Mason and Me

Getting a puppy can be both an exciting and stressful event. If you have an adult dog you will need to think about his needs as well. My wife and I recently went through this experience when we adopted Mason, a three month old husky/terrier mix.

We found Mason on petfinder. Our last dog was a husky/shepherd mix (see my profile pic) my wife had since he was only a few months old. Andrew was a large, beautiful dog that had developed bone cancer at ten. Choosing not to watch him suffer through the few months he had left was very painful, but the right choice in our eyes.

My five year old lab, Brewster had idolized Andrew since the day they met when my wife and I were dating. After Andrew passed we watched Brewster mope around the house and we knew he needed a new friend. Mason, the cute puppy, looked like a husky with the blue eyes but he was small and would probably be a small to medium adult. After a few weeks of deliberating (I didn't stand a chance ), Anne and I loaded up the car with treats and set off on the two hour drive to go pick up our new addition.

We arrived at Petsmart where the local rescue kennel was having an adoption drive. We immediately spotted Mason, running and tackling every dog within striking distance. Anne, who had spoken with Mason's foster parents quite a few times in the prior weeks, hopped out of the still moving car to meet the fearless pup.

We were told this would be Mason's fifth home. He had been returned twice by couples who lived in apartments along with the two kennels he has lived in. (In hindsight balloons were probably released and champagne popped as soon as we left with Mason ) We had recently moved into a house that's beside a natural preserve so we knew he would have plenty of space to run.

Coming Home

The first few weeks went well as Mason got acquainted with Brewster and the house. Anne, who's a teacher, was out for the summer so she had plenty of time to walk, play, feed, and cuddle with our new friend. Mason was in puppy heaven over the summer going for morning and evening walks with a nap in between. This was crucial, as we've come to find out now that school has started and Anne is not with him during the day. No longer getting his morning walk he is apt to chew on walls, carpet, shoes, cords, pillows, blankets or whatever else may be in his reach.

After having two adult dogs for the last few years, we've had to adjust to our hyper little friend. We run him in the evenings because we don't have a choice, at least an hour if we want to sleep. All bedroom doors have to be shut so rugs aren't eaten, shoes have to be put away and remote controls hidden.

Brewster, who likes the slow life, will play with Mason from time to time but has nowhere near the stamina to keep him occupied. Mason is not so much a bad dog, just wound tight with the perfect mix of Husky energy and Terrier neurosis. Working with Mason is just that, work. Everything takes repetition and discipline, the rewards are few and far between. I'm doing my best with him and It can be trying at times but Mason has one ace in the hole, the patient teacher Anne.