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Dear Past Me,When you first get Dove, you are going to love her so much that all you want to do is make her happy. You think you need to buy her all these things, when really, all she wants is to be loved, to play, to rest, and most of all, to eat. :)It will take some time, a few weeks or even months, for you to get into a groove and learn about each other. You will both need time to settle into a new lifestyle together. Be patient. You'll figure it out.And then, a few months later, you're going to pass one of your other dog mom friends walking our dogs on the beach. She will tell you, "I've noticed how Dove has changed. Her ears perk up now. They're high all the time, and she skips with confidence, with a bounce in her step that she never had before."You can tell the difference now, too. She's happy and loving her new life.Your friend will tell you that you probably didn't notice it because the change happened so gradually over time, but to her, the difference was unmistakable.Food, Treats & Taking Care of HerYou are going to worry about traveling and figuring out how to make it affordable to find someone to watch her when you're gone. You'll have to figure out routines and how to make it all work. But luckily, your incredible neighbor sees this, too. She's been a dog owner her whole life, and she's such a nurturing, kind soul who is willing to help. Listen to her!The animal shelter had told you that Dove was eating chicken kibble with a blue label, but you'll quickly realize that her diet isn't quite settled. You even call the shelter back to double-check what they were feeding her, and they tell you something different this time!So listen to your neighbor! She will tell you that kibble is really just filler, so figure out the real food that needs to be part of her diet.You'll discover that Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Wet Dog Food is the best for her, and it makes a huge difference in her fur coat. It becomes silky, thick, and so nice to pet!You'll also find that Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Dry Dog Food is a great option for her diet. It turns out that chicken doesn't agree with Dove, so even though it's your favorite meat, it's not the best choice for her. Get her the turkey or salmon. She'll love it!And you don't need to get her fancy treats. The simple, crunchy Milk-Bone Original Dog Treats are fine. Supplement with carrots and apples, but make sure to cut out the seeds.When you take her to puppy school, the trainer recommends freeze-dried beef liver treats. But you'll learn that those make her stomach so upset! Do not feed her the freeze-dried treats! She loves them, but a few hours later, they come straight back out!The treats can be simple. You don't need to get her fancy dog treats. She loves you all the same, no matter what treats you give her, and she's happy just to be rewarded.
And you'll figure out that bathing her is actually really easy. At first, you don't know what to do, so you take her to the groomer, which is fine. But eventually, you'll learn that you can do it yourself. And again, listen to your friends! Get the good shampoo, the one with oatmeal in it. Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo is a great one to try. Bathe her regularly with the right diet, and she'll hardly ever itch again.Exercise, Toys & AdventuresYou'll start watching Cesar Millan after puppy school, and not only is he entertaining, but you'll learn a lot about dog psychology. Have calm, assertive energy, and be her pack leader. Watching Cesar Millan together is a great way to relax and cuddle on the couch.Of course, she's amazing and so well-behaved at home because you give her enough exercise. The Puppia Dog Harness fits her best, and the basic Rope Leashes are great. So you don't need to buy her fancy toys. All you really need to do is take her on lots of walks!Of course, it helps to have balls to throw because she LOVES to fetch, and it's great when she gets to run! You'll quickly discover that a Chuckit! Ball Launcher makes playing fetch even more fun. She'll love chasing those balls at the beach!At home, her best entertainment, besides just cuddling, is her WOOF Pupsicle, which you can also use when you take her out and about.Take her everywhere! Exposing her to different environments, like restaurants and gyms, is healthy, just like Cesar Millan says. Give her treats to encourage good behavior when meeting new people and dogs and hanging out with you at the nail salon.But don't feel bad when you have to leave her at home. She's fine. She reads your energy, so if you're nervous, she's nervous. Remember that you're the pack leader. Tell her you'll be back soon, and she'll know.The Best Thing You Could Have DoneDove will bring you more joy than you could have ever imagined. You'll make new dog parent friends who bring even more joy into your life. And before long, you won't be able to imagine your life without her.Love,Your Future Self