He Sleeps

 

My Doberdork, PJ, has become such a great companion. Having had 3 Dobies before him, one at a time.

An aspect of the breed is that they are very intelligent, clingy. Fiercely loyal, goofy, protective. Most Dobies, especially when they are puppies, are a lot of dog.

A song that could sum up PJs personality would be ~

Great Balls of Fire

So happy that he keeps me guessing.

*Caveat* If you think you would like a Doberman in your life, please, do a bit of research. 

No, do a lot of it. 

They are a very unique breed, unlike any other. They are as loyal, energetic, curious as they are majestically handsome, clingy, emotional & sensitive. Most Dobermans will choose a human member of the family as their person. They attach then give the majority of their adoration to that person.

For this reason, plus many more, it's very hard on a Dobie to be rehomed. Rehomed more than once or twice is a devastation for them. The sadness, listlessness, shame they display is very real. 

My Dobie, PJ, can be somewhat demanding. When PJ & I were new to each other, I started out catering to him. His needs were always met before mine. The same way I did when bringing a newborn baby home. Although I did change from pajamas to street clothes before taking him out in the mornings to make lemonade. After bringing him inside, I made his breakfast. Sometimes I remembered to brush my teeth, wash my face, apply day cream & sunscreen. Often, as I was caught up in the whirlwind of exuberant puppy energy, it was a good day if I brushed my hair before stepping outside.

As time progressed, the realization that I had stopped filling my own needs, taking care of myself, etc. after bringing each of my human babies home.

In that wisdom, I began putting my own needs first. Slowly, at first, then, moving toward completing my morning self-care practices to start the day. At first, PJ objected, then, slowly, he adjusted.

He would stare me down, bark at me, display his impatience that I wasn't catering to him before taking care of myself.

Even now, if I'm taking care of myself instead of going straight to making his breakfast, he will become so upset that he actually vomits.

Meh.

That's what paper towels & disinfectant are for.

Now, he will go into another room, lie down, sucking his blanky, waiting until he hears his food dish being placed in its holder, smells his ribeye tidbits that I had cooked just for him. He trots to it with his tail held high & wriggling in that cute way it does when he's happy or interested in something.

There are other breeds in the canine world who also have these traits, most Dobies have the amped-up versions. People have said that I, myself am very intelligent, I guess, ha ha. I have to have a very smart dog, otherwise there's no point to it for me. It would become very boring.

Driving to Wichita, Kansas, to fetch him, he was so little. Just 10 weeks of age. At first, I had my doubts. Having loved my prior Dobies fiercely, I hoped I would love him. For many years I was dogless. Making sure that I have enough to take care of him if he were injured or ailing, when the time was right, it fell into place. 

Enough love, patience, time. Also, money. That helps.

When I brought PJ home, I gave him a week to adjust as well as for us to get acquainted. He was already nearly house trained, just had to set a timer, take him outside every 10 - 20 minutes to do his doggy business. After 1 week, we began training. He learned his commands to know what I expected of him, quickly. Then, he started losing his puppy teeth, getting his adult teeth. Poor guy, I did whatever I could to ease his pain. Holding him, holding a baby's frozen teething ring to his gums to soothe his itching, stinging gums. Easing up slightly on training as he was in such discomfort.

So happy that I took a break from the gym & time off work to enjoy him as a small puppy. They mature so fast. Faster than human babies.

Bringing a puppy home is similar to bringing a newborn human baby home. Puppies are a lot of work at first. They whine & cry from loneliness, hunger, anxiety. They have been taken away from everything they knew. They must be taught to make fudge & lemonade outside. 

Then, there's the pain of teething. Their gums itch & sting as their milk teeth are pushed up & out. Their larger adult teeth are breaking through the gums. They may have a fever. They are deeply curious. Sniffing, scratching, putting their mouths on everything.  

My super comfy oversized stitching chair was his first victim. PJ (that's my pups name, shortened from Poseidon Jack) "redecorated" it. A few pair of my VS panties met a similar fate. 

My antique wicker German wedding chest, a few of my jackets, T shirts. He only raided the trash & recycling once.

I figured out that he hates tomatoes or anything that has tomato in it.

Finding a realistic looking plastic (?) tomato, putting it on top of the trash, he won't go near it.

One day, the realistic looking tomato disappeared. Its fate is unknown. Since he has matured somewhat, he doesn't get into the trash....for now. No fake tomato is necessary.

Next, PJ figured out that the tastiest noms are in that tall silver box with 2 doors. Having to put a chain & padlock on the fridge, it seemed that it would be covered. 

Nope.

I had only worn my beautiful 5" heel pumps by LK Bennett in a taupe or nude color, once. 

Yep, the same ones that Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears except I prefer a rounded toe. PJ had only gotten the heel in his mouth. He saw the look on my face, dropped it immediately. It was such a close call! He must have bumped the shelf where I put them when not in use & they fell to the floor. Making an adjustment to where I put those gorgeous shoes was necessary to save my gorgeous shoes lives plus, maybe PJs life, too.

Semi kidding.

Having never allowed a dog to sleep in my bed with me, that was going to change, too. Just as all people are different, dog's personalities can vary as well. My other 3 Dobies were bed hogs & passed such foul gas; I couldn't let them sleep in my bed.

PJ is very different. I found a food additive, Veterinary approved, to limit his monumental Dobie farts. The fart factor is also characteristic of the breed. He does it far less, now. Also, from the first time I tested out having him sleep with me. When I closed my eyes, he curled up at the foot of my bed, slept there all night.

This is a first for me.

So, it has been a month when we began sleeping together.

Just sleeping, though he would like it to be a time to play fetch or one of his other enjoyable games.

It was quite nice at first. Then, PJ became very comfortable, too comfortable. He began sprawling out, standing up to make 3 - 5 turnarounds before laying down again, up to 4X per night. The morning that I awakened with his snout pressed into my crotch was the last time I let him sleep in my bed. I love my dog, just, not in that way.

Although, I have bought 4 comfy beds for him, he destroyed all 4 within 2 weeks. He is 18 months older than when he destroyed the last bed, so, I took a chance. Unfortunately, PJ treated it the way he treated his last 4 - $60 - $80 beds which he saw as jumbo sized chew toys.

He has adjusted surprisingly well to our new home. Having a long hallway, perfect for his nightly zoomies, suits him. He & I walk through the neighborhood in the mornings after breakfast. Keeping pet waste bags in the pockets of my hoodie, it surprises me how much pet waste from other dogs there is.

We haven't been to any dog parks, yet. There is so much to do to organize our new home. Though, I finally cleared out the back seat & trunk of my car, it took promising myself some KFC which I hadn't had in over 5 years. Watching a few Michael Jackson interviews plus some regarding him, the repeated mention of Michaels favorite food, specifically Kentucky Fried Chicken, gave me a slight craving. I had PJ with me when I went to KFC to pick my reward up. Putting it in the trunk of the car to make it less of a torture for PJ, just slightly less. I do whatever I can for the good of my good dog.

Time marches forward for my guy. From a wiggly 11 lb puppy @ ten weeks of age, to a 100 lb majestic beast who surprises me.

Here's to hoping he will have a long healthy life.