Steve and I each got up once with Adagio last night — Steve going first in response to urgent cries and unfortunately not getting to the kennel before Adagio had deposited a massive pile of puppy poop on the towel in it. This was surprising, as Steve had taken him out at 9:30 p.m. and come back reporting not one but two poops then. When Adagio started crying about 2:30 a.m., I figured it was my turn. Out in the cold, dark lower yard, the little guy circled around for a while, then deposited a small gloppy pile under the fig tree.
We chalk the latter up to the stress of his flight and all the other excitement yesterday — coupled with the new thrill of free-range snacking. One of us accompanied Adagio every second he was outside yesterday, but he still managed to pick up and chew on dirt, assorted pebbles, leaves, seeds, berries, and God know what else was within striking range of his muzzle. Once again, I felt astounded by how thoroughly I’d managed to forget the insatiable drive of retriever puppies to pick up and eat stuff. Also, to chew. While I was out this morning for a few hours, Steve kept a list of all the things the little guy sunk his teeth into. They included:
The corner of our tatami bed platform
The knob on a bathroom drawer
The bathroom mat
The bedroom room lamp cord
My oak dresser
The TV cord in our downstairs room
The rug in downstairs room
The frame of the big crate
The frame of the small crate
The dish in the small crate
A living room lamp cord
The edge of the butcher block island
A redwood patio chair
The wheels of our puppy stroller
The hedgehog/doorstop in Steve’s office
The door mat in his office
My garden clogs
A bathroom door stop
His toys
Still, we’re not complaining (much). Over the last 24 hours, Adagio has several times settled down for long naps in his kennel. He whimpered a few times last night, but there was no shrieking, no prolonged protestation, as so many puppies emit on their first night.
This morning Steve took him for a block-long ride in our puppy stroller to the closest mailbox. He jumped out once, but then Steve zippered him in and reported that Adagio seemed to enjoy the brief outing. Later, he tolerated his first bath.
He was stoic. But does that little droop in the tail betray a hint of doubt?
He still has not once urinated or defecated in the house (unless you count the kennel last night, which I don’t). And whenever he has been awake, instead of napping, he’s displayed a solid confidence that impresses us. He’s the only puppy we’ve ever raised who has confidently walked up and down all the many stairs in our house, right from the start.
If Tucker is up there, it must be worth following him.
It feels like we’re off to an excellent beginning.
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