Why My Puppy is Perfect

So I've definitely written a lot on this blog about Zim's problems, which he certainly has. That said, despite the fact that he's got separation anxiety and still isn't 100% potty-trained, I still think he's perfect. Why? Because he's the perfect dog for me. Sure, it's a pain not to be able to go out without putting him in daycare and it's really frustrating to have a dog that seems to be impossible to get over that last potty-training hump but that stuff's not what really matters. What matters is whether he's the dog I wanted---and he is.

Reason Why My Puppy is Perfect 1: He loves me. Yes, this is probably part of the reason why he got separation anxiety but it's impossible to wish it were any different. He adores me. He gets so excited when I get home and he's happy to cuddle with me if I ask him to. If I pick him up or sit on the floor to go pet him he'll start licking my hands like crazy. Having a pet that loves you is really the reason to get one in my opinion so the fact that he's so devoted makes Zim really perfect.

Reason Why My Puppy is Perfect 2: He loves everyone. He's a really friendly dog and there's not an aggressive bone in his body now that we've gotten through his resource guarding. This is such an important thing in a dog, I feel. The one thing that I really feel an animal cannot be is aggressive to human beings and Zim, far from being aggressive, wants to greet and lick everyone of all races, genders and ages.

Reason Why My Puppy is Perfect 3: He's cute as a button. You've seen him on here. How could anyone not love that little face (which he gets so very many compliments on).

Reason Why My Puppy is Perfect 4: He's funny. He does the most hilarious things---like what's featured in the glove video I recently posted. He's hours and hours of entertainment. The fact that they have such funny antics is part of the reason I wanted a Shiba Inu and Zim has definitely delivered.

Reason Why My Puppy is Perfect 5: He's confident. Yes, he has his anxieties (like crates and being home alone) and his fears (the groomer, the vet) but he's basically a very confident pup. He's been that way since we met him at four weeks old. He likes going to new places and seeing new things. Better yet, he bounces back from bad experiences very nicely. Most things don't leave an impression on him, but even if they do counterconditioning with food works very nicely on him. We've gotten him over at least one fear that way and we're hoping that the magic of hot dogs will get him back to being okay with the vet too (and by the vet, we mean the exam part, the actual veterinarian himself Zim likes).

So, yeah, I think my puppy is perfect. I know that may not exactly make sense, to say your pup has problems but they're perfect anyway, but it's true. He's perfect.