Welcome Comet!!!
Why not add a dog into the mix during the mayhem that is December!?
Our boys named this little guy Comet after the reindeer since we got him so close to Christmas but they also loved the name because vizslas are speedy like a comet and his name obviously has a space connotation which they like a lot, too. And doesn’t Comet just feel like a happy name!? So far Comet’s personality is one I would liken to Buddy the Elf. He’s easy-to-please, incredibly joyful, floppy and clumsy and next-level adorable.
And, guys, he LOVES the boys.
He has three built-in best friends with tons of energy and spent all weekend running with them, playing fetch (a work in progress we know he’ll master soon enough), napping on their chests, starring as the ultimate defender during their soccer games (and getting caught in the net), half-way learning his first trick (“sit”) and stealing stuffed animals and shoes we’re trying to teach him are off-limits. Throughout the weekend Chase and Ryder both repeatedly said, “I cannot believe he’s real and we get to keep him” and seemed truly in awe that another puppy joined our family. At one point, Comet was wiggling all over Rhett and giving him a lot of kisses I thought might be overwhelming, but when I asked Rhett if it was too much, he said, “No, it’s perfect.” My heart instantly swelled.
Rhett was the first one to meet Comet on Friday since he doesn’t have preschool on Fridays.
Rhett was so, so happy and said, “I was ready for him!” which made us laugh because he had no idea Comet was coming. They instantly got to playing and then Rhett helped come up with an idea to surprise his big brothers. Ryan picked Chase and Ryder up from karate on Friday and when they arrived home, Rhett told them their Elf on the Shelf brought them some cool new bath toys. To say they were shocked to find a real puppy in the bath tub (not from their elf) is a serious understatement!
Both Chase and Ryder thought Comet was a remote control dog at first and truly didn’t believe he was real. They then started to put the pieces together and realized Dad’s Friday “work trip” wasn’t really a work trip after all. They were thrilled!
As very much expected, the first few days with a puppy have been a learning curve.
We’ve explained to the boys that Comet is just a baby and will need a lot of help and reminders to learn certain behaviors and un-learn others. We’re doing the bell-by-the-door trick for potty training and it’s failing miserably so far but, thankfully, having gone through puppy vizsla life once before with our first vizsla gives me faith that lots of accidents are very normal for a while and eventually Comet will get it. He’s doing a fantastic job going to the bathroom right when he gets outside but not going inside is another beast.
Comet absolutely loves his toys but we have our work cut out for us teaching him which toys are his and which are the boys. He redirects really, really well and is so darn happy and floppy and drops something in a second when we tell him “no” before excitedly bounding over to the dog toy we have in our hands. We joke that he really is our little Buddy the Elf that we just have to teach not to chew the gum he found on the streets of NYC.
How Pepper is taking it in
As for the current queen bee of the house, Miss Pepper, day one with Comet wasn’t her favorite day on this planet. Pepper absolutely loves other dogs but bringing a clumsy, curious, high-energy puppy into her space to live and never leave will take some adjusting.
(Thankfully Pepper is part-cat and can escape to high places for a Comet break.)
We’ve seen huge strides from Pepper in only two days though and it was thrilling to see when she was the one to initiate play with Comet last night. There’s hope for sure! Pepper also isn’t doing her low growl at Comet nearly as much and seems more comfortable with him coming into her home already. Pepper’s genuine love for other dogs give us hope that her bond with Comet with eventually grow. Comet already thinks Pepper is his best friend and the absolute coolest. He’s playing the long game and will win her over eventually.
For anyone who might be new(er) to the blog:
Ryan and I got our first vizsla, Sadie, soon after we graduated college and to say she captured our hearts would be a huge understatement.
We refer to her now as our “baby before our babies” and she was truly a part of our family. We’re very familiar with vizslas and understand how much work goes into puppy vizsla life but, even still, it’s been nearly 18 years since we’ve had a puppy vizsla so I’m finding myself diving into books about vizslas, training vizslas and owning a vizsla all over again. The boys are also really interested in being involved in training Comet which is fun! And Chase is really interested in exploring some dog competitions with Comet eventually (agility or other companion events) which would be really cool. We’ll see! It’s all new and fun and a little crazy!
Right now we’re just very much in the puppy love phase with our new puppy. I’m sure I’ll share more about Comet and our adventures with the newest member of our crew but couldn’t wait to introduce him to all of you today!
Comet, you’re already one very loved floppy little pup!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Yay!!! Congratulations! As a Vizsla owner I can attest to their uniqueness- they go from insane zoomies to cuddly baby in seconds. Our pup is 3 and it has been a journey – training a crazy dog while having young kiddos is not for the faint of heart but it is so worth it. He is the most handsome, lovable guy and even though he can drive us nutty we wouldn’t change it for the world. We get so much joy out of watching him run his little heart out – they truly are so special. Enjoy your new baby!
Yesss they really are just the most uniquely wonderful dogs — I remember somebody telling us that their vizsla did not slow down until he was eight years old when we first got Sadie and realized very quickly just HOW much energy they really do have! At least we feel a little more prepared for the craziness (and the excessive cuddles!) this time around 🙂
Aw , he’s adorable. I hope he was a rescue!
Welcome Comet! We love him already!
So ready for you guys to meet him in a week or so!!!
Welcome Comet! We love him already!
Oh my gosh, you guys.. Congratulations! I’ve been wondering for years… You’re going to have one special, merry Christmas!
Omg these puppy pictures have made my day! What a cutie, and how exciting for you family. I also love this picture you included of scruffy lil Pepper, what a sweetie. With their different size/color/coat, these two are going to be an adorable duo!
Julie and family,
This makes my heart leap! What a wonderful, wonderful addition to your home. Welcome, Comet! When I first started reading your blog 1 million years ago, I was delighted to learn about Sadie. And so sad when she passed. Our V left us last September, and we were heartbroken. In April, we welcomed our 2nd vizsla, and our hearts are fuller. Not fully healed but not as empty.
Enjoy all the stages!
Julie and family,
This makes my heart leap! What a wonderful, wonderful addition to your home. Welcome, Comet! When I first started reading your blog 1,000,000 years ago, I was delighted to learn about Sadie. And so sad when she passed. Our V left us last September, and we were heartbroken. In April, we welcomed our 2nd vizsla, and our hearts are fuller. Not fully healed, but not as empty.
Enjoy all the stages!
This is beyond precious <3 Congratulations on the sweet new puppy!
Oh Julie I am SO SO SO HAPPY AND EXCITED for all of you. I remember Sadie so well. I absolutely loved and adored her and have been reading your blog for so long that I was here for a lot of her life adventures. Wishing you all a million love filled years with precious Comet.
Congratulations! He’s absolutely adorable! We also recently got a puppy and it’s been such a joy watching my kids with him. They love him so much.
I smiled so big when I saw this! Reading your blog for years and I know how much Sadie meant to you and Ryan. Very happy for your new addition!! He is adorable. Also Comet is the dog from Full House, great name!
Congratulations! So excited to see this 🙂 Hope Pepper and Comet become best friends!
Oh congratulations guys, I loved reading about Sadie and my heart broke when she passed – we had an older golden retriever at the time, and he passed not long afterwards. We have a golden pup now and he is truly my boys furry little brother, comet has majorly lucked out landing in your household!
Aw this post warmed my heart! I have been around since the Sadie days and teared up when she passed. Comet is so so cute and the name seems perfect!
Long-time reader over here too — and so happy to see this post!
Vizslas are the best, and now the boys will all get to experience that first-hand as well!
Awww so happy for you all! Longtime reader over here who guessed it was only a matter of time until you welcomed another Vizsla <3 You do such a great job of capturing the love and joy that our furry friends bring us!!
I love that you and Ryan are such great pet owners and truly get the responsibility of it all!
Comet is so adorable! I was wondering when you would get another vizsla, because they seem like such a perfect match for you and your family.
Awwww precious. Pepper and Comet will be best friends in the days coming. Congrats!! 🙂
Long time reader here! 🙂 my jaw dropped when I saw this post! I am so, so happy for your family!! Love the name, Comet! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Congratulations! Comet seems to be a sweet pup. I hope Pepper is getting lots of extra love during this transition.
long time reader here too! I love this for you! He is adorable! We have a 12 year old vizsla (also the “original baby”) who still is as velcro as then come! She is needier than ever and I’m trying to soak it all up. I thought I had sworn off puppies but your sweet Comet has me thinking otherwise! haha. Enjoy all the cuddles!
I remember reading your blog post when Sadie passed away and crying as if she were my own dog. I am beyond happy for you and your family. It’s never possible to replace a pet, but another can certainly help fill the space they leave behind. Wishing you and your beautiful family an amazing festive season.
Aww! My husband and I brought home our own Comet in August! He is a golden retriever who we names after the dog in Full House!
We got a puppy the day after Thanksgiving, so we had a wild December too. 🙂 HOW do you get him to relieve himself as soon as he gets outside? Ours just started ringing the bell to go out, which is GREAT but sometimes it takes her 10 minutes before she’ll go and she really wants company…
May I ask what kind of dog you have? Because I think this might be one of those things that depends on the breed. Pepper takes for-freaking-ever to go to the bathroom when we let her out and after talking to many people who have smaller dogs, this seems to be a trait that a lot of of them have 😆 comet, and our previous vizsla, Sadie, have just naturally seemed to go quickly when they head outside so I am sorry I really don’t have any tips for you! Hope puppy life has been full of fun and not too chaotic for you guys!!
i am so tickled to meet comet and know this puppy will be a
super addition to your family! i remember sadie very well; she was an amazing girl and i felt her loss deeply.
so happy to see comet and look forward to his growing up with the boys! 💙💙💙