Fur-turnity Leave? Are They Insane?

"FUR-TURNITY LEAVE? ARE THEY INSANE?

OK, I do get it. When you add a new puppy in particular, or kitty to a lesser extent, there is some getting used to the rhythm of that particular household. When we came home from Canine Assistants with Jet, we were instructed to keep life in the household calm and reassuring, so that he would feel at home, and fall into line with the training he'd received as a mobility dog, and seizure-prediction dog.

We came home and the side of our home was blown out. My entire family for two weeks decided to make our bathrooms handicap accessible. There was only one glitch. My brother, standing gleefully in the sub floor, as he had for two weeks, couldn't figure out why he couldn't make the plumbing work, but was "trying something else" and was swabbing something or other on the PVC pipe. It was January. Did I mention we had NO WALLS? No floors in either the Master or regular bathroom, and since there was no plumbing, or electrical or floors and walls, that meant we had no toilets, sinks or showers either.

Bill came back to the car, white as a sheet. He described it as shortly as he could. Then sighed and said "We are welcome and are staying with your Mom till it gets closed. I told them to stop everything, and I would get an emergency plumber to come out tomorrow.

He did, the plumbers did a lot of shaking their heads and discounting everything they could for us. They re plumbed the house all the way to the kitchen. Come to find out that the house had never properly been plumbed. Well it was now. And all our savings were gone.

My family came back in the am with a carpenter, and things went quickly and smoothly. Once the walls were closed and sheet rocked, we didn't have to impose on Mom any longer. We did however, learn the true and real meaning of "chamber-pot" and "chamber maid". The toilets went in first. I never thought I would be so ecstatic about toilets, but life changes your perceptions. New showers came next, Jack had no problem attaching the lines....sinks went in, and then Jack did the lighting. Lastly the painting, and they are both just lovely. And Mom knew, Linda and her late husband, Jack and their carpenter all knew how grateful we were for all their hard work and creativity.

So. Yeah. I can see having a week to acclimatize your new furry addition. Jet was so passe' about things, he took it in stride that we were an odd group of people that liked to hammer and make loud noise all day. He was used to his brothers, sisters and cousins all barking all day long, so nothing rattled him. Thank God.

And for those who have 'fur-turnity' leave for a week, granted by their employers. Heck, take it. If your doggie is past a certain age, you'll have him nearly house-broken by the time you go back to work. Crate-trained for sure, so you don't come home to a destroyed house. Remember, the first thing you do when you get home...nope you don't take off your shoes and socks, nor your coat. You reach for the new leash and let your new baby romp and play and relieve itself. Just like when others have a human baby, you decided to bring this fur-baby home, so now you must be mommy and daddy to it, and it will grow up to be a fine representation of the genus Canis, whether a foundling, a life saved at the shelter, a non-show animal purchased by an AKC registered breeder, or if you are lucky like me, a big baby from a service dog foundation.

On thing that I would like to remind folks about that I've seen more of coming back....pet stores that sell puppies and kitties of questionable heritage, and too young of an age. Do not purchase from them. Only deal with people that love that particular breed of dog you are interested in. The AKC should be the first place to go to to find a reputable breeder in your area, and to find out if that type of dog is right for you and your situation, remember this is perhaps a fifteen year or more commitment. Unfortunately there still are 'backyard breeders' that do more to weaken already weak hips, a poor constitution, and all sorts of genetic anomalies. Because they don't know. Not because they are mean.

Then there are the puppy mills. That's where most of those adorable dogs at the pet store come from. Many have never felt the ground or grass under their feet, raised in stacked cages, full of feces, and wire to walk upon.

A puppy dog should stay with it's mamma dog as long as possible. Never buy a puppy less than eight weeks (and that's kinda young too). A good dog needs to learn from his fur mother how to be a good canine citizen. And he will if left long enough with his family. Behaviorally, it's the best thing you could do for your new arrival, before he even gets home. There are things about being a canine that only another canine can teach. Not a human.

Set your pup up for success. Read books on the type dog you might want. Call the AKC for advice, call breeders. Go and see several litters before you make a decision. Remember this: go for the middle of the road pup~ not too aggressive, not too shy...but just right...and one that is into you, and no one else. You'll be happy. Happy fur-tunity leave!

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/20/us/furternity-leave-pet-owners.html

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/06/07/pawternity-leave-for-new-pet-parents-nordic-company-says-yes/

https://www.today.com/pets/paw-ternity-leave-time-care-fuzzy-family-members-gains-traction-t90481