It’s been two weeks since you looked at me…

It has been a little over two full two weeks since G arrived in our home. Here is what I can tell you definitively: 

• I am getting more used to the dog smell. It’s still there, I don’t love it, but it doesn’t bother me as it did.

• I still do not like slobber on my hands. I was never that kid who enjoyed making mud pies or getting my hands into gooey things, so I can’t imagine that this aversion will change. G likes to give kisses, though, and so I indulge him briefly and then make a beeline to the sink every time.

• Didn’t notice the dog’s breath in the beginning, but now I do. (Probably because we’re in each other’s faces so much more now with all our interactions.) It’s not horrible, but it certainly isn’t pleasant. I’ll have to look into what I can do to help improve it. I think I read something about parsley or mint being helpful.

• Everyone is now sleeping great through the night. We got a new dog bed for the bedroom, and G loves it. Most nights, thankfully, he doesn’t snore. I’m not quite getting my full 8 hours of sleep during the week yet, but that’s less about the dog and more about me not being ready to fall asleep by 11 pm.

• Every square inch of my house is covered in dog fur. On the uncarpeted surfaces, I feel like my shoes aren’t getting as good traction as they should. I could use up an entire box of Swiffer sweeper cloths in about three days, and it still wouldn’t get it all up. I have never considered myself a neat freak, but all this fur makes me feel like my house is always dirty. I am strongly considering getting a Roomba. 

• I am becoming less bothered with dried drool marks on my sofa and ottoman. It still pains me to see the mars to our hardwood floors, but, in general, I’m becoming a little less uptight about things that are accidental and beyond my control. My teenager can attest to this because he accidentally spilled cold coffee all over me and the sofa. And while I did yelp at him to get a towel and damp cloth to help clean things off—there was no string of expletives or minutes-long tirade on the virtues of being more careful flung from my mouth. I’d say this one is a big win for the family!

• G feels a lot less like a houseguest. Can I honestly say that he is a cherished member of the family? Not quite yet. But I know it’s only a matter of time. I find him absolutely adorable, and we are already so much more comfortable around each other. Whenever one of the guys takes G outside for a bathroom break, as soon as he comes in the house—he literally sprints to wherever I am as if to say, “I’m back! Did you miss me?!” It is the sweetest thing ever and makes me feel so loved. I know you’re probably surprised that I don’t get this kind of reaction from my husband and son whenever they return from somewhere. Not sure what went wrong there, but the fact that this dog is so happy to see me when he’s only been gone for a few minutes definitely makes me feel like we’re bonding the way we’re supposed to.