Introducing Fried Pickle (Frickle)! Adding a Second Dog to the Pack

I lost momentum with blogging, and I’ll be the first to admit it.  For the five of who you read this that I don’t know in real life, I know you have been sitting on the edge of your seat wondering where I am in life.  Since Jesus rose (a little Easter reference for your Thursday…), things have been pretty much the same, except for one minor (major) thing.

I impulse purchased a puppy.

Ok, let me back up…

Jim and I don’t live together, so bringing another dog in to the mix, while ultimately my decision, would have been bad manners to not at least ask him about, since we’re presumably going to live together some day.  We had talked about getting another dog, but it was more of an “in the future” type thought.

Well, a few weeks ago, I was watching the local news and saw a story of a guy who was a chihuahua hoarder… No joke.  He had like, 30 chihuahuas in a trailer behind his house.  Well, that brought me down a rabbit hole of researching small breed puppy rescues.

I came across Day Before the Rainbow Animal Adoption and clicked through all the adorable, adoptable pups.  Now, I had been told that adoption agencies typically won’t give you a dog on your first application.  You basically have to apply to a few, so they know you’re serious.

Well, that’s a big, fat lie.

I applied to adopt “Lewie,” thought I’d never get him, and fast forward twelve hours, I get an email that said:

 

My first reaction? Equally: Oh, shit! and Oh yay!

So, I called Jim at work to tell him the news, took Cannoli to update his shots, arranged to pick up “Lewie” (knowing that name was going to change…) and now I have a new, spunky, yappy, hungry little family member.

 

So, I thought I’d answer a few questions I’ve received since adopting.  If you follow my Instagram stories, you’ve seen Mr. Frickle raising hell.  He’s a cute little dude, but, my gosh, is he a lot of work!

 

What made you want to adopt rather than buy?

I was never one of those “adopt don’t shop” people, necessarily.  I like the idea of animal adoption, but, frankly, would probably have considered a breeder if the timing was different.  I have minor pet allergies, and with rescues, you never really know what you’re getting.  However, now that I’ve adopted once, I don’t ever see myself buying from a breeder again!  Maybe I just lucked out, but little Frickle is a love bug!

 

Would you recommend the adoption agency you went through?

A thousand times YES!  Day Before the Rainbow (linked above) is amazing! Taryn, the director, is responsive, passionate, and very well-organized.  While the adoption fee is definitely more than I expected ($450), he came neutered, with shots, and a full veterinary record.  Even my vet was impressed!  Frickle (“Lewie”) came on a van from South Carolina, and I met said van at 4 AM in a mall parking lot in Virginia.  Shady sounding?  Yes.  I called the local police and asked them to come with me (they did), but it was completely unnecessary.  The driver of the van, who happened to be Taryn’s husband, was responsive to texts (I asked for his license plate number and he totally humored me), sweet as pie, and completely forgiving of the fact that I was 20 minutes late to pick up the pup..  Whoops.

What are your favorite dog products? (click the images below…  Contains affiliate links)

(my floors and) I would die without pee pads.  Cannoli still uses them when I’m away for a long time, even though he prefers going outside.

Slow feeder dog bowls are necessary for Frickle, because he eats WAY too fast.

My mom got Cannoli this snake toy well over a year ago, and it’s still going strong.  We have a bit of a “pull stuffing out and put it all over” issue our house, so it’s nice to have one toy that has survived longer than five minutes.

How has Cannoli been with the adjustment?

He goes back and forth.  I have been ridden with guilt because, even though I think Cannoli likes the company, Frickle is a lot more playful and has hurt Cannoli a few times.  Cannoli has a bad back and can’t roughhouse anymore.  But, when they’re both in chill moods, they cuddle.  Or when I’m able to closely supervise their playtime, they have a lot of fun with each other playing tug-of-war or chasing each other.  As long as Frickle doesn’t jump on Cannoli, everyone is fine and dandy.

 

Is the puppy healthy?

Yes!  There are always going to be some minor health issues with any puppy.  They’re new to the planet and, like baby humans, are susceptible to all kinds of things.  Frickle had diarrhea when I first got him and he had to be on antibiotics, but he’s fine now!  (Pro tip: if you have to administer liquid medicine to a small dog, put him through the sleeve of a sweatshirt and squirt the medicine in to his mouth..  It was otherwise like wrestling an alligator).  Look at how thrilled he looks….

 

How does having a puppy work with your work schedule?

I’m about to transition to at-home work, so it’ll be easier once that happens!  As for right now, Frickle is being pad trained and we’ll work on outside potties once I’m able to really focus on it at home.  He eats when I wake up in the morning and I take Cannoli and him outside before getting ready for work.  Then I jet home after work, let them both out, go see my after school clients, come back, feed them again, and then take them on a long walk.  He’s kind of understanding the idea of outside potties, and will hopefully fully get it when I’m able to focus 100% on it.

 

How does Jim like the pup?

He chose Frickle’s name and has been suggesting weekend things for us to do all together, dogs in tow.  The weekend we got him, we took both dogs on a long walk to Great Falls.  Cannoli ended up being carried for a good chunk of it (bad back..), but Frickle was an enthusiastic walker and got nice and tuckered out!  Win-win for all parties involved.

 

Considering adopting a second pup?  I would love to hear your stories!!