To sleep, perchance to dream

It's all coming back to haunt me. All the flip advice I've had for new parents over the years. I'm fond of saying "remember, sleep deprivation is rarely fatal." I remember now why I only had one child. Pearl got up at 4:00 AM this morning. That meant that I was up too; unless I wanted the entire neighborhood up at 4:00 AM as well. Dobies cry louder than human babies. She really could wake the neighbors.

Since it is critical that she bond with me, I handle her solely. I feed her, play with her, take her out and get her in and out of her crate. She naps but if she wakes up and can't find me, she cries. I don't want someone else to comfort her at this point until we are firmly bonded.

But it's not bad really. Infancy is infancy in puppies just like humans. Pearl has accepted me as her "mom." She follows me everywhere and looks to me for approval, permission and protection. When she is unsure of a new experience, she runs and hides under my chair just like she would hide under her mama if she could. This morning she met our housemate for the first time; he's been on vacation. When she saw him, she tried to be menacing; big bark and growl all the while she was scurrying under my chair. Very sweet. Within a half hour she was sitting on his lap.

We’re working out our pack order and she sees me as “alpha.” When we went out at 4:00 AM this morning – in the dark, she tried to run out in front of me. I accidentally pinched her paw with my wheel and she yelped. It wasn’t a big ouch because after the yelp she didn’t limp around. I felt really bad but as I thought about it, momma would have snapped at her haunches and put her back in her place too. So, albeit unintentional, I asserted my place in our little pack and she’s been respectful of it ever since. I go first. It’s a little thing now but it will be hugely important when she’s a 90 pound powerhouse.

I can see that chewing is going to be an issue for a while. Thank goodness for the bitter apple spray that Suzan thoughtfully sent in her care package. I wonder if that stuff comes in 5 gallon pails?

For all my vetching about sleep, she's remarkably well-behaved. Very laid back and accepts correction (primarily "no chew") very well. "Good potty" seems to be the most used phrase in my vocabulary at this time. Speaking of which, she now goes to the door when she feels the need. Housebreaking IS happening!

Suzan has a good eye for picking service dogs. So what makes a good service dog? Temperament. From what I can tell so far, you need a dog that is devoted, confident, fearless, smart and quiet. Suzan was proud to tell me at lunch on Sunday that Pearl was the pick of the litter. She quoted a scripture that said (I'm paraphrasing) "God said, give me the best of you and I will give you the best in return." Suzan certainly obeyed God's word with Pearl.

Size and breed are determined by your needs. One of my biggest challenges is opening doors and managing them so that I can enter and exit. Why do they have to be so darned heavy? Pearl will be able to open them and block them open so that I can pass through. Next big issue is protecting my shoulders from over-use. Shoulders aren't built to replace legs but that's what you ask them to do when you use a wheelchair. Pearl, when she is mature, will be able to pull me. I won't ask her to do it all the time, just when I'm tired, my hands are full or the terrain is especially challenging.

Hence, size and strength are important for me. I could have chosen another large breed but I was set on a Doberman for many reasons. First, I've had Dobermans before and I love them. Once they bond to you they are giant lap dogs. Dobies are bred to loyally serve one "master." They are by nature smart, quiet with a strong work ethic and, when needed, fiercely protective. Since I've been paralyzed, I've felt vulnerable and that's kept me home a lot. I feel safer with Pearl. Added bonus - short hair. It's a lot harder for me to chase down hair balls that other breeds produce.

Don't let a false stereotype sway you from a Doberman if you need a medium to large service dog. These are smart, faithful, loving animals that live to work and please you. I know I've made a great choice with Pearl.

Pearl’s Home!

Get a look at the size of those paws!

We received Pearl yesterday from breeders, Suzan and Paul Baker. What wonderful people they are! They drove down from Camp Verde and we met at church. Pearl was a hit with everyone and I was amazed at how calm she was. Afterward, we all went out to eat and Pearl in her blue vest fell asleep on the floor between Suzan and me. It was quite a day for Pearl and she slept on David’s lap all the way home. I laughed as she snorted and snored; the sound of one spent pup.

In spite of our best intentions, she wouldn’t “go” out back; she waited until we were back in the house to drop her butt. C’est la vie it’s not the first or last time that pee will hit the floor. Thankfully, it’s slate.

After a little play, I left her in David’s care and went to Petsmart for a crate and vitamins and such. I came home to another accident. I’m getting good at reaching low enough to clean it up. Pearl’s already stretching my Range of Motion.

Dinner, more play and a successful “potty” outside and Pearl was crated for the night with the blanket she and I had shared all day, a couple of toys and a frozen carrot to teethe on. It was a good night… until 4:30 AM. I prefer 4:30 as a time for getting home and into bed; not time to get up. Pearl, however, had other plans.

Sooo, the routine begins. Food, play, sleep, potty. Repeat. I remember child rearing as the same. So far, we’ve had more pee and poop outside than inside. I consider this a victory. At least she’s now running to the door before she drops her butt. Yes, just like child rearing, I am obsessed with the body functions of my baby.

We seem to be bonded. She follows me everywhere and when she loses sight of me, she whines and barks pitifully until I return. When she feels unsure, she runs and hides until my chair.
She now rides quietly on my lap and doesn’t try to jump down. The only obstacle we seem to have right now is that she’s too small to get herself up on my lap and too heavy for me to put her there gracefully. Together, we’ll get it worked out.

We spent today learning how to play with each other. I take a toy and shake it and squeak it until she’s interested. Then we play “keep away” until she’s about to lose interest. Then it becomes “tug-o-war” and just as she’s about to lose interest, I give her the toy. She carries it around in triumph. When she lies down and hoards her toy, she finds I have another and we begin again.

We’ve accomplished two goals today; we’ve bonded fairly well and she’s getting the idea that she “goes” outside.

Big plans for this little girl but for right now Pearl needs to be a puppy. We will focus on bonding and potty training. Obedience will come in about a month. Time will fly I’m sure. Welcome home Pearl. I am looking forward to a long and beautiful friendship.

It's Official

Pearl comes home on Sunday. I have a lot to do to get ready. My puppy needs an entire layette! Knowing that I am prone to go overboard, I am trying to hold back and buy what we need as we need it. We'll see if I'm able to restrain myself.

See. Pearl's teaching me already.

What was I thinking?

Pearl's coming home in a few days. What was I thinking? I'm nuts to bring a puppy home. How am I going to manage even the little things like housebreaking her?

These are the thoughts that woke me at 3:00 AM this morning and kept me tossing for a while. Then I remembered having very similar thoughts when I was expecting.

That seems to have turned out OK for the most part. I just need to relax and let it unfold. I think I'll be saying that a lot over the next several months.

Poor Pearl

No, this is NOT the latest in doggie fashion.

Pearl, being a Doberman, needs to look like a Doberman, she was in today to have her ears cropped and dew claws removed. I caught up with her at the vet and held her as she came out of the anesthesia.

At six weeks of age, she's already bigger than most of the ankle biters that came through while we were there. Pearl comes home in about two weeks. Yea! I have to remember this enthuasm in a few weeks when we tackle housebreaking and when she keeps me up all night being a puppy.

The Story of Pearl

A friend came by to fix my van last week. He's quite talented. Along with his skills as a mechanic, he's quite a musician, owns several martial arts schools and he and his wife are ordained ministers with a wonderful congregation. It's his capacity as a minister that comes into play here.

We talked about lots of things and then he mentioned parishioners who bred dogs and suggested that I should get one as a service animal. I agreed that it would be a good idea, "someday." A few days later the breeder contacted me and two days later, we were off for Camp Verde to look at puppies.

There I met Pearl, a five-week old Doberman Pinscher. She's going to be HUGE! Truly, the Baker's breed supersized Dobies. Pearl will be as big or bigger than most male Dobies you see. We expect her to be 26 - 28" at the shoulder and 80 - 90 pounds. Check out the Baker's dogs here www.bigdobermans.com

She has a lot of growing to do to fit into that vest, both in terms of size and skills. I have a feeling that I have a lot of growing to do too. I think we'll be teaching each other and I'm eager to see what comes of this relationship.