I have 2 puppies. Yes, count em, 2. Holy shit I've lost my mind. I only went to go get one puppy, that's all I wanted. But I took the hubby with me.....The guy offered us the other puppy for pretty much free, so here we come home with 2 - 4 month old Boxer puppies. (pretty much 5 months now)
I started to read up on two puppies and realized it's going to be A LOT of work, like I knew it would be work, but didn't really put two and two together until after I bought them both.
So here is the ground rules I've set up to cover these two:
1.) Separation. Be this taking one places with just me, separating them when they sleep, separating them for training, or just having one in the kitchen and one in the other room with me, they will work through being separated.
2.) Being strict with both. It's hard to resist a cute puppy face, but when there is two?! Holy cow! I have resolved to be strict with both puppies, I feel this is in their best interest. I am the dominant one and I do not want either or to think they can challenge that.
3.) Consistency. I want to be consistent with both puppies. I know that with Buck, we didn't let our guard down with him till he was pretty much 2 years old. It was consistent commands and rules from day one that he came into this house.
So that is where I'm at. I've got a solid sit on them and we are working on come and stay right now. They both listen to me better than my husband, so he is going to have to put some effort into them. Buck did the same thing, listened to me a whole lot better than my husband. That was only because my husband didn't put the effort into training like I did.
I will say though, I am happier with puppies. After Buck died I went into depression :( I didn't clean the house and I didn't want to do anything. I even started having period like cramps, which I know is from the stress of it all. This was not good for my health, nor my babies health. 6 days into having these two tards, the house is clean and I am generally happy.
Weird.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Buck
I don't even know where to begin with this. I am distraught, lost, and terribly heartbroken.
When Buck was 6-8 weeks old we found him at the city pound. He was the pick between two different puppies; one a rambunctious little brindle and the other dopey Buck. My husband chose Buck because Buck wasn't running around like an idiot, Buck was generally happy enough to just be lazy. He even sat down in the aisle ways and just looked at us like "So I'm leaving here right?" Buck also was being picked on by a pit bull that was in the cage with him, which was cute because Buck just sorta sat there and took the abuse with his classic "oh man this sucks" attitude.
We brought Buck home about a week later and he terrorized our older dog. She hated him in the beginning because she was 10 and he was just a tiny energy filled puppy. He always fought dirty, as my husband called it, because he would run under her and bite her legs. Eventually, after a few months, the two dogs learned to like each other and so the next five years were all a big happy family.
Buck would go camping with us, to the farm with us, learned how to ride in the bed of a truck, always went hiking, I loved to take him everywhere, he became a shop dog, he went to work with me, and he was just as happy to sit on the couch and watch tv with me. Buck also had a knack for sitting on your feet and if you were laying cross legged on the floor, Buck had to be sitting on your lap. (Buck didn't fit mind you. He was only 124lbs..)
Buck had fans. People who loved him and people that always said they would take him if I could no longer keep him. That always made me feel so proud that Buck pretty much had everyone wrapped around his big dumb head. He was a momma's boy though, he always put me first. My husband was a close second.
On Tuesday Buck started vomiting. On Weds, Buck was still vomiting and now having some diarrhea but would still eat. On Thursday, Buck refused all food. It was obvious that he was in pain. We took Buck to the vet Thursday night and the x-rays showed that Bucks intestines were full of gas and were bloated, but there was no impactions or anything. He also had blood in his rectum. The vet kept him overnight for observation and bloodwork.
Bloodwork came back normal yesterday morning. Bucks intestines though, when he was re-xrayed, were about 3 times larger than Thursdays and were twisting around themselves. The vet said the only option is exploratory surgery and even then it might not find the cause. He also gave us a quote to do the surgery and Bucks chances for survival weren't great either option we went.
I made the worst decision of my life so far. I chose to euthanize Buck. I'm at a loss for what I have done. I had to chose between my baby growing in me and my best friend Buck. I wasn't sure how far into savings I would have to go to save Buck, if I even could. I also knew that there was no way I could get that money saved up again by the time the baby comes and I want to make sure that we had the money to cover deductibles on health insurance and have a cushion there if anything happened to the baby that we had to pay for.
I chose my child over my Buck. I feel so lost and empty. Buck was more than just a dog, he was my shoulder to cry on more times than I can count. He was always there to make me feel better. Saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I wish he wouldn't have wagged his tail when we said goodbye.
I've never seen my husband tear up, never in the ten years we've been together. This has made us both feel so lost.
When Buck was 6-8 weeks old we found him at the city pound. He was the pick between two different puppies; one a rambunctious little brindle and the other dopey Buck. My husband chose Buck because Buck wasn't running around like an idiot, Buck was generally happy enough to just be lazy. He even sat down in the aisle ways and just looked at us like "So I'm leaving here right?" Buck also was being picked on by a pit bull that was in the cage with him, which was cute because Buck just sorta sat there and took the abuse with his classic "oh man this sucks" attitude.
We brought Buck home about a week later and he terrorized our older dog. She hated him in the beginning because she was 10 and he was just a tiny energy filled puppy. He always fought dirty, as my husband called it, because he would run under her and bite her legs. Eventually, after a few months, the two dogs learned to like each other and so the next five years were all a big happy family.
Buck would go camping with us, to the farm with us, learned how to ride in the bed of a truck, always went hiking, I loved to take him everywhere, he became a shop dog, he went to work with me, and he was just as happy to sit on the couch and watch tv with me. Buck also had a knack for sitting on your feet and if you were laying cross legged on the floor, Buck had to be sitting on your lap. (Buck didn't fit mind you. He was only 124lbs..)
Buck had fans. People who loved him and people that always said they would take him if I could no longer keep him. That always made me feel so proud that Buck pretty much had everyone wrapped around his big dumb head. He was a momma's boy though, he always put me first. My husband was a close second.
On Tuesday Buck started vomiting. On Weds, Buck was still vomiting and now having some diarrhea but would still eat. On Thursday, Buck refused all food. It was obvious that he was in pain. We took Buck to the vet Thursday night and the x-rays showed that Bucks intestines were full of gas and were bloated, but there was no impactions or anything. He also had blood in his rectum. The vet kept him overnight for observation and bloodwork.
Bloodwork came back normal yesterday morning. Bucks intestines though, when he was re-xrayed, were about 3 times larger than Thursdays and were twisting around themselves. The vet said the only option is exploratory surgery and even then it might not find the cause. He also gave us a quote to do the surgery and Bucks chances for survival weren't great either option we went.
I made the worst decision of my life so far. I chose to euthanize Buck. I'm at a loss for what I have done. I had to chose between my baby growing in me and my best friend Buck. I wasn't sure how far into savings I would have to go to save Buck, if I even could. I also knew that there was no way I could get that money saved up again by the time the baby comes and I want to make sure that we had the money to cover deductibles on health insurance and have a cushion there if anything happened to the baby that we had to pay for.
I chose my child over my Buck. I feel so lost and empty. Buck was more than just a dog, he was my shoulder to cry on more times than I can count. He was always there to make me feel better. Saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I wish he wouldn't have wagged his tail when we said goodbye.
I've never seen my husband tear up, never in the ten years we've been together. This has made us both feel so lost.
Monday, October 24, 2011
So lets talk beer...
I'm 22 weeks pregnant and all I want is a beer or a glass of wine. That is an odd thing to think about wanting but I do. The odd twist to this is I can't stand the smell of alcohol, so even if I wanted to drink a glass of wine or have a beer, I would probably vomit trying. I know, great picture in your head huh?
So bring forth nonalcoholic beers and wines. I have been trying them on and off since I got pregnant. So far, I have found two that I like. Lets go over something though.. NA red wine sucks. They all suck. Every brand sucks at making a red NA wine. I have not finished a bottle of it yet. White NA wine sucks. Also add this to the list of bottles I dumped out.
There is hope though, I found a wine called Fre. I picked up a bottle of sparkling "Brut" to try to enjoy this weekend with some friends while they were all drinking. Holy crap it is delicious. I would drink that stuff willingly even when I wasn't pregnant! It is 27% juice, which I found to be quite comical but it is crisp, fruity, and very bubbly. I actually finished that bottle in two days. It was like sparkling apple juice but crisp. Lovely.
NA beer? Buckler. That is it, hands down what it is to be. I just bought a new six pack and I should be finished with it by the time I give birth. (haha shows how much I'm going to town on these huh?)
SO there we are. These two will be my standbys for Xmas parties coming up this year. Keeping the little one from ingesting an actual drink full of alcohol and keeping momma happy. I can live with <.5% per serving of these. I'm not out to get drunk, buzzed, or giddy; I just want to enjoy the taste.
So bring forth nonalcoholic beers and wines. I have been trying them on and off since I got pregnant. So far, I have found two that I like. Lets go over something though.. NA red wine sucks. They all suck. Every brand sucks at making a red NA wine. I have not finished a bottle of it yet. White NA wine sucks. Also add this to the list of bottles I dumped out.
There is hope though, I found a wine called Fre. I picked up a bottle of sparkling "Brut" to try to enjoy this weekend with some friends while they were all drinking. Holy crap it is delicious. I would drink that stuff willingly even when I wasn't pregnant! It is 27% juice, which I found to be quite comical but it is crisp, fruity, and very bubbly. I actually finished that bottle in two days. It was like sparkling apple juice but crisp. Lovely.
NA beer? Buckler. That is it, hands down what it is to be. I just bought a new six pack and I should be finished with it by the time I give birth. (haha shows how much I'm going to town on these huh?)
SO there we are. These two will be my standbys for Xmas parties coming up this year. Keeping the little one from ingesting an actual drink full of alcohol and keeping momma happy. I can live with <.5% per serving of these. I'm not out to get drunk, buzzed, or giddy; I just want to enjoy the taste.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Horses and food oh my!
It's cold here. It's rainy here. That means I plum don't want to do anything. This includes working with Memphis. He has had about a week of no interaction at all from me other than the occasional scratch and groom. Sigh. I don't even know if I'll be out tonight because it's gonna be cold. That means I won't see him again till Sunday. (barn owner is having a 4-H Halloween party this weekend... yeah right for me going out there)
Oh well. I'll work him in the barn on Sunday if I have to. I can just get her to move the tractor for me and lunge him a bit. When it rains the horses stay up in the stalls, so I know he has a ton of energy right now. Poor bubba. I know he'll survive though.
Woah, and next month is one year of ownership! Memphis has also turned 6! I feel somewhat failure to him as I really haven't done much with him. Oh well, I will. I got this. I think.
I need to also start updating the food part of this. People keep asking me for some of my recipes of my new stuff. Sigh. So demanding. :)
Other than that, everything is peachy here.
Oh well. I'll work him in the barn on Sunday if I have to. I can just get her to move the tractor for me and lunge him a bit. When it rains the horses stay up in the stalls, so I know he has a ton of energy right now. Poor bubba. I know he'll survive though.
Woah, and next month is one year of ownership! Memphis has also turned 6! I feel somewhat failure to him as I really haven't done much with him. Oh well, I will. I got this. I think.
I need to also start updating the food part of this. People keep asking me for some of my recipes of my new stuff. Sigh. So demanding. :)
Other than that, everything is peachy here.
Friday, October 14, 2011
More baby garbage
I wake up in the mornings and edge my way to my kitchen (after the bathroom of course). I usually let the dogs out the back door, talk to the chickens, and rummage for old leftovers that I can give to the chickens. I, being the new crazy mom that I am, have put the ultrasound pictures to little Lucy on my fridge. Somehow it fit on there next to all the garbage we already have on our fridge, but it works haha
Now, I realized this morning that I am turning into that parent. I'm terrified to be honest. I felt her last night kicking me from the outside and I couldn't help but just be amazed.
I'm going to go curl up with my iced tea now and be amazed that I am now "that guy"
Go me.
Now, I realized this morning that I am turning into that parent. I'm terrified to be honest. I felt her last night kicking me from the outside and I couldn't help but just be amazed.
I'm going to go curl up with my iced tea now and be amazed that I am now "that guy"
Go me.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Well, it's confirmed, there is a baby in there
This is so not horse related although I'll give a tiny Memphis update when I'm done.
I saw my little baby on Monday!!!! And despite my own intuition about it being a boy, its a GIRL! I'm beyond excited about having a girl, more so I think than I would have been if it had been a boy. Funny, as my barn owner was the only one to suggest that it was a girl; everyone else was sure that it was a boy. Even better was she looks perfect on the scans! Little toes, little fingers, hehe tiny arms and legs, and of course a tiny nose! Who can resist such a thing?!
Oh lord, what have I become! I always said I'd never be "that" parent, but are you reading what I just posted?! I'm head over heels for this little person in me! I think somebody replaced my anti-kid genes and put some kid friendly ones in there. That is the only explanation. The only one.
I hope she likes horses hah
Memphis is doing well. I like his new food and I can tell a difference in handling him. He isn't constantly in a state of OMG anymore. (I have no idea how else to describe it) He is also patient to be stand tied. So I am pleased. :) I was out Tuesday to see him but didn't do anything with him. He walked up in the field and was content to just stand next to me the entire time I was out there, which is a first. Not sure what that was about, unless he likes to work.
I think my riding days are over till the baby comes. :( I'm starting to feel top heavy and so I think that I will take this time to perfect some gaits on the lunge line and maybe teach him a few stupid tricks or something. I also couldn't live with myself if something happened to the baby because I just HAD to ride. Memphis will be there when I get done cooking the baby. :)
I saw my little baby on Monday!!!! And despite my own intuition about it being a boy, its a GIRL! I'm beyond excited about having a girl, more so I think than I would have been if it had been a boy. Funny, as my barn owner was the only one to suggest that it was a girl; everyone else was sure that it was a boy. Even better was she looks perfect on the scans! Little toes, little fingers, hehe tiny arms and legs, and of course a tiny nose! Who can resist such a thing?!
Oh lord, what have I become! I always said I'd never be "that" parent, but are you reading what I just posted?! I'm head over heels for this little person in me! I think somebody replaced my anti-kid genes and put some kid friendly ones in there. That is the only explanation. The only one.
I hope she likes horses hah
Memphis is doing well. I like his new food and I can tell a difference in handling him. He isn't constantly in a state of OMG anymore. (I have no idea how else to describe it) He is also patient to be stand tied. So I am pleased. :) I was out Tuesday to see him but didn't do anything with him. He walked up in the field and was content to just stand next to me the entire time I was out there, which is a first. Not sure what that was about, unless he likes to work.
I think my riding days are over till the baby comes. :( I'm starting to feel top heavy and so I think that I will take this time to perfect some gaits on the lunge line and maybe teach him a few stupid tricks or something. I also couldn't live with myself if something happened to the baby because I just HAD to ride. Memphis will be there when I get done cooking the baby. :)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Day 2 of saddling work
Yesterday went back out to work on the saddling thing again. We did everything all over again, starting with basic ground work, then some lunging, and then saddling again.
Now, I am not sure if he put blanket together with RUN because once I got it close to him he was ready to take off, so after a few goes I figured out it was just a game to my big idiot and I don't take kindly to these types of games.
That's find Memphis, you get to work harder in a smaller circle. This was short and to the point. It was also ugly. Thankfully, I had enough brains to remember to stay at his shoulder, correctly hold the lunge line, and keep a calm head. I never got mad or frustrated with him. I just happily walked around in a circle.
A few times he did rear up or jump back like it was a stick of fire or something just like Sunday, but nowhere near as dramatic. Took a total of 10 minutes. The saddle pad went on, all pressure was released, he took a breather and everything was right in the world.
Again, he saddled just find after this and I'm very positive that he would have let me mount up. I did not though, because some kids showed up to ride in the arena and they were using flags on their horses (getting them used to it) and the risk of him flipping out and me getting hurt. My balance isn't exactly 100% right now.
So Sunday is supposed to be nice and I'm gonna do it all over again then. I actually think I'm gonna work on woah on the lunge a little more since my cute little bugger thinks he has his own ideas about it.
Overall, I'm super happy about him and super impressed with him. I love my idiot :D
Now, I am not sure if he put blanket together with RUN because once I got it close to him he was ready to take off, so after a few goes I figured out it was just a game to my big idiot and I don't take kindly to these types of games.
That's find Memphis, you get to work harder in a smaller circle. This was short and to the point. It was also ugly. Thankfully, I had enough brains to remember to stay at his shoulder, correctly hold the lunge line, and keep a calm head. I never got mad or frustrated with him. I just happily walked around in a circle.
A few times he did rear up or jump back like it was a stick of fire or something just like Sunday, but nowhere near as dramatic. Took a total of 10 minutes. The saddle pad went on, all pressure was released, he took a breather and everything was right in the world.
Again, he saddled just find after this and I'm very positive that he would have let me mount up. I did not though, because some kids showed up to ride in the arena and they were using flags on their horses (getting them used to it) and the risk of him flipping out and me getting hurt. My balance isn't exactly 100% right now.
So Sunday is supposed to be nice and I'm gonna do it all over again then. I actually think I'm gonna work on woah on the lunge a little more since my cute little bugger thinks he has his own ideas about it.
Overall, I'm super happy about him and super impressed with him. I love my idiot :D
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