Annie's Savvy Cafe

Dexter's Birthday!

Most of you probably remember me like this when I was very small...

  

Well, today is my birthday and I am not so small anymore...

   

I am 1 year old today and I am a very big boy weighing in at 81 pounds. We went to PetSmart today and I picked out a new toy. Then we went to Arby's and I got some curly fries because they are my favorite!! Everyone thinks I am a little spoiled but I like things the way they are!

Puppy Training

Thank you to one of my loyal readers...

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PUPPY!!!

• Pour cold apple juice on the carpet in several places and walk around barefoot in the dark.

• Wear a sock to work that has had the toes shredded by a blender.

• Immediately upon waking, stand outside in the rain and dark saying, "Be a good puppy and go potty - hurry up now -- come on, lets go."

• Cover all of your best suits with dog hair. Dark suits must have white hair and light suits must have dark. In addition, some hair must be in your first cup of morning coffee.

• Play catch with a wet tennis ball.

• Run out in the snow in your bare feet to close the gate.

• Tip over a basket of clean laundry, scatter clothing all over the floor. Taking care to shred at least one of each pair of socks.

• When the doorbell rings drop your dirty underwear on the living room floor, because that is where the pup will drag it anyway, after all, company is coming.

• Jump out of your chair shortly before the end of your favorite TV show and run to the door shouting, "No, No! Do that outside!" Miss the end of the program.

• Gouge the leg of the dining room table several times with a screwdriver.

• Put chocolate pudding on the carpet in the morning, and do not try to clean it up until you return from work that evening.

TAKE A WARM, CUDDLY BLANKET OUT OF THE DRYER AND IMMEDIATELY WRAP IT AROUND YOURSELF!! THIS IS THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOUR PUPPY FALLS ASLEEP ON YOUR LAP!!

Ella...Enchanted

I am beginning to think I should just put a sign on my door that says "Drop homeless pets here". I am usually a sucker for such things as kittens and puppies and I think God knows it. No matter what ugly thing they might turn into, as a baby, all animals are adorable. Again, God knows this, and that is how it is easier for them to find homes. He made them that way for a reason!
 As I was growing up, I had my fair share of pets, including dogs, cats, birds, fish and even a squirrel (that is another post altogether).  Not always at the same time though. They were spread out over the years in such the way that we were never actually running a zoo or anything. This was because my Dad kept a level head about such things as pets and he could see beyond their cuteness factor. I pretty much had to beg for every animal, and that only worked occasionally. He put up a good front pretending that he really didn't like animals very much except for maybe dogs, but I have since learned it was all a big facade.
When I got married the first time (again, another post altogether) I knew I was in trouble, not for obvious reasons, but because my husband would let me have anything I wanted. He did not know the meaning of the word "No" where I was concerned. That led to 2 dogs, 5 cats, 4 aquariums, and a cow. All this the first month we were married! I could write a book! When my son was born I realized I was in more trouble because he would obviously be bringing home animals as little boys tend to do.
Over the years, and one hubby later, I tried to use more common sense when filling my house with animals,and I learned the meaning of the word "No". Much to my surprise, my son never brought home any animals, not even snakes or lizards or any other slimy boy thing. This was easier than I had expected.
Well, now we live with a manageable level of 2 dogs, 1 cat and 1 parrot. That is if you don't count our friend that moved in with her dog, and then the dog she rescued a few months later. Okay, so we live with 4 dogs, 1 cat and 1 parrot. It took a little getting used to, but eventually everyone settled in nicely and we are one big happy family.
Then it happened - after almost 20 years, and attending his sophomore year of college, my darling child rescued his first animal. I couldn't believe it when I got the phone call. He had jumped a fence to rescue a kitten from a dangerous roadway and she was already settled into his dorm room (which isn't allowed). So, I am told that this kitten needs a loving, understanding mother like he has to give her a safe place to live. All of a sudden I knew nothing of the word "No". What was wrong with me? I knew better. Or so I thought I did. As usual, when it comes to the boys, I challenge them to remember the last time I said "No" to anything that was really important to them, so once again, I caved.

Meet Ella...

 

Ella likes to sleep in the mail basket on the counter. I think she feels safe way up high where the dogs don't go.

 

Ella would rather play with her new collar as opposed to actually wearing it. It has a little pink bell that I thought would be useful in finding her as she claimed all her new hiding spots in the house. I guess she has other plans as most cats do.

Ella smiles!!! I think she is happy in her new home!

Savvy Saturday Post #14

I am going to kill two birds with one stone on this week's "Savvy Saturday" post. This week's tip is about a cheap toy for your dog that you already have at home. I found out that dogs (puppies named Dexter in particular) love the crunching sound when they chomp down on an empty water bottle. Not only does it make strange noises, it works it's way out of your hold and sometimes you have to chase after it as it slides along the floor. This remarkably unpredictable toy also floats in the kiddie pool where some spoiled dogs (also named Dexter) play during the day. Make sure to remove the paper wrapping on the bottle and the cap so puppy cannot choke. Another way I put this to good use is by filling it with water and freezing it. Dexter, my 15 1/2 week old little man loves the feel of it on his puppy teeth and it helps him stay cool on hot summer days. Make sure to replace it frequently as it gets chewed up so puppy doesn't get any little plastic pieces in his tummy.
So there you have it....a puppy update and a savvy tip.

Where's my puppy?

Where is my sweet little bundle of fluff? Well, let me tell you......he is right here disguising himself as a small dog. He might be looking like a dog, but he is still very much all PUPPY! He is 12 weeks old now and that is very similar to the "terrible twos" with toddlers.

He is still my sweet little bundle of fluff. He gets into almost everything when he thinks you aren't looking, but he is learning a lot and we are getting into a routine (sort of). Playtime is very demanding now that he is about 25 pounds of energy and teeth.

He loves to cuddle but doesn't quite understand why my lap is getting smaller by the day. One of his favorite things is to run through his pool and cool off, then jump in your lap for a nap.
All in all, he's still my baby and will be, even when all 80 pounds of him still wants to cuddle.

Little Big Man

I still call Dexter my "little man" but not for long! I have had weeds grow slower than he does. He is now exactly 10 weeks old today, and 2 days ago he weighed in at a whopping 17 pounds. He has gained over 11 pounds in the 3 and a half weeks that we have had him. The Pus is really happy because he cannot fit in the "Pus bed" any longer. Things will return to normal soon or so The Pus thinks.
Dex has become such a big boy, that now he can attack bushes that are much larger than he is.....

And he can sit in chairs that are higher than he is.....

And he can wrestle with hoses that are meaner than he is....

So I guess he is now my "little big man", but he will always be my baby.....

Puppy Power!!!

I'm going to buy this puppy a cape with an "S" on it for "Super Puppy"!! Dexter is now 8 1/2 weeks old and so full of energy that it is hard to keep up with him. I feel like I have a toddler again. I used to stay up late at night watching TV. Now, I watch Dexter all day and crash when he crashes. Good thing the TV season is pretty much over. We usually sleep between the hours of 11pm and 4am. Actually I think that is pretty good for a puppy. After we go outside at 4am, he willingly goes back to bed for an entire hour and a half. Yippee! Then we get up for breakfast!!!!

I really can't complain because he is a great puppy. I have learned that playtime is playtime and that is that. When he naps, I work and do my chores. When he is up..watch out, time to go go go. He plays hard and sleeps hard and he is growing so fast I want time to slow down so I don't miss anything. Hubby says he isn't so much a puppy anymore as he is a miniature dog.

Dexter has learned a lot in the last few weeks. He comes when he is called. He is pretty much potty trained (except for a few minor mishaps when he got distracted and was too far from the door). He knows to sit when he is told and to be gentle with the "Pus". He loves his yard, and his family and all his new friends. He especially loves his $4000 temperpedic mattress and down pillows that he sleeps on. This is where I fell down on the job. I am an avid believer in the crate training process. Dexter does go in his crate for some naps (especially if we leave the house), and he goes in there at night to start out. As time went by, he preferred to be in bed with us and proved he could be very well behaved, so I caved. Now, Dex and I share the same pillows and our bed has chew toys everywhere. He is such a cuddle bug that I couldn't resist.

Dexter comes home......

I thought this day would never get here. I have felt like a little girl waiting for Santa Claus to come with her new puppy. We actually were able to go pick up Dex on Saturday and our life has been non-stop puppy ever since. He is so darn cute that I can't get enough of him. I just keep showering him with kisses. Even when he wakes me up in the middle of the night to go outside, I am glad to see him and give him more kisses. He is very sweet and cuddly and I just can't help but spoil him. He is a smart little man and he is trying very hard to be a good little boy every chance he gets. It is hard when you are this little to always be good, but lucky for him, he's cute so that makes it alright! He knows we love him no matter how many times he hears that dreaded "No" word. Pretty soon he is going to think that is his name.
We took about a million pictures while following one energetic little puppy around the last few days, so here for the world to see............my little man, getting settled in his new home.

Our Last Visit........

It sounds so sad, but it's not really. This weekend was our last visit with Dexter because next Saturday he gets to come home to stay! He is growing like a weed and running around like........well, a puppy. He is so full of himself and so cute that I just can't stand it. Here are a few of our cutest shots of him from the few moments he was actually still.

Someone was exploring under the water faucet outside!

When he isn't looking all sweet and innocent, he is attacking shoes and chewing on shoe laces. I think that makes him a very normal puppy! We have a week to get ready and puppy-proof the house. He will have to grow into all the toys that Bo left for him since they are all larger than him, but it won't take too long. They grow up fast, just like kids!

They called it Puppy Love........

Another week and another visit with "Dexter Von Doggers" as hubby so affectionately refers to him. He's only getting cuter and fluffier and sweeter as time goes on. Even at 4 weeks old, he seemed to recognize us when we showed up for playtime and he looked sad when it was time for us to leave. Our breeder said that she thinks he is so content and happy because he knows he already has a family that loves him. She couldn't have said anything nicer to us. Here are some pictures from this week's playtime with my little man.....................
                

                        

Here's Dex and Daddy goin' nose to nose!         Puppies give up quick!

Extended photo shoot

Luckily for me, my friend took her camera when we went to visit Dex on Sunday and she got some pretty good shots of my little man.  He is gonna break some hearts......


He finally had enough of getting his picture taken, as you can tell from this pose.

Here's my little man......

At just three and a half weeks old (24 days to be exact) my little man just won't sit very still for a photo shoot. We got a lot of blurry "on the run" shots and a few puppy butt shots as he was headed off to explore, but (no pun intended) nothing really worth embarrassing him with on the Internet. I will share just a few decent pictures we took while he was momentarily still, sometimes this can be mistaken for sleeping!!

Is this a face or what?

And here is what happens when Mommy rubs behind Dexter's ears.........

I think I found his favorite spot!

A heartbeat.......

About a month ago, I felt like my heart had been cut out when I lost my precious Golden Retriever, Bo. He gave me the unconditional love and constant companionship that you can only get from a dog.
Well, yesterday that all changed. Although my heart still aches, I could feel it beating once again when I spied this cute little face that is going to become my next canine companion for what I hope is many years to come. Even though there is no replacing Bo, I feel assured that he would be happy with my choice of new friends and would welcome him with lots of love and licks if he could because that is the kind of dog Bo was. He loved everybody.
I am proud to introduce you to the newest member of our family that makes my heart beat once again...........................

This is Dexter and he is less than 2 weeks old in this picture. I will be posting new pictures as he grows. He will be allowed to join us at home around Memorial Day.

If It Should Be

I wish I didn't feel the need to write this post, but I do. Somehow, I think it will help me heal.
You see, I found out earlier this week that Old Dog Syndrome loosely translates into "cancer", the word every pet owner dreads. I will spare you all the details and just share the fact that our beloved Golden Retriever, Bo, has gone to heaven where he can once again run and play and catch Frisbees. I was with him until the end.......my heart is still with him.      

A dear friend of mine sent me a very sweet sentiment that really shines on this sad time:

Bogart  (October 11, 1995 - March 25, 2008) 

       If It Should Be

If it should be that I grow weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this last battle cannot be won.
You will be sad, I understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day more than all the rest,
Your love for me must stand the test.
We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer so,
The time has come, please let me go.
Take me where my need they'll tend,
And please stay with me until the end,
I know in time that you will see,
The kindness that you did for me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I've been saved.
Please do not grieve, it must be you
Who had this painful thing to do,
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold back its tears.

Author Is Unknown

Leapin' Lizards

My last couple of posts have been a little hard on the heart, so I thought I should brighten things up a bit. While surfing the blogosphere last night I came upon a new blog I had never read called  PurpleFrogCat . Well, there is a healthy dose of good clean fun going on over there so I put her in my blogroll for easy access. One of the stories that really made me laugh out loud was about their pet lizard. This story takes the cake and will give you a boost of laughter that I think some of us need. Enjoy!

I am sure Daisy The Curly Cat will love this post!