Front Porch: Puppy love through thick and thin

What do you do when you get a new puppy and things just don’t work out as wonderfully as you’d hoped?

Simple. You love him just the same.

Dodger the Dalmatian – my grand-doggie – came as a puppy last November into the home my son Sam and his fiancé Ryan share in Seattle. What a delightful bundle of spots, wagging tail and unbridled enthusiasm Dodger is. We were there for Christmas and so very much enjoyed playing with him and his big sister, Ellie the Old English Sheepdog.

Ellie had been a 2-year-old rescue dog in Dallas, where Ryan was living some years back, and the two of them ventured forth together about four years ago when Ryan relocated to the Pacific Northwest. When he and Sam got together, it was a package deal. Happily, Sam loves dogs, so all was well.

Ellie is a mature lady now, and when the guys moved into a larger home last year, one of the first things they wanted to do was get a second dog. Ryan would have gotten a dozen or so (not a good idea), so Sam was put in charge of the selection process.

And while they lean toward the rescue of adult dogs, they did decide to get a puppy this time, mostly, they concluded, because they thought that would be a better fit for two men who have very busy lives and already live with an alpha dog who is clearly Queen of the House.

The very first dog Sam ever knew was a Dalmatian. Bonnie was our nana dog who slept under Sam’s older brother’s crib when he was a baby and then under Sam’s when he was born. She was the doggie of his early years. And so, when he and Ryan discussed getting a puppy, a Dalmatian was especially appealing to Sam.

Upon moving in, little Dodger followed Ellie everywhere, and they all settled into their new somewhat tumultuous lives as an expanded family. True, Dodger ate a pair of Ryan’s new Nike shoes, chewed off a corner of the couch, knocked over plants and did all those mischievous puppy things that make you wonder why on earth you signed on for this, voluntarily. And then Dodger would fall asleep on Sam’s chest while Sam was lying on the couch, and all frustration faded into a puddle of love.

Sam said that “we did sort of miscalculate how much work a new family member makes, especially a puppy, and, frankly, we weren’t as prepared as we should have been.” How many parents of new babies – two-legged and four-legged as well – have discovered the same? I had to smile when he told me that.

Dodger came to the family with an ear infection, and they dealt with that. Plus he kept chewing on his feet. And then they began to notice that when they tried to work with him apart from Ellie – like with potty training – he seemed particularly inattentive.

“We thought it was just puppy stuff,” Sam said, “but it didn’t take long to realize it was something else.”

A veterinarian confirmed their fears. Dodger is deaf.

The news was a little staggering. They had bonded with this now not-so-little guy, but how were they going to handle this? Well, first off, the two guys with busy schedules and hectic lives learned to get flexible very quickly. Because Sam’s schedule is more easily adjusted, he made time to take Dodger to puppy kindergarten classes, where they are learning to work with hand signals. Dodger has gotten microchipped and has a special tag on his collar noting his deafness.

His ear infections continue, as does his chewing on his own feet, so they’ve taken him to an allergy specialist, who has recommended a special diet and prescribed anti-itching medication (the ear medication continues pretty much nonstop). If after a few weeks, they don’t see a change, then skin tests are next.

I asked Sam if they felt they really could handle these special needs and complications long term – and if they might consider finding a new home for Dodger. I wasn’t suggesting, just trying to gauge their thinking.

Sam’s main fear is that Dodger will get out of the yard somehow and wander off into the street, where he won’t hear a car coming or honking at him to get out of the way.

“Overall this has been frustrating, wonderful, harrowing and joyous,” Sam said. “Dodger really makes life better. He makes us happy. Some of what feels a bit overwhelming is just the puppyness of it all. His deafness is just part of him.”

And with that, Sam texted me a couple of pictures of life with their four-legged family members, including Dodger trying for a moment to get the upper paw with Ellie, Dodger resting on Sam’s chest and also looking intently out the front window when he knows one of his Dads is due home.

So, yes, they can handle whatever comes, and, no, Dodger’s not going anywhere. He’s already home, where he is loved.

Voices correspondent Stefanie Pettit can be reached by e-mail at upwindsailor@comcast.net.