I Should Have Named Her Sandy

The first time I took Lexie to the beach, I thought she would be scared - it was cool, windy and the crashing waves were a bit loud. To my surprise, she ran around in the sand, picked up a large sea shell and sat down and posed for a picture but I didn't have my camera! I really didn't expect her to be so relaxed.

This was her second trip to a beach and she discovered digging, and digging, and digging. As you can see, she wore herself out! Lexie isn't so fond of the ocean....She hasn't figured out that the water isn't chasing her, so we will have to work on that next time.

Where is the Off Switch?

Wow....talk about a wind up toy! Lexie wakes up full of energy and ready to chase, chew, bark and poo! Did I mention that I am NOT a morning person? I never have been and never will be. So I am going to have to invest in a coffee company or something. Lexie is barking by 7 a.m. and as soon as I let her out of her crate, she is bouncing around and is insistent on playing. So, I grab a ball or toy, take her outside and in a daze, I throw it and try to act enthusiastic while also trying not to trip and fall on my face. I have been known to do that. We are working on the return part of the game "fetch" but half the time it is me fetching but she is catching on. Inside the house, we are working on the no chewing on furniture rule. I am regretting that I bought all these accessories made out of a woven hay type of material. She loves it though.....magazine rack, footstool, coffee table - all very chewable. Time to go buy a lot of flavored bones!!

Bad Human, Bad, Bad Human!!

I am doing a lot of reading about puppy care, training, and behavioral problems. Unfortunately, the biggest behavioral issues seem to be with the humans! Wow, so I have to train myself to have a puppy? Interesting. I read on one Web site that if your puppy has an accident, you should roll up a newspaper, and hit yourself on the head and say, "I should have been watching my puppy!" That is so funny! I have a tendency to want to yell at her when she goes on the floor so that she knows she did something wrong. Is that puppy abuse? :) I am trying to take her out when she first wakes up, after she eats and after she wakes up from a nap. She is starting to whine when she has to go potty, but she also whines if she gets bored and wants attention. So I figure I am covered, if I take her out about every 20 minutes!! Ha Ha.....actually, that's about right.

Howling in the Night

The decision to get a puppy was made, now I ask - how do I do this? On the drive home, I had Lexie in a small crate and the five minute drive felt like forever! She yelped and howled for her mom and sisters the entire way. I thought she was going to make herself pass out or maybe go into cardiac arrest. I arrived at my house and carried her inside, opening the crate to let her see her new home. She stepped out, looked around, looked at me, and whined.....and whined.....and looked up at me again.....and whined. I pulled out the new toys I bought her and tried to distract her from her agony, but it didn't work. I thought to myself - she doesn't like me! Of course I knew she just needed to adjust to being in new surroundings and without her mom, but I still felt totally inadequate - I don't have a tail, I don't bark, and I make her pee outside.

The Decision- Cute Little Fuzz Ball

My friend's Miniature Australian Shepherd had six puppies......not a planned thing though. She got loose and hooked up with the neighborhood bad boy. So I was there when they were born, and I visited them a few days a week. I wanted the only boy in the litter, but he was spoken for. Then I decided I wanted the one that looked like a panda bear, but she was picked up by her new owner. So as I procrastinated, each puppy found a new home until none were available. Whew!! I'm off the hook......I don't need a puppy. It's a huge responsibility and everyone is telling me not to. Then my friend tells me two are once again available. So I made the decision that went against all the advisement of my friends and family (except for my sister who, like me, doesn't listen to other people). I went to the store and bought a bunch or puppy toys, food bowl, bones, etc. Now I can't back out!!! Maybe it sounds silly that I am making it such a big deal, but I have never had a puppy. Growing up I had every kind of animal: horses, cats, dogs, snakes, turtles, birds, but never a puppy. The last dog I had I think I was 12 years old. That was a long time ago. So yes.....this is a big deal to me.