Bosley’s 12 Week Update

Hi Vicky and Jeff,

Twelve weeks old and Bosley is moving into another development stage. I liken it to moving from preschool to elementary school. I can see subtle differences in Bosley’s behavior. He’s more focused when playing with his toys and he is beginning to enjoy the scents that only a dog’s nose can pick up. The trees, bushes, plants and even the air are taking on a whole new meaning for him as he takes in the aromatic smorgasbord of the outside world.

 

Boz is so cute on our socialization outings. At first he sat quietly and perhaps a bit shyly in the child seat of the shopping cart. But after 3 weeks of ‘meet and greets’ he’s learned that strangers are wonderful, kibble dispensing beings. Yesterday he had his front feet on the back of the child seat actively looking for people to meet. If someone ignores him he can’t understand it and whines a bit as if he were saying “Look here…cute puppy…pet me.” Having the goal of meeting 100 people makes a fun game out of this important socialization experience.

 

Our training exercises are going well and the daily walks are becoming more and more of a pleasure as Bosley gets the idea of walking steadily by my left side…I think the warmer spring weather adds a lot to my enjoyment of the walks too. Housebreaking is moving right along. Bosley knows to go out the dog door to use the outdoor facilities. I still take him out quite often to go potty, and between the both of us (Boz and me) the inside accidents have been minimal. I must have been very pessimistic about housebreaking when I was stocking up on puppy supplies before Bosley came home to us because I bought the gallon size Nature’s Miracle to clean up after accidents…it’s never been opened. I haven’t even used half of the small spray bottle I also bought. He’s been very good.

 

And that’s another week of our Life With Bosley. He continues to be the happy heart of our home. There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t laugh out loud at his antics. He is a very bright spirit and we thank you for him.

 

 

When Sunny left the nest…

I know this is out of order, but I realized I had yet to post the picture of Sunny leaving for her forever home. Here is a picture of Sunny and her new family and some of Jeff giving Sunny some love before she leaves. I hope you’re all very happy!

 

Our updates…

Sorry to be slow in updates as there has been much going on this last couple of weeks. As you might have guessed our son is home from Iraq and we went to welcome him home. For our Christmas present he purchased tickets for Jeff and I and daughter to come to the happy event. Copper’s family watched Chief and the girls went to stay with Randy.

This all was happening as our puppies from Libby and Chief’s surprise litter were leaving the nest. We tried to keep the calendar free so we could see son home but Libby and Chief had a doodle on their minds…I must say, I am very impressed with their litter and am so happy with the puppies new homes and owners.

So, as we were busy with taking care of the puppies, work, and preparing for the trip. Five days before we leave, our mother had a heart attack and she ended up having surgery. The surgery is amazing, a story in itself and how far we have come medically. The new puppy owners still had puppies to pick up, work had me gone without it being planned, and my mother was telling the doctors at the hospital how she had to take a watercolor class that weekend where I of course promised we would if she would just be calm. She came out of the surgery “textbook” and although still recovering continues to amaze me with her spunk, humor, love and spirit.

We were able to leave after I was sure that mom was going to be okay, that brother was covered and the puppies and dogs were situated. I was still reeling from the fact I could have lost my mother; my best friend for a long time while I was busy with puppies and travel prep for welcoming son home. I was not as prepared as I would have liked for the trip and just happy to stare into our son’s eyes and know he is okay. Daughter and her boyfriend along with Jeff and I visited some tourist attractions while son was at work and we were yet again in a whirlwind of catching up and discussions of family and life. I was able to catch a few hours of sun and reading at the beach, putting my feet in the sand and snorkeling with fish in the shallow areas of Hanama Bay (glasses and masks don’t mix). I was just happy to have everyone alive and well. I got to visit with a very special boy, Avery, who is just a doll! And yes, so is his mom. J I also got more insights on daughter’s boyfriend and saw some love in action and level headedness in action along with some very insightful comments. Ah, life…

When we got home after going to work for one day I was surprised to find I had stomach flu and tried to get into work but my body was not cooperating. I am glad I was not sick while gone but also have work piling up but as any good mom does, now I worry about the fact I might have gotten the kids sick with this Oregon flu bug going around. I pondered the last couple of weeks rollercoaster ride while in bed resting. I pondered my own health, my family, my “puppies” leaving the nest and making their own nests. I thought of my mother when I left the nest and realized how lucky we are to have family, puppies, life, work, and love. Without some of life’s trials we don’t realize how lucky we are.

On another note, I will be working on changing over our internet as we are changing internet providers at the end of this month. Our email address is changing and I will be posting what the final email address change will be when I know what it is. J

Xxx hug the one your with, and call the loved ones your not with today xxX

Life with Bosley…

Can you believe that we’re on week 3 of “Life With Bosley”. As you can see by the pictures he’s growing. What a joy he is! We both speak of him and his abilities as if he were our human child. You know how it goes…”isn’t he smart”…”look at how clever he is” and we get especially puffed up with pride when a stranger compliments us on how well he walks, sits or how pretty (handsome) he is. Boz really is one special pup. He’s learned sit, come, down (lay down), out, and pen. He’s also great about being groomed. And Jeff, I trimmed his cowlick as you can see from the picture.

We’re walking twice a day and Bosley is quite the attraction. People just have to pet him…he’s so soft. We’re working on meeting 100 people before he’s 6 months old…we’re up to 63. Last week a couple rushed out their front door as we walked by and called “What kind of dog is that?” He has a cute factor that people cannot resist.

I was a bit concerned about taking on a puppy at our age, but really it is, and will continue to be I’m sure, such a positive experience. Bosley has such a zest for life that it is contagious. To see him running with abandon brings a smile to our faces. It’s hard to have a bad day when I’m greeted every morning with those warm, wiggly puppy kisses. It is also very satisfying to see the positive results of our training…he is such a biddable dog. He is still a puppy though and he does have his moments and that is where the x-pen comes in. Whether it’s nap time or time out the x-pen is the answer. I had never used an x-pen before and frankly I can’t imagine life without it. That is the one thing I would recommend for all your puppy people.

So here we are, Bosley will be 11 weeks tomorrow. We will continue doing what we’re doing because it’s repetition and rewards that get the desired adult behaviors embedded into our little puppy’s brain. And Bosley will continue doing what he’s doing, bringing joy and happiness to his humans.

Hope you had a wonderful trip and your reunion was exactly the way you wanted it.

 

Xxx

Sunny picture…

Bosley’s next update…

Hi Vicky, I’m addressing this comment/question to you but perhaps xx and xx have experienced something similar.

 
 

We were watching a television program last evening, Boz was on the floor with me, there was a scene where a woman’s mother had died and she was crying in the arms of her boyfriend.  The scene was a closeup.  Hearing the woman cry really upset Boz.  He stopped what he was doing with me and sat down right in front of the television looking at the screen.  He whined a little and jumped back a bit, then sat and stared intently at the screen again.  I could tell by his posture that he was concerned.  I told xx to mute the sound and after that Boz was okay.  It was the sound of distress and sorrow that disturbed him so.  I know these guys are in tune with humans, but at such a young age?!  I’m beginning to realize that I’m over-using the word amazing.

 
 

Boz goes to Dr.xxx on Wednesday.

 
 

xx, we had a great walk today.  I think he’s getting the hang of it.  It’s really fun walking with them isn’t it?  They have such a cute, proud stride.  I was walking rapidly enough so Bosley was moving briskly to keep up.  It was a good pace and kept him from weaving around.  As we walked I kept thinking about your analogy, Vicky, that their brains are like little sponges – we saw a lot of different things.

 
 

Have oodles of doodle fun.  xxx

Sunny’s new family updates us…

Hi all,

We are alive and well! 

Vicky, I am so happy for you. I’ll bet you and Jeff just can’t wait to board that plane to see xxxx.  Knowing our loved ones are safe does help us mothers become a little less stressed. 

What a darling we have at our house!  She is a precious addition.  xx & I had a great weekend just concentrating on her.  She wants to please so badly.  I am learning, as we did w/our children coming home how to schedule time just to shower!  She is in her kennel now w/soft music playing.  We have found she plays hard in the a.m. and is ready for a rest about this time of day.  When I finish some things I’ll take her back out…we are getting well trained.  I love the fact that when she does a potty she will sit and look at me for a treat and praise.

I just made an appt for her second series of shots for Thursday. 

We just absolutely love her…thanks to you Vicky, Jeff and of course Liberty.

xxx

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

More puppy exchange emails…

Hi All,

 
 

xx, I can just imagine Tucker chasing after the German Shepherds…what a sight that must have been.  The mouse that roared. 

 
 

I didn’t want to tell you all last evening for fear he might of forgotten it this morning but he hasn’t so here’s the big news…Bosley has learned to sit on command.  It only took 3 short (I mean no longer than 2 minutes) lessons yesterday.  The first time it was like he didn’t have a clue.  Second session he began to get it.  Third lesson he had it.  He now has to sit when he’s fed and several times when I’m on the floor playing with him.  This morning while I was on the floor with him he started climbing on me to kiss my face and do his puppy mouthing.  I told him sit (just once) and I could almost see the wheels in his head turning…after a second or two he popped his rear on the floor…are these guys smart or what?!  If only house breaking were this easy. 

 
 

One more thing before I hit the showers…am I the only one who has a family room that looks like it’s the home of an over-active toddler?  There are toys scattered all over the floor.  I put them away but then before I know it there are stuffed toys, bully sticks, balls and Nylabones spread from one end to another.  Can we teach them to put away there toys?

 
 

Any hints on how to take puppy pictures.  I tried yesterday but it’s almost impossible – when I’m down on Boz’s level he takes it as an invitation to run up to me…can’t take a picture when he’s only 3 inches away. 

 
 

xxx    

 
 

Enjoy your day, xxx    

A Sydney update…

Hi Vicky,

I have been thinking of you recently and wondering when you will be 
celebrating your son’s return, it must be soon now.  Even in Wisconsin 
some nicer days are creeping in.  As you can see by the picture, 
Sydney is obsessed with all the new smells being uncovered by the 
melting snow in the backyard.

I hope your travels go well!
xxx

Sharing more exchanges between this last litter owners…fun to watch

xx,  How lucky you are to have a doodle puppy near you.  I wish there were a puppy near us.  My poor old dog Eddie just doesn’t want to have anything to do with puppy energy.  Bosley makes all the right moves from play bowing to being a cheeky little devil and pulling Eddie’s tail.  Nothing Boz does can make Eddie want to play with him.  Eddie is mister passive and he just sits there and takes it all.  I’m going to have to walk a fine line from discouraging Bosley’s attacks on Eddie, but not to the point where he doesn’t want to play with other dogs.  Vicky, xx, xx…any ideas?

 
 

xx, you’re right about these pups have a huge “cute” factor, however, nothing beats the comment from our plumber yesterday.  He said Bosley looked like his car wash mitt.  I thought his comment was so funny.  Actually what Bosley looks like is our carpet…he’s the exact color.

 
 

xx, the main reason I’m writing this is to find out if you have any hints about walking our pups – it sounds like you and Tucker have it mastered.  I’ve taken Bosley out for 4 walks  and for most of the walk he is running in front of me, behind me, between my legs…you get the picture.  He also has to stop and scratch at his collar (it’s not too tight) and then he also whines (I think it’s because he’s way out of his comfort zone.  So any hints?  When I get him on my left and he’s walking beside me I tell him he’s a good boy and I give treats about every 10 seconds or so.  But for every 20 or 30 seconds of good walking we have quite a bit of erratic behavior.  I know he’s just a puppy and it will get better, but I was wondering if there is something that I should be doing that I’m not or something that I’m doing wrong.  We’re going to Wilco this afternoon so Bosley can see new people…he’ll ride in the shopping cart.

 
 

Other than that things are wonderful.  Bosley is being successful at going potty outside because I am obsessive about it…poor guy!  The neighbors are probably getting tired of hearing me say, “Go potty.”  Sometimes he just looks at me like “Lady I was just out an hour ago…not time yet.”  He’s tired out right now and sleeping in his crate inside his pen.

 
 

xx, how are you doing?  I really enjoyed watching Bosley play with Sunny last Thursday…nothing cuter than puppies playing.  Everybody have fun with your doodles…xx