Saturday, March 27, 2021

PRs broken left and right

 Jack - 

  • First time to a dog park
Bear - 
  • First time to a dog park
  • First time to the cabin
  • First time swimming!
  • First time crossing a 4 foot high dog ramp
Marshmallow - 
  • Weighed in at 16 pounds this week.
  • First time to a dog park
  • First time to the cabin
  • First time sitting on command
  • First in the family to get a DNA test.
    • So we were told that Marshy's litter was dual sired, which means that its possible that he isn't a Great Pyranees/Poodle mix.  He definitely looks it.  Here is his Mother (Pyranees):

And here is his possible father (Red Poodle):

So we got a sweet deal on him understanding that he may not be the exact bred dog we expected.  I'm sure glad we went through with it even though Cathi is really wanting that poodle dna with the dog shedding that she can't stand.  

I went ahead and got a Embark Vet dog DNA test though cause my curiosity is peaked a bit.  So I sent Mel's sample in the mail this afternoon.  Regardless of the results, it'll be good to know what breed he's got in him. We sure love him to pieces.

A queen-size bed is too small. We need a California
King now if Cathi wants a place to lay her head.
Yesterday, we went up to the cabin in Logan, and Bear had his first time up there.  Jack loves it up there and runs the perimeter of the entire lot and just loves it chasing birds and getting in a good run.  Bear just follows him everywhere.  Poor Marshmallow though just wanted to lay down, eat, and chew on something naughty. We're gonna have to keep an eye on that little cutie.


Being a dog is tiring stuff!





Bear still a little wet from his
cold water swim!

Bear had a ball up at the cabin running
around with Jack

This little cutie enjoyed following the big brothers
around, but then slept and ate the rest of the time.

When Marshy saw his brother
Bear swim across, he thought
maybe I'll try it!  We kinda panicked
and stopped him before
he got to the water's edge.


Jack and I went across the bridge, and Bear tried to follow us, but after going about 10 yards and the bridge is a see-through steel slotted floor, he freaks out and heads back.  After Jack and I were over there and Bear just a howling the whole time.  I noticed him climbing out of that freezing water and shaking all the cold water off.  Oh my, he's never demonstrated swimming before as he's never had the chance.  Well he did it without me even knowing.  I had to watch him swim back so we went back to the cabin side and watched him.  I was a proud papa, but a dummie in not videoing it. 

I went inside and told everyone, but they thought I was kidding.  So we had to cross again and not only show the kids, but get it on video. After that though I felt bad making him get in that freezing water and worked with him with some treats and coaxing to cross the bridge properly.  He got really scared but gently encouraged him, and he did it.  He crossed two more time over the bridge.

Here is the swim on video:


On the way home from Logan, we saw a dog park with dozens of dogs.  We did a U-turn and got in on the action!  Jack and Bear loved it.  Marshmallow just was getting tons of love from humans as he is just a magnet being a cute round puppy.

Dog park video from Sam:


What a fun weekend!  These dogs are so tired.

From earlier this week:

Oliver loves our new buddy!


Roasting our Marshmallow! He looks perfectly
browned.

Mel felt right at home in the dog's
bedroom. Which is under the stairwell
behind my work desk in the basement.

Mel's first walk 
the day after he
came home to us.



Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Introducing "Mel" to Jack and Bear

 Today we picked up our little puppy coming from Idaho.  His name was Malfoy, but everyone wanted to change it.  After lots of suggestions, it was decided to name him:


Marshmallow - "Mar" or "Mel" for short.  I like it because he has such a beautiful golden color to enhance his white fur.  He looks like a perfectly roasted marshmallow to put on a graham with some chocolate. Jack and Bear have sure warmed up to him and there has been lots of tail wagging by all.

Cathi loves him to death, as do we all.  Everyone is happy, and it's going to be a fun few days watching him break himself into the house and all the hustle and bustle of activity in our home.

Here is  Cathi when she held him for the first time:










Sunday, March 14, 2021

Our 60 Pound Bear cub

Bear lately has been quite naughty with his chewing.  If you leave anything on the hot tub cover near the edge, he'll steal it and eat it.  He's eaten:

  • I have nobody to blame except myself.
    But I was so mad I could spit.
    Dude!  Learn.
    my hot tub mocs (Salvageable)
  • my underwater headphones that were in the case, which he chewed open and ate just the headphones
  • chlorine floater 
  • pool buoy 
  • Chlorine test strips
  • Magazine, and newspaper in hundreds of little pieces 
  • Canvas air conditioning cover

So we have been focussing on NOT leaving anything down that we have been trying to do better keeping things away from Jack that shouldn't be chewed.  

This past week we had an issue with pooping in the house.  I was gone for most of the day and the boys didn't watch after the dogs and they had free reign of the whole house unmanaged, and unchecked.  Oliver left his bedroom door open and the dogs completely released their bowels in his bedroom.  Fortunately, their system is healthy and the poop wasn't diarrhea so it made cleanup easy and didn't damage or smear the carpet. TMI sorry. 

I let the boys have it.  It seems they take advantage of the fact that I'm home most of the time, and don't really help out with the dogs.  And they leave their bedroom doors open.  

Bear thinks he's a lap dog,
at Austin's Pickleball tournament.
This evening, Bear weighed in at 60 pounds.  While Jack is staying constant at 45 pounds.  We've gone on about 4-5 walks this week and they are playing a bunch in the backyard.  Only two more weeks till we get our white Wonderdog.

Some updated pics:



We've taught Bear to say his prayers.  
Just kidding.  This past week he learned how to jump
up on the bed. But he starts here waiting for
someone to help lift his big butt up.  And when
no one comes to his aid, he does a small hop
and can get up himself.

Buddies up on the bed.



Bear is so content to just hang out under the tree
and take a nap.  He's such a good-natured boy.









Only two weeks until we get our big white Polar Bear: