And They Called it Puppy Love…

Because I am in  LOVE with this puppy, who, by the way is on his fourth name. Well, it’s not really so much a name change as using a first name instead of a last. Napoleon is coming much easier to the lip than Bonaparte. And “Napi” or “Napo” are the two we’ve been using for shorts. So, maybe he has a real name now.

Took Napo to the vet a few days ago because he was itching so much and there were no fleas to be found, for which I am very thankful! In this heat fleas would be a total disaster. Little Bit got a clean bill of health and I got lots of information about what I can do and what I shouldn't do with him. Granted, my vet, who also has a dachshund, said that she was “one to talk” when she didn’t pay any attention to the advice she was given in taking care and training her own! But I am doing my best to pay attention not only to her advice, but also the advice my friends (from whom we got Napo) gave me as well. Nancy gave me two sheets of instructions about house breaking and crate training, both of which I am doing my best to implement. They seem very common sense-icle (There’s a Joss Whedon “Buffy-ism” for you!) and we're having varying degrees of success. He’s already well on in the house breaking category, and uses his ‘pads’ more often than not. But he still slips up, even though I’m getting better at getting him outside after he eats. So far his hardheadedness is showing when it comes to going outside. He’ll pee but the pooing not so much. I feel like I’m re-inventing the wheel!

On Laydi's bed, our previous lab/border collie. Napo is so tiny!

We’ve had a bit of a rough patch, but Napo finally slept most of the night in his crate last night! This was after two distressing nights of him howling, pooing and peeing in his crate. Yesterday he slept ALL morning long and didn’t eat anything to speak of. He was so stressed out! 

Of course we put the crate in our room last night and maybe that made a difference. We shall see if he does a repeat performance tonight. It was wonderful to have him sleep and not be miserable all night, us too!

Today he’s actually eaten well and played and slept and acted like a normal unstressed puppy. He follows me almost everywhere I go, except when he wants to play coquettish and won’t come when I want him to! We’ll be working on that as soon too. Okay, I’m off to take Napo out. Have a good one…

The First Night... And Second...And New Name

 

Bonaparte, better known as Boney

The first night I slept in our guest bedroom starting with Little Bit in his bed right next to mine. That lasted oh about five minutes. He knew exactly where I was and so his not being there was unacceptable. Needless, I know, to say, he slept with me. I did manage to sleep some but was so concerned about waking him up if I moved that I woke up repeatedly. He, on the other paw, slept like a log. So tuckered out from his first day away from his family he had no strength against sleep, now that he was in the bed with me.

He had traveled very well on the long drive from Atlanta down to the Florida/Georgia border, in my lap or on the seat beside me all the way. No accidents, no whining, only shaking like a little leaf in a storm. I could tell when I looked into his little black eyes that he didn’t trust me yet and felt lost. By the time we arrived at our destination he was curious but didn’t want me out of his sight. By the time my husband came home a few hours later, Little Bit fell asleep in his lap within seconds. One of our best friends, who is “parent” to two schnauzers, came over to meet Little Bit and pronounced him cute as a button; funky looking but cute!

So passed the first day and night. Yesterday was wonderful. He likes me now. He trusts me a little. He is eating and, peeing and pooing on his pads like a pro! Knock on wood no accidents yet. I know they are coming, but for now he’s doing great. He doesn’t seem to like to “go” outside yet, but we are working on that.

While I work he plays in my office. I’ve had to get all paper products out of his reach, which is sad for me as I use parts of my floor as shelving space (I’m not joking. I need more real shelves.). He plays then lays down in his little bed beside me and sleeps. He seems happy. Last evening while we watched “Cheers” and ate our dinner Little Bit played and romped until he grew tired. We first tried him resting on my husband’s lap, but Little Bit had a different idea. He wanted my lap. So he got it.

Last night we tried him sleeping in our bedroom, not the guest room. He made it until four this morning, in bed with us of course. When he wouldn’t settle, I moved us back to the guest room so at least my husband could sleep. While he was finally settling down his true name came to me. He isn’t an Elvis (my husband’s comment was, “Hey, who wouldn’t want to spend a day with Elvis?”) Guess you can tell he’s a fan. But he’s also a fan of the person and name that came to me in the dead of night after dealing with a stubborn, needy (but adorable) puppy. Bonaparte. Yes, this is the name that will last until his dying day. Boney for short, but Bonaparte it is. My husband loves it and so do I because not only is it the name of one of my husband’s favorite historical figures, it is also the name of one of my favorite detectives, Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte of the “Bony Series” as they are referred to. It’s a series by Arthur W. Upfield set in Australia and written in the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, with a “half caste abo/white detective who is simply amazing.  He would have to be with that name! So from here on out, our pup will be referred to as Boney or Bonaparte. He seems to agree as well that it’s a great name for a little guy. (wink wink!)

Info and photos from these sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Upfield

http://www.naboflex.blogspot.com

http://www.myreadersblock.blogspot.com