Home With My Puppy: Updated With Photos, Story
More, Friday morning. Meet the princess of puppies! (Did you ever think a dog could look sultry?)
Her name is Aida, which is so perfect, because she is a tiny princess of a star. She's a "hairy hairless" Chinese Crested, born May 11, 2013. Hairy hairless means that she has the darling little after ski-boot hairy feet, a hairy head and a plumy tail, but her body is hairless.
Like My Little Pony! 
She's either in motion or napping, so it's hard to get photos of her right now, but I managed this shot of her sitting down for two seconds.
Her current location: 
She is so, so affectionate and just wants to be in my lap.
She'll need a little trimming -- like some men, she needs to get her back and snout shaved a little. But when the breeders asked me whether I'd have a problem doing that, I told them I'd been grooming a very furry Yorkie to look like a Chinese Crested for 15 years (my darling late Yorkie Lucy), so it would be a whole lot easier if I just had to shave a tiny bit of hair to make a hairless dog totally hairless.
These breeders are amazing people. They don't just look to sell dogs but to place dogs in exactly the right home for the dog. This dog hadn't been adopted because she needed an environment like mine: No other kids, no other dogs, just lots of one-on-one attention.
They both (husband and wife) took the day off yesterday to work with me and Aida and teach me what I need to do. I brought a list of questions and they taught me to groom her and we talked about socializing her and all sorts of other things.
This is how amazing they are: Knowing that I'd be taking a puppy on a long plane ride -- from New Jersey to LA, the husband spent a week driving the kids to karate with Aida in a little case along the way so she'd get used to it. She squeaked a few times but I shushed her and she was very good all the way to LA.
She already seems bonded to me. She wants to be in my lap or with me all the time. I took her out to let her pee this morning and sat on the front steps with my coffee and she just kept jumping in my lap.
It is THE most amazing thing, having 2.5 pounds of puppy love following you around the house.
From Thursday night, midnight:
She was very good on the plane, all the way from Newark Airport to Detroit Metro, where we switched planes, and all the way to LAX.
Two and a half pounds and three tons of adorable and happy.
More tomorrow.
It is completely wonderful to have a little puppy scampering after me around the house. She's in my lap now (at my desk), where she had her first lesson: No eating food off human's plates. It took three firm noes -- one with each of her jumps to reach my plate.
Good doggie! (I promise not to eat your kibble, either!)
Sigh, pictures already, Amy!
And does this creature you invited to cohabitate with you have a name, or is it just "My puppy"? If so, that will be a very strange name when this dog reaches adulthood, which takes only about a year for a dog.
Patrick at August 16, 2013 4:53 AM
Good for you! Hope it works out well. And yes, we do expect pics.
Cousin Dave at August 16, 2013 5:08 AM
I had a cat named "Kitty" once, Patrick, because... you know.... creativity...
I can't wait to see pictures!
Sabrina at August 16, 2013 5:24 AM
Great news Amy! Glad she was such a good traveler for you!
Sabrina, my daughter has a cat named 'Kitten'. She's almost 2 years old now and one of the largest cats I've ever seen...
Flynne at August 16, 2013 5:42 AM
My cat's name is The Fatass. It works for her.
MonicaP at August 16, 2013 7:00 AM
Conratulations Amy. A dog brings so much love and happiness to people.
I had an Akita \ Chow \ Rottweiler mix we named "Ape", because as a puppy his head was as large as the rest of his body! Smartest dog I've ever known, a real sweetheart to humans, but a kamikaze when it came to porcupines. Once in the middle of the night I had to pull him away from a bear that swatted him down like a fly.
Eric at August 16, 2013 7:17 AM
My cat's name is Jinglebitch. It works for her, too.
Pricklypear at August 16, 2013 8:12 AM
My friend named his tiny, runt of the litter kitten Bubba. It's fully grown now and is still a very small cat. It's also a female. Cracks me up every time I see her.
Jill at August 16, 2013 8:21 AM
I waited to introduce her by name until you could see her! Refresh your browser and you'll see some photos. She doesn't stop moving much except to nap or demand a tummy rub, so it's a little hard to photograph her right now!
And thanks - I just love her!
Amy Alkon at August 16, 2013 8:56 AM
My word, Aida is beautiful. May you adore each other for a long, long time.
Pricklypear at August 16, 2013 8:58 AM
Oh Amy, she is just the cutest!!
I wish both of you all good things and much happiness together!
Has Greg met her yet? He'll be putty in her paws!
Flynne at August 16, 2013 9:04 AM
Very cute and tiny!
Congrats!
Catherine Salmon at August 16, 2013 9:08 AM
Thank you so much, Flynne and everyone. I just LOVE this tiny creature.
Gregg is in Detroit, but he and the breeders just got flooded with these pictures!
Amy Alkon at August 16, 2013 9:17 AM
That top picture does have a "Paint me like one of your French girls" quality.
Oops, almost drove to work in my cat, again.
Pricklypear at August 16, 2013 9:23 AM
Oh Amy, she is adorable! That last picture of her: she has a doggy mullet and it's just really too much!
prawntohe at August 16, 2013 11:29 AM
I'm glad you got a Crestie.
We had ours for just over 14 years.
We named ours Tazzy, because she simply never sat still after we got her.
Until right after her First Birthday that is.....
She then transitioned promptly to "Cranky Old Dog" and stayed that way for the rest of her life.
Of course, we Liked having a Cranky Old Dog so she was a good fit.
Try your Crestie on some (non) human treats.
Ours was fond of Orange Segments (small ones) Green Peas, and would Kill for Snowpeas.
You read that right. Snowpeas!
We'd grow 'em and Taz would eat them right off the vine.
Be careful she does not fall asleep in the Sun. Cresties do sunburn.
They like sleeping next to you.
Their normal Body Temp is about 101-102 degrees, so you feel cool to them. That is one reason they like to have skin-to-skin contact.
You'll find that a Crestie is the worlds best Ice Breaker. Want to meet New people, and make New friends?
Just take Aida out for a walk.
Enjoy!
P.S. Cresties take real effort to Housebreak. At least ours did. Everybody else we spoke had issues with their Cresties too. Not Sure why.
Just be patient, and overlook it when she slips.
thomas at August 16, 2013 12:09 PM
Oh, what an adorable little Diva-Dog! She has wonderful style and those "freckles" on her skin are so perfectly placed. I've never seen this type of Crested before. She looks like a sensory delight, with feathery legs, a soft puppy-belly and velvet skin. May you have many happy times together. I bet she is a snuggler.
PricklyP, I almost choked on my coffee - Jinglebitch, indeed! Best female cat name *ever*!
I once had a cat "Kilo" that we renamed "Chicken". It was the only word in the English language she paid any attention to.
bmused at August 16, 2013 12:11 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/16/home_with_my_pu.html#comment-3858122">comment from prawntoheThank you so much, prawn and bmused, and for the advice, thomas. I just love her!
Amy Alkon
at August 16, 2013 12:32 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/16/home_with_my_pu.html#comment-3858125">comment from thomasP.S. Cresties take real effort to Housebreak. At least ours did. Everybody else we spoke had issues with their Cresties too. Not Sure why. Just be patient, and overlook it when she slips.
I've heard this but I did very well with Lucy, my late Yorkie, and Aida is doing well in obeying me already. The breeders trained me yesterday!
Amy Alkon
at August 16, 2013 12:33 PM
LOVE HER! Lovelovelovelovelove....
Oh, and my Jack Russel Terriers name is ... Jack... because again.... originality.
Sabrina at August 16, 2013 12:41 PM
Congratulations! She is a cutie!
Sheep mommy at August 16, 2013 12:56 PM
Cute beyond words!
May she bring years of happiness to you as you will most certainly bring to her.
Charles at August 16, 2013 1:40 PM
Congrats Amy! She is adorable and it looks as though you have quite the little diva on your hands!
Sabrina, we named our third Boxer - yep you guessed it, Boxer. Even funnier was the fourth Boxer we adopted came with the name Tyson. It still cracks me up!
sara at August 16, 2013 1:54 PM
So adorable Amy!
Congrats!
wtf at August 16, 2013 2:28 PM
Thanks, bmused. I'm guessing you got the "Friends" connection.
Pricklypear at August 16, 2013 2:29 PM
This had better be the finest pup in America. After all, there wasn't one in the 45-or-so other states closer to you!
Radwaste at August 16, 2013 6:18 PM
She's adorable!
crella at August 16, 2013 6:49 PM
Oh, Amy, I am so happy for you, and she is ADORABLE! Falling in love with a new dog (or cat, I have both) is one of life's best experiences. You are lucky to have each other.
Daghain at August 16, 2013 7:01 PM
Very cute. Hope you have a great lifetime together.
Jim P. at August 16, 2013 7:33 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/16/home_with_my_pu.html#comment-3858864">comment from RadwasteThis had better be the finest pup in America. After all, there wasn't one in the 45-or-so other states closer to you!
Actually, my vet just saw her today and was amazed and was also amazed that we are already bonded, considering I picked her up on Thursday and saw him Friday at 5:30pm. Her beauty and elegance barely comes through in these photos. These are the breeders who should set the standard for what it means to be a breeder. And this dog is an incredible little creature. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is go anywhere that requires plane flights and a TSA groping. This was beyond worth it.
Amy Alkon
at August 16, 2013 10:56 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/16/home_with_my_pu.html#comment-3858866">comment from Amy AlkonThree people at the vet took pictures of her, if that tells you anything -- three people including my vet! The guy sees pets day in and day out. PS He's great if anybody in the Santa Monica/Venice area needs a vet. Just email me. He's compassionate, wise, and prudent, and really knows his stuff.
Amy Alkon
at August 16, 2013 10:58 PM
Looks like you made a great choice. Here's to many years of happiness for Aida & Amy!
Martin at August 17, 2013 12:23 AM
Amy she looks like she came out of a cute girly 80s cartoon and sprung to life!
Why did the breeders want someone with no kids? Just curious. I know CC's are good with kids. Is it because they are delicate dogs?
By the way if I ever have enough money I'm getting a Dandie Dinmont.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/dandie_dinmont_terrier/index.cfm
Ppen at August 17, 2013 1:53 AM
Congratulations on your new morsel of joy! You deserve it. What an adorable little beauty she is. It sounds like your new life together is getting off to the best possible start. May you take good care of each other!
DS at August 17, 2013 10:09 AM
Congrats, Amy. Aida is beautiful . Love the name.
FeebiE at August 17, 2013 7:10 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/08/16/home_with_my_pu.html#comment-3861537">comment from FeebiEThank you so much, Feebie. Verdi happens to be my favorite composer. The breeders picked the name but it seems to suit her and I'm so grateful to them and appreciative of the way they do things that I wanted to maintain a connection to her. (Luckily, they happen to have good taste!)
Amy Alkon
at August 17, 2013 7:55 PM
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