3 dog getaway!

3 dogs go for an adventure

Winston had a big weekend! He met several people over the weekend. Here he is with Ale!

Winston also met my friend Rachel. They look so cute!

Winston and Julia :)

Elliott and Winston share some peanut butter with Ale and Bayley, Rachel's daughter.

Winston and Rachel by the pool.

Winston and Ale chillin'!

Winston gets a belly rub from Ale.

Don't tell Carly but photographic evidence proves that she and Winston CAN cohabitate!

A super weekend with friends, family and 3 awesome dogs! Winston was a charmer and behaved like an angel!

Last puppy vet check!

Winston heads to our vet (Pine Meadow Clinic) for his last puppy visit.

While we waited for Dr Coy, Winston practiced some basic obedience commands.

Once we were in the exam room Winston became a little worried. He remembered that "bad things happen here" AKA someone pokes me with sharp objects and sticks things in my rear!!!

Winston gets a thorough exam from Dr Coy.

Next, Winston has his final shots, look at the face!!!! Poor lil boy! Now he is good to go for a year! By the way, Winston weighed in at 20.5 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!! He is only 3-4 lbs less than Carly now and about 5 lbs less that Elly!

Back at home Winston relaxes: It is tough work being this cute!

Another milestone for Winston as he continues his journey with us! I am not ready for his puppy days to be over yet! He still makes his little puppy grunts and he still has all his puppy teeth.  Now, to savor every day with him.

Dental Care

About once a month, we try to scrape the tartar off the dogs' teeth. This requires a team effort. Kelli holds the dogs lips open and I, equipped with my magnifier visor and dental tools, quickly scrape the tartar off the teeth at the gum line before the dog protests. Most of the tartar accumulates on the outside of the tooth where we can get to it. If we clean their teeth on a regular basis, we can postpone professional cleanings by up to a year or two. We've learned that if our dog's gums go from healthy pink to red we need to react quickly or risk losing a tooth or worse. We don't like putting the dogs to sleep for teeth cleaning so this preventive care helps reduce the trauma of anesthesia. Here, Elliott says he doesn't want to be next.

It is amazing the chunks of tartar that build up if you don't keep their teeth clean or even if you do. Kelli follows up the cleanings by brushing their teeth regularly with enzymatic dog toothpaste in yummy poultry flavor.

As you would expect, the dogs hate it, but they tolerate my occasional clumsy poke into their gums. And they are highly rewarded with treats afterwards.

Winston still has his baby teeth and his teeth are perfect, but we have started going through the motions by pretending to clean his teeth so he will get used to us working in his mouth. Winston really hates it and repeatedly asks for my dental hygiene license.

After we were done, Winston looked so handsome we decided to take a couple of pictures.

quick update

One of the "advantages" of taking class at Petsmart is the shopping! Winston has really benefited from the trainer, Lindsey's, suggestions since we seem to buy many of the things she shows and talks about! Winston came home with a new active toy: The Kong Wobbler.  This Kong has a shell that unscrews to allow treats or dog food to be placed inside. There is a small opening in the front of the Kong that allows treats to fall out as the dog bats the Kong around and plays. So, Winston has to do some work to get his reward. So far he has had fun with it. Winston only gets to play with it at special times.

Sorry for the poor pic quality on my phone but you get the idea!

Winston in profile:  He is losing his puppyhood right before our eyes! He is looking more and more like an adult Glen. I am so glad we have the blog to see his transition.  We are savoring every moment.  His coordination is improving and he walks on his face a lot less now too!

Week 5 of puppy class!

Winston learns and practices "stay!"

Winston learns "okay" means release from the "stay" and gets a treat!

Winston saw his old friend Dexter at puppy class! Dexter likes to play, as does Winston!

This is a little blurry but I had to include Dexter's famous "head hold" move he always gives Winston!

Jasmine, the Westie, wants in the on the playtime!

Winston goes after Jasmine. He is huge compared to her now!

Another great class tonight! Winston did great and had fun playing with Jasmine and Dexter. If, only he could get in half hour of playtime with Dexter and Jasmine every day!

a few pics

Too cute!!!

"and then she said...."

Playtime!

Look how big he is getting!

Elliott and Caryl, Winston's brother and sister

Bring Your Dog to Work Year

One of my goals for Winston is for him to accompany me to work and be my work companion. He must do this without being a pest to anyone. Most businesses don’t allow you to bring your dog to work with you. However, if it’s your business, you get to make stupid decisions like it’s ok to bring your dog to work. I don’t take smoke breaks or coffee breaks so I think I deserve a doggie break where I can play with my boy. My workload has diminished since the due date of the exempt orgs has passed and I have time to be distracted. Bring on Winston.

I share my office with other businesses so it is imperative for Winston to be on his best behavior. No whining, no leg up on my neighbor’s desk, no eating tax returns, no running with scissors, etc. Kelli and I decided that we should gradually introduce Winston to the work environment. The first step was to design a doggie workstation so Winston can use his nose to type and prepare tax returns. No, I’m kidding. That process won’t start until he is 6 months old.

Kelli has been bringing Winston in around 3 pm and he stays with me until it is time to go home. I need him to be quiet and occupied during his office time. This is tough for a 4 month old puppy! Kelli thought he should have something that makes office time special and different so she got Winston pig ears to chew on. We’ve never bought these rather disgusting items before, but I suppose it is important to use the entire animal if you can. Kelli’s idea worked. Winston loves pig ears and the only place he can get them is at my office.

As soon as Kelli opens the door to my building, Winston tears out full speed to my office to see me and get his treat. A long afternoon consumes about 3 pig ears. So far, I have no complaints from my neighbors or clients and I can reach down and pet my dog whenever I want!

Super dogs!!!

Winston frolicking in the backyard today.

Winston is getting so big!

The grass is always greener on the other side!! That is a leaf on his face.

"back to back they faced each other.."   Elliott taking a break from playing with Winston. Carly is in the background: always on watch.

How could anyone resist this face???

Another great week for Winston. He had a fun filled week and is growing so fast. Carly is still not ready to be friends with him but she is a little more tolerant. Elliott seeks refuge on the furniture when he tires from playing. I am not sure what Elliott will do once Winston masters jumping on the furniture??!!

A full week!

Winston really had a full week this week. He had his regular puppy class and he also started going into work with Mark for just a few hours at the end of the day.  Mark found that Winston could be totally occupied with a pig's ear! I really was hesitant to let him have them but I gave in! We are saving them as a special treat he can have when he visits Mark's office. I know that he remembered that pig cartilage too because today when we arrived, Winston went in the front door of the building and RAN to Mark's office!! He knew where he was going and was super excited. I know it looks like his neck is glowing in the pic--it is from the reflective collar and the flash on my cell phone camera. 

Winston also visited the doggie day care and grooming salon that Carly and Elliott go to: http://bellapoochgrooming.com/indexMain.html  

He was a little leery at first because there were a lot of barky big dogs and a really loud Beagle but Winston soon settled in and was at ease. He even took on his laid back pose with his back legs kicked out. Winston met the owner, Tracey and had fun seeing the other doggies. We want him to experience life to the fullest and have a lot of socialization. (yes, I know he is a dog!!! I was talking to someone the other day about him they said: "are you talking about your DOG??!!" When I was talking about socializing him---she wasn't a dog person! )

This afternoon Winston took a dip in the pond! He likes the water and he was interested in the water plants!

He found a stick and swam around in the shallows. He enjoys cooling off in the water.   I bet the pond will become one of his favorite places this summer!

just a few pics

I love Winston's coat against the colors in this pet bed!

I had to include this pic of Winston sunning today. He looked so content. He loves to roll over for a belly scratch!  Just a couple of pics for blog addicts!

Winston gets a trim on his feet as Elliott looks on. Winston was a great sport and never even moved while Mark trimmed his feet. Next up, we will have to brave trimming his ears---YIKES!

A rare sighting: Carly, Elliott and Winston playing! Carly is still holding out for day to day playing. She really does tolerate a lot from him but she is not ready to give in and play much.

My Facebook friends will recognize this pic I posted today. All 3 doggies together. A true treat! As long as Winston does not touch Carly everything is alright! It is kinda like the siblings riding in the car" mom, he is touching me!!!" Maybe one day...I can dream! :)