Linguine's Life: A Dog Blog - 29/12/2024

2nd day after adoption!!! TL;DR: he's doing very well :)

Let me just start with this: I was too nervous to sleep.

If you've read my previous blog (the first one), you can probably tell that I have very strong feelings toward Linguine (my dog), both positive and negative. I instantly loved him so much and was anxious and constantly doubting myself whether I could do this, if I was doing this right, and the whole situation was kind of going over my head and affecting my heatlh, both mentally and physically. I woke up around 6 am the next morning (I NEVER do this, by the way. I'm a late riser, and waking up at 7 am alone is a challenge). I was sweating and my heart was beating so fast I couldn't think of anything except for Linguine Linguine Linguine so my first thought (literally) was to run downstairs and check up on him. When I called for him, he immediately ran towards me, but poor boy was so frightened from the fireworks last night I think it took a toll on him. He was so hungry too it was the first time he growled/hissed at me and I got so scared. For the first time, scared of him, not for him. I didn't know how I could do this. I realised he didn't even recognise me, the human who sat in his cave for hours on end last night, but tried to remain calm. For his sake and for my own, so that he doesn't attack me out of the blue even though I know deep down he isn't a violent dog. I didn't have my phone with me and there was no way I could contact my sister for help. Panicked, I gave him some kibble and gave him pats. Even after the snack, I still couldn't think straight. My mind was all jumbled and I couldn't tell if he was angry or excited or mad or skittish. He kept trying to bite me but I think he was just playing. Frantic and even more panicked, I quickly strapped his leash on and led him outside.

Okay, break. I need a moment to breathe. This is when it gets even worse for my heart.

MY BOY DARTED OUT THE DOOR. I AM NOT KIDDING. He took me through places I didn't even know existed in my garden (however small). I earned cuts and bruises from that little journey. I literally went zig-zag through the tree trunks and he sniffed at everything. This time, he wasn't so curious about the main gate. My boy went there twice, if I remember correctly, but his main goal was this: the dead pigeon behind my shack. And me, being a new owner and all, had no idea how long that pigeon has been there, if it has any diseases, and I didn't know if it was safe for him to eat it. I steered him clear of it last night every time he tried to go and sniff and tear it apart, and this time he just ran straight for it, or kept finding ways to circle back to it (I told you he was smart). Eventually, I gave in and let him tear the bird apart. I unclipped his leash, though. I didn't want any bird corpse on my clothes. I saw the bird's exposed wing bone on the floor and I gagged (nearly puked. I don't think that is good for my heart. I already know I have worse things to come since Linguine's going to tear every dead thing apart. Y'know, being a puppy and all).

Another thing about today was his poop. I don't know if this is an appropriate topic of dicussion, but I think he was so stressed last night that his poop turned out runny this morning. He went two times and the second time was more runny than the first. I'm going to see how it is tomorrow and determine if it's something to worry about. I reckon it's normal to get a little watery on his first day, though, since he's stressed out from being at somewhere new with totally new humans. Anyways, enough about poop. Let's talk about puppy depression.

Now, puppy depression isn't the puppy themselves being depressed, but the new owner.

I have puppy depression. Let me say this again, I have puppy depression. Not fun, but very common, since I am incredibly new to all this. It's when you initially have all these fantasies and expectations about your new puppy: cuddles, playful good times (I have to admit, me and my sister did a brainstorm about Linguine once, and on the paper I wrote 'cuddles' twice. Look whose expectations are skyrocketing! Wow, I never could've guessed). But, since I, the new puppy owner, had such high expectations of my new dog, it's easy to feel disappointed or overwhelmed when the dog acts differently. It's important to remember that the dog most likely is just as scared, overwhelmed, and anxious as I are, and that they are only puppies, like babies, who constantly need to be taken care of 24/7 and takes up a lot of your time. When I realised this, I felt a weight lift off my chest and my heart filled with compassion and empathy for Linguine once more, replacing all my feelings of doubt and resentment. Also, I'm so grateful to have my sister by my side, helping to raise Linguine since she's more experienced with pets and dogs and has done plenty research. At first, I wasn't sure why I was feeling so scared and nervous and tired all the time so I did what I always do: ask YouTube. Apparently, feeling doubtful, scared, always alert and panicky and worried about your new dog, worried about what they would do, how you're raising them, and if the decision of adopting one was a good idea, is a very common phase pet owners go through. But that's it, it's just a phase. I'm so grateful to know about puppy depression so early on in the adopting journey, because now I know that I'm not the only puppy owner going through this phase and I know that eventually, it will end and Linguine will warm up to me sooner or later. Little did I know, that was sooner than I could've ever thought.

Basically, today was a very busy day for me. I was out of the house by 10:30 am and came home late at around 7-8 pm (don't worry, I let my aunt feed Linguine dinner). Me and my sister spent a whole 2-ish hours in the morning training him with the commands sit, touch, and come, and it was some nice bonding time. I came down to read The House of Hades by Rick Riordan to help him get used to his cave a little later and he licked my book. The page got suuuper wet and I panicked a little since it was a library book and quickly tucked it away. By this time, he finally remembered who I was and calmed down and could come into the cave with me. Still, I barely had time for Linguine today, but, BUT BUT BUT! When I came back home, I ran to his cage and called out his name (my sister got there before me), and his tail was wagging. And, I'm not just talking about neutral wagging. It was wagging-wagging. High and excited. Full throttle!!!!! I couldn't believe it. Me and my sister were so happy our hearts bursted.

Linguine recognised us.

Linguine was excited to see us.

He was excited to see us.

He was excited to see us he was excited to see us he was excited to see us aaaAAHHHH!!!!! I'm so happyyyyyy!!!! He's such a smart boyyy!!! We congratulated him so many times and I felt so proud of him (still do, forever and always <3). He play-bit my skirt and kept licking me all over, which I thought was so nice and I giggled because it was so ticklish. He finally warmed up to me and I can't wait to see him in the morning. I hope he won't be as cranky as he was this morning. I hope he won't growl at me again because that really broke my heart. But still, even if he does, I'll make sure to help him and stay calm for him. I don't doubt anymore that he doesn't like me (even if it's only teeny tiny right now since he probably recognises me only as the 'food human'). We'll try again, me and my sister, and help him get used to our house (soon to be our home please please please pleasee!). Me and my sister even took a couple selfies together with Linguine to celebrate and did some agility training. I'm telling you, this puppy is so smart he jumped over the custom obstacle me and my sister set up for him so many times! The obstacle was only a long broom being held up by two bricks, but it worked nonetheless.

Today's only the 2nd day Linguine is spending his life with us at this house, and he has already adapted so well to his new surroundings! I'm so proud of him for continuing to be his cute, playful, active, gentle self even through hard, anxious times like these. Even though I have dog slobber over all of my clothes and is doomed to always smell like him or have some fur on my skirt, I don't think I want to take any of this back just yet. He's my dog, and I'm his person (+ my sister, of course), and we'll get through this together.

Together, together, together!

Yayyyyyyy!

- Rika, 29/12/2024, 21:47

Author's Note

written: 2024