Our Little Dog Spike

[BlueBlazer]

@ jpt: Heh, took me a while to understand your rep message.

We didn't leave her outside while we were gone. She was in the house with Missy. When I said "out" in my post, I meant out in the house rather than in the play pen.

That's why we were thrilled to find she hadn't chewed anything (besides her toys and Missy) or went to the bathroom inside.

 

[BlueBlazer]

Don`t count your chickens yet . I had a 2yr old lurcher here for a month on foster for a rescue kennels . Gradually built up the time we were away with no problem , left for 10mins got back to see the arm of the sofa all over the floor .

I try not to count anything as absolute. I think growing up here with Missy as her example, she won't do any major damage like you're talking about. That said, expect the worst and you'll be pleasantly surprised if it isn't. It's a process and we're early into it. Just celebrating each success.

 

[MJBadger]

Like I said in an earlier post , Now the fun begins . Glad to see Missy`s enjoying the company .

 

[BlueBlazer]

Here's a few new pics.

Playing in the snow.




At the master's feet.




Cricket being adorable.

 

[BlueBlazer]

Groomers were finally able to make it out today and Cricket got her first bath (that didn't involve Missy's tongue).




The groomers always put bandanas on the dogs when they're finished. As you can tell, the new bandana is a big deal to Missy. Also, both the dogs are now on the same team.



It's hard to tell, but the groomers came ready with a smaller bandana for Cricket. They're just as bad as we are spoiling these mutts.

 

[Weezard]

I'm sorry, what did you say?
Something about bananas?

 

[Stoner4Life]

lil' Cricket looks a bit betrayed, both during and after.......

 

[BlueBlazer]

Yeah, it was all new to her. She actually enjoyed the bath part, she did not like the dryer though.

 

[Stoner4Life]

too cute bro, always waiting to be pupdated.......

 

[xxxstr8edgexxx]

sorry man, lost my old dog last year too.

 

[BlueBlazer]

Well, how about this then S4L?

How much is Cricket growing? This is not a repost.



Her back legs are so dang long, she looks like she's got some kangaroo in her somewhere . . .

We left Cricket alone with Missy again for about an hour and a half. Again, no problems. Yay!

She was very lovey dovey last night and wanted lots of my lap time. That's good. She was extremely gassy. That's not so good. For such a little critter, she's got a big stink. Phew!

 

[BlueBlazer]

Cricket has some interesting ways to just chill. Here she is in one of her typical "Lee Marvin's horse" poses.

 

[BlueBlazer]

In this photo, Missy was feeling a bit sad (probably about Spike) and Cricket showed up to see if she could help. She used her usual strategy . . . get Missy playing whether she really wants to or not. A few minutes of rolling around play fighting and Missy is always in a better mood.

 

[BlueBlazer]

We've had a bit of a setback on house training. Cricket has been having loose movements in the house. We're pretty sure the culprit is her food. She was doing fine on her dry food, but we've been mixing up Missy's food with water and some canned dog food and giving Cricket some of the canned food. That's when the trouble started. So no more of that for her. Missy has no problem with it, but Cricket just isn't ready for it yet.

On a positive note, she is beginning to lick more often than bite. Much nicer. Her bites don't break skin or usually even really hurt, but it's kind of annoying all the time. Now she's just as apt to get on your lap, lick your face a couple of times, and settle in. No biting. She's learning.

 

[MJBadger]

I watched a tv programme couple of weeks back on dog food & it made me think twice & I`ve had dogs over 50yr . Spent an hour today selecting a good-un . Tinned stuff I would definitely not touch , it`s usually around 80% jelly.

Some of them shown on tv even had Propolyn Glycol as an additive , WTF antifreeze in a dog food .

 

[BlueBlazer]

We researched it and are feeding them higher quality dog food. It's just pretty rich and the combination of the rich dry food and rich canned food is a little too much for her delicate innards.* Before we started giving her the combination, she was fine with just the dry food. So we'll just stick to that for now.


* and also gives her gas . . .

 

[Weezard]

Just like my favorite plants, growed up's food is contraindicated for wee pups.

 

[BlueBlazer]

The Weez is wise.

 

[Stoner4Life]

dang!!! look @ how that tail's growing too! that thing's gonna be sweepin' your coffee table clean, including bongs, watch out.

right on, well done guys.......

 

[BlueBlazer]

Heh, I used to have a Golden that would knock shit flying with her tail all the time. Plus, she would knock your elbow for attention and petting. Made me spill my coffee all the time, that one did.

We took Cricket to the vet today for her last boosters. She weighed in at a respectable 24 pounds. Also, cutting out that canned food has made an immediate change. She's back on track with doing her business outside not inside.

Edit ~ The missus agrees with you S4L. She's been saying if she ever grows into that tail . . .