That Annoying Person That Talks About Their Dog 24/7

My Cavachon - Gertie Rae - at 10 weeks.

A little over six years ago, I started getting the itch to get a dog. I had researched different breeds, and decided on going to look at a dog. I changed my mind because the breeder wanted to meet me with the dog instead of me going to see the dog and its environment. To me that was a red flag. Around the same time I was thinking of getting a dog, I met CG. We ended up living together, getting married, and getting divorced.

While I was going through the divorce, I started to research dogs again. A few friends kept sharing - via Facebook - dogs that needed their 'forever home.' That led me to start following three different animal shelters and a few breed rescues. I had talked to my friend, Jennifer, about her Cavapoo. That led me to start following a few Cavapoo breeders.

After my divorce, I met and fell in love with JM. I'll share our story another time. Since we would be going to Little Rock for his brother's wedding, I asked if we could stop by one of the breeders and look at dogs. I looked at four dogs - two Cavapoos and two Cavachons. We both fell in love with the puppies. I thought about it for a few days and decided to go back and look at two of the puppies - knowing that I would end up purchasing one of them. 

On Saturday,  Nov. 9, 2013, I ended up taking the sweetest little Cavachon home with me. Her name is Gertie Rae. She was born on Aug. 27, 2013. It has been a very interesting first week.

Oh, did I mention that I haven't had a pet as an adult? I didn't even really have my own pet as a child. Well in kindergarten, I had a kitten - Muffin - that ran away within a few days of me having her. We had a family dog - Mandy - she was a poodle. My mom totally took care of Mandy.

My hope is that someone will be researching Cavachons and come across my blog. I did a lot of research before getting a puppy, so I hope someone can use the information I share.

Best Tips From Friends and the Internet

• Crate train the puppy
• Don't give the puppy free rein of the house - Gertie currently only has access to the kitchen, dining room and part of the living room.
• Bell training for potty training - I think it's going to work
• Remember it is a puppy and it takes time to train the puppy
• Put a sheet, blanket or tablecloth over the crate at bedtime. The puppy will learn that means it is time to sleep.
• Pet and rub the puppy's belly when it's in the crate - get it used to the idea that it will also get love in the crate.
• Treats are earned

My Tips

• If purchasing a puppy, inquire about whether or not the vet has examined the dog for inguinal hernia. I took Gertie to the vet the Monday after I got her. Needless to say she has a inguinal hernia. It may correct on its own, but she might need surgery.
• Put the crate near the door you are going to use for going outside to potty.
• Forget potty pads - Gertie just wants to chew on them. I think I'll try them when she gets a little older.
• Go to Costco or Sam's Club and stock up on paper towels and Clorox wipes - you will be cleaning up pee and poo a lot.

More to come ...

WW Project - Getting Back on Track

A year ago, I started the WW Project. Things happen in our lives that may cause things to not go as planned.  The last year has been an interesting one. I'll fill you in on some of those events at at later time.

Left: June 2012 Right: April 2013

By this time, I should have been half-way to my goal weight. I'm proud that I've lost the 30 pounds that I have, but I'm committed to meeting my goal. I think I can still meet my goal by my target date - December 2013. It'll be tough but all projects should have a degree of toughness.

Emotional eating is my biggest hurdle. I've found that I just need to eliminate sweets, peanut butter and cheese from my house. They are major comfort foods for me.

At times, I get discouraged because 30 pounds later and I'm still wearing the same jeans. Most of the weight seems to have come off my stomach area. The picture to the right shows me in June 2012 (WW Project - Month 2) and in April 2013 - wearing the same shirt and jeans. I don't see a difference - that's kinda discouraging.

What does encourage me is that I want to be healthier, and I want to look fabulous in a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress. I adore this coral wrap dress from DVF. I don't want to have to stress that a guy understands what I mean when I say I'm overweight and plus size. It's like they don't want to believe you, or is it that they don't have a perspective.

I have a nice mountain bike - maybe it's a hybrid - that I want to figure out how to ride. It's not like riding a bike! I don't remember shifting gears requiring so much thought. Anyhow, I hope to put some miles on it this summer.

Check back in a month, I hope to have great news to share.

WW Project - Month 9

It's been several months since I've shared an update on the WW Project. I'm technically starting my 10th month. The last few months have been a challenge. I'm down a total of 32 pounds (started at the end of April). I stopped losing when I stopped tracking my WW points. 

I'm determined to reach my goal, so I have some catching up to do. I should have been down 60 pounds or so by now. It didn't happen, and I'm not going to beat myself up about it.

My life isn't much different than the next person ... I have a lot of things going on. Emotional eating is a major struggle for me. I cannot have snack food or candy in my house without pigging out on it.