Chewie

Turns out Brown #5 was destined to be 4 legged and furry. Say hello to our new dog, Chewie. I gotta say, adoption plan b is not at all unpalatable.

Josh always brings something home from his trips. From New Orleans, pirate and ladybug beads. From a local trip, dinner. On Monday, he brought home the bacon - if by bacon you mean wiener dog. It was a pretty big surprise. I still keep saying, "I can't believe you did this." It's a good surprise, but still. I can't believe he did it without telling me!

Dachshunds are near and dear to my and Josh's heart. It's just going to have to be one legacy we pass on to Noah. I tell him he is one lucky boy to have a pet. He agrees. (btw - he outgrew his dog allergy last year, so that is not an issue)

While it doesn't feel like Jake and Charlie (it makes me miss them even more, in fact), it does still feel like home to have a dog again. The wagging tail, the rooting under blankets, the ears cocked back in curiosity, the warm and wet tongue, the soft and shiny coat, the easy company, and especially the click clack of puppy toes on the floor. That is home indeed.

Noah is all kinds of thrilled, nervous, and drunk with love and pride over his new puppy. We're having to teach him how to be the boss with the dog and not run from him needlessly or allow him to lick him to no end (which, oh my word, Chewie loves to do). Anna's cool with Chewie as long as he doesn't get in between her and her Dora. That calm around any dog is a big deal for her. Until recently, she screamed in terror at the sight of anything on 4 legs, near or far. Getting to warm up to playing with a dog at Noah's soccer practices lately has really mellowed her out and shown her there is nothing to fear. Now she grins and giggles so hard at his attention that she can hardly say his name. It comes out "Choi." Noah is a different story. It's Chewie, Puppy, Chewie, Chewie, Puppy at every turn. He is on overdrive for sure. I have to make Noah calm down so he doesn't overwhelm the dog. How funny is that that it's not vice versa?

As for Chewie, he has really been the best case scenario for our family. The transition to having a pet, and somewhat suddenly at that, has been almost seamless. Except for a few errands for food, toys, and a little more fence for the backyard, making our home Chewie's home has been a piece of cake.

Chewie Fun Facts:

1. His story is much like Charlie's was. He comes from an elderly woman who just couldn't keep up with a young dog like he needs. Like Charlie, we discovered him from a newspaper ad. And like Charlie when we got him, he is older than a puppy, red, miniature, so soft, and cost $200.
2. He was named Snoopy. We changed it to Chewie. Noah had asked for a dog named Chewie (I know not where that name came from - he just says he thought of it) and that night Josh comes home with Snoopy unannounced. Charlie was called Harley before we got him, so it's so funny how this dog got a new-but-similar sounding name as well. And like Charlie, he responds to his new name better for some reason.
3. Chewie's best feature (and my only must-have when we talked about what our next dog would be) ... he is HOUSEBROKEN.
4. He is so mild tempered and gentle with Noah and Anna. He is very submissive and obedient with Josh and me. He does seem to prefer our attention to the kids, but I know that will change as he gets more used to our family. Maybe not. I am a likable girl. ;)
   
5. He is so great on a leash. Doesn't run ahead and pull. He's so cool about it, Noah can hold the leash and I don't have to worry about it getting yanked out of his hand. Not that I think Chewie would run anyway. He's very docile.
6. He is overweight. Turns out his previous owner fed him almost exclusively table foods. He's only been with us since Monday night, but he has yet to eat. I think he's holding out for a spot at the table. Not gonna happen. Extra weight on dachshund backs is not good at all. I took him for 2 walks yesterday. Noah keeps him running and jumping. And I picked up some weight control Iam's for him. Operation Chewie-Loses-Chub is on!
7. His bark sounds like Jake's. Strong and clear and loud.
   
8. Unlike Jake and Charlie, we won't make him sleep in a crate. This is new for us, but I think with his mild nature and his routines from his previous owner it will work out fine. He will, though, stay in a crate or the back yard when we are not home.
9. He has not marked any territory in the house nor has he bothered with any of the kids' toys. And trust me, they are well within his reach. He's just not interested. Older dogs rock.
10. I already said this, but he makes me miss Jake and Charlie really bad. I think it's because the feeling is just not the same. Now that my heart belongs to my babies, I can't identify with a dog like I did with the two I had BEFORE kids. Sad, but true. Maybe the connection will grow over time. Maybe not. Still - I am totally digging how well Chewie fits our lifestyle.

Welcome home, puppy.