Buddy on Day 2

Several months ago our very beautiful and beloved Bernese mountain dog, Star, died of cancer (malignant Histiocytosis) and the year before, her brother passed away from the same cancer…. But, that is another article. However, this is to say, that, the Aranha family has suffered two very big and sad emotional blows in the canine side of their family over the past 18 months.

Chief

Last June 1st 2006 we adopted a charming potcake found on Blake Road in Nassau, and named him Chief. But recently we were captivated and totally won over by a rolling bundle of licks and wags who has now been named “Buddy”. Buddy is a black Labrador, and was bred right here in Nassau, in Westridge, to be precise, overlooking the bright blue Bahamian sea, little wonder that he is a cheerful, wagging, black bundle of joy.

We went to the bree der’s home and met Buddy’s parents. This is tremendously important because, puppies take 85% of their character traits from their Mother, so it is extra important to check out Mom, especially if you are looking for a friendly, out-going family pet. If Momma takes a chomp at your hand and holds you at bay, you may want to have second thoughts. Nothing like that occured at Westridge and we were greeted with a very well balanced and happy mother dog, she was cream in colour, a few minutes later we were introduced to Dad, a chocolate coloured Lab… “Wait a minute” we said, “how can the Mother be cream, the father be brown, and all the puppies be black?”…. Easy, it’s all in the genes…

It is especially tough choosing out of a litter where everybody looks the same (no offence, but it’s true). My son, Scott, picked up, held, played and cuddled them all…..and finally announced,  “ I want this one”.   “Why? Because he is the most outgoing”.

So Buddy was chosen. Photos were taken, phone number exchanged, email addresses written, and promises of “play dates” made. We all loaded into the Ford Explorer and headed home with the newest member of the Aranha clan. He behaved like a little angel. Not a wimper or whine did he make as he snuggled deeply into Scott’s arms and fell asleep. 

When we got home Chief was in the garden, we showed him Buddy through the fence. Buddy was tired and everything was new, certainly not the right time to have him meet his new brother’s and sister. First he needed to settle into his new home, get used to being away from his mother and siblings, and the ALL IMPORTANT, to bond with his new humans. The dogs in the household, on the other hand, need to receive, tons of love and affection and reassurances about how much they are loved. It is not unlike bringing a new baby home when you already have a child. You have to  make sure that the older child does not feel left out because of the new arrival, and so it is with dogs and puppies.

Before you go and get your puppy there are a series of decisions to be made and then preparations. First  decide what size dog you want, as all puppies are small, but only some of them stay that way. Once you have identified the size, and you know where to find this new member of your family, you need to get your home prepared. I personally could not own a puppy, peacefully, without at least two “puppy gates”. These are portable, adjustable barriers that can be easily fitted into any door space. They are usually low enough to climb over, (thought the new one I just bought is too high for me to climb over!). I also recently bought a folding puppy playpen; this is a four-sided structure, with or without a floor, that can be set up in the garden or the house and creates a space that your new puppy is restricted to. These puppy “tools” make keeping a puppy in your home easier because you know that they are safe and that they have not discovered your favourite carpet and are chewing the corner of it.(I’ve had that happen!)

You need a couple of bowls, one for food, one for water, weighted if possible because puppies spill their water 100 times a day! We bought “Buddy” a very cute red puppy collar, and a size up for after a few weeks growth, with a matching leash. I find that if you have other dogs at home, they don’t like the puppy wearing their things. It is nice to have a toy or two that will belong solely to the puppy. Later on, if he is in a multi dog family they will learn to share (just like kids, yeh, right!).

Abba

Spats, Abba, and Chief had all been introduced to Buddy on day 2, but one at a time. Buddy was very afraid and started to yelp, so we mase sure that Buddy was in Scott’s arms or at his feet. The trend appeared to be to ignore Buddy as he really seemed too little to be of interest. The important thing is that the big dogs have gotten used to Buddy being in the house, his smell became familiar, and they gradually began to accept his presence in the house. Once Buddy is big enough to play, Chief will realize how much fun he is to have around. Spats is twelve and Abba eleven and they really don’t want to be bothered playing with Chief ! Finally a playmate for Chief.

We will spend lots of time reassurung Spats, Abba, and Chief that they are very loved and special, and that this little “alien” has not taken their place, on the contrary he is another friendly face to bark with.

Spats

It is recommended to have your puppy get his first shots at the ages of 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks and 12 weeks. These puppy shots protect him from deseases such as Parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis. Four weeks after, a rabies shot is recommended. These shots are ABSOLUTELY essential, especially in The Bahamas where parvovirus is always a huge problem. Today I was at my vet’s office (Spats had a little cough) and there were three pedigree puppies from the same litter (all different owners) all three recovering from Parvovirus. Keep your puppy off the streets and away from strange dogs until all the inoculations have been given and your vet says that it is safe. When you visit the vet's office keep your puppy on your knee, NEVER put him down on the floor, as a sick dog may have been there before him.

Don’t forget if your puppy chews up your shoes, you should NOT have left them there in the first place for him to get at! So it is kind of your fault, right? Get mad at yourself, leave your puppy out of this. Chewing is his job description. Provide many different things that he may chew.

Your little puppy will grow into a big strong dog so quickly that you will wonder where it all went. Enjoy every cuddle and lick. You don’t have to yell and scream when he makes a puddle, if you take him out often enough. He will almost never make a “mistake” if you praise him lavishly when he puddles or poops in the garden, and tell him that he is the very cleverest of all puppies. We all like praise, and puppies are no different to humans, they live to be loved.

As Buddy grows and experiences more canine milestones, I will share them with you as “Buddy’s Story”, and in each of these articles there will be advice and tips on how  to make your journey with your puppy into adulthood, a happy and stress free one.

Finally, please remember the wonderful saying: We are a dog’s whole life, they make our lives whole!

About the author: Kim Aranha grew up in the Berry Islands with her first dog, a beloved potcake named “Friendly” (who was anything but!).  First educated at home, and then in boarding school in Switzerland, Kim moved to Rome, Italy in 1974 to pursue a career in the dramatic arts and ended up working as an interpreter.  She moved back to The Bahamas in 1980, and now lives in Nassau with her husband Paul, and their two teenaged sons.  Kim has 3 dogs (soon to be 4), 5 fish (1 Beta, 4 Goldfish), 10 turtles (6 babies, 4 adolescents), 1 Asian box turtle and 4 Budgerigars. Her idea of relaxing is being home to take care of all her pets. Kim is a member of the board of the Bahamas Humane Society. Kim can be contacted at kimbva@coralwave.com