This was the 2nd weekend we worked on the Loft. Brian is quite crafty and he was able to get all of the construction and most of the painting done in record time.

So why did we need to build a loft in the first place? Well, when the both kids were old enough, Brian and I moved into the smaller second bedroom and gave the larger room to them. It really isn’t a full sized room; more like an alcove. With the bed on the floor, we were only able to fit it and one dresser drawer. We had moved Brian’s drawers out into the laundry room and it was getting pretty tiresome for him to have to walk to the other side of the house every time he wanted a change of clothes. But with the new loft, we can fit the drawers back in the room!

Gavin wants to show you the BEST part!!! We also have a perfect space underneath for a dog crate. Brian made sure the space was the right specifications that we can put a Great Dane size wire dog crate underneath, so our Swissy can sleep in our room. The opening is narrow.. so we are going to have to build a custom door for the pup.

But look! It’s a perfect den. It’s also a perfect play space for the kids but they are on full alert that they can only play there until we actually get a dog. Then, its for dogs only…

One of the bigger projects on the list is the loft. While we have a perfect property for a dog, our actual house is only 1000 square feet. When the kids were old enough, we moved them in the one “true” bedroom, and Brian and I moved into the alcove. It is really only big enough to fit a queen bed and that’s it. We were worried about where to put the dog’s crate. We wanted it out of the way, but we still wanted it with us and part of the family.

The solution? Put our bed up on a loft, and put the crate underneath!

This is one of the bigger projects that will take a few weekends to complete. But that’s ok. Everyone is helping.

This weekend it was stacking the washer and dryer and building shelves.

But first the plumbing and electrical needed to be moved, which required going into the wall.

So now we have a proper laundry area with more shelving. We can even store *gasp* DOG FOOD here!

At this rate, we might actually get it all done on time…

We are officially at the half way mark. GO TEAM!!!

I should add… if you ever wondered what is in the bottom left hand corner? That’s the kids’ list. They made their own and are checking it off accordingly..

That’s what I feel like tonight. A STALKER.
I swear, word is going to get out and people are going to start questioning if I’m missing the Queen on my chess board.

I’ve been hesitant to talk too much of the process finding a breeder because
1) I just started.
2) I have a habit of sticking my foot in my mouth. . Mmm.. yummy toe fuzz.
3) What if somebody i am trying to impress reads my blog and then walks away feeling offended.. or worse. Doesn’t feel like i’m worthy to own one of their dogs. Goodness that would suck!

But how can i document this process without talking a little about all that I’m doing to FIND my puppy.

So let me outline this process.
1) You go and find reputable breeders on line through the GSMDCA or the AGSBA.
2) You talk to people who have used said breeders.
3) You go their websites and read about their practices.

Lets say you get a good word about a breeder, or someone tells you about a pairing of dogs that might be a good match. Let’s just say you get interested.

Time to SELL YOURSELF.
How do you do this affectively, be completely sincere and truthful about your intentions? How do you convince someone to trust you when ultimately… you want something from them?

Honestly, it’s just not possible. At least for me. I feel like a complete dweeb trying to sell myself.. mainly because I’m a person of action. Not of words. I am excited about this so I come off as hyper and nervous and obsessive. (Which i am. The obsessive part. ) I can’t convince someone I just met that i’m a trustworthy animal lover who is proactive and devoted and really wanting to do this right. They’ve heard it all before; why should they trust me? I don’t know how many of their dogs they’ve had to rescue from bad families because the kids didn’t get on with the dog or they had to move. People are smart and they learn all the right things to say when they are trying to win someone over. If I was in their shoes.. i’d be skeptical too.

Hopefully I’m going to be talking to a breeder this weekend and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we hit it off because it would be lovely to stop talking hypothetical and really start planning for the puppy. This particular pairing, so far sounds lovely. I talked to the owner of the Papa on the phone and she was fantastic. Completely patient and forthcoming. And her dog sounds like the exact kind of energy i want to bring into the house.

Ugh. But its hard! I want to be spending my time, learning about how I want to RAISE the dog and figure out training methods and supplies I’m going to need. We have to find a new vet and I had gotten some feedback from the gs.com about what kind of questions to ask when interviewing. Brian has been asking for those questions for a week and half so he can start interviewing.. and i’ve been preoccupied with breeder questions. I so wish this part was settled. I think this part is going to drive me crazy. But hey! This is the process I signed up for. If I wanted instant gratification we could have just gone to the pound, right?

In the last week I’ve met some new swissy friends. I joined the lovely ladies of Love of the Dog. Its a small message board filled with all sorts of dog topics and it is administered by Melissa of Swiss Lick Swissies. She lost one of her dogs to cancer so I thought I would give a litttle shout out to her Swiss Lick Canine Cancer Fund.

It’s a really nice little forum and everyone there has been really helpful. I got some good advice with breeders and also thinking about future expenses.

That all said, not much ACTUAL progress this week in terms of getting anything on the List accomplished. But is IS only Tuesday. 😀

watercolor done by Rachel Parker at Rachel’s Studio.

Trying to finish up the little bit of work I was given on Kung Fu Panda 2 so in lew of a real post, I found this watercolor of a swissy I liked.

I have been dealing with a lot of drama talking with my first breeder and discovering a new list forum called Swissy-L. But I have no time to talk about it today. Soon…

Oh, and another item on the list got checked. We’re getting closer…

Brian’s gift for me yesterday.

You be the judge.

I’m going to take a break on storytelling and history and talk a little bit about the family and what it’s going to take to make this happen.  How does brian feel about adding a dog into the family? To understand his view point, you have to understand our family dynamic. I am a working mom and Brian stays home with the kids. Even though this is my dream to own a dog, the reality is that Brian will be home during the day and especially in the beginning… the responsibility of puppy training is going to fall heavily on his shoulders.  What’s his take? Does he even WANT a dog? Well, if you look at what he’s putting me thru in order to get one you might question it. When we this idea started to really solidify into a possibility, Mr. Young sat me down and had a “heart to heart.”  His days are packed filled with kids and driving and free time is something he wishes for but always doesn’t get.

He is happy to get a dog, but in order to get a dog we have to clear projects off our plate. It’s that simple. A dog will be like a new baby and one has to have a clear head and a clear schedule to focus on a new baby.

But have you seen the list?

The list when it first went on the wall.

I swear he’s trying to kill me.

But I respect that this is what has to be done. And since this dog will be a family member and the responsibility of the whole family, its up to the whole family to work at preparing. But there have been weeks where we haven’t checked mark a single box. At this rate, I’m hoping that maybe by late spring I can start getting serious with breeders. A serious breeder only breeds once or twice a year, and sometimes there are waiting lists for puppies. It could be a whole year before I see a puppy.

Sometimes I think he’s just trying to torture me. But then there are the days like today where we check box two or three columns and I think “see? we’re getting things done. Just need to be patient…”

The sooner that list gets done.. the sooner we get a dog.

Just some documentation of the crazy…

What did I do today? Joined a dog club and I don’t even own a dog!