Making a decision in getting a new dog–a puppy even–when we knew Jerri was going to pass wasn’t a hard one, it’s just that the timing had to be right. We knew time had to pass and for Lilly to have some meaningful one-on-one time with us, yet we didn’t want to leave it too long before introducing a new pup. Sourcing the ‘right’ breeder was crucial as we wanted to make a choice on temperament and other early development factors considering that Lilly had been the result of Backyard Breeders before being dumped off with her parents at AWL.

Puppy pre-school has 12 puppies attending which the organizers tell me is a record. Santa must have been busy delivering pups down the chimney this Christmas! Recent statistics show that the love affair with Christmas puppies is generally over by Valentines Day. So starting with the basics of puppy school means that these little pups get the best chance since their owners start the training early. We’re taught how to make puppy sit by the lure method and to walk on a loose leash. Lots of treats and positive advice is given. Over the next four weeks we’re to practice this. Secretly Scooter and I have already. In fact the little dude has mastered the in and out of a giant dog door. Impressive. However my ‘stage mother’ and overachieving nature hasn’t fully rubbed off on Scooter as he’s quite reticent to meet and greet the other puppies.

He has his first trip to our family vet and gets plenty of attention from the vet nurses, reception staff and visiting clients. His final jab will mean he can safely go to the ‘big dog’ park. This important window of opportunity means that Scooter will get maximum exposure to the wild world. The Puppy Tool Kit that we highlighted in the November issue of Urban Animal has a list of things we have to expose Scooter to. Small children are regularly invited to pat the puppy and Scooter almost sees every passer by as a potential friend. Loud trucks, parking cars, tykes on trikes and everything we can expose him to makes the world a less scary place.

Should I be surprised that life and adjusting to the pup is going relatively smoothly?  Certainly I’ve read so much about puppy training, have armed myself with all the tools in keeping a puppy occupied and out of trouble. The puppy proofing has worked very well in making sure that Scooter is safe and secure–this being especially important since he’s part of a busy office.

Only a few days after getting Scooter a girlfriend asks if I love him yet. I think on this a moment. I love Lilly, she’s been a huge part of my life. If I’m away from her I miss her terribly. I also am also protective of her and her welfare. Scooter hasn’t been in my life long enough for me to say I love him. I adore him sure, but love is something that comes over time.

The trip to San Diego was a blast, and despite waving goodbye to my fur and feathered kids, I was excited to get away. We had decided months ago that I would only be gone a short time as we planned on getting a puppy thus restricting the length of time away.

Lilly was collected by pet taxi and transported to her favourite (yes, she really does enjoy it) boarding facility. It's a lovely environment with happy house-guests and morning and afternoon playtime. Staff take the care to apply her sunblock on her schnoot and make sure she's evenly matched with playtime buddies. In Lilly's case this means other rambunctious players with the tackling skills of an All Black winger. I could rave on about this facility and how they don't charge like some other places for stuff like supervised play, special diets and administering pills and potions, but you would think that this is a paid plug and it's not. Besides, I pay the full rate like everyone else.

Dear Trudi.

I am writing to you about our 5 year old pug, Dolly. She seems to have a serious foot fetish – with her feet, not ours! She spends a LOT of time lying around with her two front legs out in front of her and her feet together, so she can lick both of them at the same time. Sometimes, she will be doing it for ages and I have to say something to her. She will stop if I tell her to, but the minute I turn my back she starts licking again. I have checked her feet and there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with them, or at least anything there that requires such attention. She seems to have become quite obsessed with it, and I don’t know if I should stop it or just ignore it. What do you think?

Libby Carter.