Puppy Diaries: Houdini's

Day 34 
May 25, 2013 
Too Smart for their Own Good

Everyone liked to make fun of dumb dogs, and they make. Easy to do so. I know I because I just sent back one, that I made lots of fun of. I loved that dog to death, but he was a dog that would run full tilt forward while looking backwards. He's a dog that regularly tripped over his own feet.  Regularly. 

Now these puppies on the other hand, are INCREDIBLY smart. Too smart.  Hard to live with smart. What could they possibly think of next smart. 

Over the last 35 days I've been able to learn more about these guys and the more I live with them the smarter they seem.

Mulan seems to be the "thinking" pup. The decisions she makes seems as if she's evaluated the situation, and found the simplest solution.  

For instance I decided to baby gate them onto my front porch. Its about 8x8 with wooden slats about four inches apart. It's about 2 feet off the ground with steps leading down.  Since its higher than my back porch they haven't seemed inclined to leap off it. Yet. 

Well I needed to clean my house and so I decided to see if they would be cool with hanging on the porch with some toys. I put up the baby gate, and let Mulan onto the porch. She immediately walks onto the porch, walks to the open slat BESIDE the baby-gate, stretches her tiny self to the step that's being blocked by the gate, and is in the yard using the bathroom. 

I think I stood with my mouth open for at least five minutes. Sure I expected her to get out, but within seconds of seeing she was barricaded?! 

Jack, on the other hand, tends to attack things with his body first, before utilizing his brain. Its a method that tends to work for him. 

But what inspired this post was this: Since the puppies seem to have learned to control their bladders a bit more, they are given a BIT more freedom in the house. They have used that freedom to climb on every surface possible. Mulan QUICKLY figured out, that she could get from the couch, to the side table, to the little window leading to my kitchen and within seconds she was on the counter. 

Its official guys. 

NOTHING. IS SAFE.

Maybe I'm Just Crazy.

Puppy Diaries Week 3 

You know what's wearing on a body? Having two puppies. The same age mind you.
You know what's tiring? Having three puppies, two the same age, one much older.
You know what's exhausting? Having two other dogs, working full time, and have a full social life.

I would like to take a moment to go ahead and apologize to any and everyone who may encounter me over the next few weeks. My brain is fried people.

I know what you're thinking, so lets go ahead and get this question answered for you guys.

Reasons Why I have Two Puppies: 

BECAUSE I AM CERTIFIABLY INSANE.

The End.

The other reason is to find them homes.
Who are they you ask?
Well the whole story started about a month and a half ago, when my neighbor showed up with two fuzzy puppies in her yard. I'll admit (and have told her) I was a little surprised, as she didn't seem to be the type to willingly take on two puppies on top of her other responsibilities.

It was a cold rainy night the first time they escaped their little enclosure and trotted down to see me. Once I realized no-one was home, I scooped them up, popped them into a crate, and took them home. I texted my neighbor and let her know I had them. A couple of days later they went home.

As the weeks went by, we quickly realized these guys were not only super smart, they were going to be very difficult to make into outdoor dogs.

They regularly appeared when ever my dogs were out, and despite taking them back they kept  coming back. Though I really wasn't happy about the situation, they weren't mine, I let it go.

However, after I nearly killed the female because she'd hidden under my car, I knew we had to do something ... I started the "let me re-home these guys" for you campaign.

I know as they got older, they'd have to be chained up, and that's not a life for a dog, not to mention they seemed to be at my house more regularly than anywhere else, so why not?

WHY NOT?

Because ERIN, two puppies FULL TIME is a LOT of WORK.
TWO puppies, when you WORK FULL TIME is a LOT of WORK.
BECAUSE ERIN YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE TIME FOR THIS!

That's why not.

So, now that we've got that clear, we're now officially looking for a home for the male. I'm calling him Jack-Jack (from the Incredibles). I'm not a huge fan of male puppies, Is why.

The female (who has yet to get a name) is more than likely staying with me, provided she keep her dachshund like physique. I'm not one who goes out looking for my animals, I figure between GDF & these dogs my neighbors keep finding, my next animal will find me.

And I think I've found her.

Bubbles is getting up in age, and I just think this just maybe "meant" to be.
If not, someone with the perfect home will come and scoop her up.
And that someone not being the lady whom smacked her dog just before inquiring how she could apply to adopt her. Um that's a NO.

So! If you have friends or family in or around the Knoxville area or even in neighboring states, who need  a little mixed breed love in their lives, have them shoot me an email! First Vaccines done on Saturday, will get them wormed this week.

pups4guides(at)gmail(dot)come.

I really don't want him to end up in a shelter, but I really need to get them separate!
 

Mmmmm...?

My Shoe Smelled Good? He was sleeping when I snapped this...

Each Moment

4 year old Bubbles BT (Before Texas) 

We had a bit of a scare earlier this year.
David had gone for a "puppy camp" for a couple of weeks and the dachshunds were acting down right ornery. Whining and complaining about EVERYTHING, as they are want to know when life as they know it goes through any sort of upset.

However, when Bubbles started drinking water like it was going out of style, I began to get concerned, and thoughts from the online community (although helpful) were really having me worried. So I sucked it up and took her into work with me to get her checked out.

I was a bit concerned that she would freak out about begin the kennels but she was perfectly fine, and actually was sleeping whenever I went to check on her.  They ran blood work, which came back mostly normal, but no signs of diabetes (and now having seen blood work of dogs with diabetes I can definitely verify she's in a good range.) So we decided to approach it from a behavioral stand point and restrict her water to daytime hours, and remove it during the night.

The first night was hard, and I eventually caved, seriously this dog can whine for HOURS (or so it feels!). I quickly realized that I wouldn't be able to really tell what was going on if I didn't follow the instructions so I crated her the next night. (which was hard on me) and then after that began to soak her food, so i KNEW she was getting some water.

The Vet had asked me if anything had changed in her life in the last few weeks, and the only thing was David leaving, but I didn't think it would effect her that deeply... but apparently it had, as soon after he arrived home, she's been back to her normal lazy self.

We all breathed a sigh of relief, but only temporary as we're faced with his immanent departure in about a month ... sigh. Guess I may *HAVE* to get another puppy after all. :)

 

Yeah, She's Fired

So I'm thinking of firing my mom as our blog manager. I mean two whole months of no posts is completely unacceptable. I mean there is really no excuse to not be posting about me, myself and I every minute of the day.

I mean, I would if *I* were my human!

I mean, yeah she's got a couple of valid excuses like starting a full-time job as a vet receptionist, and no longer owning a computer, but COME ON, we live in the age of smart phones, and smart cars, and smart.. well you get the point. There is no excuse not to at least post pictures of my awesomeness to the blog, right?

So what have I been up to in the last few months? Honestly, nothing really, with mom working all the live long day, I spend a lot of my time patrolling the house, keeping birds at bay (we've had TWO in this house, mom was not happy that I tore up another set of blinds, but HEY I was keeping her safe. Geez woman.)

David's been going with mom to her work place, but me and Bubbles can't cause we're not up to date on our vaccines. I know, I know ... eeek. Except well, Mom's not so sure all those vaxs are all they are cracked up to be. So! There is that. Which is fine, cause I don't really like going places like that ANTIWAYS.

What you guys been up too?

Togetherness

Project 52: Doxie Edition

Week 1: In The Kitchen
Fifty-two weeks, of dachshunds? Can y'all handle the cuteness? :)

Texas stares me down, trying to figure out if the treat jar I'm using as a camera stand, will start popping out treats soon.

Bubbles doing what she does best. Complain, complain, complain.

I love Bubbles to death, but good Lord this dog can whine like no bodies business. Here lately if I'm doing anything other than pay attention to her, she's whining. And trust me, she can whine for .... at least 15 minutes straight. My patience is throughly shattered, and I'm giving her what I think she wants.

However, I'm done. I've been making the "she's 13, she deserves to do exactly she wants" excuse and its no longer cool. I've realized, just as with puppies, older dogs can develop bad habits if you let them.

 As of yesterday I've come up with a new plan. Bubbles starts whining and I KNOW she's had all she NEEDS... aka frequent potty breaks, water, and food. She's going to her time-out chair. Even at 13 years old, we're practicing some tough love. So far tonight we've been outside at least four times, she's had dinner (and some snacks) and has a full bowl of clean water. Other than wanting attention/thinking I'm eating from the table I'm typing at... I know she's good. :)

So to the chair (a comfy arm chair) we go!

And off she came, and the whining started again.

So back we went.

And despite the mournful stare she's giving she's staying.

Now that's she's good, I'm off to snuggle with her.

:)

 

Spring is HERE!!!

How do we know this for a fact you ask? Well if the warm weather wasn't an indication, these muddy toe nails are a great one!  I foresee weekly baths beginning again in 3...2... 1....

-Erin

I think we can relate...

Sometimes I feel sorry for people who don't have a pet or don't want one. They will just never know how awesome pets are. Regardless of what they are. Sometimes you don't need words, you just need someone, something just be there and love you.

Even if it is just because of the cookies in your pocket. :) 
Sometimes you just need to be needed.

 

Snow Day!!

-Posted from my iPhone