Lazy Sunday

Today was what we refer to as a Lazy Sunday and no one was lazier than Rosie! After Ron made ham and eggs for breakfast(Rosie is napping in my shoes while we eat.), he and Sara took the Kayaks down the Mississippi to Sauk Rapids. While they were gone, I kept the dogs busy playing in the yard. When they got back, the puppy was ready for a nap. This video pretty much sums up her day:

A couple hours later, we headed for MSP airport so Sara could catch her flight back to Chicago. Unfortunately, after we dropped her off she found out that her flight was delayed two hours Thanks to the technology of cell phones she was able to call and tell us before we were very far away. It really didn't do us any good though. The traffic to the airport was terrible and because of the "War on Terror", you cannot easily spend time with your loved ones at the airport, so we headed home. She spent three hours waiting for an hour and a half flight. She bought a book Ghost Writer to help her the pass the time. I hope it's good. I'm sure she'll let me know on her blog.

The Vet

We have big plans for the day,but it started out slowly with the family watching the start of the 2010 World Cup. (Although we were cheering for South Africa, we thought Mexico scored when they were called off-sides.) Puppy is living the high life. She has already forgotten that five days ago she was living outside and sharing a kennel with six other puppies. She has taken to pampering quite well. She shows her appreciation by being as cute as she can be and doing her business in the yard.

She had 10:30 AM Vet appointment. Ron took her and I stayed with Daisy. She weighs eleven pounds. Since Ron found a wood tick on her ear and there was some blood when he pulled it out, she came home with some medicine just to be safe. We have to give her Clavamox Drops twice a day. We also have 8 Nemex tablets to give her to make sure she does not have and will not have worms. She also got her first application of Frontline to protect against fleas and ticks and her first dose of Heartgard to protect against heartworm. She should be safe for awhile.

I think that covers everything from the vet. The rest of the day for puppy will be naptime, playtime, and well you know. The real excitement for the day is that Sara is coming to visit. I will pick her up at the airport this evening. We have big plans. We just received MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS from Netflix. She thinks we will all enjoy it.

She also wants to go shopping in Maple Grove, MN and stop at the Land's End Inlet on our way to the airport on Sunday. Of course there will also be a lot of home cooking. Chef Boy R. Morrow will prepare French Toast for breakfast and fried walleye and perch caught (by someone in Ron's fishing party) in Mlle Lacs Lake, and the Pièce de résistance strawberry shortcake made with homemade biscuits (using Ron's grandmother's to die for recipe.) for dinner. Bon Appetit!

Warning the following Video may be to graphic for those with a weak stomach or an aversion to puppy BM's but we are proud parents, so view at your own risk.

Accessory shopping

Today Ron had to go to purchase a few doggie accessories. Most importantly a collar -WITH A BELL. We have been afraid that we are either going to step on puppy or trip over her. She always seems to be at our feet. Neither of us can look at the ground and effectively walk.

He had to go to the cat department to get the bell. At first she did not like it at all. She kept looking in the direction she thought the sound was coming from.

He also bought a number of stuffed toys for her to chew. I know it seems a little out of character for Ron to be spending money so frivolously but, like the collar, it is for self preservation. Without the toys, she is chewing everything: furniture, shoes, rugs, pillows, anchor rope (She wasn't able to move the anchor but she tried.), and body parts. I think this investment in toys will save us quite a bit. Of course, just like the kids used to like to empty the kitchen cupboards and play with pots, pans, and tupperware, she found a plastic cream bottle in the recyclables and it's her favorite toy.

After he finished the dreaded shopping, Ron got to come home and work in an area he is much more comfortable. He was once again on BM duty. Not only did he watch and reward puppy for making at least six BMs, he also inspected Daisy's BM. He followed her down to the weeds near the river, her preferred depository, and watched for location.

When she finished, he checked it out Upon his close and scientific inspection he came to the conclusion all was well - color, consistency. He has been worried since last week when she let us know she wasn't feeling well by getting up in the middle of the night and thinking the green throw rug in the kitchen was the weeds by the river. That specimen did not have good color or consistency.

Of course since he spent all of this time inspecting BMs, they became a topic of conversation this evening. He remarked that the puppy only seems to go after she eats. I responded that I thought that was pretty normal. He agreed, but found the need to remind me that Nikki was a "sh__ factory. "(Ron's words, not mine.) "She went every time she was outside." I think it was actually good for him. He went up and down the hill to clean up after her. It kept him in good shape!

Moving on to a more appropriate topic. Ron made a little video of puppy trying to make friends with Daisy.

Play Date

Well, she slept through the night that is until 5:30 AM. Ron learned he doesn't have time to get dressed or to wait for her to walk downstairs. (Maybe he will start wearing PJ's.) Like Bodie, you need to pick her up and put her out the closest door as soon as she wakes up. She only has a little bladder so it wasn't too bad. That was the first of a few little accidents. Let's not dwell on the negative. She had four or five (If you are counting, and we are.) BM's in the yard - none in the house!

We fed her approximately two cups of Purina Puppy Chow. She eats pretty slowly but by this evening, it was all gone. And you can tell from the aforementioned regularity it seems to be working. She played hard, took several naps, and drank lots of water. Lesson for the day -as soon as she eats or drinks she needs to go outdoors immediately!

She and Daisy also spent some time together in the kennel. A little whining, but no dogfights. Hooray! we will be able to leave the house at the same time and not worry about the kids killing each other. I think Ryan and Sara were in college before we were able do that with them.

The highlight of the day was the visitors who came to see our new arrival. Dave, who also came to MN from Erie when the Hammermill closed, stopped in on his way to work at Verso.

Then, we had the pleasure of the company of S., her children B. and E. and Bear. Puppy was the perfect hostess.

Puppy Play Group - While the big dogs (Daisy and Bear) ran, swam, and wrestled, Puppy explored. She really likes the Basil in the Ron's herb garden. Ron is not too excited about the possibility of her eating all his herbs. She also learned if she acts scared or yelps the older dogs will get yelled at. Sound familiar?

That's a chucker B is using to throw the slobbery ball - great invention!

S and E enjoy the show.

E is laughing at the hijinks while S gets to relax- a little

B and Puppy chill out. They are a perfect match. Puppy fits in B's lap perfectly.

We've had a lot of excitement and fresh air today. We are all tuckered out.

Sweet Dreams!

Preparation

Today is the big day. We are going to pick up our new puppy. For the past two days I have been blogging about how we fell in love with Chessies and how they have become part of our family. We like to joke that each time one of the kids went to college we got a dog to replace them.

Since we moved to Minnesota, both of our Chessie's have died. For about a half a second we considered not getting another dog. We travel to visit family a lot and traveling with a dog is a hassel, and we aren't getting any younger. That does not even take into consideration if anyone enjoys company that brings along a large dog or two. We could kennel the dog and we do sometimes. We found a great kennel, but since we have them so spoiled or maybe it is they have us spoil, we miss them if they are not with us.

A few months after Nikki died, a friend told me about a gentleman in Motley, MN who had a three year old Chessie he was giving away. Needless to say my interest was sparked. Within 24 hours, we were at his house just to check it out. Would we really want an older Chessie? One who already had a master. We were only going to look. We didn't even take a leash. How good could a dog be if it was being given away? That old myth that Chessies could be mean was nagging at me.

As soon as we got out of the car we knew the answer was YES! Four, calm Chessies walked over to the car and one leaned against me. Yep, that was her, Daisy. We could have opened the door to the back seat right then, let her in, and drove away. We decided to be polite and visit with Gary and Jan for awhile. We left a couple hours later; I was riding shotgun and Daisy was in the backseat. We never looked back.

Daisy grew up with other dogs around, so she is ready for the puppy. Ron went shopping and purchased a dog bowl for the puppy. We also havea leash so this afternoon when we ride up to Gary and Jan's we are ready to open the back seat of the car. let the puppy jump in, and head home to start spoiling another Chessie.