Fred

Fred at the shelter!

I did it.  I finally got a dog.  I decided that I could spend the next year telling myself the time wasn't right or I could just do it. So I ventured out to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, MA ready to bring home a two year old, non shedding schuazer who was house trained and crate trained and just wanted some love. 

I left with a 4 month old (but turns out he is really 7 or 8 months old) terrier mix who sheds, isn't crate trained but is mostly housebroken.  I love my Fred.  I can't believe how much I love this dog already and it's only been one week.


So, in honor of Fred...

The Top Ten Things I learned about getting a dog
1.  Make sure your landlord understands that dogs have vocal chords and they will sometimes bark. 
2.  Make sure to watch when your dog is eating a dead bird on a walk.
3.  As hard as it is to say goodnight and put the dog in the crate, make sure you give it a conserted effort.  Okay, two nights.  Let's face it, it's not going to happen.
4.  Dogs like elk antlers; not reindeer antlers.  I'm pretty sure reindeer antlers would be harder to find and Fred is Jewish so he keeps kosher.
5.  At 9pm, I am flat out exahusted and can't even stay up to watch my recorded shows on TV.
6.  It's okay to stare at a picture of your dog for five hours at work.
7.  Make sure you hire an excellent dog walker.
8.  Make sure said dog walker doesn't ignore you when you walk out of the house like a two year old.
9.  I am now excited when Fred pees.  Even at 3 in the morning.
10.  There is no better time than now to get a dog. Especially a shelter dog.