(no subject)

[lizzybennet]

The return date grows ever near...I'm feeling anxious in both a good and bad way about our return. Did I mention that we're going to get a dog when we return to Nanjing? We think this will help the boys feel less lonely, and help distract them from their...dissatisfaction with living in China. I want to get a Char Pei. Chris wants to get a Boxer. I had a Boxer growing up and really loved her so much, but she always was running away. I certainly don't think a Boxer is a good dog for apartment living. Petey has come to tears a couple times as he's told me how much he does not want to go back to China, and does not want to go to home school anymore. Poor guy. I try to play it up, like tell him how much fun we're going to have, etc, but he's not falling for it. I suppose I played those cards out the first time we went.

My mom told me that she's going to worry more about me going this time than she did the first time. I'm sure this is because I tended to share a lot of my negative experiences. I tried to reassure her that it wasn't quite as bad as I may have made it seem (all this as I'm sobbing while I drive away!) So, in attempt to reassure my mom, here's a story about Zou that I neglected to share when it happened.

Zou and I were at the market, doing the weekly shopping. We had just arrived and, as always, I was a bit overwhelmed by the sensory overload that accompanies the market. A bicyclist rode past me (going in the same direction as I was) and I was suddenly whacked in the butt by the rest of his bike. He was driving a bike with a large cart attached to the back and didn't seem to care who he knocked over as he went on his merry way. I laughed in embarrassment (it didn't hurt, just startled me) but Zou was mad! She yelled at the guy and hit his bike. He turned back (kept peddling, but looked back) and yelled an apology to me. See, Mom? Zou does take care of me :) She's not always bossing me around, lol!

Comments

[goal145.livejournal.com]

Shar Peis tend to end up with skin problems... A boxer would need a lot of exercise and a firm hand. Just my 2 cents. My mom got me a book by Cesar Millan (the guy who does the "Dog Whisperer" program on the National Geographic channel), and his advice pretty much boils down to walking the dog early and often - abundant exercise prevents a lot of the behavioral problems American dogs exhibit. I'm getting a husky soon (put down the deposit money yesterday and am v. excited), and one of our major problems with our first husky was her tendency to escape and roam... Reading Millan's book, I'm hoping that having an opportunity to walk miles each day with me will curb that tendency in the new dog. I know long and frequent walks would pose a whole new difficulty in the environment you'll be living in, but it's something to think about. I'd suggest reading the book (and taking some of the content with a grain of salt), especially if you end up with a Boxer - wouldn't want the dog running roughshod over your family because it senses anxiety and insecurity!

Reading the book it's fairly apparent that Millan isn't working from a Christian worldview, but if you work around that he has some fairly interesting concepts of dog psychology. I know your reading list's getting pretty long, but it's something to think about.

[risingpheenix.livejournal.com]

I'm going to look for that book. It sounds really interesting. I try some dog training techniques on my cats and sometimes they work. Obviously the walking one won't work but who knows.

T, will you be able to bring the dog home with you at the end of the spring? If you can, I think getting a dog would be wonderful for the boys. They can have a friend to run around with in the afternoons and learn responsibility. I'm sure Petey will just love it. You can always turn the dog into assignments. They can write stories about the dog's adventures. He'll be a family member but he can also be an educational tool.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Yes, we'd be able to bring the dog home with little/ no hassle. We've done some research about it already and the only stipulations are that the dog be more than 6 months old and have had a rabies shot with in the past 30 days before you fly. There are no quarentine requirements either. We have some friends who bought a puppy and took it home. As far as we've heard, they had no problems, but I'm going to email them and ask for myself to make sure.

We've (I've) wanted a dog for years. I think this is the right time.

[risingpheenix.livejournal.com]

That is so awesome! I was really worried for Petey if you couldn't bring the dog home. We had no problems bringing home a cat from Germany but I know England has some crazy laws concerning animals coming into the country but couldn't remember what they were regarding coming out of the country.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

I saw that book just the other day and considered getting it. But, I decided against it since I had so many already to take. I decided I can use the Internet to help me answer any questions I may have...and now I know I can ask you too! Thanks for the tip about frequent walks, it sounds like a great idea.

I had also read that shar peis have skin problems as well. Still, everything I read also says that they have great personalities, are very calm and very neat. One website said "they practically potty train themselves." hmmm. I wonder.