Buttercup

Meet Buttercup. Our new dog. She's 8 weeks old and a mix between a Boxer and a Lab. We got her Sunday, March 9th. She is a rescue from TJ, Mexico. Let me back up a bit to where this whole thing started. 

We wanted to get the kids a pet. Our contact says no dogs plus Fred and I have allergies so we put our focus on hamsters, lizards, guinea pigs...things of that nature. Easy and small. But we soon realized how boring these animals would be for 3 young boys. We wanted something they would love, could play with and would live a long time. We needed a dog. I called up our landlord and just asked him if we could get a dog even though I knew our contract said otherwise. To my surprise, he said we could because in a good housekeeper and keep our home clean and organized. He was willing to trust me to be the same way with a dog. We were thrilled. 

Then came the research. We put a big focus on hypoallergenic dogs since Fred and I have allergies. Some were cute but all of them required more grooming that we wanted. We researched tons of breeds and for many weeks straight I felt like all I did was look at dogs online, talk to people about dogs and go dog hunting. I found a few leads from people I know and waited until something we likes showed up. Nothing was happening and I was getting frustrated. Then I was tagged in a post my friend found in FB of rescue dogs that were boxadors and I contacted the lady. She said they would be at PetSmart on Sunday for an open adoption being held for tons of dogs. I also had plans to see Boston Terriers that day and stopped there first. The Boston Terriers were cute but gave Fred and I hives. We were both worries this whole dog thing wouldn't work out. Then we went over to PetSmart. 

I has been sent pictures of her and that's the reason we went- was to see the dog they were calling Butter. She was so cute, loving and calm. We were at PetSmart for like 4 hours. Just looking, petting, holding and discussing actually getting a dog. We walked over to Costco to talk over hot dogs and get allergy medicine. Which I guess was our 'yes' purchase before we officially said 'yes'. 

Over samples at Costco, we decided it would be good for our boys to grow up with a dog. We marched back to PetSmart and said we'll take her. Luckily 'Butter' was still there. She was $350. Included is all her shots, deworming and getting her spayed. Before I knew it, we we're shopping for our new puppy. But we changed her name from 'Butter' to 'Buttecup'. Hoping it wouldn't be too much of a change but giving us the chance to make it our own. The kids picked it out. They wanted something close to 'Butter'.

About $600 later, we had a puppy and everything a puppy could ever want. We all were in love. Especially Caleb. He can't get enough of her. He just LOVES her. 

Night one was a living hell. We probably slept a total of 2 hours. She just cried and whimpered and howled. Night two was better but still every 2 hours she would just cry and be so loud. Night three we moved her from the kitchen to our room where she can see us and she slept beautifully with only one potty break at 3am and no messes in the crate. Tonight is night two of being in our room. 

The first full day I hated it and wanted to return her. I was so overwhelmed and couldn't handle it. Fred came home with ice cream for me since I had such a hard day. I love him. Today (day three) I can't help but be totally in live with her. She adores me and wants me all the time. She really is my baby girl. Speaking of girl, Fred wanted a boy dog (naturally) for all our boys but eventually said, 'you chose the gender and dog since you'll be taking care of it the most.' I said, 'we're getting a a girl dog.' Mostly because they are easier the boy dogs and don't feel he need to mark everything and aren't territorial. But no matter because Fred loves her and is smitten by her. 

She is doing amazing with her crate training even though she doesn't like the crate. We're working on not whimpering or crying when she has to go in it. She's getting better. I'm just glad my parents are so knowledgable with training dogs and having puppies since we breed dogs growing up and had dogs all my life. Let's just say I've been calling them a lot since Sunday. 

Anyway, that's the story of our newest member. I still can't believe we have a dog. Our lives will never be the same again...