Puppy Kindergarten

Today was the first day of puppy kindergarten. This has been a big week for Brock. Last week his baby teeth started to fall out. He looked a little like Lyon Spinks - since there were gaps with missing teeth. Unfortunately, that only lasted a few days before the big boy teeth came in. Why can't they be all toothless and gummy for a few weeks at least?? Gimme a break!

Saturday, we went to the vet for the last of our puppy shots. He is now fully immunized and ready for play! He is also up to 35 pounds now. I was expecting a couple pounds more, but that's OK. One of the puppies from the other litter was in also and that puppy was up to 38 pounds - what a little piggy! It took them four months, but they finally caught up.

Tonight was puppy kindergarten. Brock was MUCH better than Berdy ever considered being. He wasn't perfect - far from it, but he was pretty well behaved. There were only two other dogs in the class. One was a puggle (sooooo cute) and another "yellow" Lab. (His parents were chocolate and yellow, so he's got a liver nose.) Other than biting the hand that feeds, he did very well paying attention and listening. He did bark when no one was paying attention to him, but not nearly as much as Berdy did during her training class just a few months ago.

He is now tuckered out and sleeping soundly. You gotta love a tired Labby!!

50/50

No, I'm not talking about a 50/50 raffle. I am referring to my little piggy gaining 50% of his body weight in three weeks. Twice. He went to the vet three weeks ago and went from 12 pounds up to 19. Then this past Saturday, he weighed in at 28.5 pounds. I almost fell off the chair when Dr Stratman told me that. I thought, MAYBE 25 pounds, but no way 28.5 pounds. No wonder I let out a small groan when I go to pick up Brock. He's a BIG boy!

This week, other than gaining weight, has been pretty quiet. Still working on the house-training and it's been going very well. He rings the bell, we go outside, he gets a treat. It's all good. This week I'm going to dig-up my old training take-homes and start working with Brock on basic training.

He's been doing pretty well with sit, since I make him sit before he gets food, which happens a lot. He also does pretty well with Come. He's funny to watch running at you, ears flapping and that funny Lab puppy gait. You can't help by smile. I'm hoping to get a head start on puppy kindergarten. If he's anything like Berdy, he'll lose his mind as soon as we walk in the door. I'll just try not to lose mine also.

I've Done It!!!!

I've done it! I've finally outsmarted the Labrador. It's taken me five years and three dogs, but I finally have done it. I feel like Wyle E Coyote if he were to ever outsmart the Road Runner. I thought outsmarting the Labrador, especially about food, was almost as improbable.

Brock has been eating his food so fast, it's scaring me. And I've seen some voracious eaters. He makes this wheezing, gaspy noise, wanders around and then BLUP. I'd rather like to avoid that whole scenario. Susan suggested putting a Kong in his bowl. Well, that slowed down the second half of the meal, but not the first half and still resulted in BLUP. So, I decided to head to the pet store (yes, I go there a lot). This time I found a toy shaped liked a badminton birdie only much larger. It was a little too large for the stainless bowl I had, so I purchased another slightly larger.

It worked great! He had to eat around it and it slowed his eating down considerably. I think we may be onto something. At least that is until he figures out that he can simply pick up the big blue object and set it aside. Hopefully that day will be far enough away that he will slow down a little or at least be big enough that it won't matter as much.

I have to say, I'm feeling pretty smug right now. Until I am reminded that my opponent is currently wapping himself in the head with a huge rubber ball and has likely been brain damaged by the oversized toy. I'm still marking it in the WIN column. Today's score: Labrador 4, Jill 1. Woo hoo, I made it onto the board!!

Happy Birthday, Berdy!

My baby-girl is FIVE years old today. I can't believe it will be five years soon that she's been with me. She has gone from a land-shark (you can't imagine how much she bit me), to a spoiled princess (don't know where she got that from), to a good little sister, to a grieving dog to a good dog and now a good older sister to Brock.

The first 12 months, I swear she never slept unless she was in her crate. She was a busy, busy puppy. She must have used up all her energy in life that first year, because she sure is lazy now! It's like living with Eeyore. Ok... I'll be there in a minute. As she moves so slow, it's almost imperceptible to the human eye. She is no hurry to get anywhere. Oh well, that's what a dogs life should be - no stress.

Berdy's big birthday outing consisted of riding to SuperPetz (where I had 25% off coupon), then sniffing all the great smells while I picked out a few toys I thought she'd like. I also got her a frosting coated dog treat shaped like cupcake for the bargain price of $1.79. An emotional, impulse purchase for certain. The trip back home was mostly uneventful, after a stop at Goodwill. (No, not to donate the puppy.)

Berdy must have had so much fun, she decided she did not want to get out of the car. You would have thought sitting in the car at DLM parking lot for 30 minutes would have been enough time in the car, but she refused to leave it. I'm starting to tire of that game, so I just left her in it for a while. Until it was clear that the war of wills was not going to be won by the person with the opposable thumb.

After all that, Berdy had little interest in the new toys. Brock, however, was MORE than happy to start playing with the rubber Jolly Ball with the rope. He keeps running through the house, banging his head with this huge rubber ball. Hope it doesn't give him brain damage.. what the heck? It keeps him entertained, which is the best birthday present Berdy could get.

Two out of Three Ain't Bad

In the immortal words of Meatloaf "two out of three ain't bad". That's right - yesterday was ANOTHER accident-free day. That makes two out of three days without an accident. Tuesday we had two and today one so far. Brock is doing quite well.

I've been talking a lot about Brock lately, but feel I need to give Berdy her due. Berdy has really surprised me. After a lengthy period of mourning after Amber died, she has been quite accepting of her new housemate. I really am shocked that she has so readily accepted him (except when he was trying to nurse off her) and am constantly amazed at how tolerant she is of him. Apparently, she just lets him do whatever he wants. This includes, but is not limited to, biting the base of her tail and also her legs and arms. That has GOT to hurt. It's kind of funny - while he's biting her arms, she uses her back foot to kick him in the head. This seems to have little to no affect on him, as he just keeps biting her.

I thought she'd put a stop to all this, but I think she loves being the center of his attention. Heck, Berdy loves to be the center of ANYONE's attention. Positive or negative - doesn't matter. The only thing she does that I don't like, is steal his bone or toys. Whatever he is chewing (quietly) on, she takes from him and jumps onto the couch. I then immediately snatch it out of her mouth and give it back to him before he starts whaling. Like any parent, quiet is my number one priority. Fairness is lower on the list - that's just the way it is. One of these days, he will be able to jump onto the couch and take it back. She will be surprised, but that day is not too far away. They grow-up so fast.

Accidents happen...but not on Monday!

Yesterday was an accident-free day. First day so far that we've had zero accidents. I'm VERY proud of Brock. Today wasn't too bad - we had two early in the day. He is currently in the pokey, so no chance of an accident for the next 15 minutes.

I talked to Dr Stratman yesterday. Brock has been driving me nuts ringing the bell sometimes every 10 minutes. By the time I get my coat off and start to get back to what I'm doing...ring,ring. He is now on (what I refer to) as The Vegas Plan. Sometimes he gets a treat for pottying outside, sometimes he doesn't. Sometimes he gets one, sometimes he gets a jackpot. This is supposed to reinforce the idea that it is the potty and the praise that is the important part, not the eating. HA - it's ALWAYS about the eating when you are a Labrador.

The new Vegas Plan has actually had some payoff in just 24 hours. I've noticed that when he gets a treat, he *has* to go out again in 15 minutes. When he doesn't get a treat, he can miraculously hold it a lot longer - 45 minutes to an hour. I think what we've learned in the past week or so is that Brock is smarter than I thought, there's nothing wrong with his bladder and now I am no longer sure that even though my thumb is opposable, I may not be the smartest in the house. But I have hope! I think I may be catching on how to outsmart him. With some help.

The Tank is Always Half-Full...Always

For the past week, Brock has been on the "ring the bell, go outside (key step), potty, get a treat (key step, according to any Labrador) Plan". He has only had a few false alarms - where he rang the bell, went outside, didn't potty, but waited patiently for a treat. Surprisingly, he continues to ring the bell about every 15 to 20 minutes and he pees EVERY time. Not just a drop or two, but a fair amount. Enough to warrant a treat. It constantly amazes me that there is always some left in the tank - it's never empty.

The past two days, he seems to really be picking up on the whole concept. We still have not had an accident-free day, but there has been some improvement, for sure. I have noticed the times when accidents seem to happen is usually when he's been playing with Berdy and doesn't realize until it's happening or he has rung the bell within minutes of coming back in the house and I've ignored it as a false alarm. My bad. Hopefully, we will both catch on soon and I can change the "Days without an accident" to one, instead of always leaving it at the sad number of zero.

On some non-potty related news, Brock is growing quite rapidly. I think we are starting to hit the two pounds per week growth rate. According to the breeder, he's a BIG, BIG boy. To me, he just looks like Brock. He's all in proportion, so unless I saw one of his littermate or another puppy his age and breed, I guess I just don't realize how much of a moose he is. Now with Berdy, that's another story. She looks well-marbled or well-insulated. That dog will definitely not starve to death this winter, even if I stopped feeding her right now. Both dogs eat well and vigorously and much to Berdy's dismay, Brock gets 1 1/2cups 2x a day to her 1cup 2x per day. He's also getting a lot of treats for all the outdoor activity. He's a growing boy!

Next: Brock WILL be going down the stairs from the kitchen to the landing. We tried a few times this week, with little success. However, now that he seems to be able to hold it a little longer, we are going to start this training in earnest. Wish him luck!

More Cow Bell!!

Somewhere along the lines, I have made a mistake with my intentions vs the results. My intention was to get Brock to ring a bell (by the door), go outside, THEN potty. There's been a lot of pottying in the house, which needs to come to an end here soon. I remembered that I hung a bell with Berdy - she would ring it and then go outside. So I hung the bell a week ago. Brock seemed to have little to no interest in actually ringing the bell himself...until Sunday.

After speaking to the vet, he suggested I not only praise him when he potties outside, but also give him a treat right away. So, off to the pet store I go to get some high value treats. I decide to start this late Sunday afternoon. Since he had no interest in ringing the bell for the past week, when I got him to do it Sunday, I gave him a treat. I'm sure anyone reading this can see this was the pivotal moment in the story where the hero makes a HUGE mistake while trying to conquer evil (the house pee-er). He rings the bell, I give him a treat, we go outside and he pees, I give him another treat. I'm VERY proud of both of us at this point. I'm thinking - he is going to LOVE to pee outside. This is so great.

We come back inside. On the way in, he rings the bell. I ignore this as a mistake. A few minutes later, he rings it again. So as not to discourage him, I take him outisde to pee (which he does) and I give him a treat. Notice - no treat for ringing the bell, only pottying outside this time. Not that this matters to a Labrador. I did it once, I might do it again. Good Lord, what a little monster I've created. So now all Sunday night he's ringing that bell - MORE COW BELL = More treats!!!!

Luckily, he has decreased the Pavlovian efforts to ring the bell and get a treat. However, being a little boy dog, he is able conjure up a few tablespoons of pee whenever he likes. So now, when the whim hits him, he will ring the bell, we go outside, he dribbles and he gets a treat. Am I being played??? I think so, but at least I'm getting plenty of exercise going in and out the door and taking my coat off and on. Next week: I'm going to get Brock to go DOWN the stairs from the kitchen to the landing by the side door.

OCD or LAB?

I always find it entertaining watching my Labs eat. They eat with reckless abandon and lust, like I have never seen. I like to eat, I live to eat, but I don't think I come even close to the obsession of the Labrador. Brock's food intake officially increases tomorrow from 1C 2x per day to 1 1/2C 2x per day. I've been increasing his food for the last few days, working our way up. He is INHALING his food to the point that I'm worried about bloat, so I've been taking up his bowl halfway through the meal to let him settle down a little bit. I forgot tonight and he promptly barfed up half his meal and quickly recycled it. (Like Berdy would ever even THINK of eating something icky. Puh-lease!)

The after dinner ritual that is being perfected is a quite a sight to see. I've partially noticed it, but the last few feedings have stood back and observed in amazement. Now, Amber and Berdy used to check the other's bowl as soon as they were done eating, but this is a whole new level of OCD.

For Brock, it goes something like this: OMG OMG OMG - she took that red bowl downstairs. OMG I can't WAIT till she comes back up. Here she comes, I'm SO excited, I get to eat!! Waiting "patiently" while she puts water in our bowls. Dang, sissy always gets her bowl first. OK, now now now - RUN as fast as my little body will carry me into the other room and around the corner. DIVE into my crate - I wish Mommy would move FASTER. I'm going to STARVE to death here. She's finally here -hyper hyper hyper, dang she's going to make me sit again. I sit quietly, SUCCESSS - FOOD! Inhale, inhale, inhale. Barf, recycle.

(OK, this is where it gets amazing.) Did I finish everything? lick, lick, lick OK, I'm done. (takes one step away - about face) Better make sure - lick, lick, lick the bowl. Got it. (takes one step away - about face) Did I get everything? I can't remember. lick, lick, lick the bowl. OK, now I got it. (takes three steps away) I can't remember if I got it ALL. About face - lick, lick, lick. OK, now I know I've gotten every morsel. (gets halfway to the dining room) Better just make SURE that I got every drop and morsel. About face - lick, lick, lick. OK, now I"m good to go. (Goes into kitchen to lick Berdy's bowl) lick, lick, li... hey - did I get everything out of MY bowl? I better go back to make sure...

I haven't counted yet, but I'm guessing there's a ritual developing. I'd guess he returns back to his bowl no less than 6 or 7 times and returns to Berdy's bowl at least twice. The level of obsessive compulsive behavior around licking that bowl clean is wacky, even by Lab standards. Next installment: How Brock is channeling Christopher Walken. More cow bell!

Big and Bigger

It was four weeks ago today that I picked-up Brock. I'm amazed at how much he has grown. In a week or two, I will no longer be able to carry him with one arm (and see his little legs swing around like a rag doll). He will no longer be small enough to fit under the couch, although I'm sure he'll keep trying. His other favorite place is under my bed. I guess since he found a cord under there once, there might be more...returning to the scene of the crime!

We are still outside frequently and I'm still going through Bounty like the economy depends on it. Earlier this week, I didn't have a babysitter for him one afternoon, so he made it 6 hours in his crate without an accident. He doesn't seem to have any issues IN the crate, it's in the living room, dining room, kitchen and office that seem to be challenging to NOT pee.

Food consumption was up this week - he is now up to 1C twice a day. Let the turbo-growing begin! I can already tell he's gotten significantly bigger this week. Hence, I think it may be time that he learn to walk on his own four legs to get from place to place. Maybe even time to start going down the stairs. He's been doing pretty well - he can go from the crate to the kitchen (on a short leash) without peeing. He can go down the outside step with a big LEAP and he can go in the big step and also the inside steps, although the inside steps take some encouragement and a build-up of confidence/courage before he will do it.

I made the mistake of waiting until Berdy was over 40 pounds before I started to have her go down the stairs. Not making that one twice! Now she won't go up them, but that's a different imaginary issue.

The kids are playing together now - wrestling around the living room and chewing each others necks and faces (Ouch!)

What would OSHA think?

We are still at zero days without an accident, what would OSHA think?? Even though we haven't gone a whole day or even a whole half a day without an accident, it does appear to be improving. Actually, I think I may be getting better at seeing the subtle signs and am also no longer in denial about the 43 minute rule.

The good news - he isn't peeing every 5-10 minutes anymore. It's a little less than 45 minutes - because right when we are nearing 45 minutes, I think I need to finish whatever I'm doing and .... then he pees as I'm thinking this. I need to be a LITTLE bit quicker. It's really hard to get motivated to bundle-up and go outside every 43 minutes. Especially when it's 3 degrees or there's almost a foot of snow on the ground.

I'm trying to remember to be the enthusiastic cheerleader every time a bodily function is executed outside, but it's hard to be fake cheery when it's so doggone cold! I'm continuing to work on controlling my attitude, while Brock is working on controlling his bladder. I hear another snowstorm is on the way for Monday...

Meeting the vet

Yesterday was Brock's first meeting with Dr Stratman, our vet at College Hill Pet Clinic. The ride down was a little frazzled, since Brock hadn't been in the car and his travel crate since I brought him home two weeks ago. Needless to say, he is MUCH bigger now and I'm concerned that he may not fit into that same travel crate when we return in three weeks.

I'm not sure exactly how much he weighed when I brought him home two weeks ago, but I'm guessing about 8 pounds. He is now 12.5 pounds and I'm not surprised to find out his weight has increased by about 50%. I know his legs sure look a lot longer! Everything checked out fine and he is very healthy. I'm hoping after the puppy vaccines, we will be a once-a-year to the vet kind of family. Wouldn't that be great??

I gave them a Nylabone this morning. Typically, Berdy is not into bones, but since Brock had been playing with it for a while, it became MUCH more interesting. She then grabbed it and jumped onto the couch, so she could chew in peace. Meanwhile, he spent time trying to grab it from her or figure out how to jump onto the couch himself. So far, no go.

I can definitely tell, he has more energy and is spending more time playing wildly between naps. The good news is that he is sleeping in - last two days he didn't wake-up until 8:30 - woo, hoo!! Even Berdy wasn't that good. I'm blessed to have a happy, healthy puppy that likes to sleep in on the weekends!

My how your puppy grows!

Tomorrow, it will be two weeks since Brock came home. It will also be the first trip in the car (my bad!) and it will be 45 minutes to CHCP. Hope it goes well. My strategy is to wear him out from 9-9:45, then put him in the car to hopefully nap.

He certainly has gotten noticeably bigger in the past two weeks, as Lab puppies are apt to do. I imagine he is probably about 12-15 pounds now. I don't have a scale, so I haven't a clue. I did note today that there will be very few days left, when I can carry him around with one arm. It's funny - I hook my left arm under his arms and his little legs just hang there like a rag-doll. It's quite funny looking as they swing back and forth as we walk outside.

Will report tomorrow on the trip to the vet and his official weight.

He flies through the air with the greatest of ease...

I didn't get this on video, but I'm sure I'll have another chance. Berdy and Brock like to tug on the fleece braided rope. The other night, Berdy decided she'd had enough of "sharing" and jumped onto the couch with it. She was holding onto one end while standing on the couch, then the baby had the other end in his mouth, while he was on the floor. (Now get this mental picture in your mind or the next part won't be as funny.)

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a swinging movement. I look over and Berdy is swinging the baby through the air like a pendulum. He's just flying back and forth, all the while both are growling and grunting but he is NOT going to be letting go of that rope. Even if it means, he flies through the air.

The going outside when it's -6 degrees stinks, but the entertainment value is premium!

Hurry up, hurry up!

No, I'm not wishing my life away, but have spent a lot of time the last 24 hours saying that. Mostly directed at Brock who is doing pretty well with going potty right away, but when it's -6 outside, nothing is fast enough. He really has been great about sleeping most of the night (didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning) and about going potty right away THEN playing outside. He loves the leaves that collected on the carport - particularly shaking them. I swear I don't remember Berdy ever shaking her head like that - it looks so funny. (All I remember is Berdy biting me all the time, not sure if I've mentioned that lately.)

He has been a very good puppy so far, although he has periods of wildness - it's like he's possessed for 15-30 minutes. (Berdy was like that 24x7.) Connie said it's because Berdy wears him out - chasing her, playing with her and generally trying to just be her, but I'm not ready for him to be that big yet. I know it will happen - probably in the next few weeks, but I'm in no hurry. He is so small and cuddly - just like I imagine a baby polar bear would be. Yesterday, I caught them snuggled on the couch together.

I swear Brock already knows his name. That's not just a proud momma bragging about her exceptionally smart son, but my friend Lisa was over last night and she noticed he seems to know his name also. He also is really good (right now) at coming to me when I call him. He seems to know the difference between Berdy, come and Brock, come. He has also figured out what he can go behind and under the couch, but Berdy cannot. I don't blame him, Berdy can be a little demanding and insists on being the center of attention when she wants to be. It drives her batty that he hides from her and she can't get to him. Unfortunately, her high pitched barking at him is driving me batty!

Overall, they are getting along better than I thought and seem to be enjoying each other. I'm so glad!

The Grouchy Yellow Dog

The "grouchy yellow dog" (as Berdy is referred to) has finally seen fit to actually play with the new puppy. After yelling a few times (my default reaction to growling), I started to pet and praise her as the baby began his assault. (While also keeping her in the same spot, since she's not going anywhere while she gets pets!) He seems to like her dog tag a lot - probably because it swings and is somewhat shiny. His favorite thing though is when Berdy wags her tail - JACKPOT! It's moving and fun to chase - who wouldn't want to pounce on it and try to ingest it?!? Berdy, however, seems dismayed by this and then takes off. Brock has gotten smart enough to not just follow her around the couch, but now has started to head her off at the pass. Poor Berd. He also likes to bite on/hang upon her lips and scruff. (Better her than me!)

He is doing better with the potty thing, although as I started writing his sentence, he peed on the floor. I guess the good news would be that it was a larger puddle, which means he's storing it up for fewer times. I can handle that - it is definitely step one in the house-training.

He and Berdy were playing together late yesterday for the first time. Berdy was kind of pushing him around with the side of her head and he kept coming back at her. At one point, they were chasing each other around the dining room table, with Brock taking some shortcuts directly underneath it. It was very cute, however, I fear that she is teaching him to be vocal also. She talks a lot while she's playing, which is "a Stock thing" from her great, great granddaddy, Stock. Brock is related to him to, so it's probably unavoidable anyhow.

I also caught Brock doing "a Kenny thing" last night. I put him in the crate and as I was changing into my PJ's, he had his mouth resting on the rung of the crate and his little teeth exposed - just like Kenny does. It was so cute, but I wasn't quick enough with the camera. I'm sure I'll have more opportunities though. It's amazing what you think is an individual dog's quirk, when it is really hardwired in their genes.

I just put the baby down for a nap. Ahhhh....quiet.

The Last 48 Hours

Brock came home on Saturday! We've been waiting patiently (not) for weeks and the day finally arrived. He did much better on the car ride home that I'd expected. The first few minutes were spent hurling his little body against all sides of the crate intermittent with baby howling. However, he actually fell asleep by the time we got onto 75 and slept the whole rest of the way home.

His introduction to his new big sister went better than I expected. She did not put his head in her mouth at any point...yet. She was very curious about him on day one and kept barking at him to play. He kept barking at her to play along with the bow and butt wiggle. I can't even describe how cute that is, I could never do it justice! We only had one visitor on Saturday, my friend Sara. He did pretty well, not too many accidents in the house. I think he had a few more outside, than he did inside, which I thought was pretty good.

Now for the good part - everyone warned me that he would scream all night long the first few nights. He woke up at 1, 3:30 and 6:45, which I thought was not bad at ALL. Had I been a morning person and not gone back to bed after the 3rd time, I could say he only woke up twice. Sunday night, he slept from 12 until 5AM. I actually woke up about 4:30 and thought I'd slept through some fussing/mess, but I didn't.

Yesterday, we had a LOT of visitors. My mom and Terry stopped by with breakfast. He slept through the first hour, but then woke up to entertain his new fans. Then Kim and her girls stopped by, I was a little worried he might be stuffed under her coat and taken home, but she resisted the urge. My sister, Jack and her boyfriend stopped by later and then finally Trish and two of her boys. What a big day of visitors!

By Sunday morning, Berdy had decided someone should take him home and she was SO over him. Unfortunately, that was about the same time that Brock realized that Berdy might have something he wanted - food (aka Milk Wagon). He spent most of yesterday trying to nurse her, which just horrified Berdy.

Today, we are back to barking at each other. Mostly Berdy barking at him and then he wiggles and barks right back at her. I have no idea why she is barking at him, but he seems entertained by the whole thing, which is fine with me. He has absolutely no fear of her whatsoever. He will just walk right up to her and start barking - it's hysterical.

I look forward to the two of them figuring out how to play together. I hear something going on in the other room that I'm sure isn't supposed to be. TTFN!

The Moose is Loose!

Whew! The Screamer is not coming to Dayton. Dodged THAT bullet. However, "Moosie" is now officially Berdy's little brother. He's the biggest of the four, which is saying a lot since they are all porkers. He's not significantly bigger, but one of them had to be and it's him. Connie says he "has a butt like a Mack truck". I think she means that as a compliment. Hope she never says that about me because I can guarantee I will not consider it a compliment under any circumstances. Moosie doesn't care what you call him, as long as it's not late for dinner (or any of his other four meals).

Had a little last minute snafu with the crate. I had loaned Berdy's small (36") crate to a co-worker a few years ago and had asked him if he still had it. In true Jill-style, I wait until almost the last minute to get it from him, only to discover that he has some little toy-dog's crate and not my Labby Jr size crate. (I also have two sizes larger, which I refer to as "small circus animal size". That is WAY too big, even for Moosie.

After several phone calls to the local pet stores to find one in stock and a price I found acceptable, I ended up buying it from Complete Petmart up the street. It's already set-up and I've tricked Berdy once already this evening into getting into it. She's a little freaked by the large box and wasn't sure what to make of a crate in her room. Oops, I mean my room. She was relieved when she was able to retrieve her biscuit from the crate and the door didn't go crashing shut.

I also bought Brock a stuffed Dragon that is supposed to be some kind of tough chew lined toy that cost twice as much and I'm sure will last half as long. Berdy had a KEEN interest in it when I brought it home and especially when I put it into the dirty clothes hamper. (I wanted it to smell like new mommy.)

Two more nights of sleeping without waking up to wait for someone to pee. Outside. Two more nights without waking up to someone crying. Two more nights of silence and a warm bed. I'd better enjoy it now - it will all be a dream in a few days.

Who was I kidding?

Seriously, who was I kidding. Connie TOLD me a week or so ago that the puppies could go home as early as Sunday. For some insane reason, I thought I'd wait until Tuesday after work to pick-up Brock. Once she told me two of the brothers were going home Sunday, that's all I needed to hear. My appointment is at 10:30AM. Should be interesting since I've not known Connie to typically get up that early, especially when it involves missing out on Meet the Press.

I am now in search of a few things that I HAVE TO HAVE before the big arrival. One is a Cracklin' Catfish. Even though we have every toy known to dog (and I'm seriously not exaggerating - that's what happens when you combine single woman, disposable income and spoiled Lab), I'm SURE that Brock cannot live without a Cracklin' Catfish. Berdy LOVED hers when she was a baby. Unfortunately, she ate it's tail after a while and I had to flush him down the toilet (wink, wink), like all fish that have lead a full life then get their tail eaten off by a Labrador.

The other is a decent camera. The one I have has not been charged in about 3 years, if not more and I bought it right before I got Berdy. The technology has increased 10-fold, so I decided that instead of a printer, I'd spend that money on a new camera. I don't know about cameras, other than mine is just SO slow that it misses a lot. Hopefully my new purple Nikon 10 megapixel, 5x zoom will be fast enough to catch Brock. I should be ready to go now - new camera, new memory, new case, new MacBook to download pictures to. I have high hopes for the MacBook/digital camera combo - they are supposed to be a good couple... We will find out at 10:31AM on Sunday!

I'd better get cracking on my new book - How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With. I was reading aloud to Berdy last night, but I need to turbo-charge through it so I can start reading the camera manual when it arrives. HAHAHAHA

Is the screamer coming to Dayton??

Every once in a while, at about 5 weeks, a screamer will emerge from the litter. I was hoping with only four puppies in Brock's litter that the odds might be that no one would feel the need to just stand in the middle of the X-pen screaming morning, noon and night while everyone else is sleeping or playing. Sorry for Connie who has to listen to it all the time!

Apparently, the yellow screamer has gotten shot in the face with the water bottle a few times, but that doesn't seem to deter him much at this point. Labs love water, so what can you expect?! She keeps threatening to send him to Dayton, but I'm hoping she is either A) only joking or B) breaks him of that habit before next Tuesday.

As much as I complain about Berdy being a spoiled brat, she was really good about sleeping and not screaming when she was in her crate at night. Is it too much to hope that this one will follow in the path of Sissy? She also only woke up twice during the night a few times, went outside and pottied and we were back in the house in under 5 minutes. PLEASE let the new puppy be the same in this respect.

I have been looking for my book - Puppy Owner's Survival Manual, but have not been able to find it anywhere. I've come to the conclusion that Berdy probably ate it. So, after ordering a used copy online, I went to B&N to find another book to help. I am determined that I will NOT make the same mistakes with this dog. (That is, assuming, Berdy lets me be in charge of training the new puppy.) I bought Raising a Puppy You Can Live With... we'll see how that turns out.