Week #3

Peryn

Well....I don't know where to begin ....so much I want to say.  First off, the snowy weather and these dogs have caused me some great stress.  The first few days after we brought Peryn home, I ended up falling on my back twice (in one day and within minutes of each other).  Then last week he got loose. After chasing him around and catching him, I slipped and fell down a hill incline and bruised my tailbone. This morning, landed on both knees.
I don't know if I'll be healthy enough to enjoy him.

The dogs are getting along famously. He absolutely positively loves his sisters. They're pretty taken with him too.  It's more than I could ask for.  Athena, who loves to play and loves puppies, is getting her fill.  They can go forever some days.    
Duchess, who only loves to play with his sister (who never wants to play with her) and roughly with bigger dogs has found her match.   The two of them go at it.  He loves her rough play and she loves being able to play.  I am pretty sure they're more physically and mentally active since he's come into their lives.   YAY!

He's still not sleeping through the night,but now his barks are only to let us know he needs to go out.  He sleeps the rest of the time.

With the sisters

Training....we're working on this.   We started bell training.  Galen was inadvertently trained this way when he was a pup. We're now doing it purposefully.   Fingers crossed.
House training ---yeah...this is going to be a tough one.

I started working on sit with him. He got it after 2 days.  Now whether or not he chooses to do it is another thing.  Next we're working on paw.    I want him to have 'sit' down before I work in Stay.
He watches the girls a lot, so that helps. Duchess is so well trained (thank you previous owners) so she is a good example to watch.

I don't like working from home anymore.  It was getting annoying with the sisters always wanting to go out.  He's worse. He has to go out and then he insists I be outside at the same time. It's freaking cold out.

He's a happy puppy that's for sure.  We've many nicknames for him: Blue Devil, Blue Ninja, Daredevil, and Kamikaze, just to name a few.   He's freaking fearless.  The rougher and tougher it is, the more he's interested.

Getting longer

ZZZZZZ

Neighbors have commented on how much he's grown.  It saddens me.  I like my cute little puppy. His ears are almost straight up.   Sigh.

Loves to lay on Mommy at night.

SO that's your update for now.   See you next time.

Two weeks in...

HELLO!  Welcome, welcome.   So we've had a busy week.

The kids are all getting along.  They play with him regularly and he hardly leaves them alone.   It's working out great. Athena gets her puppy and he burns off some energy.

Peryn & Dr Rick. 

We took him to the vet last Monday.  He weighed 9.6 lbs.  We also heard back from the woman who has his parents and he was born Jan 3. That makes him officially 8 weeks old tomorrow. The vet staff went nuts over him.  The one tech squealed, came up to me and took him from my arms. It was almost 10 minutes before I saw my puppy again.

It is freaking amazing how quickly he's grown in those 2 weeks since adoption.

Yeah and we're learning we're in for a ride. This dog is notoriously known for being a force to be reckoned with.  Training is going to be oh so much fun!
Everyone we've talked to with regards to the blue heeler have all said the same thing.   So not only did we take on a puppy, we've taken on a difficult puppy.

He's still quite a handful, but he's an affectionate adorable ball of fur.

Today, I took the girls to the dog park. We're trying to make sure they know they're still important.   They had a great time. In fact, they're not in the office with me. They're in their beds passed out while he is laying at my feet.

Adoption Day

With his toy

Eating from the big bowl.

2 weeks later at the bowl.

Lil pup, 2 weeks in.

Oh yes, I'm adorable.

my little lightening bolt

"As with dogs from other working breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog is energetic and intelligent with an independent streak. It responds well to structured training, particularly if it is interesting and challenging. It was originally bred to herd by biting, and is known to nip running children. It forms a strong attachment to its owners, and can be protective of them and their possessions. It is easy to groom and maintain, requiring little more than brushing during the shedding period. The most common health problems are deafness and progressive blindness (both hereditary conditions) and accidental injury; otherwise, it is a robust breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years."As with dogs from other working breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog is energetic and intelligent with an independent streak. It responds well to structured training, particularly if it is interesting and challenging. It was originally bred to herd by biting, and is known to nip running children. It forms a strong attachment to its owners, and can be protective of them and their possessions. It is easy to groom and maintain, requiring little more than brushing during the shedding period. The most common health problems are deafness and progressive blindness (both hereditary conditions) and accidental injury; otherwise, it is a robust breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.(2016, February 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:12, February 22, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=APA_style&oldid=705722138

The girls and the newest addition

WIGGLE WORM

After Galen's and Sheba's passing, we were content with two dogs. We knew three dogs are a chore and the two girls are a handful as it is.

As time goes by, my itching for another dog grew.  I love my girls. I really do, but I missed having an affectionate and loving dog.  My girls love me, but Duchess isn't affectionate other than cuddling in bed at night.  Athena only wants hugs and kisses for a bit, but then she's done.


I miss the dog cuddling with me as they sleep.  Curling up and freely giving kisses.   I began to bug Rich for another dog. It grew and got worse when I  began scanning all of Galen's old photos.

Last Friday, Feb 5 I stumbled across the opportunity to adopt a new puppy. Once I saw his face I sent the photo to Rich.  The face was too much for him too.  The puppy was spoken for, but we put it out there that if that fell through, we'd be interested.

Here we are a week later.

At first Duchess and Athena were NOT AT ALL happy. In fact, Duchess rebelled a few times. They did not want to have anything to do with the puppy.   That was disappointing.

We thought Athena for sure would be interested. She loves small dogs and puppies when we're out at the park.  

no puppy bowls for him

Something changed Wednesday and before you know it, both girls are playing with him.   Its truly wonderful.  

He's a pretty good dog.  The house training thing is going to kill me.    He's relatively laid back. He's very curious and a sweet pup.   He's taken to us very easily and seems to fit right in.

He ADORES his big sisters.  He loves to chase after them to play, even after they're done with him.
He's pretty fearless too, he has nicknames like lil ninja and kamikaze.  

He goes for his first appointment tomorrow.  I wish we had weighed him last week, but we didn't.

I think the three of them will make a good pack.   I never thought having 2 older and  1 puppy would be a good thing, but so far it's looking that way.

He fell into our laps.   I've wanted a puppy for awhile now and someone was offering him up free.
Hubby couldn't say no once he saw his adorable face.

He was previously "claimed" and I stated if that fell through, we'd be interested.  The next morning I was notified and we hopped into the car with the girls.

We fell in love instantly.  He was so chubby and cuddly and sweet.
We took him home.

His first night was awful. I didn't sleep. He cried and whined in the crate all night.

The next night was more of the same.  The third night got better.  He's getting better and better each night.  

I'm not a fan of the getting up to go out in the freezing cold weather every 2 hours....

The girls have warmed up to him and as we get to know  the little guy better, we'll fill you in here.

Peryn LOVES playing fetch or tug. He loves his toys and will bring them to you to fetch. His favorite item is his Cheezburger.

He LOVES his little sister Lada, they are BFF's.  Almost always together.

When playing fetch with her, he will keep a toy in his mouth and run with her to get the item.  He prefers playing with at least one ball or toy in his mouth. 

He also loves his big herding ball. They are often in the basement herding the ball around. 

Recently has become obsessed with is big brother Volos.   He and Volos have a weird frenemies relationship. They run up and down the basement stairs together and bark at one another. 

They also both "fight" over the same ball.    

Peryn mourned the loss of big Sis Duchess and there has been a slight personality change with guarding the back yard. He once tried to silence and herd them all away from barking at people. He now barks at people.  

Stubborn and sweet.  Gives affection on his own terms.   Not a beggar.

and introducing the lil' brother...

Yeah....you've read that right. The girls now have a little brother.  
He's 7 weeks old.  A little ball of fur.   Adopted this weekend. He a gorgeous little Australian Blue Heeler (Cattle Dog)

Yes, I'm adorable.

This is comfortable

My yummy burger.