New addition- Giovanni "Gio" the Morkie

The puppy situation has been an emotional roller coaster! First, we were hoping to get a dog in September/October but we found out by both breeders that the dog was available now and they might not be breeding again this year. So we decided to get a dog early within a week. Our first attempt to get the dog was unsuccessful because our schedule conflicted with the breeder. No big deal we waited another week. The following week the breeder told us that the puppy lost weight and wasn't really eating and went through sugar shock. He said that we could take her but we would have to hand feed her with a syringe. We decided to leave it to him since he was experienced in these type of situations. So we waited another week. He said we could get the puppy last week but since we were going out of town for the wedding in Santa Barbara so we asked him to hold onto the puppy a little longer. He agreed and I was excited about getting the puppy the following week. Elliot called the breeder on Monday only to learn that the puppy was losing its hair. He [the breeder] didn't know what to attribute this to so he said he was taking her to a vet and wouldn't release her to us. Turns out that the puppy had a staff infection and was on antibiotics for the next 10 days. Talk about a high maintenance dog lol! We ended up forgetting this dog and looking at dogs from a different litter that’s when we saw pictures of Piper (later changed to Giovanni).
This dog has been AMAZING!!! He has such a calm personality to him. Everyone who has seen him and hung out with Gio say he is the nicest dog they have ever seen. We’ve been able to sleep through the night without a problem of him whining or crying when we put him in his crate. I have to set my alarm to wake up and take him out because he is either sleeping or playing in his crate by himself content. We just started to hear him bark but its only when playing and having fun. We’ve had several people over to meet him and he hasn’t barked at any of them.
My favorite part of having Gio is when he is tired or if I am taking him somewhere new he just sits in my arms and doesn’t fuss at all! We’ve been all over the place in the short period we’ve been together. We have gone on doggy play dates, the store, to the vet, and he is just a doll! He is a little nibbler which is understandable since he is a puppy!
The only issue we’ve had is that he developed a little cold where he has been sneezing. We went to the vet and got antibiotics for him to take the next 10 days. She said it is just a precaution since he is so young that it doesn’t turn into pneumonia. She said it is very common in small dogs since their immune systems are not fully developed and he probably contracted it the same way you or I would. We took the dog in again because he was hacking a lot and learned that he has a collapsible trachea which sounds worst than what it is. This problem is very common in about 40% of all Terriers. What happens is that his trachea is pinched at the upper part which makes it difficult for him to breathe if he runs or plays too much. We have to pick him up and calm him down to catch his breath again so he can play. Its almost like having asthma which I assumed he had. We got his condition checked out by two different vets and both reassured use of the same thing- he will live a healthy long life and he is a healthy dog.
It has been a huge learning experience for me taking care of a dog on my own. There is so much to think about that it is almost like having a baby. I worry about what kind of flea medicine to give him, if he is eating something that will make him sick, if he is too lethargic, etc. I have been relying heavily on raisingspot.com as a guide for tips on raising a dog. I have also become friends with a lot of doggie owners in my building because we all end up at the doggie pooping area at one time or another. Giovanni tends to go more frequently because he is a small puppy so I tend to meet more people. Lol
We have been a little extra tired which is why Grandma Sue took the dog from us for an entire weekend. Elliot and I were able to catch up on our much needed sleep without having to wake up every three hours. It has been a little tiring so we are teaching Gio paper training in addition to going potty outside. We live on the 5th floor so when you have to go up five flights of stairs ten times a day it can be exhausting especially since ours are a little steep.
Regardless, like Elliot said this week "we're attached to that little thing [Giovanni]". We love him to pieces and everyone who has met him or seen him thinks he is absolutely adorable and can't believe how calm and easy going his it.
In November we have plans to take our first flight out to California together for all of our west coast friends and family to meet the little guy. So be excited because he is coming soon!
I am so excited for what the future holds for Elliot, Gio, and I. I feel like a new person!