Life With A Puppy

Puppies are cute, energetic and lovable. They beg for your affection as well as your table scraps. Their eyes are like that of an child's, sweet and innocent which may pose to be problematic for those who find it difficult to reprimand their puppy after he/she has done something wrong .However, don't let these charming characteristics deceive and manipulate you. A puppy takes an enormous amount of time and effort to train and socialize. Without proper care and obedience training a charming puppy can quickly grow into a menacing and mischievous adult. I have learned this the hard way through experience plus trial and error. I am forewarning potential owners to think twice before committing to owning a puppy because I am currently going through the troublesome transition of my ten week old Manchester terrier slowing growing into an ill mannered adult and reeking havoc among the house. There have been days were I've been perfectly content with my new little pup, but there have also been days when I've come home from a long day at college only to discover a smelly surprise treaded, smashed, and hardened all over the floor. These days cause me to cringe and wonder if I was really ready to add such a big responsibility to my already busy lifestyle.

Most people purchase a dog for their companionship without fully realizing the time consuming commitment it takes to raise and house one. Although I've grown up around dogs all my life, my parents and on rare occasions my older siblings would usually help to aid me in the care for the animals. With these extra caregivers I viewed raising dogs to be a relatively simple task. Now, after a few years have passed and I've gradually matured into a young adult I have begun making decisions on my own. These decisions along with my new found freedom have come at the cost of more responsibility. I work, pay bills, attend school, attend church, accomplish housework, study and finish homework, occasionally baby-sit my nieces and nephew, visit with family weekly, and still make time for my friends and boyfriend. Despite this I still felt incomplete. I missed not having a furry wet nosed companion leap into my arms when I would come home from work or school. Therefore, my boyfriend and I came up with the perfect solution. We would purchase a toy sized dog which would fit snuggly into my cozy town home and without a second thought about it that's exactly what we did!

For nearly a month I anticipated my puppy's arrival. When the time of his pickup finally disembarked I was absolutely ecstatic! I could not wait to hold my puppy and purchase cute clothes and accessories for him. I envisioned the glamorous life of toting a small dog around with me as I had seen the celebrities often do on television. My mind briefly lost sight of the responsibility and hard work that would soon encompass my new lifestyle with Buttons my ten week old Manchester terrier.

In the days that followed his introduction into my home little Buttons grew increasingly comfortable with his new surroundings.

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