[
](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7919d40a-11f6-489d-8e26-a2237de2ffc5_2224x1668.png)
Last week, when my spouse was on a work trip out of the country, and without a whole lot of planning, I drove out to the Shenandoah foothills in Virginia, and came home with a five month old puppy.
Boy, did I forget how much work is involved in coexisting with one of these. “No!” “Don’t eat that!” “Get off that!” “NO!”
I have acquired a crate, which she has spent about an hour in, and cried so horribly I gave up. I have acquired a highly recommended book by monks on the art of raising a puppy. If only someone could inject its knowledge into my brain.
I have attempted to adapt myself to her sleep/potty break schedule, but find myself pretty brain dead by sunset.
Thank the heavens, a dog trainer is coming to the house to train us in a few days.
Reporting resuming soon.
Meantime, here she is with a Putin dog toy acquired after the 2016 US election.