We've had Hixon (our doberman) for a little over a year now and we definitely feel like he is part of our family. And that means a lot coming from me because I have NEVER been a dog person. From a puppy, we have kept him mostly inside. He goes outside to play but he sleeps and spends a lot of the day in the house with us. He never really chewed up anything or destroyed anything valuable to us and we were even to the point where we could leave him out of his kennel all night and when we leave the house for a while. When we had Drew, we were worried about how he would act but he has been fine.
The only problem we really have with him is that he sheds a little and because we live in the country, he tracks in grass and dirt. I constantly have to vacuum. Realistically, I vacuum at LEAST once a day. This has been something that has always driven me crazy and this has only intensified since we have had the baby. I have been dreading the day Drew starts crawling b/c then I'd be really psycho about it!
On Christmas Eve, we left to go to my parents' for the holidays. We left Hixon inside and Brandon was going to come let him out every now and then until we got back on Saturday. When we were on our way home, we found out that he had torn the arm of his chair (and old recliner we never got rid of b/c that is where he sleeps) to shreds. When we got home, there was foam everywhere and all we can think is that he got really bored cooped up in the house, which I can't really blame him for. Ever since then, I have been picking up little pieces of foam here and there. Kind of annoying but I was dealing with it.
Today I was giving Drew a bath and I laid his towel down on the bathroom rug. As I was looking around, I noticed all the tiny black dog hairs on the floor. It really bugged me so I cleaned the floor on my hands and knees afterward. Aside from the fact that I was already really tired today b/c Drew has been pretty fussy and clingy, I hate seeing my floors so gross!
It seems like it has been harder and harder to keep up with my daily vacuuming b/c I have a little person to take care of and so I have been getting really frustrated. It is hard enough cleaning up after the 3 of us, much less a dog. So today Mike went and bought a pretty spacious outside kennel (our yard is not fenced in) and tonight we are making Hixon stay outside. This is the first time since we have gotten him that he has spent a night outside and so I think we are both feeling a little sad and guilty. He is a really sweet dog and he absolutely loves us. I'm worried he will feel like we have abandoned him. I can tell it is bothering Mike which really makes me feel horrible because I know he is only doing this for me.
So basically, the point of this whole post is that I need someone (who loves dogs) to tell me that we are not evil people and that he will eventually get used to it and it will help me stay sane b/c I will not have to clean as much. I realize that we will have to make sure to play and interact with him outside but I think this is going to be a huge adjustment.
5 comments:
OK you know how much I LOVE dogs, but you are not crazy. I must say yall should have done it way before now. Especially since baby Drew is here. I just hate that it has to be Winter :( Poor Hixon... He will deal. Just don't forget about him out there. And if it's cold, mommy do you think he could sleep inside?
Having dogs indoors would drive me crazy too. Sorry I'm no help. It will be a hard/sad adjustment, but worth it in the end. We're cat people here. Ever since I was pregnant with Ayden, Josh has become our cat caretaker. Luckily, we have a cat that doesn't shed much at all and we only have carpet in two of our bedrooms. She's a super low maintenance cat. I never even see her during the day.
This is from a non-dog person... it's a dog. I'm sure you are seeing the difference between loving and dog and loving a person that the two of you created. Don't sweat it. He'll be fine.
Well coming from dog people (who still let both of our dogs sleep in the bed with us even after Drew was born!) I highly recommend a Rumba vacuum. We were given one for Christmas this year by my parents. At first I didn't think it was something we really needed, but now after letting it loose a few times I love it! It's the robot vacuum cleaner and it does a great job with picking up Voodoo's hair, my hair, and all of our dust. And the best part is all you have to do is push a button and it goes. So if you change your mind about kicking the dog outside then I suggest getting a Rumba. And to make a case for the dog being inside, as soon as Drew was able to see our dogs he has loved them. He always lights up when one of them walks in front of his eyesight and the first time he really laughed uncontrollably was at the dogs. I can't wait until he can crawl around and really play with them. They are his big brothers.
I think its a wise decision..its will only get harder as Drew gets older. You have enough on your plate and you have not even returned to work yet..plus the extra room will be nice. Hes a big dog who will adjust well and learn to love outside. Hope u find peace with your smart decision! Miss yall!
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