He seems to grow right before our eyes

alphadoginthehouse said:

How big will he get? I could google it but I'm lazy...

Click to expand...

Going by the research I did prior to bringing Buster home, most put this breed in the 110-200lb range. I have no idea where he'll fall within that. I researched the breed, not breeders...

Ive never been patient when it comes to waiting for something I REALLY want. Ive wanted a Saint Bernard for about 18 years, it took 3 years after losing our Lab before we were ready for another puppy. We had a fairly particular list of requirements the puppy had to meet. Pup had to be between 8 and 12 weeks, large breed, light color (dealing with some fear issues with 3 of my girls, small dogs and dark/black dogs trigger their fear the worst). I wanted a puppy that would eventually be my walking buddy, my husband wanted a pup that would be calm in the house. My search started with shelters, I spent HOURS on petfinder, we visited several shelters and adoption events. We found ourselves face to face with a male yellow Lab, 8 or 9 weeks old. Put our application in for him and got jerked around by the shelter for a week. The director had to review the app, but she was out for the rest of the week...oh well call you at xyz time, only for the call to never come in. Friday, I was done being patient. I sat here browsing "pets for sale" ads, knowing they were likely bybers. I found Busters litter. I told my husband about the Saint pups, we talked to the "breeder", we talked to the shelter. The lady at the shelter said they'd call us "around 4pm", just like previous times that week the call never came. Just before 5pm I headed to the bank to withdraw the cash needed for Buster. By 7pm I was face to face with 2 of the cutest puppies Ive ever laid eyes on. It was a matter of minutes before Buster won our hearts. At 9 1/2 weeks old he was so content to be held...he laid on his back in my almost 11 year olds arms looking like he'd always been with her.

Should we have gotten him? In many ways, NO, we should have RUN from that "breeder". Absolutely no regrets though. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat even knowing what we'd be facing in the next few months...we've battled a severe worm infestation (wormiest puppy my vet has ever seen), he has a recently discovered corn allergy (nothing we cant handle, food allergies are nothing new to our family) and we have a lot of work to do to build his confidence (we've already come a long way). For whatever reason, Buster is the puppy we were meant to bring home. Like all puppies, he's a ton of work...but worth every second and every ounce of energy we put into him. We're just a bit crazy about this puppy...good thing he'll be a big boy so there's lots of him to love!