This is my puppy Nigel Barker. My husband got him for me as a birthday gift back in July and we love him so much. However, he is a handful!

I knew a dog would be harder than having cats, but I didn't realize how hard. First, let me paint the picture of how EASY cats are. They literally do not give a crap if I am home or not. They sleep a lot, they lounge around wherever they want, they eat when they want, they play when they want. They have the easiest life ever. Sometimes, I wish I was a cat. I'm not joking. So for years, all I've known is the easy going lifestyle of having multiple cats. I feed them in the morning, I change their litter boxes, make sure they have plenty of clean water, and that's it, easy as anything.

Now, here comes the tough part. A tiny little puppy who was just born at the end of June and is not house trained or ANYTHING trained. I had dogs growing up, but I was a kid, my mom probably trained them to go outside, cause I certainly don't remember what to do. We got puppy pads, we got him a crate and we try to take him outside as often as possible. When he goes to the bathroom outside, we reward him with a treat. Problem is, he is so fast, he goes to the bathroom INSIDE all the time before we can even catch him! No matter how often we take him out, he still goes in the house, #1 and #2. Fun times. He also eats EVERYTHING. Thankfully, I am pretty good about not leaving random things out that he could chew, because if he can fit it in his mouth, that's where it's going. Now, speaking of putting things in his mouth that don't belong...he has this fun little game he plays where he runs into the cat room and digs out "treasures" out of the cat box. I know, disgusting. I try to keep those boxes clean, but for the love of everything that is holy, I am not scooping every single time they go! Nigel thinks he's a cat sometimes, I swear.

The other night I had just had it with animal-ing. The dog had about five accidents in the house, even after taking him outside. It was raining and he straight up refused to go in the rain...very frustrating. Then I decided to clip everyone's nails...great idea, but never ever a great time. Oliver and Jack are OK abut nail clipping time...Frances hid, so I couldn't get to her, per usual. Nigel was difficult, but eventually I got his nails clipped, and the worst was Gracie. She is a little terror. She will not stand for nails being clipped and scratched the ever living heck out of me. At that point, I was done. Everything furry went to bed, and so did I. DONE.

I love having animals, but man, I didn't realize how difficult a puppy and four cats would be. Little Nigel is going to obedience school soon, so hopefully that will help him not eat various things on the floor or cat box findings, and maybe he will learn to go to the bathroom outside!

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