Merry Christmas 2010

As you can see, I've outgrown the stocking. Remember last year when Daddy put me inside Jaelyn's stocking? I've had a fantastic first year with my new family! I love them all dearly and even though I still wonder what my fury siblings are doing these days, I have no thumbs to send them a Christmas card. Today is about spending time with family and loving each other. I'm certainly not feeling the love as my people are busy building lego sets, playing new DS games, and not sharing their candy with me. I tried to sneak a candy bar out of the stocking but Daddy caught me. Last year I was the big "Santa" gift for Jaelyn. This year she got an art set. I'm pretty sure I'm still the best gift she's ever gotten.

Go back and look at Christmas 2009. I was a little smaller than Sprinkles in that Christmas photo. Now look at me!! I'm huge! Must be all the rawhides and treats I get. Sprinkles still rules the roost here and puts me in my place when I'm acting too crazy. She is trying to teach me to be a good girl before she passes the reigns to me as the Alpha Female. She is very greedy and makes sure if I have a rawhide or toy she wants that she gets it. She will come right up to me and take it from my mouth! MEANIE! Then she teases me by eating MY big bone. Oh course, in the end, I eat both of our bones since I am a chewer and she is old. But it's the fact that I outweigh her by 40-50 lbs easily and she still has that much control.

My birthday!

It was my first birthday on Oct. 7th. We had a birthday party and I got my very own cupcake to eat. Grandma bought me a gumby toy and Mommy got me this great new "Birthday Girl" bandana. I can't believe it's been a year since I was born. Seems like it's been 7! I'm doing great at my new home and I love my family. Sometimes I wonder what my real brothers and sisters are doing and where they are these days. But I have been blessed and I wouldn't trade it for the anything! Happy Birthday to Me!

Wondering where I've been?

Hello folks! I haven't posted in a while because I've just been busy enjoying life. This summer has been really cool having the kids around. I loved getting the extra attention and snacks. Evan likes to constantly touch my tail or lay on me. He's tried to ride me like a horse a few times but I don't really like that. He's a heavy kid! I did spend alot of time in my kennel which is really boring, because my humans are always on the go. Daddy went to Mexico and my sister Sprinkles decided to get really sick. She had to goto the doctor and be on special medications and food. Fortunately for me, she didn't like the vet's food and I ate it. Then after she got better, my family went away for 10 days, leaving me at my grandma's house with my BFF, Angel! We played hard every day and slept hard every night. I was pretty depressed when I went home, only because I missed being my friend everyday. The kids are back in school, which means more naps for me. I was a little irritated with being left at home last week while the kids were gone soooooo.... I ate one of Mommy's good shoes,(and got a big spanking for it!) I chewed the wood by the front door more, (I hear tabasco might me in store for me since the No Chew spray isn't working.) I ripped off and chewed up a tassle off Mommy's decorative pillow for her bed. I ate it. I was going to keep it a secret but I think they are on to me because the strings are starting to come out of my butt and Mommy is chasing me around the house trying to pull them out. I'm a dog, what to they expect from me? What goes in MUST come out. I really do think I need a support group though for my addiction to chewing. I always have to have something in my mouth. Usually I steal Jaelyn's stuffed animals when she is gone. I always have a shoe in my mouth if not a toy. Mommy says it's my oral fixation stage. Babies go through it so why wouldn't a puppy? I'm gonna be 11 months old Sept 7th and I turn 1 year old on October 7th! My mommy is planning a birthday party for me. We are inviting Angel, Onyx, Toby, and of course, Sprinkles. Mommy is going to goto Petco and get special goodie bags for my guests and we are going to get cupcakes. I can't wait! I've also figured out my job in this house. I'm here to protect the house from the wind, cars that drive by, and people that walk on the sidewalk. I use my deep, mean, bark to alert my people that we are in danger. I am on duty 24 hrs a day but my super hero hearing kicks in after the kids are in bed. I've been allowed to sleep with Jaelyn at night instead of in my cage. I love sleeping in a bed! But somenights, I lay on her bed and growl at the door because I hear loud sounds outside. It scares her and she thinks a kidnapper is coming for her. Doesn't she know I would protect her if that ever really happened? These are my peeps! I love people food. If it's on the table and they walk away, it's mine. Especially corndogs on a stick. That's easy to grab off the plate. If they are sitting on the couch and I use my sad eyes and get really close, they usually give me a bite. I got to eat leftover spaghetti once and barfed at my grandma's house three times so spaghetti is off the menu for me from now on. It's Sprinkle's favorite though.

So that's what's been going on here in my busy life. Stay tuned for more details about my birthday party!

Excursion

We took a trip to the vet today to get weighed. I topped the scales at 51 lbs and Sprinkles was only 29 lbs. Afterwards, we went up to the middle school football field to run off leash. Sprinkles was naughty and found the exit in the fence. Jaelyn had to run after her and then she was put back in a leash time out. We had to come home shortly after that because that old dog ruined it and could barely breathe. I try to stay close to my mommy when I'm off the leash because I don't want to be left behind. I'm 8 months old now. I had a birthday yesterday. I'm surprised I didn't get a new toy or rawhide. Mommy says that when I eat rawhide, my farts are deadly. I blame it on Sprinkles!

Outside with the party

Today, my 2 shortest brothers had a big birthday party. It was no fun watching from inside the house so Mommy put me on a chain and let me hang out in the shade where the real party was. I was a good girl. I didn't bark except when a little girl on a bike trying to come over to crash my people's party. Sprinkles stayed in the house but then later got to come out with us. It was nice and hot outside. I was worn out and glad to get back into the AC like a real pet. All the kids came up to pet me but I still just get too excited and my mommy was afraid I was gonna scratch and hurt one of the short people. Now that the party is over, I'm gonna camp out for a few hours on my sister's bed. It's very comfy and she's the only one that really welcomes me in it.

7 Months Old

On May 7th, I turned 7 months old. Look at this face. How can someone get mad at this sweet face! I always try to have these puppy dog eyes, just in case I'm in trouble for eating something I shouldn't. Like my bed. Yes, I tore my bed to shreds. Now I don't have a comfy pillow to lay on. And yes, I chew on the window sills. I even ate a wood block. Why must I have this addiction to wood and cotton? It's my drug! I need a rehab program I think. The warden is going to lock me up if I continue to do it. She's a hard head. I have learned that when she raises her voice at me, I better run and hide behind the couch or the chair, or under the table. She gets all weird eye'd and bent of out shape. I know when I'm in a heap of trouble! But for now, look at these puppy dog eyes. Aren't I just the cutest thing in the world?

Cute photo

This is as far up on the couch as I'm allowed. Not really fair as Sprinkles gets to lay all the way up and even on the back of the couch like a cat. I really like to help Mommy when she's working on the computer but since she gets mad when I try to type, I opt for hanging out on the side and watching or sitting by her feet.

This has become one of my new favorite spots for 2 reasons. #1. It's located next to the food table, particularly under my little brother, Evan's chair. #2. I can cool off on the cold tile.

See! Sprinkles get to be up there! NOT FAIR!

My mug shot

Look how pretty I am! Who's a pretty girl? That's right! You guessed it! ME!!

Thelma and Louise

On Sunday, Daddy took us to Grandma's house to play with Angel. I thought I'd give him a break and drive Sprinkles and myself there. Updates on me...I'm around 45 lbs and nearly 7 months old. I still dig holes in the backyard because I have found chunks of cement buried in the yard that I like to chew on. I have a new found love for playing catch with a tennis ball. As the weather gets warmer, I have found that the kitchen floor helps to keep me cool. Mommy has let me stay out of the kennel at night a few nights but it's hard to have 2 dogs in the bed. She says it gives her a backache, so I usually have to sleep in my kennel. Evan turned 3 and got a whole bunch of new fun little balls called Bakugans that I like to steal and run around the house with . He gets so mad at me but it's funny. I haven't pooped in the house in a long time but did have an accident in the kitchen yesterday and then again a few days ago when I squatted and peed right in Jaelyn's shoe. Other than that, I'm really doing good about going outside. Those were freak incidents. One of my favorite times of day is when the dishes are being loaded into the dishwasher. I usually can sneak a few licks off a dirty plate. Other than that, they restrict my people food. I usually clear my food bowl twice a day, eating 1 1/2 very large scoops of dog food. Before, Mommy only had to buy 1 bag of dog food for Sprinkles every 3-4 months and now she is buying us the extra large bag every month. I have a good appetite.

My first Easter!

Easter came and went and I still haven't even snuck any chocolate!

Who Says Dogs Don't Smile!?

Angel is my best friend!



Labs love to smile!










We have a house guest this weekend and I'm SOOOOO excited to have someone my size to rough house with. Aunt Angel is spending the night with us for 2 nights this month and again for a whole week in April. She is so fun to chew on and I love pulling her hair. We run around the kitchen and living room in a big circle over and over again. I know I'm the instigator and the big turd. At least that's what Mommy says. I like to grab her with my front paws and chew on her neck. Her hair tastes wonderful! Sprinkles thinks we are really fighting and gets really mad at us. She is the 3rd wheel and is very protective of me. As soon as Angel nips at me or growls at me, Sprinkles is right up her butt. Seriously! Her nose goes straight up Angel's smelly butt! Gross!

Naughty Doggie!

I look cute, right? Well, I got in BIG trouble today. While my mommy and daddy were outside cleaning out the garage, I did this....

I heard mommy say she was going to "kill" me! I sure hope not! I like living here. I spent alot of time outside this afternoon by myself. So I did what any sad, lonely lab would do...

I dug another hole. As you can see, mommy's already filled it with my poop. It's suppose to keep me from digging but it doesn't work. After all that, mommy decided I needed to get out and run and get worn out. So she took me up to the middle school track. I don't get too far away from her. I'm afraid she'll really leave me. So I run a little and then come back to wait for her. I'm so good that she didn't even put me on a leash on the way back to the car. Why can't I just learn to be good like that all the time?

My 5 month photo shoot

 

5 months old on March 7th

I've been in a hysterectomy induced menapause for 6 days and it's not slowing me down at all. In fact, I can jump higher, scratch harder, and tear things to shreds a little easier. I have most of my big teeth in so that helps too. I can reach the top of the table and since lately I have been giving table scraps, I think everything on the table is up for my taking. I find corn dogs to be especially easy to get off a plate when no one is looking. Tried it now 3 times but unfortunately, I got caught. Give me another week and I'll get faster at it. They won't even know what happened! I have sort of always had a fettish with wet wipes and it's really fun to pull them out of the container. But when I can't get my teeth on those, I will get old kleenexes from the trash or toilet paper or even Bounce sheets. All work the same for me. And it leaves my breath smelling a little fresher. One of my other fettishes is the blow dryer. When I was a baby, my other owners used it to dry me off after a bath, but now the minute I hear it turn on, I wait patiently for Mommy to blow air in my face so I can try to catch it with my mouth. Mommy said she likes to close her eyes when she turns it on, count to 5 and when she opens her eyes, there I am sitting in front of her. Since my surgery, I have invited myself up on the furniture more. I now nap on the couch next to my sister Sprinkles. We are best friends. I still sleep at night in the crate but some nights, mommy and daddy let me watch TV with them in bed. I haven't had an accident in the house for a long time. (Just wait, now I'll forget and have one because I said that!)I only like to go outside if Sprinkles goes with me. We've gotten out the front door a few times together and run in the neighbors' yard. We get yelled at and have to come back in but I stay close to Sprinkles and do whatever she does. She's my role model and idol. Evan really likes me. He keeps coming up to me and saying, "You're my BEST doggie!" That makes me happy. I am very tolerable of his rough play. He stays home with me when the others goto school. I think we'll be best buddies for a long time.

Pre and Post surgery

These photos were taken this morning before my surgery. See, I've finally gotten bigger than Sprinkles!! I outweigh her by 4 lbs too!



My surgery went well from what the vet told my daddy. I went there at 8:30 and Daddy picked me up at 5:30. I haven't tried to jump up on the bed or rough-house Sprinkles since I've been home. I have gotten alot of treats which I'm thankful for because I was starved earlier today. When daddy picked me up, I peed all over the vet's floor from excitement that they came back for me. Jaelyn is hanging out with me on the floor while the rest of the family is snuggling in bed. I'm not suppose to lick my incision too much while it heals. If I do, they have to put some kind of cone thing on me. That doesn't sound attractive. I get 1 pain pill a day, which is suppose to last all day. I have to take antibiotics twice a day too for about a week. I don't like to take pills so mommy gives it to me with a treat. Overall, it went ok and I'm feeling alright.

"Spay or Neuter Your Pets"--Bob Barker

Now, I know that it's important not to get overpopulated but do you really think that this photo is true? Over a 6 year time frame, if the litters of these 2 dogs would never be spayed or neutered, there would be approx 67,000 dogs running around the world! All because two dogs fell in love! Aww! That's sweet. But Friday I have to go under the knife and lose all my hopes and dreams for offspring. No 2am feedings for this girl! No sleepless nights. No having to teach the ropes that I'm still learning to 8 little bratty puppies. So overall, it's probably for the best.

Here's what we know so far. Friday morning I'm not allowed to eat or drink anything. I have to arrive at the vet's office at 8am and stay until 4:30 or so. I have to stay low key and not chew on my incision. I don't think that will be a problem! I may lick it to death but definitely I won't sharpen any teeth on it. I get sent home on pain pills I think and maybe antibiotics. I will spend alot of time in my crate so my mommy is making sure my special blanket and bed are super clean and comfy. Keeping a 5 month old puppy down is going to be hard and not to mention, a little mean. I just hope I heal fast so I get back to the finer things in life, like eating bark, digging holes, and driving Sprinkles crazy.

On the prowl...

(This is NOT a photo of Bella and Sprinkles)

Today Sprinkles took me on a field trip. The back gate was left open by some appraiser guy and to our surprise, we were free! I was a little scared so I stayed with my rebelous sister, Sprinks (that's her street name.) Sprinks told me were we heading to the bayou to hang out and find us some male tail. Since I'm getting "fixed" next Friday, I thought, why not find me a quick boyfriend. Much to our dismay, our neighbor, the one I scratched in the eye, came and picked us up and brought us home. So I'm still boyfriend-less and never been kissed. So much for one last (or first in my case) fling.

Oh NO!

I peed on Mommy's bed last night. I am grounded from getting up there now. Why can't I control my bladder???

I killed all my stuffed animal toys and they are now in the garbage grave yard. Why are my teeth so deadly?

I am on the prowl for open chip bags, bowls of popcorn, and anything that is on the floor that could potentionally be good to eat. Why am I such a carb junkie?

I bring in rocks, mulch, and mud into the house. Why am I so outdoorsy?

I try to help pick up laundry, shoes, and anything else on the floor. Why am I such a neat freak at times?

BECAUSE I'M A BIG DUMB LAB!! That's why!

"I can sing!"

I found my voice and I must say that I should try out for American Idol-Doggie Style. Ever heard of it? Nah, I just made it up. But Simon might like that title! Anyways, I have learned that I have a voice. I especially like to sing at Sprinkles or when I'm outside. Sometimes in the evening if I see something move in the shadows, I will sing to make sure everyone can enjoy my song. Some call it barking, I call it singing. Some call it annoying. I call it exquisite. I have a "cake" life. I get spoiled. I get scratched on the belly and behind the ears whenever I want. I get to sleep on an overstuffed pillow. I have it made in the shade! Why on earth wouldn't I want others to enjoy my sound of praises? Just as a baby cries, a dog must bark. It's our way of being heard and an expression of a need maybe not being met. It's a way for us to protect ourselves and our loved families. It's a talent for some, like myself, even though I'm a little ashamed to admit that I'm female and I'm a tenor. Either way, I promise to use my talent to make this world a little more enjoyable for all who share it with me. I promise.

I have a few new friends!

Know what these are? Ear mites! Yes, I have ear bugs. My mommy noticed I was having bloody ears and that I was shaking my ears and scratching alot. So when I went for my rabies shot and my 3rd round of puppy vaccines yesterday, the vet confirmed it. Not sure how long they have been there or who I got them from. I've only been around Phyliss once and Angel maybe 3-4 times. So we are treating Sprinkles too just to be safe. On my way to the vet yesterday, I got car sick and barfed all over. I felt bad about it so I tried to clean it up myself by eating it but then barfed it up again. Sorry Mommy! My brother Avery is home with us today and was yesterday too. He is sick. We thought it was his ears too. Maybe mites like me? But humans can't get them and it's strep throat instead. One of new favorite toys is this:
It is very fun to kick and chase around the living room. Plus it makes noise when those yellow pieces are inside. I wish there were treats inside. That would make it more fun!

Week 18

I'm 29 lbs at 18 weeks. Not much new to report except that I'm still growing, still chewing, still digging, still eating rocks. Life it good! I love my new home and family!

Sprinkles had a birthday!

Happy Birthday to Sprinkles! Her and Jaelyn share a birthday since they are the same age and Mommy doesn't really know when Sprinkles real birthday is. In dog years, she is 63 yrs old! Guess that's why she doesn't like to play as much as I do. Guess that's why she likes to nap alot and scolds me when I get out of control. She's OLD! Mommy lit the candles for her to blow out but she was scared of the fire so Jaelyn, Braden, and Evan helped. She got to eat a piece of cake but I didn't. Not fair! Mommy said it was because I barfed in my crate the night before from eating too many new rawhides and Old Roy bones. I got a nasty tummy ache and lost my cookies, no pun intended. They are also changing our dog food to the regular adult formula because Mommy is sick of me eating the "senior" formula of Sprinkles, and Sprinkles eating my "puppy" formula. So we get to eat the same thing. We still have 2 separate bowls but I usually end up eating both, twice a day. I was a pig in a former life I think. Sprinkles is the only one that gets table scraps. Don't get me wrong, I beg just like a good dog would but they don't give in. They say I'm too little to get all that junk right now. What they don't know is that when they aren't looking, I steal popcorn, crackers, and best of all crayons! Yum Yum! Delicious! Jaelyn might be my favorite human to play with but Evan is my favorite human to beg for food from. He usually feeds me something new and tasty. I'm down to only peeing in the house every 3 days or so now. I'm getting there. Just when Mommy thinks, "Bella hasn't peed in the house for a while", then I do it so she doesn't forget I'm still just a puppy.

Week 17

Well, I did it! I accomplished my goal in 17 short weeks and I'm now approximately the same weight as my sister Sprinkles. I hit 27lbs, 2 ozs! As you can see, I'm getting very comfortable being in her space (or crate) and she's getting more tolerant of me, unless she is really sleepy. Then, she's just a real bitch. I was playing with mommy with my tug of war toy and had to stop tonight because my mouth started to bleed. Boy does that taste gross. My mommy looked on the carpet and found a very, very small piece of a tooth. I wasn't interested in her sticking her fingers in my mouth to search for the source of the bleed or to see what tooth came out, after all, it's flu season and you never know what germs are floating around on human hands! I think my sister is going to take the tooth as a trophy or something to school tomorrow. She has a loose tooth too and wants to lose it while at school so she gets a cool little tooth shaped box to keep it in. I think that's crazy. I just eat my teeth that fall out. I eat rocks. I eat sticks. I even tried to eat Evan's new train track today. I'm getting really good at picking up after my humans. Socks, shoes, combs, whatever I bring them, they say, "Not your toy, Bella!" Can't they see I'm just being helpful and trying to earn my allowance too? Mommy is still home with me after having her surgery and she's doing really well. I'm trying to be good about NOT peeing in the house but I still have accidents every few days. Just depends how much attention I am getting. I have learned that if I go outside and come in and sit like a pretty girl, I almost always win a special treat from the "candy" jar. One more thing that I almost forgot! I have learned to jump up and balance on top of the cooler that is kept outside by the kitchen window, so I can get a better peak inside. I know they know that I'm out there! I can see them looking at me! So since they don't always respond to my "knocks" at the back door, I have started tapping on the window. There's this screen though that is getting in my way so I am trying to remove it with my long finger nails. Speaking of finger nails, mine seem to grow so long, so sharp, so fast. I scratched the neighbor lady in the eye a few days ago. Opps! My bad! So that's it for this busy week! Time to go eat some more. I have more growing to do! Chow! (Get it? Chow??!!! Funny!)

WHEW!

I don't have stinky butt today so I think I just bought myself some time. Thank goodness! Expressing anal glands didn't sound fun AT ALL! And after mommy watched a video on how to do it at home, she was convinced that was not in her nursing scope of practice.

Bath Time and Week 16

I'm 23 lbs, 6 ozs at 16 weeks. This was a slow week in growth it seems. When my daddy came home tonight he smelled something awful but couldn't find the smell. I didn't have an accident but they were looking directly at me as the source. Next thing I knew I was in the tub. It may have looked fun but it's not. Next thing I hear is mommy talking about the vet tomorrow and anal glands. What is this that they speak of? Even with the bath, I smell. I'm a dog. But mommy is about to puke so I guess I have an "issue". We'll see tomorrow or whenever they can fit me in.

Spoiled brat that I am...

See how I get treated? Like the spoiled brat I am! I love it too! Mommy lifts me into her lap and holds me like a baby, rocking me in the chair, rubbing my fat little belly. I am the baby of the family and really love it deep down. It gets me out of so much trouble.









Look at that face though. They are trying to turn me into one of those ugly wrinkled sharpei dogs. No thanks! If that ever happens, I'm using mommy's plastic surgeon and having some botox done.

I'm a lab, people!

Look really close at these. I may appear awake but I'm really asleep with my eyes open. It grosses my mommy out. I may look cute but I've been doing some naughty stuff this week. I ripped up the carpet by the kitchen in the living room. My defense, it WAS loose and so I just helped it along. (I overheard mommy say she wants new carpet so I really don't think she minds too much.) I also don't like to be left outside for very long so I have been scratching up the door with my muddy paws (remember, I'm a digger!) and I've been scratching on the window screen. There was already a rip in it from Sprinkles, I imagine. I can see them in there, ignoring me! Once I get a little bigger, I'm gonna learn how to open the door like my Aunt Angel does. My new favorite treats are pine cones and sticks. I eat them. Oh, and rocks! I love me a salty little rock! When I am in trouble for peeing in the house, I like to hide from my daddy under the table. I don't like my nose rubbed in that pee spot! Gross! I also have learned that mommy really likes it when I act all grown up and sit pretty for her. I just sit there and give her my puppy dog eyes and she melts. Quickest way to have them forget I pooped on the sleeping bag, peed on my sister's bed, and continue to get out the wet wipes, tearing them to shreds. I'm a lab, people! It's what I do! I cause trouble and look cute doing it.

My best friend

This is Angel, she's my aunt. She lives with Grandma and Grandpa Dykmann. She came over and played with me tonight. I like to bite her neck and pull her long hair on her face. She doesn't care for it but she tolerates it and doesn't try to bite me. We play so hard that by the end of the night, when she goes home, I crash and so does she, grandma says. She is alot bigger than me but not that much in terms of weight. Grandma said she weighs only 37 lbs. I'm gonna catch her in a few month! Right now, I'm the smallest dog when Sprinkles, Angel, and I get together but soon I'll be the biggest. Tables will turn my friend! HA HA!

(I'm asleep on the floor under my mom's chair and I fart in my sleep. STINKY!)

New friend and doggy jail

Last night, our friends Nick and Mary came over with the newest member of their family, Phyliss, a 1 year old female daschund that they recently adopted from the shelter and named after their favorite character from "The Office". I immediately hit it off with her and we played and she tried to show her dominance over me by humping me. (For the record, I don't play for that team!) My sister, Sprinkles, however, did NOT hit it off with Phyliss. At first daddy thought it was Sprinkles who was causing the dispute but after Sprinkles spent some time in doggy jail (a.k.a. the crate) she came out and we found out it really was Phyliss who started the growling and nipping. Sprinkles was just standing her ground and sticking up for herself. After all, this is HER castle, not Phyliss's. Or as Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, would say, "Sprinkles is the pack leader of our house." I actually thought Sprinkles was gonna EAT Phyliss when they were going at it. Daddy had to pull Sprinkles back and I think she had a bit of a nervous breakdown feeling so threatened by another dog. I felt so sorry for Sprinkles while she was in jail that I went into my crate and waited for her to do her time and get out. That's what sisters do for each other. I'm not sure we will be having another play date with Phyliss again.

Vet appointments and pending surgery

Daddy took me to see the vet today for my 2nd round of shots. Lucky me! When I got home, Mommy shoved a pill down my throat. She said it helps prevent heartworm and fleas. I over heard her on the phone making ANOTHER appt for my last rounds of shots and a rabies shot, along with scheduling my surgery. I'm having a hysterectomy it appears, just like Mommy had. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 26th. I have to take a week off being a crazy puppy and stay low key so I can recovery appropriately. Mommy laughed and told the lady that that may be impossible with another dog in the house and 4 kids. I overheard the use of the word "crate" alot during that phone call. Maybe Grandma Roos will come stay with me during my recovery just like she did with Mommy? I'll have to give her a call later. She would surely spoil me rotten again. I'm hope I get gifts and flowers too since I'll be a brave patient. Did I mention Mommy was jealous my surgery costs only $75 plus $1/lb of the dog. So it'll be a little over $100 by then. She wishes her's was billed like that too!

Week 15

This was a big week for me! In a matter of 6 days, it appears that I gained a ton of weight. Last week, I weighed in at 19lbs 2 ozs and this week I'm a whopping 22 lbs 2 ozs! In 3 more weeks, at this rate, I'll be as big as Sprinkles. I did experience some people food this week, like pretzels. Guess all those carbs went straight to my butt!

Week 14

This past week, my Grandma Roos came to visit to help take care of my mommy, who had surgery. I was good all week and only had a few accidents. Grandma paid me alot of attention and I really liked her. I behaved for the first few days because I didn't really know her yet. But by mid week, I showed her my naughty side as I fought with my sister, Sprinkles, stole grandma's shoes and hide one in the laundry room, and jumped on the furniture. I'm big enough to get up on the couch now but mommy says I'll be too big too soon so I have to stay off. It's not fair. Grandma noticed I take out more toys than my brother Evan. She had to keep picking up my toys and I kept going to the basket and getting them out again. It was a fun game. I haven't lost any teeth yet but I'm sure that will come soon. I was 19lbs 2 ozs, 4 days ago. I got my first taste of ice cream when mommy dropped some on the floor. Yummy! I also got my first taste of throw up. Sprinkles over ate and barfed and I ate it. Not as good as ice cream! I have alot of fun chewing on my brush, the blankets, the crab net that my brother found, really anything and everything. I found my voice and use it to play fight with my sister when Evan is trying to nap. Mommy gets pretty mad and makes me "sit". That's the only trick I have mastered. One of my favorite games is going upstairs to my sister's room and stealing one of her stuffed animals. I usually get the kitty out. I scratch at the door like Sprinkles when I want to get in after being outside for a long time. But I still don't understand that I have to go to the door when I want to potty. I just squat wherever I want still. Daddy gets to take me back to the vet for more shots this week. I overheard mommy say that I get to have surgery next. Maybe in March. Jaelyn wants me to have babies but mommy said that's not gonna happen. Good, cuz I'm still a baby myself. I like being the baby. I still get craddled and cuddled and I get away with murder!

My sister Sprinkles and Me

Week 13

I'm 18.4 lbs!! When I first got here and tried to put my feet up on the couch, on my hind legs, I only reached the couch cushion with my chin. Now I can reach it with my chest when I stand on my back legs. I have so much more energy too! Tonight I humped my little brother. He's so cute!

Sunday Funnies

So today, my little brother Evan came downstairs and told Daddy he has to goto the potty. Daddy was pretty excited about it so he took off his diaper only to find it full of poop. When he wasn't looking, I grabbed the diaper and took off running through the house. Now, who doesn't like a good poopy diaper to chew on once in a while? Daddy wasn't very happy to find me covered in poop and poop on the carpet. I got a bath. Don't they know that the morning is my friskiest time of day? I'm suppose to cause trouble. I'm a puppy!

I'm a digger! I love to pull weeds with my teeth and help my mommy. I have a few special places around my yard that I like to dig. But for some reason, my mommy is putting my poop there so I quit doing it. I'm a chewer too! If it's on the floor, it's not safe. Flip flops are my favorite. They taste salty and oh so good! I have my own basket of toys but the drum sticks, legos, and trains are so much more fun. I still like to eat Sprinkles food. And I've learned how to "sit". Each time I do it, I get a special treat. I'm getting really good at it. Now they want me to lay down and shake though. That's too much work. I can't remember all that at once. Oh, I almost forgot about the red light that keeps appearing in the yard, in the house, on the wall. It comes and goes and it's so fun to chase! I can't catch it but everyone laughs when I chase it. They call it a laser light.

I went to the vet for the first time on New Year's Eve. They decided to restart my vaccines and check me for worms. They stuck this HUGE stick thing up my butt and wouldn't ya know? I have hook worms! They are the worst supposedly and they can suck out my blood making me anemic. So not only did I get a shot but I had to take some nasty medicine. They tell me I have to go back 2 more times, 3 weeks apart. I was put on a leash for the first time and I do not like that! I pulled back and tried to bite the leash. It was sort of a game to me but it was pulling my neck and I wasn't having fun. Finally, Mommy just picked me up and carried me. That won't last cuz I'm gonna grow real big, real soon. They talked about when I will have surgery and decided that I should have it by the time I'm 5-6 months because if I'm too big, the vet can't handle me. So after mommy gets fixed this week, it'll be my turn.

I have mastered going up and down the stairs. I usually go up there to wake up my sister in the mornings and to say goodnight and snuggle for a bit with her at bedtime. I have given in to the fact that I am suppose to sleep in my crate. If I'm tired and it's bedtime, I go right in without a fight. I have my own blanket and toys in my bed so if I wake up, I just play until someone lets me out. If I have to potty, I just whine a little and someone gets up with me. It's a good set up.

That's it for now. I'm doing great! Oh, I almost forgot...my New Year's Resolution is to dig myself out of the backyard so I can chase the kids around the island. That is so much fun!