Bye Bye June

at play care

In the world of the pups, time is flying!     

I was just re-reading what we posted last time and it feels like a lifetime ago.   

When we brought home Volos all those months ago, I never thought this house would turn anymore crazy than what the cattle dogs already made it.  I was so wrong. 

The past few weeks have been INSANE!    Volos, once petrified and awkward on stairs, regularly flies up and down them with Peryn.    They all go NUTTS when they want to play.   Lada and Peryn were bad, but Volos makes it insanity.   

He and Peryn spend their free time running up and down the stairs barking at one another and playing.   It seriously is crazy.   For 2 dogs that don't seem like BFFs, they sure love heading downstairs to play.   
   


Part of me is grateful as Peryn isn't bugging me as much now that he has a partner downstairs with him, but Volos is sooooo LARGE.   

hanging out together

Larger than life in his enthusiasm and energy. He's large-in size and soo uncoordinated.   He really is a 1 dog wrecking ball.   

At day care they tend to hang out near each other when just chilling and don't fight--Volos has even slowly started to open up to attention from other dogs.  Before we know it, it'll be like Duchess.   Once a loner to a playful big thing. 

Volos FINALLY got on the couch!! Well, he had help the first 2 times and he had no issues any time after.    He was wanting attention from Mommy and she assisted getting him up on the couch. HE LOVED IT.   He was able to lie there and relax while getting loving from Mommy.   

Handsome brothers

Now we just indicate we want him up and he jumps up for cuddles.    I finally have my cuddle dog!  Lada is not pleased that he is getting more attention, but as long as she can plop herself down on the other side of me--she'll deal.

Invisible Fence. They all got it down, but Peryn will test the limits at times.  Especially if a ball is involved. He's pretty good and coming back in, but he still will go over the line. 
Lada and Volos are good and there are no worries there. 

Running around play care

chatting it up with a buddy

Athena is doing ok.  The weakness in her front legs is a bit more noticeable, but she still has some great days. Now that the weather is nicer and I'm working from home, she has had a few days outside with her siblings after work.   
She really is happiest when she is with them.   She still gets some time downstairs, but I try to keep it more to outside.  She enjoys outdoors more than in doors..especially with all the walkers. 

She goes to day care at least once a week for a max of 3 
hours.  It depends on how she was the day before and how she was throughout the day (usually Fridays).   We try not to over due it too much.    She loves it.    

She's hanging on & still has a fighting spirit.  We still see the signs of decline in how she holds (or doesn't) hold herself while in her cart as well as when she barks.  There is a weakness there that you can just hear.   

She still loves to eat and play--so as long as that is still there-- she'll be sticking around.      We really really are thankful to have had her for as long as we have.  We didn't think she'd be with us going into July.  

Two Happy Puppers

Isn't he handsome

Athena...get outta her way!

Pup-date May 3

Hi all.     Welcome back & Happy May.   

Athena & Volos

While nothing much is happening on the human front, being sheltered at home and all, the dogs have been giving much too much to talk about.

Athena's had a good week. She went to play care on the other day.  She had a blast. She's been very active and aware. She's gone downstairs to play with the pups a few times.  She's had a pretty exciting week.   

She & Volos just chill out when the other 2 are away at play care .

Peryn & Lada

Lada & Peryn are their typical selves. Lada is still clingy to Momma. Still playing with Peryn or Volos. She still loves on Athena.  She's her sweet hyper self. 

Peryn... he's a little something else.   He constantly tries to bully/annoy Volos. Constant growling or fighting goes on between the two of them.  

When not trying to antagonize Volos, he's still obsessed with going downstairs and playing with his herding ball.  
He is pretty generous the few times Volos came downstairs and attempted to play with the herding ball himself.   Peryn stood back and let him.    

Volos & Peryn

Volos.     This dude.   He's something else. A mischievous, playful, funny big dude.     He loves to steal.    Socks, tissues, slippers, toys, food... if it's at his level to steal, he'll take it.   We caught him trying to steal a open package of cookies this weekend.    

Other new things- he sleeps in our room all the time now.   Either at the foot of the bed or next to me.    It makes me happy that he is secure enough to do that now. 
He also comes downstairs regularly when the dogs play and has even tried to play with the ball as well.   When he doesn't come down, you can hear him upstairs playing with his Wobble Wag Giggle ball. 

When Peryn & Lada head downstairs to play on their own, he runs with them to the top of the stairs, makes sure they run down and then proceeds to steal whatever they were playing with or chewing on.

He's actually joined in on the game of fetch when Daddy throws a ball from the living room down the stairs, he's gone down on his own to get it.      He's a real playful dude.    

People who see him in person often ask if he's a puppy. He's small for his breed (around 70#).   I'm glad he's small. Dude doesn't know his size and knocks me off my feet often.
He thinks he's Lada's size and he's clearly not.     He often is found at my feet or against my legs--especially if we're outside on leash.   

We finally got the back stairs in (we've been trying to get this done since we moved in).  Getting the dogs used to using the back door vs the front is a work in progress. They still run to the front, but when I correct them, they fly to the back door.   

Volos isn't a fan.  I don't know if it's the width or the curtains "blocking his view", but he's snuck to the front once.      He'll get it sooner or later.   

So yeah, that's our Pupdate.    Volos is doing very well. Athena is hanging in there and the other 2 are as crazy as they always are.      Until next time.



 

Pupdate April 18 2020

Pretty girl

There was no update last week.   What originally was going to be our saying Goodbye to Athena was put on hold.   Good news that she still has fight in her after having a couple bad weeks.   
She's had 2 good weeks so far. Even yesterday, while physically hard for her, she was still fighting.  

Her front legs slowly continue to decline.   It won't be too much longer before she can't hold herself up at all.  Not looking forward to that day.

But Athena fans, rest assured she's still with us and still playing with her siblings.

hangin in Momma's office

Peryn & Lada are doing well. Lada continues to bond & play with Volos.  Peryn & Volos continue to but heads. Peryn's been a bit of a butt head as of late with his siblings.   He also still loves heading downstairs to play with his herding ball.  He prefers us down there, but we are not necessary most days.

Lada has really blossomed as of late. She is the best little sister.  She loves on Athena quite often & cuddles with her on the bed in the office.  She plays with Volos often now too. The two of them get along well, which makes us happy.

Rough day

She's been much better than she was a month ago.   No more vomiting or lethargy.    She's been her happy little self.

I did notice that both Peryn & Lada were getting rather chunky in the middle.    All of my dogs have always been fit and healthy.  At first I chalked it up to their DNA as most ACDs tend to be stockier.     Then I realized Volos had filled out as well as Athena.  Athena's was wanted, the others not so much.
I had recently changed food (shortly before Duchess passed) in hopes that Duchess would like it.   Well, the rest of the dogs LOVED it.   So much so that they ate a lot of it and it was higher in calories/fat.     So back to the old stuff.   Need to trim these 2 up like they should be. 

VOLOS!
We have had a BUNCH of firsts to tell you about.    This guy has made great strides.  
 

At Daddy's feet

Dude has slept in our room, of course it was due to the storms, but he slept in our room.      He barks now.   He doesn't hesitate to be vocal when it warrants it.   The others barking- he joins in.  
Mommy down in the basement playing with the others, he barked from the top of the stairs.
Someone walking along the back trail, they all bark.     He doesn't over due it-thank goodness-- but he does let us hear his voice.

He has a favorite toy!    Since a few weeks in, he's taken to picking up things/toys and taking them with him.  He doesn't do much with them, but he does like picking up things.      

It was in Rich's office & occasionally when Volos was in there ready to get up, I would hear it make noise.   I thought it was a coincidence because it was right near where he laid.    Last week when she was done, moving onto another toy, Volos proceeded to roll it around, getting excited & proceeded to pick it up. He then carried it around in his mouth.   

His Ball

He's done this a number of times, getting really excited if someone rolls his ball.    He's adorable!

So for a long while when the ACDs get excited & fly down the stairs to the basement, Volos would run with them & stop at the top. He would excitedly wag his tail from the top of the stairs.   I knew eventually he'd get to the point where he would hate being left upstairs. 

Finally----the dude finally had enough.   This past week as I was downstairs with the pups & I started to hear his paws on the steps.   It went on for some time & before we knew it, he came excitedly around the corner to me.  
After seeing what all the fuss was about, he headed upstairs. Then not even 10 mins later, he was back down.      Now that he knows how to do stairs, he uses them.

The strength in his hind legs is building. He even got on his hindlegs to get to me sitting in the drivers seat after a shopping trip.   Dude is on a roll.

Hanging with Dad watching TV

He's out in the house with us 90% of the time.  Before we'd have to call him out to join us. He might stay with us, he might not.  He tends to be right in the middle of it with his siblings all the time now.   He's very much comfortable in his family.
He still LOVES car rides.  All he cares about it getting in the car, lying in the back seat, & sleeping.   He doesn't care about looking out the window or where we're going. That's all irrelevant.  He loves the car!   

In fact after driving around for a bit, after arriving home I left the car door open in the garage.  He stayed there until I eventually made him come back inside.    If he could, he'd stay in the car all the time I'm sure. 

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

As I mentioned earlier, he & Peryn are still 'at odds'.  They just have stand offs where neither will move & they just growl at one another. 

It's only escalated the one time, but I know another is coming.  I think if Volos would just give in & play with Peryn, most of the issues would disappear.   

We still have issues with Volos in spite of these great strides.  Trying to train him is turning out to be difficult.   He will not sit still or focus to try & teach him.     Raising a voice or trying to put his harness on leads to him "leaking'.    When he's outside he loves to visit the neighbors yards even though we've tried over & over to keep him in the yard. He'll listen & do what he's supposed to 9x, but the 10th he's off exploring. 

A big issue is that we do not have back stairs. Ideally we would let them out the back, watch them, & bring them back in.    No, we can't do that yet. We are in & out of the front door. He sees someone he wants to greet, forget it. 

Handsome!!

Another issue we had, but we've changed, was taking them ALL out at the same time.  Athena requires our focus so we may miss the cues he's about to explore.   We're now breaking up the outings to Athena only & the other 3 only.   

Peryn tries to reign him in. He will chase after him barking & nipping (doing what heelers do) trying to get him to come back home. 
We planned on getting Invisible Fence at this house, but had to put that on hold while we waited for the house next door to get built.  FINALLY 7 months later, it's started.     Coinciding with the Stimulus money, we've begun the process.     Another issue holding it up is the possible regrading of our yard.   In the back there is standing water that does not drain & little spots all over like that. Additionally there are spots where NOTHING grows. No grass, no weeds, nothing.        We need to find out when that can happen.   I was hoping they could do spots, but Rich wants them to do the whole thing.         

We're slowly getting there though!!

Who's a handsome boy?

Cheezburger!