I am so pleased to share with you guys the newest member of our family, Moshi! This is both mine and my children's first ever dog, though my wife has grown up with them and has spent ages researching everything to do with pugs.
We were looking for a puppy as one of our sons is more anxious around grown-ups and other children but so caring and anxiety free with babies, and this holds true for dogs as well! He is near to being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and our hope is Moshi can help him build social skills and calm both him and myself down when our anxiety peaks.
We didn't intend to get a purebred over concerns with the breeds health, instead preferring a cross with a longer snout to aid in respiration. But the opportunity arose to view this puppy and we were instantly smitten, it's been like a day and night transformation since putting a deposit down my wife's anxiety and depression and the pressure that was building up has been greatly relieved.
My wife has severe chronic pain, over the last few months it has been worsening with her flair ups being longer, stronger and more frequent; but getting Moshi has become her mission and given her the drive to overcome the paal, she's gone from using two crutches the past few weeks to being able to clean up parts of the house and even walk small bursts unaided. Sure, she's already started paying for it physically, but pain is in some part neurological in nature so it's nice to see her having some relief there.
So yeah, I think this is the happiest we've all been in a while and Moshi is just the happiest most curious little guy. I'm glad I can share this part of our lives with you all.
So good to hear, Cedar. I think he'll be great for your son and your household.
Just a thought: we use this routine with our dogs (minus the walking) when feeding, maybe this is a responsibility you can give to your son? It's easy to teach and once our dogs knew that they need to sit and be calm before they can eat, anyone could do that routine.
It's something we'll be working on definitely; both of the boys have been very good at helping out with Moshi so far -- we just all sat down outside the shower and each did our part to keep him happy, clean, and in the end: FLUFFY!
One thing we've identified that needs work is getting the boys to, I guess, respect Moshi as an individual, if that makes sense? They adore him but are a bit too rough and don't really know their own limits, let alone a tiny puppy's.
I don't know how old your sons are, but it makes sense that they see Moshi as just the new toy for now. A new (super fluffy!) toy that can't clearly communicate where the boundaries are and that didn't come with a manual. As Moshi grows he will be better able to bark back, but until then, it's up to you and your wife to teach where that boundary is.
Thanks for the welcome. Welcomes are always welcomed. :)
I love dogs. When I was young, I had a German Shephard. He was fun and goofy. My family also had a German Shephard who was smart and regal. They were loads of fun.
I've considered getting a dog lately, but the responsibility is a bit too much for me at the moment. When I see posts like yours, I consider it again. Maybe one day. . .
I'll be excited to hear more about your experiences with Moshi.
I've lived in my current house for over 15 years, we used to have neighbours with a huge German Shepherd in the back yard; I think they're fantastic dogs, but after being barked and lunged at every day going past it I built up a healthy fear of both jump scares and of dogs in general. Heck I still stare at that gate every time I go past it, 10 years after they moved! Even before that, my grandparents had -- I think -- poodles that bit me once, so dogs have been something that have caused me a lot of anxiety.
I have gotten better with them though, my friend has Staffies (Staffordshire Bull Terriers) which are probably the most common dog in my area and are considered by some to be terribly violent but he showed me that it's all down to how the dog has been trained. While his dogs can, and sometimes do, jump up to my head height, I know there's nothing to really fear from them and don't ever expect to be bitten by them.
Moshi has been fantastic so far, he's not been vaccinated yet but you can tell he just wants to get outside and exploring. The wife has tidied up the lounge, kitchen and hallway and it is now tidier than I think I've ever seen it! He's enjoying being able to walk around freely and explore stuff, and we're enjoying being able to let him without worrying he'll eat anything he shouldn't! He had what may well have been his first shower last night, he was surprisingly calm about it all and we got the boys to sit with him and keep him calm (and with towels at the ready!); let me tell you, blow-dried pugs are even cuter!