Almost forgot...

I almost forgot to add that on Friday, Mia and I went to the vet to have her next set of vaccinations administered.

She was a champ. Not a single peep when the long needle was pushed near her bum.

However, we had a little setback because her fecal test came back positive for Coccidia. Still! After two weeks of medication, we have to continue for another two weeks, which will hopefully cure her.

Also, on Saturday, my friend Ilu came by before we were to head out for a day of running errands.

I met her outside to let her know how it had to go down.

"Okay, so when you get in the house, don't pay any attention to Mia until you've given Vito like 15 seconds of your undivided attention."

"Okay."

"And don't make any hyper noises and get Vito all worked up."

"Okay."

Seconds after entering the house, Vito was all over her, his tail wagging excitedly.

As it is, Vito believes that all visitors to our home are strictly for him, and since his Tia Ilu was giving him so much love, he was very happy.

Then, she gently gave Mia some pets... trying hard to avoid the natural "Ooh ahh" response that a puppy demands.

They got along nicely and before any kidnapping attempts were made, we left the house.

I've also tried to avoid making lots of noise when I come home or leave the house. I'm trying to make sure Mia doesn't get separation anxiety.

But boy, that anxiety I was experiencing last week is virtually gone and my hubby is thrilled with the progress I've made.

Toot toot, beep beep!

Double-H

This was a good bonding weekend for Mia and me.

We spent a great amount of time lying on the couch watching tv. That is, when she's not busy attacking her big brother. Lately, she's taken to biting his pee pee and tail. I believe she thinks they're toys. Not so.

And now Vito is not shy about putting her in place. Especially if he has a treasured bone of sorts in his mouth.

Steve has taken to calling Mia "Double H" as in Heater-Hog.

She likes standing next to the heater in the livingroom and warming herself.

While I'm convinced that she's half Chihuahua (she makes these weird noises and shakes alot), Steve believes that we've brought an elephant into our home.

"She's a pacaderm!"

I don't know why he's come to this conclusion, but he's always commenting on her ears as being "radar dishes" and her stubby little legs and feet as being those of an elephant.

We did have a momentous weekend in that Mia hasn't had an accident in the house! She has actually learned where her potty area is! This is a wonderful development, I must say.

She's also gotten used to her "house" which is her crate. She's coming along nicely.

And that's about all I have to report on at this time.

Epiphany!

I've discovered why I'm having a hard time with our newest addition.

EVERYTIME, without fail, that she and Vito are around each other, homegirl starts growling and charging at Vito! She bites on his jowls or his tail and holds on for dear life.

Now he's taken to head butting her until she let's go. Then when I try to break it up, he thinks this is license for him to start up with her.

It never ends!

People have told me that they're playing, but I disagree.

They're trying to draw blood.

So, the good thing is that when I tell Vito to stop, he usually will, but Mia has yet to learn what the word STOP means.

They'll be apart for about 2 seconds before she lunges at him again and THEN the thing I hate most is that they insist on fighting between my legs!

I think I may invest in a miniature boxing ring.

Deuce Dropper

Went home at lunch for a brief visit with Mia.

She was all nice and quiet in her crate, and because I'd received instruction from Steve to try to get her to go potty, I took her out.

Mistake.

Within about 2 minutes of her being out of the crate, she dropped a deuce in front of my very eyes, right in the middle of the livingroom.

What the F??

And I'd just taken her over to her potty area, deliberately saying with emphasis, 'Go potty.'

Nope... she just hauls it and takes a dump where she deems fit.

So not cool.

I think I'll work on making dinner, doing laundry, cleaning the house, cleaning the gutters, doing homework, underwater basketweaving... ANYTHING to avoid being on potty patrol.

I'm getting gray just from thinking about it and I just dyed my hair!

Good grief!

Someone's in need of a serious ass-whoopin!

Okay, so I'm learning that yes, she's a puppy, blah blah blah, I need to be patient, blah blah blah... but still!!

Now I remember why I said I'd never get a puppy again after the trauma I went through when Vito was a puppy. Torture, I say, torture!

So, this little girl who is a little love bug and just likes to snuggle and sleep in your arms and be with you, has another personality all together.

She's... get this... she's a little bitch!

Homegirl gets her kicks by attacking my son!! My little ray of sunshine is being attacked by this size 7 shoe-sized little she-devil. She barks at him constantly and is always nipping at his tail like it's a toy.

I had to get all dog whisperer on her ass to let her know who's really in charge, but she's a little diva (Steve's words) and we don't have room for that.

I can't wait to get her into training and get her to her frenchie meetups so she'll learn proper socialization with other dogs... what's appropriate behavior, boundaries, etc.

Yesterday I purchased a handy little potty pad holder thing. It's made of sturdy plastic so that any poop or pee won't drip away. She's only had one accident since.

I believe she thinks that 'go potty' is actually 'water'. We'll have to get past that.

I think what helped with Vito's socialization was the training, meetups, and being occasionally boarded.

This week will be another set of vaccinations, which will put us one step closer to getting her outdoors. She has so much energy that I think exercise will help poop her out and make it easier for us to train her.

Vito's been incredibly patient with her, but when he's had enough of her antics and biting, he'll headbut her or grab her around her scruff. That pisses her off even more which sets off a whole new set of play/fighting.

Now, rather than yelling, I just stand between them. Vito feels my vibe of authority, but Mia still hasn't a clue.

She needs to check herself or another dog is going to wind up doing that for her and we don't want her getting hurt.

But I guess that's what happens in the animal kingdom?

Anxiety for Days

I'm feeling an extreme case of anxiety today.

And dare I say it... regret.

I felt like this (from what I can remember) when we got Vito, but since all of these emotions are flooding back, it's brand new again.

I should add that I'm a stresser by nature. It's just how I do.

But, I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

I have been so used to having Vito as the center of my universe, that I feel slighted now.

Like, I actually feel guilty when I give Mia attention because I don't want Vito to get hurt. I know that's all in my head, because I'm fairly certain that dogs don't feel jealously... they're more territorial, than anything.

And then I'm looking at Vito's baby pictures and his halloween pictures and holiday pictures and I think... will people still love him the same? Or will he be day old news while the puppy takes over the spotlight?

I told my husband last night that I don't think I'm ready for the puppy thing. I told him that I feel like my time with Vito has been taken away from me... way to quickly for my taste.

I've talked to friends about my feelings on this, and they say it will all work out and that Vito knows he's still my sunshine.

I hope he does.

I just wish I could get rid of my guilt.

My Main Man

I've mentioned my baby, Vito, often in this blog, so I thought it would be appropriate to give you a gander at his gorgeousness.









What's not to love??

Breakdown and Breakthrough

Tired again.

Left work early yesterday so I could potentially catch up on sleep and get a few things done around the house. Neither happened.

I picked up Mia and we dashed over to Petsmart where I wandered aimlessly like an idiot for about 1/2 an hour trying to decide on an appropriate play pen.

Because of our living situation, Vito has to go potty in an outdoor pen because if not, he'll head for the hills.

So, in order to get Mia to learn the potty is for outside, I bought a pen for her.

It's still sitting in my trunk.

I also bought her a little teeny bed (she's so small!) and some wet nap things so I could clean her feet after she inevitably walks through her pee.

When we got home, I got her to eat lunch, and of course, she took a shit and piss where she wasn't supposed to. Steve came home once and we fussed at each other.

We disagree on how we shall raise this little girl in terms of training.

I took the reigns with Vito on training and because I have such a strong connection with him, I'm apprehensive of getting too, too close to little Mia. Not because I don't love her or anything... she's a doll! But because I want to be certain that Vito knows he's still my #1.

That being said, we (Mia, Vito and I) relaxed on the couch and they played a little.

Finally, Vito is starting to put Mia in her place. She's a fiesty little thing and tends to bark/yap (I thought Frenchie's weren't barkers??) at him and he just takes it. Now he's putting her in check.

Last night when he was chewing on a bone and she ran over to check it out, he growled at her and then she didn't dare go near him. It was good.

So, before Steve got home from work, I started cleaning up the living room and kitchen area. She's finally braved entry into the kitchen, and I don't want her eating any fallen scraps on the floor.

I crated both Mia and Vito while I vacuumed and was sure to praise them both for being good babies.

Then, somehow we were able to put Mia in her house and of course she cried a little, but then we kept making passes through the livingroom so she'd know that because she was in her house, didn't mean that we were ditching her.

At one point, she even went and lied down on her blankie and bed. I was very proud.

And, she went through the night without screaming bloody murder.

We also moved her food and potty area into the kitchen. We've still had a couple mishaps, but I'm happy to report that she took a dump in the appropriate potty place.

We'll see if I can maintain my sanity for the remainder of the day.

I'm not cut out for puppies.

But thankfully, my husband and Vito are.

The French Bulldog Has Landed

I am so flippin tired.

Okay, so, Thursday was HELL. The flight bringing Mia and Ellen (puppy nanny) to San Jose was delayed, so she wound up getting on the flight for San Francisco instead which would bring her to the Bay Area at approximately the same time the San Jose flight would have. She didn't want to take any chances.

However, the time-saving flight was delayed 2 hours after boarding. So Ellen told me she'd probably be at the San Jose airport around 9pm. Then it was 10pm.

Long story short... we didn't get Mia til about 11pm.

It was raining like a son of a bitch and I had mere moments to get Mia from Ellen so she would be able to take the shuttle to her house.

They were waiting curbside, as I pulled up, and I saw little Mia wrapped in a pink blankie, her little head peering under the hoodie. In a word: adorable.

Within seconds of me taking Mia, she was smothering me with kisses. This was new for me, since Vito always did everything he could to avoid kissy contact. But Mia, was obviously a well adjusted pup.

I exchanged cash with Ellen and Mia and I went on home. I snuggled her close while I drove home. She continued to give kisses and was comfortable in my hands. P.S., don't drive and kiss. Because of the rain, my vision was impaired, especially because I wasn't paying much attention to the road ahead.

But we made it home safely.

"We're home, Mia," I cooed. She was so trusting, it almost made me cry. Pathetic.

I walked through the door and called for Steve.

"Here's your daughter," I told Steve as he walked into the livingroom, Vito trailing close behind.

And Mr. Tough-Guy turned into a new daddy again. He carefully took Mia from my arms and cradled her close. It was a wonderful moment.

We'd planned to have Mia and Vito meet in a neutral area, but because it was so late, I said screw it. And thankfully, Vito took to Mia easily. He's such a good big brother.

Because Mia hadn't eaten in approximately 6 hours, we gave her her first dinner at home, which she gobbled down.

Her first night is a blur, but to fast-forward to Friday, I'd taken the day off to begin the bonding process. The morning was pretty eventful. I took Vito to get groomed, brought Mia to work so she could meet and greet. She was a hit. She got the standard response. "Awwwww!" And there was a crowd admiring her. As she was passed around to my fellow dog people, she had no problem giving kisses to each person she met.

After, we went to the vet, where she was given a clean bill of health, save for the coccidia which I knew about prior to her arrival. We got new antibiotics and went home.

Oh, and then I had to pick up Vito from the groomers.

The only time I had to myself was when I went to Petsmart to stock up on more puppy supplies.

I was so tired. I hadn't had proper sleep, only getting about 5 hours her first night home.

It was pretty much the same sleep pattern for the rest of the weekend, including today.

Which leads me to now.

And that thing I'd said when Vito was a puppy... well I remember why I said it, because I WANT A REFUND!!!

I am SO not into potty training. I think that right now that's my only major gripe.

On the other hand, she is SUCH a doll. I mean, she's well-adjusted and Steve's already calling her a diva. I told him there was only room for one diva in this house and that title was already spoken for.

Within moments of meeting Vito, she was barking at him, her little butt in the air, wanting to play. I think she takes him for a new papa.

I think what's making the whole process even more exhausting is we're pulling double-duty. Not only are we trying to get Mia on a food/play/potty schedule; we are giving extra attention to Vito so he doesn't feel slighted by this new creature in our home.

I'm at work today, but don't expect to be fully awake until about 3 or 4 this afternoon.

Steve and I will be taking turns going home throughout the day to give her lunch and potty breaks.

She's already had several accidents. I hate accidents.

At least babies can take a shit in their diaper, whereas a puppy will take a shit anywhere.

I think I was jipped on this whole puppy thing.

Why is it that the brain seems to forget or block out the bad memories of a previous event, leading you to believe, it's not so bad.

Well, it's bad.

And I hate potty training.

And I'm tired.