Iko Needs A Puppy

I've been half-heartedly looking for an Australian shepherd ever since Chelly died two years ago. Greg never stopped looking and he is constantly sending me links for Aussie rescues, but I kept turning them down, saying, she's not the one.

Iko has convinced me I need to get a third dog, not for me, but for him. He is still slightly neurotic whenever Greg has to leave, and he goes into a chewing fit. It starts on the second day after Greg has gone. Maybe that's when he realizes, "Oh no, dad's not coming back. I'm stuck with Godzilla Woman!"

The dog has teeth like a chainsaw. He can rip through thick leather in one bite. It's too painful to recount the things he's destroyed. And although I can time it to the day when he starts to get anxious, I know I can never trust him alone. --and no, I am not going to put him on doggie downers.

Tank will play with Iko early in the morning and after their midmorning snack so he is perfectly content and occupied. The chewing almost always happens in the evening (when I'm trying to write).

The trouble is Iko is so unpredictable. He can go days being a perfect angel, then out of the blue, he'll get anxious and chews on the first comfort 'toy' he sees. So I wondered...what if I got a PM puppy. Someone to keep him busy at night and make him forget that daddy's not here.

Right now, Iko has to be with me 24/7. No fun for either of us because I have to keep whatever room I'm in with a shut door. Poor Tank thinks I'm mad at him since he can't be with mommy whenever he wants.

I will renew my efforts to get another Aussie, and this time it won't matter if she's a rescue or not. She just has to stand up to a frenetic rottie with abandonment issues.

I'm not looking forward to potty training and late night whimpers but Iko was housebroken within three weeks and he caught on to our schedule fast. I'm sure the next puppy will catch on quickly too, especially with two brothers teaching her the ropes.

***

Now that Greg is getting his shop, we have started talking about goats. I am excited! We've already marked off where their pen will be and it shouldn't be too much work to put up the fence.

Greg was ready to build the fence right away, but it's already late summer. I suggested it would be better to build the fence in the fall and buy the goats in early spring so we wouldn't have to overwinter them.

We're not going to raise too many, maybe two kids and a bred yearling to start. I know almost nothing about goats, so this will be a new animal to me, but I'm sure I'll learn fast.

After raising belligerent pigs, goats should be a piece of cake.

Though the words of a local breeder have been haunting me ever since I talked to him. He says: From the moment they're born, goats are looking for a place to die.

Great.

Goats have to be regularly wormed and monitored. And because they like to munch on almost anything, you have to make sure there is nothing dangerous in their pens.

I suppose that's no different than Iko. Except that Iko chews on only the most expensive Oriental rugs. Goats are less selective.

That poor Aussie puppy is going to be busy.

***

On the other side of the pond, Jayne Ferst is holding a contest to celebrate sending out her first query. Jayne has selected some awesome prizes, so do go over and put yourself on her Follower list.

I must admit I am relieved that Jayne is finished with her query. I thought poor Ginger would never get fed.

Isn't she a cute kitty?

I wonder if I can send Iko over there. Maybe Ginger can teach him some kitty yoga.