHT BEFORE. They’re little divas that have peed 5 feet from the front door because they saw it was raining outside the window. There have been multiple occasions where Millie has peed as I was putting her leash on her to go outside as well.
We can’t let them run around outside without a leash anymore. They’ve almost run out into the street. They run far too fast for us to catch too. They’re starting to recognize their names at least. They’re basically learning to sit. But they’re so excited sometimes, that it’s hard for them to do anything besides jump on you. I’ve had to bathe them twice. I’m avoiding doing it too often because we don’t want their skin to get too irritated.
Basic schedule. Wake up anywhere from 5am to 6am. First-morning pee and poop. A little bit of water, but not always a meal. Since we don’t want to encourage them to cry earlier and earlier to wake up. Then it’s a cycle of taking them out to answer nature’s call. Puppies napping. Rinse, repeat. Then on days that I have to pick up my stepdaughter (I am counting down until the last day of school! Dear God, soon!!!), the puppies accompany me. Sometimes they cry, but usually, they settle down into a pleasant nap in the car.
There are a few bathroom breaks and walks while we wait for the car pickup line to start at school. Then we go home and repeat the morning routine. With my stepdaughter playing with the puppies. She’s been less enthused with them lately. Probably because she gets tired of taking them outside to potty. Also cleaning up accidents. LOL, the responsibility parts of things aren’t as much fun for children, I guess.
Millie has most of the accidents. Though Jet has had one or two as well. It happens less when we keep on top of things. I still don’t trust Millie to walk through the house right after she’s woken up from a nap though. No reason to give her a chance to have an accident. Jet has been my nap buddy so far. Two or three times, I’ve gotten so exhausted I take her back to my room and lay down. The first time I was worried I would roll over on her, but I seem to unconsciously know she was there. She curls up on my chest or against my arm/neck.
Spending quality bonding time with Jet has reminded me how much I miss Velveteen. I’ve cried a few times thinking about her. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had a pet as close and important to me as her. Jet will never replace Velveteen in my heart, but I hope she’ll be able to help it start to mend. I still miss her so much. My sweet bunny girl. 💔
Atelier Whootique 