Cartier: Week One, Day Seven

Today Cartier spent the afternoon with me - spending most of the time in his kennel, but we were able to walk around my building a school a few times. He's doing very well on leash and for the most part walks in perfect heel position (something that Scout had problems with from the start). He is so social - he spots people from far away and starts wagging his tail like nothing else - a charmer, for sure!

Cartier (9.5 weeks) and Scout

Two peas in a pod.

Cartier: Week One, Day Six

Cartier had his first at-home face-clip last night (he'd been clipped once before by Jac, his breeder). For the most part he did really well, although he did put up quite a fight at first (as he seems to do with just about everything). He's a determined boy, but given what he'll be doing one day, that's probably a good thing! Anyway, by the end of it, he was happy because he'd been given a ton of "treats" (actually just puppy kibble) and I was covered in poodle fur. Scout was hilarious. At first she got nervous because she thought that I was going to clip her (a task that she's not too crazy about), but after she realized that Cartier was the "victim" (as she probably thinks of it), she became increasingly alarmed for HIM. It was actually pretty funny - she alternated between coming over to me to hover and make sure that he was ok and hiding by Michael. I eventually got her into a down-stay and she calmed down a little. She's just so attached to him - it's adorable but also makes me worried about their eventual separation. I'm trying to get him out alone at least once a day (and her as well), so that she still knows that she can survive without him. If she could have it her way, she'd probably sleep in his kennel with him at night. :)

Cartier: Week 1, Day 3

Cartier slept in his kennel last night and was quiet the entire time!! He only woke up twice to potty outside - we were so proud!! This is a big improvement over the screaming the night before.

Cartier: Week One, Day Two

Welcome Home Cartier!!

Michael and I are now fostering Cartier, a 9-week old Standard Poodle puppy! As crazy as it sounds, we're very excited and know that it will be a rewarding experience. He will spend the next year with us and then will train to be a seizure response dog, his eventual home will be in Canada.

His first two days home have been going well and other than hating his kennel, he's having a great time! Scout absolutely loves him and is learning that she's not the baby anymore. Although it will be difficult to say goodbye in a year, just knowing that he will be going to such a wonderful home and will be performing such a noble job, makes it completely worth it. I will be posting short updates regarding his progress along the way!

Photos will also be added on a regular basis to the Cartier Photo Page.

Tigers Heart Orangutans

This story is amazing: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17379134/

(image from cnn.com)

Beach Dog!!

Scout's first trip to the coast!

Photos

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOUT!!

Today is Scout's 8-month birthday!! Next Tuesday she will be having the BIG SURGERY. I know that I shouldn't be nervous, but I am - she is our baby after all :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

To those people that claim that Valentine's Day is a holiday invented by greeting card companies, I give you this bit of history (I love you, Wikipedia).

The ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated fertility in the month of February and in 496 AD the pope declared that February 14th would be the feast of St. Valentine. In 1382 Geoffrey Chaucer wrote:

"For this was on seynt Volantynys day

Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese [chose] his make [mate]."

So we see that although Joyce C. Hall began selling postcards for his company Hall Brothers in 1910 (destined to become Hallmark in 1928), the holiday of Valentine's Day was recognized long before its now well-known commercial front.

P.S. Being that this is the second year EVER that I can say "Happy Valentine's Day" to someone and actually mean it in that way, I have to say - I LOVE the holiday!!!

Scout's a Good Citizen!!

Great news!! Despite being the youngest dog there, Scout passed her Canine Good Citizen exam and received her CGC certificate!! Next up is a tricks class and then perhaps agility or further obedience in the spring. I am hoping to start her in on therapy work after she turns 1, so we'll see how the training progresses!

Here's a photo of Scout on Saturday, and one of Maia...she says "Who needs the AKC when you're as beautiful as me! You people bore me."

Scout's new frou frou

I couldn't resist!! :)

Here are some other photos from this weekend!

Happy New Year!!

New pictures posted from LA and our cruise!