Naughty, Naughty Norman

Obviously, we love little (er, not-so-little) Norman to pieces, but he is without a doubt 100% puppy. With the puppy-hood comes some inevitable destruction to furniture, clothing, and other objects in our home. So I should have been prepared for this, yet somehow I've been shocked every time I've come downstairs to discover that something has been chewed. Our first 5 months with Normie were pure bliss! Despite his broken leg, he was the model puppy who only chewed his own toys (and my slippers, which he believes are his toys because I've let him). All of that has suddenly changed during month 6. Here is my top 5 list of things Norman has chewed:

1) The molding and trim in our entry way... he literally chewed right on the wall.

2) A 3 1/2 foot plant and ceramic pot. He chewed the leaves, bringing the whole pot crashing down, dirt and all. This is what I came home to after running down the street to a neighbors' one evening after work:



3) Two needlepoint rugs. Neither ruined, but both suffered severe damage.

4) The back tire of Joel's road bike.

5) My ceramic flat-iron for my hair. He gnawed the cord right in half, so I had to get a whole new one (at a whopping $150).


Our solution to all of this destruction? He is NEVER left alone in the house without us unless he's in his crate. He sleeps in our bedroom now (not his crate), so we've learned to always shut the door so he doesn't wander downstairs in the early morning. So far so good... for now. Getting "tutored" in September may also help.