Our sweet little Star has an ear piercing, sharp bark. She is small enough for it to be high pitched, but large enough to create volume. The worst of both worlds.
I’ve been used to Micah’s loud, low “woof,” so girlie’s shrill “bark” sets my nerves on edge. It’s similar to when I had little boys and was used to the very loud, rumbling noises they would make and then a little girl would come over to play and the high pitched shrieking would be a shocking stab right into my brain.
We’ve hit the 3 week mark and while things are going beautifully, Star is also getting much more comfortable in our house so testing out her voice, patrolling the back yard for invaders, and deciding whether she wants to play with or chase the cat. It doesn’t help that one sets off the other so if Micah barks at anything she joins right in before she even knows what she’s barking at. I’ve become a professional dog whisperer though so we are working on calm as a state of being and teaching them “enough,” to stop the excess barking. I’ve been busy running doggie preschool as their eager eyes watch me, waiting for rewards for lying down peacefully.
Now that Star and Micah get along and like each other, they are shadows of each other and of me. They are happy to lie around most of the day — one at my side and the other at my feet. Camille was mad that Star chewed up one of her stuffed animals (her BeanieBoo dog) and wasn’t impressed when I encouraged her that she didn’t need a stuffed one now that she has a real one. She was also exasperated at being a “dog mom” and complained how it’s “so much work” — if only she knew how much damage and work she has avoided by picking a puppy that was 10 months instead of 3 months.
Camille is doing a good job though. She takes Star for a walk at 9pm before bed and then again at 9am. The dog is brilliant for having the bladder of a desert tortoise. Praise God for the gift of a pet who is happy to keep the same hours we do! She also doesn’t like going out in the daytime (too hot) so goes for a quick potty break before 11 and then not again until 6 when the ground cools down. Micah takes breaks as he pleases in our yard, but Star hasn’t figured that out yet and has to be walked for her to go. I’m about to pick up a set of booties for her so she doesn’t burn her paws on the pavement.
Other than running doggie daycare, I’ve been going to the gym regularly and marathoning various Netflix shows like Chicago Fire/Chicago PD. We’re in the middle of hibernation season here and being patient while we wait to see what “normal life” will look like in the next few weeks as we make plans to go back to school. For now, our days are plenty full with this one who is ready for fun.
