It’s now been 4 weeks since we welcomed our little Charlie into our home and our hearts. He’s a Cavalier King Charles, and is adorable in every way possible. From the first second we saw him, it was love. Total love.
Yet, it isn’t all snuggles and petting his ridiculously soft silky fur.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew that puppies meant work. Yet, having never gotten a puppy before – I’m shocked at just how much work it is.
Attention, care, supervision .. getting a puppy is A LOT like having a baby in the house again.
OK, maybe one that you can leave at home alone, but not for very long because, small uncontrolled bladder and all. Then there’s the separation anxiety, it runs deep with this show-dog breed.
You think babies damper your social life? Who would have thought raising a puppy would mean passing up shopping or lunch dates – cause Charlie needs to pee?!
Here’s a peek into the happenings and whats overheard in our household of 5 + puppy.
- 5am and Charlie needs to pee. Zombie shuffle outside. God help me, I should be sleeping
- We needed to babyproof the house. Again.
- “CHARLIE! Don’t chew that!”
- “CHARLIE! Don’t pee there!”
- “Whos my cute widdle puppy? You so cute, give mama kisses!”
- “Nooooo, he just peed on the carpet!”
- “Did you get the no-tear, gentle shampoo?”
- “Mom, Charlie ate my homework. No, seriously!!”
- “Night-Night Charlie, go to sleep. No … it’s night-night time. Go to sleep”
- “Good boy, making poo-poo”
- “Wasn’t there a Barbie shoe on that table just a few minutes ago? … OMG, CHARLIE!”
- Sending someone for supplies ASAP. Most likely, the cleaning kind
- 4am: standing in the backyard, in housecoat and still half asleep – waiting for a dog to pee
- I’m buying {puppy} teething rings in bulk
- Sunday 6am. “Shhhh Charlie! You’ll wake the kids!” … oh crap.
- “Charlie, what are you chewing on? Get back here, CHARLIE! Drop that, now!”
- “Can you hold Charlie? I’m trying to empty the dishwasher and hes jumping in!”
- Having to get a dog out of the pantry each time it’s opened because obviously it’s only opened to get out a treat, right?
With all this work and extra chaos in the house – is getting a new puppy ‘worth it’? While it’s an adjustment for us all, my answer is: ABSOLUTELY!
Because at the end of the chaotic day – this cute widdle face!
Dee Mauser says
02/27/2015 at 9:58 amPuppies are just like newborns, they require a lot of attention, a TON of patience and lots of love.
Robin says
02/27/2015 at 10:02 amOMG, I can’t stand it. He is the cutest thing EVER!
Trevor says
02/27/2015 at 10:14 amNice to have another boy in the house!
Love you Charlie!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:10 amHe misses you!! 🙂
Vera Sweeney says
02/27/2015 at 10:30 amOh my goodness he is the cutest!! They are a lot of work in the beginning but they are totally worth it.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:10 amI think so too Vera. Well, maybe not so much when I’m totally frustrated with him, but one look at his little face and I’m over it. lol
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
02/27/2015 at 11:04 amOMG! He’s so cute, it’s almost unbelievable! What a doll!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:10 amThank you!!
Dawn says
02/27/2015 at 11:08 amYour puppy is so beautiful! They’re worth ALL the work!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:10 amThank you and I totally agree!
Courtney says
02/27/2015 at 11:18 amPuppies are just like babies. Very athletic, agile, destructive babies. They are SO worth it, though!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:09 amYes!
Anne-Marie says
02/27/2015 at 11:29 amHe’s sooooooooo cute! That face!! But I’m glad I got an adult rescue dog even with her separation anxiety issues. She’s so low maintenance.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:09 amWe debated on that, and I wanted to. Yet, we did that before and the behaviour/agression from his past didn’t mesh well with kids. Long story, but it wasn’t the best for us. sigh.
Melissa says
02/27/2015 at 11:36 amBwahahaha. I’m reminded of Turner and Hooch: “THIS is NOT your shoe!”
Kirsten G. says
02/27/2015 at 12:22 pmSo cute!! I would love to get a dog, but it would be very impractical at this point in our life. Plus my dad always points out that a dog is the child that will never leave home, lol.
Jennifer says
02/27/2015 at 3:26 pmOMG, his little face! He’s the most adorable little guy I’ve ever seen! *love*
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:08 amThanks Jennifer! 🙂
Cathy says
02/27/2015 at 6:08 pmAwww Charlie is such a sweetheart! Enjoy it now while he’s a puppy–they grow up so fast!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:07 amThank you Cathy, and I am!!
Melissa says
02/27/2015 at 8:25 pmCharlie is so adorable! I can’t imagine adding a puppy to our family right now! We have an 8 year old lab and she is enough!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:07 amThank you, oh so you know all the work then? lol
Autumn says
02/27/2015 at 8:38 pmHe is so adorable! I remember when our family dog was a puppy! We had a new dog and a new baby all at once to take care of.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:06 amOh wow, that must have been difficult at times!
Tess says
02/27/2015 at 8:49 pmWhat a real cutie! Puppies are so huggable and I wish that they stayed that way.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:05 amI don’t think mine gets much bigger. Well, hoping not too much! lol
Krista Blackburn says
02/27/2015 at 9:39 pmOh man! That puppy is ridiculously cute! Congrats on the new addition!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:04 amThank you Krista!
Felissa @ Two Little Cavaliers says
02/27/2015 at 9:41 pmNew pets are always a lot of work. However, there is also so much reward in having a new pet to care for and love.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:04 amAgree!
Angie Agerter says
02/27/2015 at 9:42 pmhehe Charlie is so cute, and I am sure all the drama and stress he can cause you just look at that sweet little face and melt. Oh that puppy stage!
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:04 amFor sure!
Stacey says
02/27/2015 at 9:43 pmHe was jumping in the dishwasher? Ha! This will be super funny a few years from now.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:03 amAlways! lol
Dawn says
02/27/2015 at 9:45 pmIt’s hard when they do something they aren’t suppose to because then – look at that face! I couldn’t stay mad at a face like that for long, lol.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:03 amThat’s what I say myself very often! lol
Doris Calvert says
02/28/2015 at 5:09 amOMG! How cute is he, need a baby sitter, well dog sitter? We have had dogs for most of my life and they are a ton of work at first but after they just want a cuddle, treat, water, food and love, oh yeah not to mention a walk which is exercise for them and me! What am I saying our dog wakes me up at 4 am with a scratch because he thinks it’s treat time, so they are a lot of work but worth every minute 🙂
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:03 amAwe, I will keep that in mind Doris! I might need one some day – thank you for the offer.
Florence C says
02/28/2015 at 6:07 amYou puppy is adorable! They can be great companionship.
Tammi says
02/28/2015 at 8:02 amThank you, he’s always by my side!
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun says
02/28/2015 at 8:34 amOh my gosh, your puppy is soooo adorable!!! Yes, they are a LOT of work! lol That’s why we have a slightly older rescue dog. We knew that our kids were just still too young and we wouldn’t be able to handle it all. Plus, I want the kids old enough to help! 🙂 We do hope to get a puppy though in a couple of years. My mom, at 78, just got a puppy 5 weeks ago. A Shih-Poo. My mom is exhausted with all the energy and work it takes to care for a puppy. However, she loves “Button” to death and she loves having the company. Overall, it’s been very good for her! Congratulations on your puppy!!
Suzie M says
02/28/2015 at 4:37 pmPuppies are like 2 year olds, mine is now 18 months & still a handful—but worth every minute
Soozle says
02/28/2015 at 4:47 pmCharlie is beyond adorable! I absolutely LOVE King Charles spaniels – they are such sweethearts 🙂 Congratulations on the new addition to the family!
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
02/28/2015 at 6:20 pmOur dog is totally another child in this house!!!! P.S. Your pup is ADORABLE!
lisa says
02/28/2015 at 7:03 pmPuppies are just like babies-lots of work! But they are so darn cute!!!
Carol M (Lushka S) says
03/01/2015 at 8:17 amWow, what a cutie, will be hard to say no. LOL
kathy downey says
03/02/2015 at 8:23 amBeautiful dog,hes worth it
Melinda L. says
03/02/2015 at 10:26 amLook at that little face and adorableness…. OK I give in, you can have all the belly rubs and treats you want 😉
Darrah Bailey says
03/02/2015 at 11:57 amSo cute! Congrats n the new fur addition!
Debbie S. says
03/02/2015 at 7:38 pmCharlie is adorable, and yes, puppies are lots of work. My son and daughter in-law were over last night with the new puppy they got yesterday, so fun, but yes lots of work. Enjoy your Charlie!
Terra Heck says
03/03/2015 at 12:28 amOh my goodness, such an adorable puppy! I totally feel for ya. My dog is 15 months old and just now getting out of the stage of peeing everywhere and tearing everything up. She is definitely a test of patience, but worth it.
@loucheryl says
03/03/2015 at 5:44 amI had a neighbour who had a Cocker Spaniel named Charlie who looked exactly like your little guy! What a coincidence! Charile is beautiful! 🙂
Margaret Imecs says
03/03/2015 at 7:54 amCute puppy!
terri says
10/02/2015 at 4:08 pmbeen there twice not the third time. 🙂
Lisa says
11/20/2015 at 2:40 pmOh my gosh, he is so precious! Great photography as well!