Monday, January 18, 2010

How do you choose?

Six puppies. Only one gets to stay. From day one I've been kidding myself that I will wait until week seven when final evaluations are done and that day I will pick my puppy. Uh huh. How do you not fall in love with one particular puppy when you see them every day, learn all their little quirks, see their strengths and their weaknesses. I think so much easier to get the full picture of a puppy in person than just through pictures, though a good still pic makes it easier to see what can be hard on a constantly moving puppy. How do you then turn around and pick a different puppy than the one your heart is set on because of one day of evals?

As each puppy was born I thought "oh, I love this one!" and on and on as each one arrived. At that point, I was dead set that I was keeping a female. Until a little blue and white boy appeared. Last one born and that thought "he's the one" hit me. I can't say what it was at that point, I mean, he was being ripped out of his sack, hadn't taken his first breath even...let alone knowing if he was correctly marked, what his temperment would be like or that he was even a he. I have to say, I have wanted a blue merle and white for YEARS, so it would be easy enough to blame his colour on the reason I wanted to keep him. But I've always wanted a blue with minimal white, and I wanted a girl. And, I have a puppy that fits that bill exactly. I love Fiesty to bits, and I think she is going to make someone an awesome awesome little puppy, but I don't feel the same connection with her as the blue boy, I'm pretty sure it's more than just markings, plus I don't like all the white generally. ;)

As the puppies grew, each puppy changed a little, I got a different view on their personalities and still, the blue and white boy topped my list. A lot of what draws me to him is his personality and temperment, which for me is key. I don't care if they are the most beautiful dog out there, or the top herding dog, or the fastest agility dog, at the end of the day temperment is what matters most. My dogs are my pets and need to thrive in my home with my lifestyle. He is his father all over again, but much quieter in volume (not busy-ness, he's a busy busy boy). He is a total ham, the class clown of the group who always has a grin on his face as he bounces over to me so I can pick him up and snuggle him. He's a bit of a wimp and can get his feelings hurt if someone roughhouses him too rough, but seconds later he's right back in the fray of things and grabbing and shaking someone's fur.

Is he the nicest conformation puppy in the litter? He's a nicely put together puppy, (needs to think some black nose thoughts though) but I'm not sure if he'll turn out as pick show puppy. Is he the top performance puppy? Again, he's up there, but I'm not sure if he would be considered the top one (and really, how do you pick that at such a young age...so many variables). Will he herd sheep? Who knows, based on his pedigree and parents he should, but no guarantees. Regardless, he is THE ONE, I've known it from day one and in the last few days I've finally accepted the fact that the blue boy is the one staying. I can't imagine sending him off to another home, where the rest of the puppies I've already picked what their ideal homes would be and figured out "short lists" for my waiting homes to choose from in a couple weeks.

So finally, I'm pleased to introduce: LookQuest Leap Frog "Juice", who regardless of if he is the "best" puppy after evals are done is the puppy who is meant to stay here, and will always be the best puppy in the litter as far as I'm concerned.

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Carly. He was meant to stay right where he is. Pam

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations! Carly & Juice What a lucky little fellow!
    gina & daryl

    ReplyDelete