Luke

Each day Evan had a routine, he wanted to look at images and videos of dogs (boxer and golden retreiver puppies) for HOURS on the computer. He never seemed to get tired of it. I thought that if we spent time online watching the dogs that he would get bored and that would save me from sleepless nights of potty training and house-breaking a puppy. It didn't. After nearly six months of watching videos we met Luke, this sweet boxer puppy, and I couldn't stop thinking about him.

I thought Evan was too young for a puppy. I tried to resist... but both the puppy and Evan could easily see the "SUCKER" tattoo that I have on my forehead in large bold letters. Enough of the right statements and sweet little snuggles (from both Evan & Luke), I couldn't say no. It only took spending twenty minutes with Luke, Lauren & Evan playing together to convince me.

As we walked away from the puppies (yeah, I actually walked away... I couldn't believe it either), I knew the real challenge was ahead of me. I wasn't sure how I was going to talk my husband into having a pet. Daily, I had been trying to talk him into a family pet for nearly a year but he had a great argument; we were already trying to potty train two beings, why would I even think about bringing another into the house. And the simple little fact... he doesn't like dogs!

After nearly a week of expressing how I couldn't live without the puppy, he once again was the family HERO. He contacted the woman selling the puppies and arranged to surprise us with Luke. We had the happiest little BOY ever. Evan, 2 yrs old, has been great at helping me train Luke, feeding him, and letting him out to go to the bathroom when Luke rings the bell. It has been a great learning experience for Evan, teaching him responsibility, and such a joy watching their friendship grow.

Then we have Lauren... I thought it would be my son that I had to worry about, but no. Lauren loves to hug, kiss, and wrestle with Luke and is soooo rough. I have to admit I was relieved when Luke started growing and quickly getting bigger. (At least then he had a fighting chance against her). Now that the playing field is even, life is good and we can't keep them seperated. If she had it her way when Luke is outside, she would be out there in the dog house too... as happy as she & he could be.

We have learned to compromise with Dad, Luke gets to play inside and hangs out with us during the day, but when Dad comes home he goes outside until bedtime. The length of time that Corey tolerates Luke being in the house in the evenings is getting longer & longer, but I still wouldn't quite label him the Dog Whisperer just yet.

Normally I would advise anyone that asks to wait to get a puppy until after their kids are out of diapers but I have to admit, like most things in life, the reward has definitely been well worth the work.