Tui is 23 weeks old, and I’m finally ready to share about his gotcha day – we’re definitely behind schedule, but that’s what life with a Vizsla puppy does to you! He’s been keeping us on our toes from day one.
I had grand plans to post weekly updates, but let me tell you – raising a Vizsla is no joke. I’ll be sure to share all the lessons and stories from these past few months as soon as I can catch my breath. But for now, I’m just taking a moment to reminisce about one of our most special days – the day we brought our pup home.
We brought our little dude home on February 9th, 2025, all the way from Oregon. The night before was the big reveal – the moment we finally found out which puppy would be ours. We were secretly rooting for either Mr. Red or Miss Pink. In the end, we got to choose from three boys, including Mr. Red, based on temperament testing and the personality traits we were looking for. The moment we saw Mr. Red, we just knew – he was the one.
That same night, we signed all the necessary contracts, made sure he got his first shot, and completed his registration paperwork. We also picked his name – Tui, after the native New Zealand bird – which felt so fitting since we were in New Zealand for a very special race on the very day Tui was born. It all felt meant to be.
The next morning was the best morning. We headed back to the breeder bright and early to pick him up and start our journey home.
The drive to the airport was about two hours long. After a few minutes of curiously looking out the window, Tui curled up in his new dad’s lap and snoozed most of the way. He was such a champ! He had one quick pee break before we went through airport security, and then nothing else until we landed in San Francisco – no poop, no accidents. We were honestly amazed.
We got some beautiful views on that drive to Portland, and somehow, Tui made the whole travel experience feel easy. He slept most of the flight too – though he did howl in protest when we put him in the travel carrier to board. We were so nervous they’d kick us off the flight! But as soon as we got to our seats, he settled in and slept the rest of the way.
When we got home, we took him to his potty spot outside, and then let him explore his new space – just his pen area, toys, and crate to start.
That first night? Let’s just say my Oura Ring captured the chaos. He woke up eight times to potty between 9 PM and 5 AM. I slept on the floor next to his crate for the first few nights. Each time he cried, I’d take him outside, then back into his crate. He had zero crate accidents, but plenty in the pen those first few weeks – mostly because we severely underestimated how much pee a tiny puppy can produce after eating.
The early days were a total rollercoaster. Looking back, there’s a lot I’d do differently – not because of Tui, but because I’ve learned so much about how to set him up for success a little earlier. Still, we wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.
Tui brings us so much joy – it’s honestly hard to put into words. I can’t wait to share more about our journey with him and all the sweet, chaotic, and hilarious moments along the way – and trust me, there have been plenty of those.
Vizsla Diaries 
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