Puppy Writes to Birth Family of Experience in New Home

By Lynnia Maletz

(My husband gave me a puppy for Christmas this year. However, from what my puppy has to say, it might be the other way around. You be the judge.)

Dear Mama Nala and Papa Duke,

I have been at my new home for six weeks today and I wanted to let you know how I am.

My new parents are human and I call them Mama Handler and Daddy Love. That first night with them was horrifying! Even though they were nice to me—I got toys, food, a cozy bed and a ton of hugs and kisses– I was nervous Mama Nala! I missed you and my littermates and I was so scared!

I cried a lot. My stomach got upset and I pooped in my crate, all over my humans’ bedroom– three times. They didn’t get mad at me at all. They cleaned it up over and over again, gave me a clean bed each time and kept saying that my heart needed blessing, whatever that means? (I don’t think there’s anything wrong with my heart.)

The next day was better. My stomach calmed down, we played, and I got accustomed to my home. I explored the yard—more toys—I found the chicken house, learned how to go up and down steps, and how to scratch on the back door of the house to get inside!

Quickly I realized that there are a lot of “can’ts” around here:

I can’t use the bathroom in the house or on the porch. I can’t chew on shoes (why?). I can’t bite Mama Handler and Daddy Love when I’m only playing, I can’t have all the chew bones and I have to share, I can’t eat all I want and I can’t be dirty—and that dirty thing is a BIG issue! Mama Handler believes everything should be clean: my bed, my toys, my blankets, my feed bowls and even ME! You would think this human runs a cleaning business! You taught me Mama Nala that I am responsible for cleaning myself, but Mama Handler does not understand. She insisted that I needed a bath and I tried to tell her that you taught me to self groom, but she didn’t listen and washed me in the sink with soap and water, every part of me! The bath wasn’t too bad…warm water and then she towel dried me. But then, oh my goodness! She brought out this thing that made so much noise! It blew out warm air and she dried my whole body with it. I tried to tell her that I could lick myself dry, but again, she just didn’t understand. She turned it off and showed me that it wouldn’t hurt me, but Mama Nala i don’t like it!!! I vow to keep myself clean as a whistle where I don’t have to go through that again.

Another point of disagreement is the vacuum cleaner. Even though Mama Handler says it’s not going to harm me, it looks dangerous and like it might run me over! I don’t even know why they use it…it goes all over the floor and then they put it away. That just makes no sense.

But on the good side, there are a lot of “cans” too. I can get loved on whenever I want. I can get new toys almost every week. I can run and play all over the big yard. I can take a nap with Mama Handler and Daddy Love. I can have cozy blankets in my crate every night.

And.. I have a new big dog sister, Gingerbread! Mama Nala this sister of mine has a so much hair!! She’s not like us, sleek and smooth; she’s got hair at least four inches long all over. Even though I bite her playing sometimes (and get mouthfuls of hair!) I never reach skin because of all that hair! Gingerbread is very smart and is currently negotiating with a publisher on her new book titled “How All My Hair was Pulled Out by a German Shepherd Puppy.” She says the book will make our family rich. Good. More toys for me!

Mama Handler and Daddy Love work a lot, but they always make time for me and what I need. They are totally different people though. Daddy Love is all softie. He rubs my belly and chin when we go out to “good potty.” He frets if I wander over into an area where I might take a tumble or if I get something strange (but tasty!) in my mouth. He loves on me all the time. Mama Handler is not too pleased the way he spoils me, so we have to hide when I get extra food or treats!

Mama Handler is sweet, but she is firm. We have little ten minute sessions each day to teach me to behave– to sit, to heel, to shake, to come, and to lie down. She has treats when I do well and she clicks this thing in her hand at the same time. She thinks she is training me, can you believe that, Mama Nala? I just do what she says to get the treats.

You were right about humans Mama Nala: they are not stupid and are fairly easy to train. So far I have taught them what different barks and whines mean, like when I need to go potty, need to eat and want to play. They don’t quite have down the “I’m bored” bark, or “please never use the vacuum cleaner or blow dryer around me” bark, or “I will bathe myself, thank you very much,” bark so there is quite a bit more work to be done. I’m sure they will improve steadily as I will repeat their training until they get it and reward them with tail wags and licks.

Overall I am happy, healthy, and very grateful to you for this wonderful Christmas present of a “furever” home with such great humans! I will take care of them, love them, train them, guard them, and protect them until the day I die, you can be sure of that!

Your Loving Pup Daughter,

Maga Trumpet Maletz XXOO