We Got the Dog

Hi.

Originally uploaded by Matt McGee

Meet Sparky.

Sparky might have a new name soon, because some family members apparently aren’t sold on that moniker. We chose it because we brought Sparky home on the 4th of July, and things like “firework” and “M-80” don’t sound right, and “firecracker” takes too long to say. I like the name Sparky. Seems to fit him. And U2 fans might even know the subtle U2 reference in the name, too. (Shhhhhh.)

Anyway, Sparky is the greatest dog in the world.

Sparky waited the entire drive home (about 15 minutes) before jumping out of the car, going into the backyard, and taking care of business. Way to hold it, Spark!

Sparky loves his (fairly) big backyard and doesn’t seem at all like the type of dog to try digging a hole under the fence.

Sparky obeys lots of commands. He stops whatever he’s doing when you say “no.” “Sit” and “lie down” mean the same thing — namely, get down and roll over and show my belly so they’ll scratch me and I’ll like it. Sparky still needs some work on “come here” and “go get it/fetch.” I’m not sure he realizes that he’s a retriever.

Sparky survived his first night sleeping in a new crate/house at a strange house, with strange people, with fireworks and firecrackers going off all night long, and didn’t have any problems at all. No barking, no crying, no trouble sleeping. (Sparky is a first-class sleeper.)

Sparky came bounding across the yard first thing this morning when I went outside to see him.

Sparky likes to chase ants and flies, and eats those roly-poly bugs whenever he finds one.

Sparky is going to be an outdoor dog because Mrs. McGee gets eaten alive by fleas, and already got two bites yesterday while playing with Sparky. We’ll bring Sparky in to sleep when it gets really cold in the winter. (When flea season is long since finished.)

Mom and Dad love Sparky to death. Son does, too, but is a bit hesitant with him. Daughter is glad we have Sparky, but won’t get anywhere near him.