Crazy Dog Lady

Olivia is my baby. I question whether I will ever have a real baby because I'm not sure I could ever love another living thing as much as I love her. And if I do love a real baby as much, or even more, I think my heart might actually explode. In the nearly two years I have had her, I have spent a small fortune (I could have had a new car for what I've spent), shaped my life around her every waking need and pretty much gone completely over the edge of "crazy dog lady."

Olivia is very social and loves other dogs. At home, we go to play times, the dog park, I have friends over who have dogs, she goes to puppy daycare, and she gets lots of playing time. She loves camp and the attention from kids, but I can't help but notice her looks of longing when dogs pass by with their owners while out for afternoon walks.

In addition to looking lonely, even I can admit, Olivia is a spoiled brat. My darling precious baby angel, yes, but also a cliche only child who throws tantrums when she doesn't get her way. So obviously there is only one solution-Olivia needs a baby brother.

I have been talking with breeders and thinking about another puppy, however, I would also like to put in $4000 worth of insulation in my house this fall, and it's kind of an either/or situation. I could rescue a puppy from the pound, but my obsession with bullies is just too much to consider that.

Last week, one of the breeders I had been talking to called me and told me of another breeder (F) who had a 13 month old puppy who needed a home. F wanted to show the puppy but it wasn't working out. Additionally, F had gotten into a fight with the owner of the stud dog and she wouldn't sign the papers, so this puppy was a purebred, but couldn't be sold for full price because it didn't have papers. I love a bargain, so I called him up and we agreed to meet.

I wouldn't have made a special trip to the city just to see a puppy. I happened to be coming home to pick up four staff from the airport, so it worked out. BF came with me and we brought Olivia to meet the puppy.

Puppy needs eye surgery and needed some serious grooming, but was friendly, goofy and Olivia didn't hate him. By the end of the 30 minute visit, Olivia wasn't exactly jumping for joy, but she was crabby about leaving camp, tired from a long drive, out of sorts being in a new place, and I figured she'd be okay once we got home. F told me I could take the puppy for a few weeks and if it didn't work out, I could bring him back.

I bought my puppy a puppy.

I'm not sure I really want a second dog. Twice the money, twice the dog hair and slobber, twice the work... But I want Olivia to have a best friend, someone to keep her company and play with all the time. So if she likes him, I will gladly have a second dog. If not, I will have to take him back. We'll see how it goes once we get back to camp tomorrow.