Friday July 28, 2 whole weeks...

Today was the day that all the animals in the house got a bath. This was the pups second bath, first one was last week. The pups have certainly gotten bigger. Last week they fit in the kitchen sink. This week, It was a struggle. Abby was pretty stressed out with the whole situation. I really don't understand why, this is the pup that stands in the water dish and splashes water everywhere. Bath #1 wasn't bad either. So Maybe it is part of her personality. Chelsea on the other hand, stood there like a statue. When she got down from being dried on the counter she ran over to her sister and shook all over her as if to say "ha, you big sissy".

The house breaking is going great. Shedule, Schedule, Schedule!!!! Almost there, the pups go to the door and whine. They also have nosed their way out a couple times to go. It is getting easier to recognize when they truly have to go.

We finally got their papers back. I was getting worried that the names were not going to be accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Trying to find out how to start a regional club with AKC as there is not a local Lab club. I figure that there are many Lab owners in my area with Purebreds and there is not really the option of showing our dogs without a local club.

I feel that Chelsea is going to be my show dog. She posts well. Post is the stance when the judges look over the dog. She will let you look in her mouth, move her ears around and check her out. Abby needs a little help in that department. Abby is my baby, she will lay in your arms and cuddle like a baby. She is getting a bit lazy and sometimes I wonder if she is not a bit fat, She LOVES her food. We have been adding fish oil to their diet as they have dry skin. Typical with Labs. Their fur is soft and shiny. well I am off for the evening, going to spend some quality time with the dogs as my cats are very mad for having been degraded by taking a bath.

10 Days with Puppies...

Today is day 10. The pups are doing excellent. We are just about housebroke. We have them on a schedule. When we get up in the morning (at some ungodly hour) the pups go out. We bring them back in and feed them. Wait about 30 minutes and out we go again. After a bit of playing around, the pups settle down and sleep for about 3 hours. The pups wake up and out they go to pee again. They come in, get drinks and play for about 3 hours. Then we go out again. They come in and go to sleep for another 3-4 hours. At about 4 pm we get dinner after of course we have gone out. Then we go out again. then they play and get one on one in some obedience. Sit, stay, come, down, and a basic retrieve. We are doing well. Then they come in and settle for about 2 hours. We wake them and make them go out at about 9:30, and they go out again at 10:45. Then we all settle for the night and start the whole process again.

Chelsea is still the leader and seems to be part disciplinarian. Abby is submissive and is easier to housebreak. Abby will push her nose out the screen door to go out. Well, I have things to do and pups to housebreak.

Let sleeping dogs sleep...

That is a must. Friday Night was a bit rough, as the pups were adjusting to the house and adjusting to being housebroke. New pups are just like having newborn babies. Got to feed them, clean them, get them out, and lots of playtime. Friday was a night of little sleep and lots of praise. Saturday night was a bit easier as the pups were tired from playing all day. So we actually got to sleep for 6 hours straight. Sunday night was great only 2 small puddles and no chewing.

The pups already know there names and are really quite smart. Both can sit and both can retireve 75% of the time. Abby can shake with both paws. Their personalities are really coming through now. They both are willing to please and very happy to see us in the morning. Chelsea seems to be the dominant female and also the troublemaker. She is seen in the red collar in the above picture. Abby is the follower and also the lover. She will lay at my feet and give lots of kisses.

We are amazed at how well they have us trained, whoops I mean how well we have the dogs trained. Not having a lot of accidents as we have the pups out right after they wake up, 10-20 minutes after they get a drink or eat, right after they play, and they also go out about 40 mins after they eat.

The pups love water. When I put the water bowl down for the first time, the pups decided that they were going to spash and play in it. Getting ready for first bath today. It ought to be very interesting. I figure it will be a very wet afternoon, which is okay because it is supposed to be 91 degrees today.

The kids seem to be happy with the dogs, especially since all the toys are safe. Ashley is even helping to train the dogs. She can get both the pups to sit. Hunter hasn't really been home enough to see the pups as she has been at camp and is with her father for the next few days.

Well it is time to go out again.

Today is the Day

We pick up Chelsea & Abby from the breeder today. We are doing pick up at the vets. Which is good because we are sticking with the same vet. I am so excited. We have everything we need. We found the cutest toys for them. A stuffed goose that honks and a stuffed duck that quacks. It ought to be an interesting day. The excitement has been building in the house for the last week. Ashley has been asking about the puppies coming home for the last 4 days. Well, more later with pictures. I am too excited to type.

Puppy Update...

Abigail and Chelsea are 7 weeks old today. Talked with the breeder last night. According to him, Chelsea is a little bully and a barker, but also protective of Abigail. Abigail is the mellow, laid back pup. Both dogs seem to know they are going to the same place and have become inseparable. We are picking them up at the vets next Friday, 11 am. The breeder is taking care of this round of shots and I am taking care of starting them on heartworm preventative. My children have not meet the pups, yet. My oldest child is going to be away at camp when we pick them up from the vet. My youngest child attends school during the summer as she has Autism. So, I get to bring home the pups and get them used to their home without two very excited kids around.

This morning as I was sitting on the porch, brushing out one of the cats, I realized that my cats are going to be very upset with me. It shouldn't be too bad as all of them were familiar with dogs. They may hide for a couple days but they will get over it. I will just have to feed the cats in the bedroom for a couple days.

We are almost prepared. We have their puppy food, Purina Beneful Puppy. We have their leashes and their collars are on them. I have purchased a new brush. I have to buy their treats and bed. We are buying one big bed for now. If we need to go to two beds we will. We are keeping the same vet. I have their food and water dishes.

I have begun puppy proofing the house. I have organized the kids rooms, so all the toys are protected. I usually go through the kids room 4 times a year; Late Spring, before back to school, before Christmas and about February. To organize, throw out or donate to the local clinic that helps out children, who have nothing. The girls try but don't succeed in keeping their rooms clean. I pick my battles and cleaning their rooms is not a battle I like to fight all the time. As long as the garbage is thrown away and the dirty laundry is picked up, they have to live in it. I can shut the door. Anyway, We have a new rule especially in the living room, "if its on the floor it is mine for a week". Yeah, a complete 180. I surprised myself. But with the pups on their way; I know they will be little terrors in a couple weeks; I don't want chewed up toys. I am certain I have paid Rubbermaid a small fortune for storage containers.

Well, that is all for now. The wait is almost over.