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Proud new puppy Mom here... Meet Riggins!!

3K views 17 replies 16 participants last post by  princess heidi 
#1 ·
Hi Everyone!

I am so excited that I found this site! I have barely scratched the surface of all the great information within.

Here is a little bit about me and my family...

We are a family of 5 living in a small town just outside of Portland, Oregon. In 2000 (when our kids were 4,6 and 8) we got our first puppy. (My first dog ever!) She was a Black Lab/Golden Retriever mix and her name was DJ.
I always thought that we would have a dog while our kids were growing up, and then when she was gone and the kids were grown, we would be empty-nesters with no more pets.

Well... We lost DJ a year ago at Thanksgiving, she was 11 1/2.
She was a fantastic dog and I loved her, but I never really considered myself a "pet person". I thought I was done...

Fast forward 6 months and I am reconsidering. We went and looked at our first litter of Goldens in June, but decided we weren't quite ready.

Since then, my oldest child (who has been out of the house for a few years now) turned 21, my daughter turned 18, graduated high school and left for college, and my youngest is a Junior in high school who will be 17 in a few weeks.
My nest is rapidly becoming emptier!!!

As Christmas began to draw near, I started looking at local breeders online again. I couldn't seem to shake the desire. And I wondered... Since I don't have small children anymore, will I have more time and energy to devote to a puppy? Will I appreciate a dog more now??
Having been a stay-home mom, I now have a lot of free time and I'm also home alone a lot. Would a new puppy be the next adventure that I could focus my time and energy on? Would he be my new best friend?

Turns out the answer is YES!!

Meet Riggins!! (Or Riggs, for short)

(If you've ever watched the TV series Friday Night Lights, you'll understand the name. ;))

He was born to a local breeder on November 6, 2012. And we brought him home at just under 8 weeks on December 29th. He will be 13 weeks on Tuesday. He is a joy, and a delight, and a handfull! And despite all my doubts and second-guessing, I have not had one moment of regret since bringing him home.

He is SO smart and is learning SO fast!! He has not had an accident in the house in probably 2 weeks. (oops... edit... turns out there was one found in the basement today. But on a rubber mat, so I won't complain!) He is sleeping through the night in his crate (usually from about 11 to 6:30), then he lets me go back to sleep on the couch for a while while he naps or plays next to me. (I like my sleep! LOL)

He loves to steal small soft items like socks, slippers, gloves or underwear! But he is learning to "drop it" when I tell him to. He loves to sleep on the cold, tile window ledge near the living room floor. He likes to find small "treasures" in the back yard and bring them to the door. He is not crazy about walking on a leash, but is getting better... as long as he can hold it in his mouth. When he is tired, he climbs into his soft bed in the living room and sucks on one of the corners like he is nursing. It is so sweet!
We have started some basic clicker-training and he has learned Sit, and Lay Down, Drop it, Leave it, and "Get out of the kitchen". LOL Of course we are still working on these and it's not consistant yet. But if he see's the treat baggie and the clicker, he is ALL business!

Thank you for letting me brag about my new boy! I look forward to "meeting" all of you and gleaning tons of support and wisdom.

Now for the pictures... :D
 

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#3 ·
I am so glad for you you found puppy Riggins to put some adventure into your empty nest. He is so cute (and you take such good pictures, I am jealous) and seems to make great progress (being able to sleep a few hours in a row is a big thing with a puppy).

Looking forward to the continuation of his life with you.
 
#7 ·
Adorable puppy! I have an undying crush on Tim Riggins. I even considered naming Copley Chantilly's Friday Night Lights.
 
#15 ·
Thanks everyone for the kind words and warm welcome!
It has definitely been an adjustment having a "baby" in the house again.. but SO much fun! My husband and I talk about him like he's our child... praising every little milestone and always saying that he's "the smartest puppy EVER!". LOL

You all have such beautiful dogs and puppies, and I can't wait to keep reading and learn more about each of them.
And I have so many questions!!!



And Ljilly... Haha!... My daughter and I both have huge crushes on him too! We picked Riggins for a puppy name long before we even knew we were getting another dog!
And we haven't chosen an AKC name for him yet... but based on the character of Tim Riggins (and also "Riggs" who was Mel Gibson's character in Lethal Weapon) we are considering "Shyan's Heartthrob Hero". But we haven't decided yet.
 
#11 ·
Welcome! Riggs is ADOREABLE! Congrats on the new member. I know Heidi is my first golden and already I am hooked! I cannot imagine life without her/golden. Our Heidi was born November 9th! I look forward to reading your posts and updates seeing that Riggs and Heidi are so close in age.
So far, I have received some great advice and insight and frankly, I will just read through the discussions and I am amazed at what I can learn.
Please, keep the updates coming!


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#13 ·
oh god...I can feel the puppy fever coming on.. i may have to call out sick tomorrow :p:. Riggs is absolutely ADORABLE and you take beautiful pictures. Welcome to the forum - can't wait to see your and Rigg's journey :)
 
#16 ·
I like the potential choice for the AKC name! It suits him well as he looks like an absolute heartthrob! Better watch that boy at the dog parks with all the pretty ladies! He will surely be the big catch! LOL

I think it is awesome that your husband and yourself talk about Riggs like he is a child ..... That is how it should be (in my opinion). There are so many people out there that only see their dogs as "dogs" and that drives me insane! They are FAMILY MEMBERS (granted with some different limitations and a different set of rules and 4 legs .... But who notices? Lol )

Please keep us updated on Riggs milestones! I am absolutely amazed at how quickly they train and are so very eager to learn.



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