Sep 27, 2012

Dog-sitting

Did I ever mention that the Gym Rat bought himself a little dog back around the first of the summer? His breed is called a Chiweenie (I always think it's funny when really big guys get little teeny dogs!) and the kids...especially Baby Doll...think he is the coolest thing ever!

His name is Franco and he looks more Dachshund than Chahuahua. The Gym Rat started bringing him over for family parties. Baby Doll took to him immediately, even faster than she learned to like her brother. Now when I say "the Gym Rat" is coming over, she looks at me hopefully and says, "Dog?"

We also have to bless the dog in every prayer we ever have when Baby Doll is awake. And we've quickly learned to do it up front so everyone else can hear the rest of the prayer. Otherwise she spends the entire time saying, "Dog!" over and over.

So a few weeks ago, the Gym Rat started going to the gym with the Dog Walker. I think I told you the Dog Walker is going to college and he is enrolled in a fitness class so he is required to work on that as often as possible. I thought the Gym Rat was just being nice until last week when he called, "Hey Mom," he began. "Since Andrew got married and took his dog away, Franco gets awfully lonely during the day while I'm at work." He paused. "How about if I bring him by while the Dog Walker and I work out so he can play with the kids for an hour?"

His request seemed relatively harmless, so I agreed. Baby Doll loves her time during the week with Franco, and it's not bad to watch him for a little bit. But that's not the end of the story. Last weekend when the Gym Rat was over for Princess's birthday party, he put his arm around my shoulders and said, "I have a favor to ask of you..."

Yeah, you're right, he was just fattening me up for the kill. He is going out of town tomorrow and he wanted me to watch Franco for the entire weekend, Wednesday to Sunday! So now we are dog-sitting.

It's been a while since we've had a dog around here.

I have to shut the pantry door and keep the socks locked up. Other than that, he's not too bad. Although Crafty said he was whimpering when she tried to take him to bed with her. I guess he's still technically a baby. I hear he does have a naughty streak. The Gym Rat brought the kennel too, just in case.

Any advice for us while we are dog-sitting? I have to confess I've never done this sort of thing before...and I thought it would be the grandkids that wanted to spend the night at grandma's...

7 comments:

Diana said...

We will be dog sitting this weekend too after a week long stint over the summer. Keeping all doors closed was our major thing and shoes shut up in rooms instead of our normal shoe corner. Good Luck! For me, it is just enough to remind me I don't want the trouble of a full time dog.

Anonymous said...

You could use baby gates to keep him in 1 room in order to help him stay out of trouble. That way he's not locked up in a kennel and can walk around, but you only have to worry about hiding things in 1 room.

Liz Mays said...

Oh boy, I'm not a dog person so I couldn't do it! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Just crate him if you are really worried for a half hour or so, walk him regularly to do his business..watch him carefully around your Baby Doll, sometimes tiny animals get really upsett someone else is the center of attention..He will probably be okay, just watch him, pet him and hug him if he allows it and crate him if he gets too unruly, for a little while he will get the point, walk him if you can for fresh air and outdoors so he can do his business and feel loved and wanted!

Natalie Ockey said...

Here's the only advice you need: Learn how to say NO.

~R

Anonymous said...

I thought you had a dog. What happened to Daisy?
Debbie

Saimi said...

Awe, I think he's adorable good for you! I'm a sucker for dog sitting but then, I have a soft spot for those critters.

One time I watched my friends (large) Doberman, he was such a baby and cried most the night. I ended up sleeping with him, me on the couch and he on the floor then later, the sneaky dog climbed up sharing the couch with me.