Housebreaking

I have never housebroken a dog before, and I have never wanted to. It is, in fact, on the short list of things that I have believed myself to be incapable of doing.

But Lee always wanted a puppy. Not a dog. A puppy. To grow up with the kids.

I had this imaginary conversation with God in my head about it.

Me: So you want me to take care of a dog and a cat now, huh?

God. Yup. It will make Lee happy.

Me: So, that's nice. So, yeah. It'll make Lee happy, huh

God. Yup.

Me: Okay. Fine. Fine. I will add litter pan duties and housebreaking a puppy to my already sizable list of poo-related duties. One condition, though.

God. Yes?

Me: I would like my salary doubled.

God. Deal.

Me: Oh, hey, wait....

Despite having potty-trained two children SO FAR, the housebreaking thing just didn't sit well with me. But I have been reading up on The Dog Whisperer, and we bought a crate for the pooch. The first time I put him in it, he cried, but all subequent times he has stayed in for at least half an hour after eating. Then we walk and empty the tank ouside, and back inside again. Repeat when its time to eat. I feel pretty good about it right now.

These are the books of his that I am reading:

Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems

and How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond

One thing Cesar (the Dog Whisperer) says is that he thinks that dogs come into our lives for reasons. Since that's exactly how I think, it really resonated with me. I think Charlie has come into my life to help me get away from being so sedentary, because you really have to keep up with a dog. I can delegate some of the walking, but mostly I have to walk him myself, because he doesn't take the kids seriously yet.

Also in the category of becoming less sedentary, I got a new pair of shoes. Don't laugh. I got a pair of those Skechers Shape Ups. And you know what? I love them. They are the shoes that don't really sit still because they are shaped like a rocker, so they are supposed to make your legs stronger and help you lose weight. Now I don't know about all that. I don't think a pair of shoes is really going to help you lose weight. But what I like about these is that they are fun to wear. They literally rock me into my next step. That sounds weird, but it's fun. They are literally "fun to wear". For someone with a short attention span, that makes a huge difference. I haven't taken them off since I bought them. My feet are happy. Okay, fine, you can laugh.

It is way past my bedtime, and Julius is standing next to me begging to go to bed. Little goofyhead. Know what makes me happy right now? I could literally boss him around all day just to hear him lisp "Mes, Ma'am." I don't remember teaching him to say "Yes, ma'am," I think he just picked it up from the big kids. But like everything else about my little Wart, it is endlessly charming.

Pippen continues to be a perfect specimen of cat. We haven't had anymore disappearances, so far. He's a real lover.