Balance of Work & Play

Well, my first full day with Ilse is done and all I have to say is. WOW. I mean that in both the good and the "not-so-good" sense of the word. Don't get me wrong, I can already say I love this dog! I just wish she would stop trying to eat the carpet... For the most part I think she learned this by accident. See, she hasn't really figured out where her paws are relative to her body, or her mouth for that fact. So, when she was playing with her bone, she began biting the carpet and developed a taste for it. Needless to say, when I see her doing this, I put the bone in her mouth and coerce her to chew that instead.

Also, working from home and having the puppy has proven a bit difficult, in the fact that I want to spend all my time with Ilse. It has proven (in 1 day) that it is a difficult balance, which will likely have me working a longer day to make up for lost time. In order to help me combat this. I created a flow chart last night.

Feel free to use this chart free-of-charge. For a more 'customized' chart simply, replace "puppy" with your dogs name. Note: this also applies to free-range children, although is not fully endorsed.

But despite her carpet fetish, I think she made a lot of progress yesterday. She is now pretty confident going up stairs, and significantly less anxious about going down them. She will still whine and complain while going down, but she gets there!

Tonight my friend RB will be coming for a visit with her pup Maeby (she's named after an Arrested Development character). Hopefully, Maeby and Ilse get along well, and then they both will have a new playmate! Pictures will follow.

Lastly, since I am new to this whole 'blogging' thing, if you have any feedback/comments for me, please let me know.

-PK & I

The First Night and Morning

Well it was definitely a good night, but crate training was challenging. Unfortunately, once she realized that she wasn't getting out, she whined for a good chunk of the night. It was so hard not to coddle her, but I knew if I gave in to her whines, she would forever use it against me.

Thankfully, when I woke up this morning, she wasn't whining, so I it appeared like a reward for remaining quiet. I took her for a quick walk after she ate to get some of her energy out (I do have to work at some point today), then we played for a bit. However, coming back into the house, she effortlessly, bounded up the front steps! Which was great because she was having trouble last night. Now, she just has to figure out getting down them.

She is currently, sounds asleep.... where?? In her crate.... Why couldn't you do that last night Ilse??? I swear, it's a good thing you're cute!!

She's Here!!!! She's Finally Here!!

Well, after a nice car ride home and a quick visit at my sisters. Puppy and I are home. However, while she was sitting in the seat next to me, she decided that it would be better for her to sit on my lap and proceeded to crawl over the centre console, slip into a cup holder, then pull herself onto me. What's a guy to do?

So, without any further dealy, everyone meet Isle. Pronounced "ill-see"





She is... well AWESOME!!!! We played a bunch when we got home, went out in the backyard and she chased me around. Now she is pretty much pooped. Which is good. This way she will be plenty rested when she meets her puppy godmother, EW (initials of a close friend) later on tonight.

It all begins today.

Well to start, I will tell you about what is happening.

I have decided to get involved with an organization called "National Service Dogs" or "NSD". What they do is breed, raise and train dogs to go into homes with autistic children. The website for the site is here: www.nsd.on.ca If you are in KW, I highly recommend, at least, looking into how to get involved.

I started getting involved by walking some of the dogs that were going through their advanced training, and then decided that I would like to raise a puppy. After going through some orientation processes, and letting NSD get to know me. I was informed that I was being allowed the privilege of raising a puppy.

What I have determined so far;
1) I am super excited for this to start! (later today)
2) The puppy is a girl
3) The puppy is a Golden Labrador
4) The puppy's name begins with an "I"

NSD groups their litters based on letters, so every litter will have names that all start with the same letter. Hence why I know she will have an "I".

Here are some of my guesses as to what her name might be:
1) Iggy
2) Isabel
3) Igor
4) Ingrid
5) Ice
6) Ichabod
7) Igloo

What I realized from this, is that "I" names (especially for dogs) are really tough to come up with.

Anyways, this will be the precursor to adventure with this incredible dog. So, sit down, grab a drink and enjoy the ride! I know I will.

CLEARLY, Pictures to follow ASAP.