Puppy vs. Fitbit

The picture doesn't show the extent of the damage. The
band is irreparable. Luckily, the tracker is just scratched.

First rule of having a puppy: Don't take your eyes off the puppy. I broke that rule and my Fitbit paid the price.

Puppies have no self control and are apt to make bad decisions. You can have three dozen puppy-approved toys on the floor (like I do) but the moment you turn your back the puppy will grab something else -- usually something expensive, like my cellphone. (Right Jedi?)

This time I took off my Fitbit before showering. I forgot to put it back on right away and Trooper found it. The rubber wristband was no match for his shiny new teeth.

The second rule of having a puppy: Buy the protection plan. I broke that rule too.

Fortunately, I had another Fitbit (long story that makes me look stupid) so I can still keep track of my steps. Good thing too, because on conformation training nights I hit my daily step goal. If I keep this up I'll finally lose those 20 pounds. (This is what I keep telling myself when icing my knee the next day. I'm 50 and trying to run around the ring with a German shepherd puppy. WTH is wrong with me?!)

My knee hurts and it's time for ice, so I'm going to cut this short. See you around the ring! -- K

Baby Trooper

A friend of mine went to visit Trooper and his siblings back when they were babies. When my friend found out that the puppy she called "Moose" is now with us, she sent me some pictures. Below is the litter at about 7 weeks. They're all incredibly cute. Can you pick out Trooper?

Trooper and his siblings

Don't feel bad, I couldn't either. But his breeder could! Trooper was known then as Mr. Purple (as denoted by the purple collar). He's the cutie on the far left.

I didn't meet Trooper until almost three months later. He was 4 1/2 months old when I brought him home. He was still incredibly cute. See:

Trooper on his ride home

I think bringing Trooper in as an an older pup was easier for our schedule. He didn't require the intense care that is needed at 8 weeks. I was able to take 3 weeks of vacation time (I called it Pupturnity Leave) when I brought Jedi home. Hubby was only working part time while going to school and we had 3 adult children living at home. Jedi had constant attention and was never crated for long periods of time.

Things have changed in the past 5 years. The kids have moved out and Hubby is now working full time. Fortunately, Trooper's breeder had worked with him before he came to our home. He knew "sit," "back," "no" and a few basic manners. He was used to a crate and walking on a leash. He was extremely close to being potty trained. He was more independent and could entertain himself for short periods of time. All this made the transition easier.

My biggest fears about bringing home an older puppy were:

1. It would be harder to bond with us and
2. He might have problems assimilating into the family.

I couldn't have been more wrong! Trooper absolutely adores me and Hubby and has fit right into the pack. His presence put a little pep in Roxy's step her last few weeks. He and Jedi hold WrestleMania several times daily in my living room (and hallway, kitchen, and back yard). Trooper is smart and has caught on quickly to regular household routines.


Trooper sleeps under my desk while I'm on the computer

By the same token, Hubby, Jedi and I are all madly in love with this goofy, energetic, cuddly puppy. I'll always be grateful to J-Lyn for sending me that email six weeks ago. I look forward to sharing all the Trooper stories yet to come. -- K

Trooper's Droopy Ears

I took a picture of Trooper on Sunday and his ears were standing up like Boot Camp Marines. I woke up Thursday morning and his left ear was completely horizontal. My pup looked miserable and was shaking his head.

I was concerned, maybe borderline panicky. If Trooper's ears don't stand up, his show career is over before it even started! Several thoughts went through my head:

• Was it an ear infection? I couldn't see anything, but it did feel warm. 
• If he keeps shaking his head he might develop a hematoma. Even if drained early, a hematoma can ruin a dog's ear set.
• Did Jedi hurt Trooper's ear while they were playing? Was I not monitoring them close enough?
• Is Trooper just teething? I had heard that teething could drop ears temporarily.
• Do I need to tape his ear? Sometimes a young ear is "set" (much like a bone) so that it stays in the right position until the cartilage firms up.

Things weren't any better Friday morning so I called the vet. Then I called RK (Jedi's breeder) and asked if she would tape Trooper's ear. I'd rather be accused of overreacting than to miss something that could be fixable.

The vet asked about the position of Trooper's ears before the droop. I broke out my phone and showed him pictures. (I've got quite a few!) The vet noticed that Trooper's right ear is not as perky as it was last week either.

The vet did a complete physical exam. The boy is healthy. His ear didn't seem to have any damage (so Jedi's off the hook for now). The ears were a little dirty, but no inflammation. I left with some ear cleaner and was told to hold off taping for now.

During the exam the vet noticed that all Trooper's baby canine teeth are missing as well as half the molars. Poor Trooper is teething big time. The discomfort is what's causing his ears to droop. Trooper is chewing everything he can fit into his mouth right now. We've given him a variety of approved chew things (as opposed to pot holders, leashes and the remote) to help relieve the pressure. His favorites seem to be a stuffed pumpkin and a bully stick.

So now we wait. I've been cleaning Trooper's ears daily (not easy) and checking his teeth (equally difficult). His ears aren't drooping as much, but they're still not where they need to be. I'll keep you posted! -- K

How Much?

I'm one of the Admin people for my dog club's Facebook page. I answer all the private messages that come through. Many are from people looking for a GSD. Invariably they ask "How much does a German Shepherd cost?" That's really not an easy question to answer.

Top dollar or pocket change?

If I asked how much does a car cost, you wouldn't be able to answer without knowing the following:

• New or used?
• Foreign or domestic?
• What size?
• All the bells and whistles or just the basics?

I bet you can think of a dozen more questions as well.

The same is true of dogs. I ask people:

• Do you want a puppy or an adult?
• From a rescue or from a breeder?
• Working line or show line?
• American, German or Czech? (There really is a difference.)
• Do you want AKC papers? If so, full or limited registration?
• Are you just looking for a companion/family dog?
• Are you going to show the dog in conformation?
• Do you want to participate in sports like Obedience, Barn Hunt, Agility or Scent Work?
• Do you want a working dog to herd sheep or do search and rescue?
• Do you want breeding rights?
• How long are you willing to wait for a dog?
• How far are you willing to travel to get the dog?

My first piece of advice to the inquirers is to figure out exactly what they want. Why pay top dollar for a show puppy if you're never going into the conformation ring? And do not look at West German working lines if you have a sedentary lifestyle -- both you and the dog will be miserable.

Most people don't think about the things above. Even more mindboggling are the various things factored into the price of a puppy:

• Were there extensive pre-pregnancy expenses?
• How much was the stud fee?
• Which genetic tests were performed on the parents before breeding?
• Was it a natural breeding or did the breeder have to pay for in vitro fertilization?
• Was this a natural birth or a C-section?
• How big was the litter?

Yes, there are a lot of variables. Things usually not factored into the price include:

• The thousands of hours (and dollars) spent training, showing/trialing the bitch to prove she's worthy of breeding
• The time spent combing through pedigrees to find the right stud to complement the bitch
• The money spent on a previous breeding that didn't take (it happens more often then you'd think)

The price of a dog can vary greatly. I've seen dogs "free to a good home." I've also heard of puppies going for $10,000+. Still, people want answers, not reasons. So I tell them: "In my experience, expect to pay $250-$500 from a legitimate breed rescue; $1000-$3000 from a reputable breeder in this area. If the price is more or less than expected, it's OK ask why. If you don't think the answer is reasonable, then go elsewhere." 

Some people are okay with this answer. Others balk. I guess it's just a matter of personal priorities. I have no problem spending a couple thousand dollars for a well-bred dog, but refuse to spend more than $40 for a pair of shoes. TMI? -- K

5 Months

Trooper is five months old today!

Super Trooper

We've had Trooper about 10 days now and he's fitting right in. We love this little goofball. Here are five fun Trooper facts:

1. 

   Off Position

   Trooper has two speeds: full throttle and off. He can switch between the two at the drop of a hat.
2. Trooper will eat anything, including lettuce, birdseed, paper towels and his own poop (eeeew). However, peanut butter stuffed Kongs are more to his liking.
3. Trooper is a "morning dog." He's up early, full of energy and demanding attention. He hasn't figured out that I AM NOT a "morning person," no matter how many times he barks and licks my face.
4. Trooper is not afraid of fireworks. Every July my neighborhood sounds like the soundtrack of a WWII movie. (Rednecks love their explosives.) Luckily, Trooper couldn't care less about the noise.
5. Trooper has figured out how to get on the furniture. He likes to climb onto the couch and nap with Roxy. Isn't that cute? He also lies on my bed as I get ready for work.

He heard his name

Trooper is a fun, lovable pup who is wearing me out. I haven't been this tired since I had toddlers. I'm trying to remember to nap when he naps and keep puppy-safe chew toys within reach at all times.

Some pleasant side effects to this super nova wrapped in fur: I've lost five pounds from chasing after him and I pick up clutter regularly! Between waiting for the puppy to poop and picking up poop (so said puppy doesn't eat it --- again, eeeew), I'm enjoying my back yard more than I have in a long while.

Oh, gotta go! Nap time is over. Catch you later, -- K

Puppy Has a Name!

Say hello to: 

J-Lyn's Imperial Shadow Trooper

Trooper had been with us for a few days now and his personality has really come out. He's affectionate, goofy and energetic. He loves food, rope toys and belly rubs. He's very good at figuring out how to squeeze into places I thought were puppy proofed so I need to watch him like a hawk. Expect blog posts to be short until we get into a routine.

We're still trying to figure out the "potty outside" thing. He's not fond of sleeping in the crate at night either. I'll continue to share. Happy Monday! -- K

And Puppy Makes Three

The puppy came home yesterday. We're still playing around with names. We're also working on crate training, housebreaking and trying to nap when the puppy naps. Smart puppy shows us a puppy proofing failure more often than I would like. Puppies are hard work! whew.

I tried to get everybody together for a family picture this morning. Yeah, that didn't happen. So I took individual photos and downloaded a collage app instead. More news later. -- K

One More Time

At 4.5 months the puppy is all legs
and wonky ears

Life's been busy, busy, busy since I returned from Westminster so many months ago. Somehow I totally missed spring. It was cold, I blinked, and suddenly it's summer. Here are some of the things I've been up to:

• Work. Warm weather brings more work to my tiny beach town. (Maybe I'll tell you about my cruelty case later. It was a doozy!)
• Old dog drama. Roxy is now 13+ years old. We've spent a lot of time and energy dealing with her senior issues. I'll share what I can, but sometimes I just cry.
• Dog sports. Jedi earned another title (Farm Dog), but his training has stalled in Barn Hunt, Nose Work and Rally.
• Dog shows. The April specially shows happened. There were a few problems, but all in all they were successful.
• But the biggest news of all: I'm getting back in the conformation ring -- with a new puppy! I know, I'm shocked too.

I've been talking about the possibility of getting a new puppy for a few months now. However, I haven't even talked to breeders. Mostly it was "After Roxy is gone..." (Did I mention she's 13?!) At the last Club meeting I stated that I would take the Show Secretary position again. However, if I got a new puppy I would have to step down, as I would want to show and that's against AKC rules.

Fast forward a couple weeks: Last weekend I got an email from one of the breeders in the club. She said that she held two puppies from her last litter, a boy and a girl. Both are spectacular and good show prospects. However, she realized that she really doesn't need to keep another male. She already has four boys, and as a breeder keeping the female was the better choice. But she was conflicted, because the male really is a good dog. He has nice movement, good structure, a good temperament, is eager to please and is very food motivated. (Breeder has bred 28 champions, so I trust her assessment.) She remembered me saying I wanted a puppy and offered the 4 1/2 month old boy to me. She thinks I could do well with this guy (under her tutelage if I so choose) and knows that regardless of ring results, he would have a loving home and enriching life with us. "But no pressure, if it's not the right time..."

I'm not an impulsive person. I like to take time think things through. (LOTS of time according to my husband.) So immediately I had a thousand different thoughts. Fortunately, Hubby was home and able to sort through everything going on in my brain. We drove an hour to Breeder's place and tried to objectively assess the pup. Everything she said about the puppy appeared to be true.

Long story short: This guy is coming home with me on Friday. I'm still playing with name ideas. I'm open to suggestions. AKC naming rules were explained here back when we were waiting for Jedi. (FYI the kennel name this time is J-Lyn.)

Stay tuned friends, it's about to get real around here! -- K

Happy Puppy Day

It's National Puppy Day! Did you even know that was a thing? In honor of the holiday I'm sharing pictures of Baby Jedi. Seriously, what's cuter than a German shepherd puppy? For me, not much.

I can almost hear you squealing "So freaking cute!"

Three and a half years later my gorgeous, goofy, loving, loyal companion looks like this:

I love him even more today than I did back then. He's grown into a great dog.

It's Wordless Wednesday! Hop around below and see what others are sharing. -- K

Sick Pup Follow-Up

Poor, sick puppy.

Four months ago I shared a sad story about the $3500 sick puppy. You can read the entire story at "Kelley Drinks Because . . ." The gist is:

• Husband bought a "surprise" German shepherd puppy for his wife from an online broker. Husband never spoke with the breeder, nor did he interact with the puppy before purchase.
• The puppy was delivered just before the wife's scheduled two-month trip to Europe.
• Puppy showed up sick. The couple treated the infection, then they discovered serious genetic problems. The puppy was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia (both hips) and bilateral distal femoral osteochondritis dissecans (excessive cartilage growing on the ball joints of both large leg bones).
• The couple realized that their work schedules and finances weren't great for a healthy puppy, never mind one that would require thousands of dollars in orthopedic surgery.
• The puppy broker stopped returning calls and the name of the breeder was never divulged.
• The wife blanketed the local dog community with sad pleas, looking for someone to take on this "special needs puppy."

This is a healthy puppy.

Well, a friend of mine got involved. She was able to comb through the couple's paperwork and found some slightly good news. The puppy originated in Florida, so there was a mandatory health certificate, for what it's worth. Obviously the veterinarian didn't inspect the puppy as required. There was no way this puppy was fit for purchase. However, the name of the breeder was on the certificate. Word got out quickly. The breeder's Facebook page was inundated with nasty truths and was eventually shut down. Animal welfare groups have gotten involved and they are going after both breeder and veterinarian -- to what extent, I don't know. (Because of my job and position as an AKC-sanctioned club president, I'm trying not to get involved.)

The couple kept the puppy after all. They tried to make him as comfortable as possible while weighing their options. The puppy died quickly and quietly last week. They think he had a heart attack. (No autopsy was performed.) The puppy wasn't even 9 months old. The couple is devastated, but happy that their pet is no longer in pain. And they're feeling guilty that they're relieved the ordeal is over. This is not what they were expecting when they saw their little ball of fur 6 months ago.

I'm very sorry for the pain that this couple and their poor sick puppy went through. I'm sharing this story hoping that it will be a lesson to others. Here are some things I want people take away from this:

This is worth the work!

• Never, ever, EVER buy from an online puppy broker. If you can't talk to the breeder directly, run away!
• Living creatures should not be surprise gifts. Animals are a lot of work. Everybody needs to be on board before bringing one home.
• A dog is a 10-15 year commitment. Make sure your schedule and finances have room for the new addition.
• Just because you pay more for something doesn't mean it's better. This is especially true with dogs. My AKC show dog is no better than my "free to a good home" dog was.
• Do some research beforehand. What should you expect from a dog of this breed/size/age? Does the breeder/rescue group/animal shelter have a contract? If so, what protections and recourses do you have should something go wrong?

If you don't like the answers you're getting, walk away -- no matter how cute the puppy is. It may sound callous. Sorry. But a little legwork up front can save you a lot of heartache later on.

My friend is still in contact with the couple. When they're done grieving she can help them find a happy, healthy German shepherd either through a reputable breeder or a good German shepherd rescue group. Too bad they didn't meet her last year. -- K

Wordless Wednesday

I'm feeling nostalgic on this Wordless Wednesday. 367 days ago I got to see my puppy for the very first time. He stayed with the breeder for another month before I could bring him home but I was already madly in love!!

Jedi back when he was still "Mr. Blue"

Hop around and see what others are thinking about today.

Jedi's Dark Forces

 

 

Like Luke and Anakin Skywalker, my Jedi has Dark Forces he needs to resist. Not rage or hate or jealousy though. No, my Jedi needs to stop chewing stuff that doesn't belong to him. His latest victim: my reading glasses. And look at him, no remorse whatsoever. Other things Jedi can't seem to leave alone include:

• the cat
• the kitchen trash can
• my stuffed bear
• pens and pencils
• headphones
• paper towels
• and my cell phone

Seriously, I am beyond frustrated. He's 11 months old now, so we can't blame it on teething. He'd better stop soon else I'm going to sell him to the next band of Jawas that come along! -- K

Dog vs. DS

Jedi is 10 months old today. My son found a picture on his iTouch from last November, shortly after I discovered that I was bringing home the puppy with the blue collar. He was so cute and I was already madly in love with him. Good thing too, because sometimes he can be a giant pain in the ass. I got a call this evening from the same son. Jedi had found Son's Nintendo DS and chewed it, charger and all, while Son was in the shower. Coincidentally, Hubby was grumbling this morning while shopping for yet another set of headphones (Jedi has chewed three sets in 4 months). I don't understand the dog's fascination with electronics. I also don't understand how the men in my family can leave electronics out (or not crate the dog) when they KNOW the dog eats electronics! Have they not seen my phone?

 

So I have no idea what is going to be done about the DS. I can't afford to replace it, and I don't even know if I should. (The boy is 20, has a job and was home alone with the dogs at the time of the incident.) I also have no idea when Jedi will stop chewing electrical items, or if/when the guys will stop leaving them lying around. The "Your dog has got to learn not to chew stuff that isn't his" argument is getting old too. Yes, he does. And he will -- eventually. But how much destruction are we going to have to endure over principle? -- K

 

P.S. Apparently I'm the only one who remembers the damage Pepper did when she was a puppy. She was awful! But eventually she outgrew it and became a great dog and we miss her dearly.

Satin Balls

Jedi eats 4 cups of Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy a day, yet he gets extremely thin and is constantly hungry when going through a growth spurt. A friend of mine recommended feeding him satin balls during those times. Of course my first question was "WHAT?" I did a search online and discovered that satin balls are homemade nutrient-laden, high calorie supplements used by both the rescue community and dog show community to safely put weight on a dog. An added bonus is that the satin balls make the dog's coat shiny. Here's the recipe that I used.

 

SATIN BALLS

• 5 pounds ground beef, 80% lean
• 6 cups Whole Grain Total cereal, crushed
• 7 1/2 cups uncooked, quick-cooking oats
• 6 hard boiled eggs, chopped with shells
• 2 cups wheat germ
• 5 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2/3 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients by hand (meat loaf style) in a huge mixing bowl. Roll into 1" balls. Place 2-3 days worth of satin balls into Ziploc freezer bags and freeze. I got approximately 230 satin balls from this recipe.


Reasoning behind these ingredients:

• Beef adds calories and improves coat.
• Cereal provides vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and B12, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc.
• Oats provide fiber.
• Eggs provide calories and biotin. Eggs are cooked because of salmonella concerns.
• Wheat germ provides vitamin E, folic acid, phosphorus, thiamine, zinc and magnesium.
• Gelatin holds ingredients together and also adds collagen and nitrogen.
• Oil helps coat.
• Molasses provides manganese, copper, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6.

My problems:

1. This is A LOT to mix. My giant (32 cup) Tupperware That's-A-Bowl could barely hold everything. I made a mess. (Roxy helped clean it up. What a sweetheart!)
2. I spent hours rolling balls -- and now my back hurts.
3. I don't know how much 2-3 day's worth of balls would be. I arbitrarily chose eight, and still used 30 Ziploc bags.

So here are my questions to you: Have you heard of satin balls? Do you use satin balls? Why/why not? What recipe do you use? Can you email it to me? How many do you feed your dog and how often? Thanks for all your help. -- K




P.S. Jedi gives the satin balls two ears up!

YIKES!

Our socialization window has closed and Jedi has entered his first fear period. Two weeks ago everybody was his friend and he'd greet them enthusiastically. Now he's wary of strangers and it takes time for him to warm up. He's not too fond of strange objects either. Apparently even plastic bags are not to be trusted. I've read that this is perfectly normal and he'll outgrow it. However, it makes me a little sad. I miss my happy-go-lucky pup. Hubby and I are staying calm and positive while encouraging Jedi to explore unfamiliar people and things. I expect to spend a lot of time saying "Check it out" over the next few months. (On a happier note: the Bonine is working and we've got the carsickness under control!)

We took the dogs to the vet last week for their annual check-ups. Jedi got his last set of shots. He's fully protected now. He weighed 38 pounds! Wow. Roxy got her shots too. And at 72 pounds she's overweight. The vet would like her to lose about 7 pounds. We've cut back on Roxy's food, adding green beans to give extra fiber and help her feel full. Hubby has promised to cut back on cookies and I vowed to walk the dogs more -- don't ask how that's going. So much for dieting with my dog, hunh? I guess Roxy and I are just a couple of old, fat bitches!

I took Jedi to the beach for the first time last weekend. He wasn't sure he liked the water sneaking up on him (see picture below). He did like all the shells though, and tried to eat every one he could find. I spent most of the time saying "What's that? Drop it. No, don't eat that." I'm glad nobody was around to hear me! Luckily, I was able to take couple of pictures in between shell recovery operations. Isn't he cute? -- K

 

Jedi's First 24 Hours



Jedi is getting use to his new home

We brought Jedi home last night. He missed his brothers and sister, so it was a fitful night for us all. He and I both slept in the living room -- him in his crate, me on the couch. Neither of us slept for more than a couple hours at a time. UGH.

I'm very pleased to report that Jedi's potty training is coming along nicely. We've only had one small accident so far, and honestly that was Hubby's fault for not watching him. My smart puppy is also quickly learning that sitting nicely (the doggie version of saying please) is the way to get things around here. It's really hard to ignore him when he jumps up or tries to climb in my lap. He's so damn cute! However, it's best that he learn polite behavior now, at 18 pounds, rather than later when he's bigger. I can't imagine how big he'll be 6 months from now. Probably bigger than Roxy!

Jedi woke up early this morning in a better mood and decided to check out every toy we had. I had intended to only give him one or two at a time, but he discovered that he could climb into the basket and pull them out all by himself. I was laughing so hard watching him that I didn't have the heart stop it. Hubby found the camcorder and got some video of Jedi "killing" his toys. I'll try to post it later. I hope you'll be able to hear the ferocity he was showing to that stuffed hamburger.

We went to the vet this morning. The receptionist was tickled that the puppy was named Jedi and wanted to post his picture on their Facebook page. I couldn't help but laugh when she pulled out her R2-D2 iPhone to snap the photo. BTW, the vet said that Jedi was perfectly healthy and absolutely beautiful. But I already knew that!

Jedi DID NOT like riding in the car  -- or sitting in the vet's office -- and had no problem letting everybody know how he felt. He whined and howled the entire time. I was sure the vet tech was going to ask us to go outside because he was annoying everybody. There's a reason God makes puppies so damn cute . . .

We're trying to introduce Jedi to 100 different people in the next 30 days. Dr. Ian Dunbar stresses the importance of a puppy's early socialization with people. It's crucial that he meet men, women and children of all races, sizes and ages so that strangers won't freak him out later in life. Jedi has met almost a dozen people so far. (Thank you friends and neighbors!) Is it weird that I was excited that Jeff was wearing a hat? Probably. But I let him play with the world's cutest puppy so he didn't care.

Gotta go, nap time is over. I'll post more later. -- K

Introducing . . .

Zente's Jedi Mind Trick

 

Born October 3, 2012

at 1 1/3 pounds

Joined our family November 28, 2012

at 18 pounds

Many thanks to his wonderful breeder for all the work -- and love -- she and her husband have put into this litter. Thanks to my loving husband for encouraging me to follow my life-long dream of dog showing (and not complaining too much about the $$). Thanks to my mother for always being there to hear my obsessing over minute details. And thank you to all my friends and family following this silly dog blog. Stay tuned, it's going to be fun! Love you all, -- K

It's a Boy!

I've spent two of the last three days at Breeder's house playing with puppies. (What a life, hunh?) Anyway, I have great news. Choices have been made and Mr. Blue will be joining our family on Wednesday after his 2nd set of shots. I couldn't be happier. He is the most beautiful puppy -- ever!!! Stay posted for a name and lots of pictures. Life is about to get really interesting around here. -- K

The OTHER Puppy Pictures

So I was asked  -- several times -- why I only took three pictures of the puppies on my last visit. Truth is, I took over 20, but I only posted three. Taking pictures of puppies is hard. Those little buggers are fast and won't stay still for more than a few seconds. I got a lot of butt shots as puppies would run out of the frame. I took a picture of the wall when one of the puppies grabbed the dangling lens cap and jerked the camera up just as I pushed the button. And one of the pups actually photo bombed his brother! Thankfully everything's digital and with a little creative cropping I was able to find a few decent shots. (How did people ever do this with film?!) Just for giggles, I'll share a few of the bad pictures below -- no cropping! Hopefully I'll get better at taking puppy pictures as time goes on. I wonder if there's a book on Amazon.com about this . . . -- K

 

 

Photo bombed!

 

Waiting for Puppy

I want one soooo bad!!

 I spent another Saturday night with the puppies. TOTALLY AWESOME!! Good news: I can bring one home as early as next weekend. Bad news: Breeder's sister picks before me -- and she can't make up her mind. GRRR. I tried really hard not to fall in love with a particular puppy last night, just in case he ends up being the one that sister wants. That being said, I think I've narrowed it down to two. Now we just wait. I'm trying to be patient but what I really want to do is drive to the Southside and say "COME ON AND PICK ALREADY SIS!!" I hope to have happy news soon. I'll keep you posted. -- K