Life of a Pup

I've learned to love being outside on our porch except when the screen is shut on me and I can't get back in. There's always people walking around and cars driving by for me to watch and I love the cool fall breeze that's just started in the evenings. Maybe some day I'll have a bigger porch to play on.

A few weeks ago we took our first family trip to DOG BEACH! I was a little scared at first because there was a lot going on that I wasn't used to. Tons of people, lots of dogs running around/at me, sand, water, waves, etc etc. Mom and Dad were very excited to bring me but also a little nervous that I'd freak.

Luckily they had nothing to worry about! I loved it! I'd run through the water and jump over the front of the waves. I was so entertained with the ocean itself I didn't even need a toy to chase. I was soaking and sandy in no time. I have to admit though, I'm not a fan of going completely under the water. A couple times I was caught off guard by a huge wave and had to actually swim.

Sometimes Mom drives me up north during the day to meed Dad for lunch from work. I'm a great car rider still, I just sit in my seat and look out the window. I love going new places because I get to see to many new things, I'm very curious you know. We sit outside while I try to eat their Panera and all they'll give me is ice cubes.... Really though, I can't complain.

If there's ever a pinch and we're out somewhere and I'm bored without a toy, I'll be easily entertained for hours with an empty water bottle. Just please remember to take off the label because soon I'll shred it anyways. My jaw is getting much stronger now and I can completely flatten any size water bottle now.

I also like to chew on the end of my tail. Sometimes I'll chase it in circles which makes Mom giggle. But sometimes I just want to chew it so I'll roll around getting tangled with my legs. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt me, it just makes my tail a wet whip for a good while afterwards. Dad doesn't really like it very much but I think he's getting used to it.

Speaking of Dad,we love to wrestle. (Most of the time I win, but don't tell him that.) Mom likes to wrestle too but I'm getting a little to big now for her so we usually just cuddle. I think hats are fun and I try to take off his when he gets home from golf. Dad loves it when I climb all over him.

I also learned to climb into this chair. It's much smaller and less sturdy than the other furniture I climb on so I was a little hesitant at first. But once I was up in it, I didn't want to get down. And aren't I just the cutest thing in the world? Now if only we had a campfire to sit around.

I am officially 16 weeks old (about 3 months and 3 weeks) and I weight a whopping 42 lbs now. Mom struggles to pick me up but luckily I'm more independent now so she doesn't have to very often (only when I want up or down from the bed). I eat about 4.5-5 cups of dog food a day and am pretty much housebroken at this point. I'm a very happy, mellow, sweet dog and I know my family loves me.

Scared Momma

Being a puppy mommy has been the best thing of my whole summer and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love my little (not so little anymore) boy so much and want to spoil him to the best of my abilities. But this also means that we are responsible for him in every since way and that adds a lot of worry to both J and I. We worry that he's eating too much/not enough. We worry that he's getting enough exercise. We worry that we're teaching him the things he needs to be a mature, happy, and well behaved addition to our family for many, many years.

And then we got home from our walk last night to find this on his leg.

It's bright red with thinning hair. It's about the size of a blueberry. It's completely solid but doesn't hurt him at all. First thing that pops into my head is that it's a tick; that somehow we missed the early signs and now it's dug its way into his foot but it seems odd for this area. Then I think maybe it's a puss filled cyst; but it's completely solid so that's out. Then I think maybe he got bit by something (which is the scariest option for me given that the people I nanny for just lost their dog to an unknown, potential bug bite); a spider or something else mean but it doesn't hurt him at all, we didn't notice him favoring this foot at all, and we didn't year him cry from the actual incident.

But literally, this scary thing seemed to come out of nowhere and extremely fast. I had just cut his nails the other day and know I would have noticed something that close to his toes. We were a little comforted that it wasn't bothering him but we were still insistent that we get it checked out, and ASAP. So early this morning and we were off to the vet.

Thank goodness, the doctor explained to us that, because of his age, it's most likely a histiocytoma: a benign skin growth that is most usually found in dogs under the age of 2 years old. They appear rapidly, typically don't bother the dog (unless their location is in an inconvenient place like their ears/face), pose no harm, and go away within a few months.

I bet the doctor could see our shoulders ease and hear both of us sigh a big breath of relief when she told us our boy was fine. The only way to definitively diagnose his growth as a histiocytoma (and not something more serious) is to take a biopsy so we paid the money and should know within 3 days. I am so happy that we hopefully have nothing to worry about with our baby. I still feel like I'm keeping a special eye on him and probably will until this thing is gone forever.

He was given a little bandage because of some bleeding when they did his biopsy. It wasn't anything serious, they just wanted to keep pressure on it until we got home. Even though I know I have nothing to worry about, I was still so sad to see his little foot all wrapped up. He tried to lick it a few times but did really good with his wrap and hasn't bothered the spot all day. I'm so proud of him.

But man, can I please have a healthy boy for the rest of his life? I can't imagine how I'd feel if it was a bigger deal than this relatively freaky small growth.

Life of a Pup

My first week home could not have gone better! Mommy and daddy are taking such good care of me. I'm a happy puppy, even at the vet for the first time. Everyone there loves me and thinks I'm so cuddly... and big already.

I weigh 20.2 lbs at 10 weeks.

A couple of my toes have pink spots. Mommy thinks they're adorable but I don't even know I have toes.

I'm starting to learn how to walk on my leash. We've been making good progress but too much pulling and I'm otta here. I do enjoy our evening walks though and I'm meeting lots of new friends.

If only it wasn't summer time though because I'm always too warm. Even with the air conditioning on I sometimes pant and love to lay where it's coolest. Daddy had a good idea to give me a frozen washcloth and I absolutely love them. I hear the freezer open and the cracking of the towel and I'm wagging my tail like crazy. Anything to cool me down.

This is how I like to sleep and lay whenever I'm in my crate, or anytime for that

matter. I even flop around on my back when I'm playing with my toys and wrestling with dad. But it never fails that this is how I'll be when I nap; on the wood, carpet or bed. Ahh the life.

I really want to be big enough to play at the dog beach because I love being in the water. Even if that means trying to swim in my water bowl or in the bath tub with daddy. Plus, like everything else I do right now, the water keeps me cool.

I can't wait to explore more things, grow even bigger and start learning more tricks. But for now I eat my food, go out to potty, play with my toys and nap nap NAP! I'm not much to brag but can you believe I sleep through the night already? I love my family and I know they love me too.

Life of a pup

Hello, my name is Ollie. My mom and dad came to pick me up this morning so I could go to my home.

I am a wonderful car rider. I like to look out the windows and chew on the towel on the seat. Aren't you proud that I didn't cry or pee or puke the whole drive home? The drive from San Diego to Denver should be a breeze with me in the back seat!

I wasn't a fan of the grass at first; it's wet and feels different than the concrete but I'm getting used to it. I'm still trying to work on my scratching technique so I stop putting my foot in my mouth or missing my head completely.

Mom likes to take my picture. I like the camera, I really do.

Dad likes to wrestle in the grass with me. But beware, I have needle teeth right now.

I swear there's another dog in my home. He follows me and I try to bark at him. Are mom and dad cheating on me already?

I like my new toys but they're a little big for my tiny teeth for now. I do have a chicken that I'm very fond of and mom gave me an ice cube after our walk, it was awesome. Can you lay as silly as me?

Yes, I love to nap. Got home, then napped. Went outside to pee, had lunch, then napped. Went on a walk, then napped. That's 3 naps already people. What can I say, I'm a growing boy.

It's been a good, long, curious day today but I think we all agree....

I love our new family.