The First 22 Hours

[LisaCass]

Well, it has been about 22 hours, and our little guy is settling in nicely.

When we picked him (no name yet, but I'll give you a list of the possibilities!) up from the Animal Control Shelter, there were three people waiting to make sure we came...as they wanted him or his sister. (My neighbor named her Roxanne). They did everything but beg to get us to change our minds, but the liitle guy already had his paws deeply into my heart, and so we left with them freshly neutered and spayed, as well as microchipped. I can't believe the shelter workers didn't convince them, because I have visited him for an hour every day this week...no easy task to be in that place, either.

We went home and let Roxee and little unnamed boy play, getting acquainted with the Jacks, who gave them the instant seal of approval. Roxee, haven been spayed the previous day, was very playful. Little man was much more reserved and preferred to sit on my lap. He is the more mellow of the two, to be sure.

After lots of play and sniffing and getting to know you, we all went to bed. The Jeck Pack sleeps with us, and after a bit in the enclosed kennel, the new addition did, too. He does not like dark places. He was pulled out from under a house a week ago, and I think it must have been the trauma. Roxee is doing great in the open crate, so I will be picking one of those up today. Fortunately I have a friend who is done with hers, as her dog outgrew it. I know having him in the bed gives him equal status...has anyone done this successfully? I KNOW he is going to get a LOT bigger. I just felt he needed the exra security, at least for a bit. Any thoughts?

The next big thing is a name...we have made a list and like the following: Ceasar, Augustus, Samson, Ruckus, Maverick, Remington, Nemo, Sailor, Taz, Garth, Gaston, Merlin, Artemis, Buster, Flash, Zeuss, and about ten others. Nothing seems to suit him, and we are going NUTS. I like Samson the best, though I know it is common. I need something that will fit him now and 4 years from now, and it's tough.

Well, I have rambled enough. Just wanted to share and thanks for the support. Pandora's Dad (love that name by the way!) thanks so much for taking the time to reply.

Hugs and Puppy kisses,
Lisa
;)

[haligen]

Congrats on your new edition. I'm sure you'll be very pleased. When I brought my lil girl home from the breeder she was 8 weeks old and for the first few days I had her sleeping with me all curled up by my neck :D was alittle bit of a pain but it made her more comfortable. After that I put her and my Beagle/GSD mix in a wire crate and they have had no problems. Usually pass out as soon as I put them in there. Good luck on picking a name, it took my wife and I a week to finally decide and when we did the AKC rejected it as already taken so we had to start at ground one again. Just watch the lil one for a few days and one name will begin to fit more then all the others.
-Rob

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by LisaCass
Well, it has been about 22 hours, and our little guy is settling in nicely. I know having him in the bed gives him equal status...has anyone done this successfully? I KNOW he is going to get a LOT bigger. I just felt he needed the exra security, at least for a bit. Any thoughts?

Ben is almost 3 yrs old, and he has been allowed to sleep in bed with us since he was about a year old. One thing...he will not jump on the bed with me unless invited (when I'm not home, and he's all by himself, I know he's up there!). Same goes for the sofa. He will also get off the bed or sofa when told.

I think as long as the dog know not to get up on the bed unless invited, and will get off when told, you should be OK. Let him settle at his own pace - don't force him to do anything (except go potty outside!! :D ), and always praise him when he does good!

As for names...have a list of names at the ready - you'll be looking at him one day and a name will pop into your head as the perfect one! Good luck!!

[rottie597]

Cally also is a bed dog by invitation only ( she stands next to bed and looks at me for the "ok.") It has not made her or my other dog the least bit pushy....but they have been trained that everything they do comes only with my consent. However, be prepared for LOTS of tiny little black hairs in your bed

Good luck:)

p.s. Artemis is a girl's name;)

[Judi W]

what a happy household you must have. I'm so glad you have congenial Jacks and that they approve (of course, they can't imagine what SIZE they will be dealing with later):)

Hey, until you decide who this little guy is going to be, you can call him "Rottie Dog"........

[Sampson's Mom]

I'm partial to the name Samson (imagine that ;) ) Our Sampson was allowed on the bed only when we invited him. I kept him in bed with me as a pup because I worked night shift and slept during the day. He had been in the crate all night and I hated to leave him there on the days I had to sleep. As he grew older, he liked to hang out in the bed with us while we watched TV but then he would go to his crate. On the nights I was at work he slept with my husband in the bed. We never had any problem with him thinking the bed was his...he knew if we were both there he would end up in the crate when the lights went out. We did get the sad puppy eyes when we sent him to bed, but he was always good about it.

Congrats on your new baby. I bet he's a doll. Hope we see pictures of him soon!

Lisa

[LisaCass]

Thanks so much for all the words of support!

Well, our little Rotten Boy has a name. Last night as we were sitting he was laying between us, just watching us, and us him. I remarked to my husband that "well, it's hard to tell if he is mixed, and we might never know, but he sure does look like the real mccoy!" And it stuck. He is McCoy, but Mac for short. Mac suits him, and he seems to like it, too. :) (I do still love Samson!)

I am charging the digital camera so you can all see pictures. He is a little sweetie!!!! Yes, he is still sleeping with us. He is such a mush it is hard to resist him.

It is so odd how easily he has blended inot our family life. We had company over and every time Jeff or I got up, he would follow us, and sit at our feet. He has been doing this all day, too, alternating sitting with lying down. When I am at the computer he is lying on top of my feet. Not bad for a 5-6 week old dog...I was expecting a lot of problems, and yes, I know this is still the honeymoon, but oh, how he seems to know he belongs to us (or is it we that belong to him?!?)

I knew life would be different, but I never expected to feel like this. All I can say is I am as hooked on Rotties as I am on Jacks! No small feat, either. :P

Lisa

:D

[Sampson's Mom]

I LOVE the name! Great choice. You can always use Samson as the middle name :D Can't wait to see the pictures!

Lisa