There's something different about raising a litter of puppies, as compared to raising one of your own (that wasn't your own breeding). It's kind of like spoiling grandkids -- do what you want 'cuz they're going home to their parents soon. However, since this little puppy-Belle is here to stay, it's a whole new ballgame.
First off, she doesn't sleep in. While the rest of my crew might not be "sleeping", they sure don't make a peep until I make an appearance in the kitchen. With Belle, she's like a rooster and starts to welcome the day even before it's officially arrived. Sooo early in the morning and she's absolutely full of p*ss and vinegar. If I could only teach her to flip the switch on the coffeemaker, at least I might be ready for her. And she keeps up that pace from dawn until dusk, and then some. If I don't bring her into the house, kicking and screaming, and pop her in her crate for a nap, she simply doesn't stop. She's even tired Paisley out a few times. Belle easily keeps up with the crew when we do our fenceline walks -- that's going around an 80-acre perimeter, and you know the dogs never run a straight line. They're back and forth, darting from gopher hole to badger hole, and Belle's little legs never stop. She's already starting to build up some nice muscle in her shoulders and hips.
We've had to do some "renovations" in the back yard where she's attempted to dig a hole to China, but hasn't bothered with digging since (thank goodness, she's a bad influence on Paisley!) She's very athletic and quite capable of launching herself about six feet, landing on the sofa, and running across Glenn's laptop before I can scoop her up and hope he didn't notice. And yes, it's been a challenge keeping her OUT OF THE DISHWASHER, but that kind of temptation is difficult, even for a puppy. Prior to Belle, I've never had a dog that counter-surfed -- I can't say that anymore. Yep, I've told her breeders in the US that it appears Airport Security let a terrorist slip through.
She's absolutely fearless and has trotted through the horses milling about the gate, one little puppy moving through all those legs and hooves -- much to my horror. She's very interested in the sheep and ALWAYS has her head stuck through the fence. Once we wean the lambs I'll start getting her in there with me. And she's gone nose-to-nose with the steers a few times, before I can snatch her up and into safety.
She's not all naughty, though, and I'm quite excited about the future with Belle. She seems to have arrived with a very solid "stack" and as soon as the treats come out, she plants her feet, arches her baby neck, and stares at the bait. Moves like a dream and is happy (enough) on the leash. She thinks the bathtub is a terrible invention, and loves to bite the air coming at her from the blow dryer, but is really very good on the grooming table. Totally doesn't mind the clippers trimming away the hair on her pads, and is good with the Dremel on her nails. She was just born ready for the show ring.
She's taken to her raw diet very well and aside from initially not knowing what to do with chunks of meat, has quickly learned to chew, chew, chew. She's also developed an appetite for two staples here -- horse manure and Timbits (I much prefer the Timbit kisses over the other kind).
Thanks so much to Loretta for giving this little gal such a wonderful start in life.
Happy Trails ... Theresa
First off, she doesn't sleep in. While the rest of my crew might not be "sleeping", they sure don't make a peep until I make an appearance in the kitchen. With Belle, she's like a rooster and starts to welcome the day even before it's officially arrived. Sooo early in the morning and she's absolutely full of p*ss and vinegar. If I could only teach her to flip the switch on the coffeemaker, at least I might be ready for her. And she keeps up that pace from dawn until dusk, and then some. If I don't bring her into the house, kicking and screaming, and pop her in her crate for a nap, she simply doesn't stop. She's even tired Paisley out a few times. Belle easily keeps up with the crew when we do our fenceline walks -- that's going around an 80-acre perimeter, and you know the dogs never run a straight line. They're back and forth, darting from gopher hole to badger hole, and Belle's little legs never stop. She's already starting to build up some nice muscle in her shoulders and hips.
We've had to do some "renovations" in the back yard where she's attempted to dig a hole to China, but hasn't bothered with digging since (thank goodness, she's a bad influence on Paisley!) She's very athletic and quite capable of launching herself about six feet, landing on the sofa, and running across Glenn's laptop before I can scoop her up and hope he didn't notice. And yes, it's been a challenge keeping her OUT OF THE DISHWASHER, but that kind of temptation is difficult, even for a puppy. Prior to Belle, I've never had a dog that counter-surfed -- I can't say that anymore. Yep, I've told her breeders in the US that it appears Airport Security let a terrorist slip through.
She's absolutely fearless and has trotted through the horses milling about the gate, one little puppy moving through all those legs and hooves -- much to my horror. She's very interested in the sheep and ALWAYS has her head stuck through the fence. Once we wean the lambs I'll start getting her in there with me. And she's gone nose-to-nose with the steers a few times, before I can snatch her up and into safety.
She's not all naughty, though, and I'm quite excited about the future with Belle. She seems to have arrived with a very solid "stack" and as soon as the treats come out, she plants her feet, arches her baby neck, and stares at the bait. Moves like a dream and is happy (enough) on the leash. She thinks the bathtub is a terrible invention, and loves to bite the air coming at her from the blow dryer, but is really very good on the grooming table. Totally doesn't mind the clippers trimming away the hair on her pads, and is good with the Dremel on her nails. She was just born ready for the show ring.
She's taken to her raw diet very well and aside from initially not knowing what to do with chunks of meat, has quickly learned to chew, chew, chew. She's also developed an appetite for two staples here -- horse manure and Timbits (I much prefer the Timbit kisses over the other kind).
Thanks so much to Loretta for giving this little gal such a wonderful start in life.
Happy Trails ... Theresa
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