Confessions of a Fur Baby Mama
This post is in memory of Fidel Ballesters.
I know that I said that I would be writing every week, and then I disappeared out of the blue. I promise that is was for a good reason.
I was asked to write a post about how I have raised my dog- Lola.
Dogs have a special place in many peoples’ hearts. They are known as “man’s best friend” and are always happy to see you. You are their hero and they can fix a bad day with a few kisses on the face.
My dog is a teacup schnauzer named Lola- named after the Barry Manilow song- Copacabana. She is 2 years old and has a feisty big dog personality in a 10 lb. body.
I got Lola when she was 12 weeks old from a breeder in Missouri. I know that a lot of people have problems with breeders because there many dogs without homes and in shelters- but I really wanted a schnauzer puppy, and this was the best way for me to know what I was getting.
I had done a lot of research before about how to raise dogs and what I wanted Lola to be able to do. I have grown up with dogs my whole life and living away from home made me realize how much I missed having a dog around.
Lola is kenneled trained which means that she sleeps in a kennel- it is her safe place. When something is scary to her- she hides in the kennel. It is also how she learned to be potty-trained. Some people may think that kennel training is inhumane- but I ask the question why. Dogs are pack animals that like to sleep in dens. A kennel is a den. Lola still spends a good amount of time in her kennel and she does not hate it. It is also a space that is completely hers and no other dog, creature, or human shares that space with her.
Lola has gone through training with a trainer and I thought it was one of the most wonderful experiences. Dogs love to work and by teaching them manners- they can feel as though they have a purpose. It is also nice to know that your dog is going to listen to you and behave in a public setting. If you are in Kansas there is a wonderful trainer who comes to your home and works with you and the dog. His name is Richard Tanner and his company is Bark Boulevard KC: (630) 728-5141.
Bedtime. I know people think that it is weird that Lola has a bedtime but let me explain. When I got Lola, I was a college student who was living an extremely busy life. Having a puppy is often exhausting because they are learning how to live just as much as you are learning how to take care of them. There were days when I was exhausted and done with the day, and so I made her go to bed. Dogs need more sleep than humans and by keeping Lola on a schedule it makes my life easier and more predictable.
My friend took care of her for a weekend and she said that it was one of the easiest experiences because Lola is on a schedule.
She eats twice a day at exact times and then goes to the bathroom like clockwork
Human like schedules or knowing what is going to happen- so why not make your life easier and have your dog on that schedule as well.
So now to why I disappeared for 2 weeks. I recently went out of town and I boarded her for the very first time. When I came home, she was very sick. Two weeks of sickness. And they still do not know what happened.
Something that I recently signed up for is pet insurance
I thought it was going to be a waste of money but I my mind was quickly changed after these past two weeks.
Lola spent 4 nights in the animal hospital ICU and it cost an arm and a leg. My pet insurance reimbursed 80% of the expenses that I paid. Of course I had to meet a deductible but after these 2 weeks of vet bills I met my deductible. It was a lot of money, but having pet insurance saved my bank account.
I use Pet’s Best Insurance and here is my referral code in case you are interested in trying it out.
I wanted to let you know about pet insurance from Pets Best. Pets Best helps reimburse expensive, unexpected vet bills with BestBenefit accident and illness coverage. For annual check ups and shots, optional BestWellness routine care coverage is a great addition to any accident and illness plan.
Here's a link to start your quote: https://www.petsbest.com/PH7722702
I was iffy about pet insurance before but I will never doubt the importance of it ever again. Without it, I do not know if I would have been able to get Lola the proper care that she needed.
Other resources that I love when having a pet is making sure you have the support that you need. It is exhausting doing it all by yourself and I could not survive without some of the people in my life who love Lola as much as I do- friends and family.
Doggie daycare is also a wonderful resource- just make sure that you read reviews and see if it is a good fit for you. Lola has the tendency to overplay herself- so I like to make sure that she has breaks throughout the day.
I recently discovered Rover and have found a lovely human being who will come to my house and take Lola out and spend time with her when I have to be gone for an extended period of time. Rover makes sure that you receive report cards about how your dog did as well photos of the time that they spent with your fur baby. If you want to try it out, here is a referral code that will save you $20.
I love having a dog but I know that it is not for everyone, you will have to give somethings up to go check on the doggo or to take them out- but I promise you- you will be loved forever. Just make sure that you know what you are getting into before you commit to a dog.
Next post will be about my weekend in Arizona.
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