It's been a little while since I've checked in.  Let me fill you in on what I've been up to.

 

12/5/09

 

I arrived at my new foster home late Saturday afternoon after seeing my littermate Gus off to his new foster home.  Thanks so much to my transporters (Sue/Kris) for the safe journey from Alexandria to the Twin Cities.

 

The ride must have been very "chillaxing" because when I arrived at my new foster's home - I was ready to explore, play, and check out the new dog and chew toys waiting for my arrival.  I s"wag"gered right in to the new digs and checked things out; I was not timid at all.  I met the resident Golden and snuggled right up to her.  She let me hang out a bit, but wasn't as interested in playing as I was.  However, my foster family was thinking I was all kinds of yummy, and they were really into hanging out with me and playing, so I let them entertain me for quite awhile.

 

My one year old foster brother is quite delighted with me.  I chased him round and round the kitchen island, and it was great exercise for us both.  My foster parents broke out the dog toys for me, and I had a great time with those.  One of my favorites was a motorized ball that has a raccoon faux fur tail on it.  I loved chasing that around.  Although I think my very favorite item was the gigantic bone (see pic).  I chewed on that for quite awhile.

 

 

I was so intrigued with all the new people, the new home, and the new foster dog that I really wasn't interested in eating dinner at all the first night.  Although traveling sure is dehydrating because I had A LOT to drink that evening.  What goes in, must come out.  In the first six hours I had five potty breaks outside and knew what to do each time; and one time I even whined at the door to go out (pat myself on the back).  My foster parents were quite tickled with that trick, and I got a lot of praise for that.  Seriously, I had A LOT, A MAJOR LOT of water.  I must have forgotten to drink earlier in the day.  So even though I took my outdoor potty breaks on cue, I still had a few little accidents in the house.  However, my foster mom took me outside immediately each time and I finished outside.  So once again they were tickled with me knowing that outside is the place to be when I wee.

 

I also thought my foster mom's boots were the bomb.  They are about the size of myself, but I thought they were fun to drag around the house.  I didn't really chew on them, I was just trying to see if anyone noticed.  My foster mom didn't really care, but she did take them away and redirected me to a rawhide chew so that I wouldn't get in the habit of chewing shoes at my forever home.

 

I guess the only other thing to report from that first night, is that I am really interested in human food - I was really curious about bananas and popcorn.  The other dog in the house thought it was really weird because she is so particular about what she begs for when it comes to human food.

 

 

12/6/09

 

Had a great second day with my new foster family.  I still haven't been in my crate at my new home because my family likes cuddling me so much.  I slept on the couch last night with my foster dad - he is the best.  He got up three times in the night to take me potty outside.  I only had two accidents in the house today.  Otherwise, I managed to go on cue when my family would say "outside" and "good potty, Charlie".  It's cold out, so I like to do my business and scurry in from Old Man Winter.

 

I can't get up or down stairs yet.  Although, I really wanted to follow the resident Golden down the three front porch steps.  So I may try that very soon.  I had a really fabulous day hanging out with the family.  I found my voice a bit today.  I did a little barking while playing.  I also think my new family has it figured out that when I sit at their feet and whine, I want to sit on their laps and be petted.  Between you and me, I have them wrapped around my adorable little paw. ;)  I am working on the resident dog, but so far she is indifferent to my cute antics.  I just want to play, but she thinks she is too mature to be jumping and rolling around.  

 

Oh, by the way, I love Christmas trees.  Humans should really have those year 'round.  They are a great source of drinking water, and those branches with the balls hanging from them - great entertainment for me.  I managed to get one ornament off and parade it around in my mouth before my mom busted me.  She had to move the ornaments up higher, so I couldn't reach them.  It didn't really bother me, because I found the branches just as entertaining.  You should see the needles on the floor from the tree - I had a great time playing in those branches.

 

Thought I would also mention, that I may just be catching on to my name.  It might just be the intonation of their voices that catches my attention when my family says my name, but let's just let them think that I am pretty clever for nine weeks old.

 

You know, even though I haven't been in a crate here and had free reign of the main floor, I really just like to hang out with everyone else.  If I needed to catch a snooze, I would just lay right down in the middle of all the action, so I wouldn't miss anything.  I also like to catch a wink or two on my foster dad's lap.  My five year old foster sister likes to show me all the dog toys and what to do with them.

 

Well, I am going to settle in, for a cozy night, the Christmas cookies are baked and tonight I'll have visions of sugarplums dancing in my head.

 

12/7/09

 

It is my third day with my new foster family and I am really settling in and coming out of my shell.  I had a slumber party in my foster parents bed last night.  I did great - no accidents at all during the night.  My foster dad got up with me twice, but it was just too cold to go potty.  I did go in the early morning went my foster mom took me outside.  So I went six whole hours without any accidents or using the potty outside.  Yeah!  I also snuggled right up to the resident dog at the foot of the bed and slept just great with her.  I am beginning to feel like I belong in the pack now.

 

I had to use the crate for the first time here today.  My foster mom ran errands for three hours and let me tell you - I was perfectly miserable going in that thing by myself (the last time I was in one, I had my brother Gus to keep me company).  I made sure to vocalize my distress to my mom too.  I could tell that I made her feel awful about it. 

 

My foster mom decided that she would see how I did riding in the car today too.  I went with her to pick up my sister from school.  I sat on my mom's lap and shook and cried all the way there.  I was thinking that maybe she was taking me to another new home and I was pretty sad about moving again (the next time I move I want it to be the last time).  However, once we got there, I got a lot of attention from kids who all thought I was pretty cute.  I got a lot of petting, and oooohs and ahhhhhs.  Once we were on the way home, my five year old sister held me on her lap in the back seat and I LOVED that.  My sister was the puppy whisperer, because I didn't try to jump out of her lap or cry at all.  So my foster mom was happy to know that I wasn't completely terrified of traveling. 

 

I was so happy when we got home and I was running around with my foster siblings.  I got a little rambunctious while playing with them.  I even engaged the resident dog.  My foster mom got us each a new dog toy today.  We were playing tug of war with one of them.  Of course, it wasn't a fair fight because the resident dog is about 4 or 5 times bigger than me.  I also played chase with my siblings, which we all loved.  A couple of times I got close enough to grab the clothes of my siblings and my foster mom had to substitute a dog toy so that I wouldn't take a liking to biting on clothes.

 

I had to whine a bit to my foster mom because she was late feeding me today and I was hungry.  I also discovered that if you hang out underneath highchairs during certain times of the day, wonderful little treats might fall right under your nose.  I think I'll try that again tomorrow.

 

Thought I would let you know that today I made it up AND down the three front porches steps all by myself.  For some reason I won't attempt the nicely carpeted steps inside though.  My foster mom tells me that they would be easier than the outside ones, but to me they look much more intimidating.  For now, I'll just whine when I need up or down.  Why change something that works, right?

 

I like to hang out by the feet of my foster parents when they are watching TV or on the computer, or working in the kitchen.  That way, I can catch a little shut eye without being bothered by my one year old brother and I am also sure not to miss a thing if they get up and move..  I am really starting to figure out this family and really am making myself comfortable here.  I am finding a few places that are my own.  I also love chewing on a couple gigantic bones that my foster mom has for me.

 

My foster mom is pretty religious about taking me outside every hour.  Today, I only had one accident inside and my foster dad caught me just as I was about to have a second.  But I think I am really doing great..  I go potty every time they take me outside (except the two times in the middle of the night last night, but I didn't have any accidents then, so I obviously didn't have to go).  This evening they only took me out every two hours and I was comfortable with that.  Also, I didn't have any accidents inside my crate while my foster mom was out this afternoon.

 

I am all done with my Primor tabs and tomorrow will have to have a stool sample taken to the vet and a vaccination boosters.

 

Looking forward to snuggling in bed again tonight.  Am I spoiled or what?  I hope I can go for six hours again tonight without a frigid outdoor break.  My foster mom would be so impressed.

 

12/8/09

 

Woke up this morning in a nice cozy bed with my foster parents and the resident dog.  I went 7.5 hours without getting up and no accidents!  Everyone was thrilled with me and boy did it feel great to cuddle all night and not have to go out into the cold in the dark.

 

I got some great outdoor playtime this afternoon.  It was really a blast to play in the snow with the resident dog.  I also played chase around the island with my siblings tonight.  I love that game, and so do they.  However, I did catch my sister's dress with my teeth and ripped it - whoops, baby teeth are like razor's sometimes.. 

 

My family is noticing that I am really starting to vocalize a bit more.  Sometimes I give a little puppy growl if I am playing aggressively, or if I get picked up to come inside when I am not ready to be done out there.  

 

On the other hand, I am really starting to enjoy this cuddling thing.  The resident dog is really warming up to me - I frequently follow her around and she lets me nap on her often.  I really love being with another dog. 

 

 

I am also spending a lot more time in the evenings napping on my foster family.  If they are on the couch watching TV I beg to get up there too.  I am so happy when they lift me up and pet my head, or give me a good tummy rub.  Humans are really toasty and make perfect pillows for a snooze.

 

 

I am getting into a routine now.  I am pretty active all day long, so it's great that I have a stay at home foster mom.  I hope my forever home has someone that doesn't work long days - especially when I am an active puppy.  I eat a lot and drink a lot during the day, which means I go potty a lot all day.  (I did have a few accidents today, but honestly I am really good at going potty outside.)  I slow down in the evening and don't eat or drink much then, even though I have access to both.  This also means I haven't been going potty as much in the evening.  

 

Sorry my update is so verbose.  I just thought it would be nice for someone who is thinking about adopting me to see how busy I am on a daily basis.  In my short life I have already lived in four places, so I really want my forever family to understand what I have been up to lately and to understand the routine I am accustomed to currently.  I am hoping that will make yet another transition easier for me.  Even though we puppies are pretty adaptable, we want to feel secure and we don't always understand why the rules change from place to place.

 

My foster mom really hopes that I will go to a home that has A LOT of time for me.  Ideally, I would go to a home where someone can be home with me during the day or where someone works part-time.  I am currently used to having free reign of the main floor and I am doing super well with that.  I don't like being crated, so I would really struggle with being crated all day.  I really love having another dog in the house.  That would be great if I had a canine sibling.  I love the activity and excitement of having kids around.  A home with either of kids or another dog (or both) would be pluses.  Please remember that I am a beautiful puppy, but one day I'll be a mature dog who will require as much love and attention as my adorable looks get me now.  I will need a lot of care, devotion and training as I grow, but you will be rewarded with a lifetime of love and loyalty. 

 

I am going to be at Chuck and Don's Pet Food Outlet in Cottage Grove this Saturday, Dec. 12th from 11-noon.  Hope to see you there! 

 

P.S.  I can now go up indoor stairs.  I am thinking tomorrow I may work on mastering get down stairs. 

 

12/9/09

 

Another long, uninterrupted night in bed with the foster 'rents and the resident dog.  Seven hours of sweet dreams and no accidents.  However, I was none too tickled to wake up and find my potty area and the pathway from the door adrift in a couple of feet of snow.  Brrrrrrrrrr.

 

I had a great morning and afternoon.  Played with my one year old foster brother.  We have a great time together.  Although he sometimes doesn't like when I tug on his clothing, but I don't like when he takes my toys.  I am just trying to get them back - I mean, what can I say?  I also LOVE fetching a tennis ball.  My foster mom is impressed with my retrieving abilities - she thinks I am a natural.  I fetch that enormous ball in my little mouth and bring it immediately back to her.  I also drop it right in front of her and I figured this all out the very first time she tried it.  Apparently, the resident dog doesn't like to give it up after she retrieves; and it also took her months to figure out that she was supposed to retrieve the round objects that were thrown.  So I am scoring some major brownie points with my foster mom in the athletic department.  The only problem with playing tennis ball retrieval, is that the resident dog likes to run me over and she attempts to be the first to retrieve the ball.  Hopefully, I'll get some alone time without the pesky ball snatcher soon to hone my retrieving skills. 

 

Other items of note today - I am able to sit on command (and with a treat reward, of course), not bad for a nine week old.  I had to go in that darn crate for three hours again today.  Man, is it lonely and boring in that thing.  I was so happy to get out of there.  I also mastered the stairs today - up and down.  So the exploring possibilities have just tripled here.  Tomorrow, I am going to the vet for vaccinations, so I am going to hit the hay early tonight...

 

12/10/09

 

I went to the vet today.  I had an exam.  The vet thought I looked great.  She said I had very big paws and that she expected I'll one day be a big boy.  I weighed 15.9 pounds already.  I got a lot of attention at the vet.  Everyone thought I was VERY cute.  My mom was kind of impressed that they all cooed over me since they see so many dogs on a daily basis and yet had lots of good things to say about me and to me.  My stool sample came back and I am negative for hookworm and coccidia - yeah!  I also got my distemper booster. 

 

12/11/09

 

I am getting much less fearful of car rides now.  I think I am finally realizing that the car doesn't mean I'll end up in an unfamiliar place all by myself anymore.  I am also working on the down (lay down) command.  I don't really have it figured out too well - but keep those treats coming foster mom!

 

12/12/09 

 

I went to Chuck and Don's today.  I met a bunch of new people and dogs - and the best part was that I was reunited with my brother Gus for awhile.  We had a great time together.  

 

My mom has noticed that sometimes when I am picked up I get a little nervous and growl to let you know that I don't like that.  She can't quite figure out why I get nervous about being picked up.  It doesn't happen that frequently - it has happened a few times though, and she is going to try to figure out what is going on.  She has also tried picking me up and having my foster dad give me treats to let me know that it is OK to be picked up.  It might just be all the environmental changes I have gone through in my short life.  She also thought that she would let you know that I have never growled at my 5 year old sister or my 1 year old brother.  (Of course, they don't really pick me up either.)  I'll keep you posted on what she figures out.

 

12/13/09

 

I am really doing well with the potty training.  I have a regular spot that I like to utilize outside.  I also know when I have to finish up.  Sometimes my foster mom calls me to come inside when she thinks I am done.  But I'll just sit there until she figures out that I really don't enjoy the cold and have more business to attend to, and then I'll run to my little favorite spot and finish what I need to do before coming in.  While I still have accidents, my parents are really proud of my progress.

 

I love to chew on all my dog toys, my gigantic bone, and rawhides.  I still am dragging a boot or two into the living room, but I am easily give them up and hey - I still look darn cute doing it.

 

I also love getting up on the couch when the family is sitting there and hanging out with them - I don't want to be left out, all alone on the floor.  I am doing really well with free roam of the house.  Unless my foster mom runs errands for a few hours, then I have to get in the dreaded crate.  I have a big bone to chew on in there, but I just feel so lonely without anyone/dog around.

 

My favorite part of the day is probably sleeping in bed at night.  I love snuggling up next to the pack and calling it a day.