Tiger Turns Heads

I saw the red-head when I went to visit Tiger for his morning walk.  He had escaped from his crate, found an old doll, and made a toy of the head.  He was so pleased with his accomplishments that when I opened the door he grabbed his red head and ran into the yard with it.  He brought her to go potty and played chase with her in the yard.  

As confused as I was that a five month old puppy had managed to escape a pop-up crate with a zipper, I was even more confused about the wad of red threads that lay on the ground. When he grabbed it and ran off, I realized that it had a face which meant that it was missing a body. Where was the rest of it?  Had he found only a head or had he forcibly disconnected it from the body?  Did he eat the legs, arms and torso? How could this have happened?

My entire family was tickled pink that Tiger had managed an escape.  Just like the adoption strategy, we figure he has been observing how to we keep him in his crate.  It was tough going at first.  As soon as we'd put him in, he'd shoot out like a Greyhound.  After a couple of days, we realized that puppy treats are the equivalent of magic.  Once we got him hooked on chicken flavored treats, he'd go into just about any crevice to get them. We'd fill his crate with his personal belongs and drop in five or six treats and tee-dah...  In his crate for the night.

Non-family members have also been open in regards to their thoughts about Tiger.  Their responses have ranged from "OMG, he is so cute" to "why would you get an animal" to "you're almost finished, that's like having another baby."  Well, he is cute.  That I must admit.  He has a big pink tongue, a long tail, floppy ears and pretty round eyes.  His stubby little body continues to get long and his puppy appetite has him packing on the pounds. He is cute and I get so excited when people squeal with excitement when they see him.

Aside from him being cute, I got a puppy because he could provide me with that which my kids could't give me.  Yes, I definitely needed the puppy kisses.  Even more so, I needed order and a schedule. But I also needed something that was simple, that had few expectations, and that couldn't cause much confusion.  With the kids, we run back and forth all day and night.  We go out of our way to give them great experiences, to make them happy, and to support a positive social life.  That sometimes means driving around in circles for hours at a time.  A puppy or grown dog wants little and needs only a few things--food, water, shelter, exercise and love.   And they don't gripe when they get it on a schedule. 

I have to say that pets are not the same as children.  I have had both and I have always been more confident in my ability to handle animals.  They eat, potty, sleep, and play. Though I am sure it is possible, I haven't had a dog with colic.  Even then, cheese and peanut butter work wonders when dispensing meds to pups--not so much with kids.  Pets don't say they hate me and then ask for their friends to come over.  Pets don't tell me that I have sucky taste (I do suck at choosing outfits).  Pets respond for your desire to nap by napping right along side of you.

Having a new puppy is an adventure.  No matter how many books or internet articles that you read, there are scenarios that just won't make it into print.  For instance, I was not prepared for my new puppy to have a preference for making in the grass.  I was thinking that it would take us a couple of months to get him completely crate trained.  The same goes for his escape. Even though I knew it was possible, I just didn't see it coming so soon.

After just about two weeks, we are learning all about Tiger's little personality.  He is learning how to make his way through the yard and how far he can push his limits before he loses his freedom.  Being so cute, he's turned a bunch of heads.  Let's just hope he doesn't rip anymore off before the summer ends.