The Puppy Files: Growing up
BY NICK BARNETTEvery so often I've been writing a new entry in The Puppy Files here on Four Legs Good. At least one puppy has shared our house for two years now, and there's been plenty to blog about. But this might be the final episode.
Relax, no tragedy has taken place, Phoebe and Connor are still with us and going strong. It's just that I'm seeing the ways in which, though still young, they're no longer puppies.
When we were out walking the other day on the Hutt riverbank's offleash walking trail, I noticed a change in Phoebe's behaviour. As we reached a point where two trails met, Phoebe slowed and looked cautiously down the other trail to see who or what was coming. Nobody there. Then she ran on.
A few months ago she took no such precautions. The world was a place full of interesting stuff to be discovered, nothing was worth worrying about, and Phoebe just handled it all. But there came a few setbacks, of course: big dogs that rushed her, overwhelming her with their interest; bikes that breezed by, slightly too fast and slightly too close; friendly looking dogs and friendly looking people who turned out not to be.
So Phoebe has learned caution. I wouldn't call her a wise old head at the age of 26 months, but her exuberance is now usually tempered by care.
Connor is younger, 20 months, and has always seemed young for his age. But even he is growing up. Lately he's been more submissive with me and my partner. Part of this is that I've been more consistent about training him and not letting him get away with things we don't like (leaping at us and grabbing clothes with his teeth, for example).
He's also been getting into fewer standoffs with the cat, and is slightly less manic around other dogs. Is it, could it be, the onset of some kind of maturity?
Well, maturity, it's all relative. Connor still barks at the TV, both dogs still run laps of the living room, they still leap and roll and eat cat litter. Phoebe has taken on a haughty, ladylike air but Connor is still starstruck with his human companions, eyes wide and head quivering with devotion. It's hard to imagine him as a dignified, stately adult.
Still, I get the feeling they're growing up. They're much quieter at night. They're happier keeping their own company. They're still miracles of energy and alertness, but somehow more grounded.
That's a good thing if it means they'll keep themselves a little more safe and be a little less annoying to those other people (yes they do exist) who aren't in love with them.
But it's also a little bit sad, seeing them leaving the nuttiest aspects of puppiness behind.
They grow up so fast, huh?
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My 2 are both 2 years old next month and are still very much puppies, i don't think they will ever stop acting puppy-ish, Blaze still has endless enery and wants to play with sticks for hours on end, where Molly still wants to be friends with every dog around whether they want to be her friend or not (she especially loves little dogs who don't really enjoy a big dog bounding up to them wanting to play)
My cocker spaniel is still only 10 months so think we have a way to go yet till 'adulthood' but as you said, the way they quiver with excitement, gets me everytime!! Too cute! Think I might feel the same when all the energy dies down...
My border collie is the same age as Connor. It is kind of bitter sweet to think they are almost mature dogs.
Puppyhood has gone by really fast whilst I don't miss toliet training I do miss it when he looked more like a Panda Bear cub than a dog.
My lab is 4 and a half and has finally grown out of puppy stage. She's more subdued. Scared the hell out of me at first, I thought she must've been depressed or the like, then remembered someone telling me labs reach maturity about 4 and become more docile and less excitable. I miss the entire rear end wagging at pretty much everything (now its limited to the word 'ball', 'walk', 'breakfast' and me coming home). My heelers I'm waiting with baited breath for them to start chilling out (just a little? please?) and the spoodle... well... We'll see on that one :)
What type of dog is Phoebe? she is soo cute
The vet reckons our adopted stray is 12 years plus. She does spend a lot of time asleep so I guess the vet's right. But wave some string in front of her nose or toss her a ping pong ball and she channels a manic kitten. It's great.
I felt a real tug at the heart string when I read this today, I have 3 wonderful companions, and all are reaching the thresholds of old age. It only seems like a couple of years ago they too were puppies (or young mischievious dogs) now I have to make my old Corgi walk the driveway to empty old, and the walks I take with the other 2 are still solid walks but there isn't anywhere near the exhuberance to keep going after the 1hr walk..... but puppies will again be part of my life one day, hopefully not too soon though....
Oh, I remember that! Our dax didn't grow out of the doing loops around the house until just before he died. When he was younger he'd come back from a 2 hour walk and do loops. Even when we moved to our current house, a year before he died of a heart condition, he was entranced to work out that he could go out the french doors, along the verandah, in the other door, round through to the verandah.... again and again... ah, I miss that!
nick2284, Phoebe is a miniature long-haired dachshund. She has so much cuteness, it won't all fit into a single photo.
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