PUPPY!!

Sonata has come home. She is currently laying beside me in the kennel, trying to nap as the music around her crescendos.

We were worried about Serenade. Before we left she saw us pick up the leash (the short one that means dog parks and travel), take out dog treats, and put a new toy into my purse. She was so excited! She was dancing in place, her eyes were sparkling, she was quietly whining, and she had a huge grin. The look on her face when I closed the door on her nose, well it was heart breaking. We couldn't take her with us though! Not with her having come into heat! Still hurts thinking about that look.

When we brought the puppy inside Sere was at the door to greet us, like she normally is. When she saw the puppy her tail went up and was wagging. She sniffed Sona all over to check her over, then tried to intimate her by standing over her. "My House!" She followed Sona all over as she tried to explore, until Sona finally crawled under the futon. That was when we called a time out, and put Sona into the kennel. Sona didn't like it at first, but she has realized that she can watch me, and that Sere can't get to her. Sere on the other hand is curled up beside the kennel watching this new intruder.

There was one argument. Sere saw me trying to get Sona to play with one of the new plushies that I had ordered for the puppy. When I put it inside the kennel trying to convince Sona to go into it, Sere stuck her head in and carried off the plushy. We now have a different plushy in the kennel, but Sona seems to like it better then the first, so it all worked out in the end.

So, those are the first two hours.

Day Zero

Sonata and her Sisters (8wks) Sonata on Left

For the past few days it has been furniture rearranging and frantic pick ups. Thomas took yesterday off so that we could get the final touches done around the house. Now all that needs picking up is some extra laundry that was sitting between the machines and a few items here and there. We even burned two piles of brush, so that next week when we put in the fence it will no longer be in the way.

Ahh, speaking of the fence, the father-in-law wants to shrink the size that we had talked about almost in half. IN HALF! I don't think that I like that size, there will be no room for the dogs to run. I would like them to at least have a chance to run. Thomas says that he has the final say on all fence sizes, so we will see.

The dog toys arrived yesterday, we are all ready in that area.

To top off the excitement, Serenade went into heat yesterday. We thought (read, we hoped) that we were done her wonderful time, since she was two months late. She is a light spotter anyhow, so we assumed she had simply had a stealth heat. Nope...ladies and gentlemen, we have spots!

In less then five hours Sonata comes home. Thomas is going to drive this time, so that I can hold Sonata on the way home. I am, however, going to bring our largest cat carrier (originally intended to be a small dog carrier, but I have large cats) in case she decides she doesn't want to be held. Serenade didn't want anyone to hold when we picked her up.

What else do I have to take care of to make sure everything is perfect? Hrm...

Cleaning

Today I ordered chew toys, a collar, a car liner (for the backseat), and wipes (since yes, we know the puppy will smell from time to time). I also went out to Petco and bought a large green ceramic bowl. That way if the shipment doesn't arrive by the time we get the pup, we will still have a food bowl for her.

So the cleaning has began, and so has the creeping out. I have been cleaning out some of the plastic tubs that I have had around the house for years, seeing what I would like to keep in them, and pitching anything that is just not worth keeping. I have been finding treasure troves of lost memories in each box, and wanderings at the madness of mothers in a few of the other ones.

I need those boxes for books. Just so that the books can have a place to rest until we can get the vacuum bags, to seal them away and store them in a damp basement. With the puppy coming in only a few days, it feels like crazy days around here, trying to find a spot for everything.

One book has found its way into the garbage can. Not the place I would normally toss an old friend, however, it had been burrowed into by, of all the creepy nasty things, a book worm. Yes, an honest to goodness bookworm (or woodlouse if I have read up correctly about it) ended up eating one of my Mercedes Lackey books. So, it is now residing in the garbage, and I keep looking at the mound of paper...dust that is piled where the book was sitting. I am hoping that the other books that I stored away in a plastic bin are safe. I also hope the same for the books that I place up higher on the bookshelf.

All the Christmas figurines (nativity) are wrapped, and stored away now. I put up the Christmas tree (all of two feet tall), and tucked away the ornaments. We will take the TV out to the curb tomorrow. Then I will move the furniture around so that we have a place to stick her crate.

Finally, the father-in-law was over today, and he is almost done working on the deck. It is looking really nice. There is no way the puppy will be able to get her head through the spaces in the bars now, let alone get the chance to attempt to leap off (like Sere attempted-let's hear it for a dog's tail).

Let the Examination of the House Begin

Sonata's Brother (8 wks) Chewing on a Walnut

Ahh puppy proofing your house. Anytime you bring a baby into the house you have to make sure that there is nothing within reach that the the kiddo can grab, or might harm them. The same holds true for puppies. Sitting in front of me is a list of what needs to be completed just for TODAY. The list will only grow longer as the week goes on. We want to make sure the pup has a NICE experience growing up, one with few accidents and little danger.

I have also been looking up Dew Claw Removal. Seems that our new girl still has her rear dew claws, so they are going to have to be removed. When I mentioned this to our vet receptionist (whom I have already called twice today with questions), she asked if we were going to spay our new girl.

Now I know this might upset some people with me saying this, but no. I will not spay the dog until she is two years old. According to numerous research groups they have discovered that if you spay a dog to young you can cut short their life expectancy. I say AVERAGE dog, we have had some that we spay when they were 7 months, and lived till they were twelve years (Irish Wolfhounds). However, this is a breed that already has a shorter then average life expectancy, so I want this pup to have as many advantages as possible. When she is two I will make the decision. I have read up on the issue, I am educated on the issue, therefore I would like to think I am making an educated decision.

I have gotten my email from the All Breeds Club that I sent an email off to, and they have informed who to call, to find out the schedule once they start up again.

Finally I have to order some new chew toys for the puppy. I went through Sere's old toys last night, and ended up tossing most of the rubber and plastic ones. They were old, and I didn't trust them. Most of the plushies I will run through the wash with bleach...well those I can keep away from Sere, she keeps carrying them off!

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The Father-In-Law was just over. He gave an idea for the dimension of the fence that he thinks would be acceptable. We are going to start laying it next week, after he is done helping the sister-in-law move into her new place.

It seems everything is slowly coming together. It is so exciting, and terrifying at the same time!

Puppies on the Mind

Three Girls at 8 weeks (Sonata in the middle)

This is going to be short, sorry I am really sleepy.

Today we went to go see the Bernese puppies, and after analyzing the two females, flipping them on their backs and doing other tests, we picked one out. She is sweet and feisty, and going to be a chewer!

I do have a few worries, that only the vet will be able to sooth over for me. I want to get her into Dr. B as soon as possible, but I want her to stay with her mom till she is a full 8 weeks old. So, we won't be getting her until next Saturday. Which also means I only have a week to puppy proof the house.

Next step is to order new toys (I went through Sere's puppy toy box, and ended up throwing out almost all the toys), and to make an appointment with the vet. Also I need to mow the lawn, and to wait for Thomas's dad to stop by and discuss what we would like to do with a fence. Boy are we gonna need a fence!!