[9 weeks, 2 days]
Daddy said some people think he and Mommy are writing my blog entries for me, but Mommy took this picture of me typing. I’m double clicking with my left paw and trying to find the shift key with my right paw. They really don’t make keyboards puppy paw friendly.
[9 weeks, 1 day]
Today is Daddy’s birthday. Mommy bought me a few weeks ago as an early birthday present for Daddy.
I like my toys more and more every day. Today I played “swat at the ball” (click for a 2.2 Mb QuickTime) and “swat at the bone” (click for a 752 Kb QuickTime). These games are so much fun because I get to run around with the ball or bone in my mouth and swat at them.
As I was playing tonight, I realized that I don’t like Paul McCartney—sorry Kara (click for a 752 Kb QuickTime).
When I went to go potty tonight, there was water falling from the sky. Dad says it’s called “rain” and Mommy says that it makes me a wet puppy.
[9 weeks]
I spent my first day home alone while Mommy and Daddy were at work. I was very good and only had one small accident in the morning while they were gone. Daddy came home at lunch to feed me and to let me out to go potty. I was so happy to see both Daddy and Mommy when they got home.
I think I finally have the hang of the new command I learned yesterday—“paws.” Mommy and Daddy say this every time I come in from outside. This means I should stop by the door and let them wipe off my paws. I’m still learning “crate” which means I’m supposed to go in my crate all on my own. I still have to work on this one because sometimes I like to stay out and play. I’m also pretty good at “come.” My favorite is to run full speed when I hear that word. Mommy and Daddy sometimes laugh because my big floppy ears bounce around as I run. I heard Mommy say that’s one of her favorite things, when I run toward her really fast!
[8 weeks, 6 days]
Daddy went to the grocery store and brought me back a new toy—a nylabone!!
It’s now my favorite toy and Daddy and Mommy love it because it keeps me busy. So far I’ve only tried the bacon flavored one but I heard Dad say that there is a chicken flavored one and I can’t wait to try it.
My Mom is good at snuggling with and comforting me. It usually puts me to sleep and I often yawn.
It’s almost bed time so I need to go potty one more time and then it’s off to dream about swimming and running. I really like my crate. It’s nice and warm and I love sleeping in it.
[8 weeks, 6 days]
I discovered something new today-SHOELACES! This morning I tried to pull Dad’s shoelaces after he tied them. It’s much easier to get the ones that he hasn’t tied yet. My other favorite game to play with Dad is “pickup sticks” while he’s trying to clean branches out of the yard. The winner is the one who picks up the stick first. I need more practice because Dad seems to win every time.
Mom and Dad call me “shadow” sometimes because I seem to walk underneath their feet.
I think I’ve finally figured out how to get in and out of the big door in the kitchen (the drop off is almost as big as me!) and when I want to go back inside after going potty, I just go over to the door and sit by it or put my paws on it. It helps let Mommy and Daddy know that I’m finished.
[8 weeks, 5 days]
I went on another car ride, this time to the pet store. Mom and Dad needed to buy a few things for me. It was exciting to see a new place and Mom was nice enough to push me around in the buggy. This gave me a chance to try out the blanket that Mom bought Dad last year for Christmas. Everyone who saw me thought I was so cute! I met one of the dog trainers there. She told me to come to school and meet some puppy friends.
I found another way in which I’m like Dad—I can sleep anywhere and in any position! Shopping is boring so I decided to sleep most of the time.
[8 weeks, 5 days]
I just spent my first night in my new home! Just like my breeder Mom said, I was ready to go to the bathroom very early this morning. Dad let me out and then it was time for breakfast. I didn’t beat last night’s record of eating a handfull of food in less than 3 seconds, but I still was pretty quick. After I rested for a litte bit and went outside to go to the bathroom again, it was PLAY TIME! My favorite toy is the red and green holiday ball that Mom and Dad bought for me in Ohio although I love their old tennis balls too.
I spent some more time exploring the house this morning. I finally figured out how to walk on the tile floor in the kitchen. My favorite spot is where my food is kept in the utility room (that’s what Dad calls it). I really like climbing under the old school drafting desk that is in the living room. Mom says it won’t be long before I won’t fit under it anymore!
I also explored the backyard today!
I helped Dad pick up sticks. I like to chew on them, but Dad keeps putting them in the trash can. He’s missing the fun part! There are lots of interesting things outside and I still haven’t figured out what to make of two of them—Dad says they’re called the downspout drain and the dryer vent exit. I’ve tried climbing in the end of the downspout drain and have also tried jumping on top of it. It still won’t play with me, but I’ll keep trying.
I discoverd a new toy this morning—a small tire tied to a rope. I think I like chewing and pulling on ropes almost as much as running around with a ball in my mouth! I’m pretty tired from all of this running around so I’m going to take one more bathroom break before taking a nap.
I want to say hi (Dad calls it a shout out) to my breeder Mom Terri and my breeder Dad Frank. I miss you both but I’m having lots of fun getting to know my new Mom and Dad. They seem really nice (Dad says that he thinks Mom is starting to fall for me, but he said not to tell anyone).
[8 weeks, 4 days]
Mom says I’m like my Dad because I have two speeds—80 mph or sleeping. It sounds like I’m like my Dad in a lot of ways! I explored the house some more and am now fast asleep on the doggie bed that my Mommy and Daddy bought for me.
[8 weeks, 4 days]
I just had dinner at my new home! Mom says I eat just like Dad—mouthfuls at a time (click for a 5 Mb QuickTime). Mom and Dad were laughing because I sometimes put my front paws in my water bowl as I drink or walk right through it. They said that was okay since they both like the water so much and I am a lab afterall, but it did get my crate kinda wet. I’m getting used to my new home and love to explore!
[8 weeks, 4 days]
My new Mom and Dad came to Walker Branch Retrievers today to pick me up and bring me home. I played with my sister Maxie and said goodbye to my breeder Mom, Terri. She was sad to see me go, and I was a little nervous. She and my breeder Dad Frank took such good care of me! They taught me my name and how to go in my crate and how to go potty outside or on the paper in my crate.
On the way home, we went to the vet so I could get my 9-week set of shots. I had trouble standing up on the exam table because it was slippery (my Dad says he can’t figure out why they made the top of laminate) and I couldn’t get a grip with my tiny paws. The vet said I weigh 10 and a half pounds and that my gait looks good. I don’t know what gait means, but the vet was nice! I heard them talking about getting me a vet closer to my new home. I think I’m going to visit him next week for a checkup.
I slept most of the way home. My Mom says I sleep just like my Dad—all spread out. I woke up for a little bit and looked out the window—we were going across a really big bridge!
When we got to my new house, I went to the bathroom and played with Dad in the backyard. Thanks to help from Grampa Jeff and Uncle Aaron, the back part of my yard is all fenced in for me. Dad had some toys for me to play with. Guess what? I can put a tennis ball in my mouth! It’s still hard for me to see it when it moves very fast, but I had fun playing with it. It was cold outside and I was thirsty, so I came inside and drank some water and took a nap in my new crate. I’m think I like my new home.