Feb 25, 2000 - Day One
I was so excited. I had waited for this day for over a week - just to
see you and to take you home with me. And there you were, a fluffball
on Teresa's lap. You didn't know what was going on and were probably
a bit scared, but I was so happy to finally hold you.
When we got home, you wolfed down some food and drank some cool water
and proceeded to play - puppy play. There were lots of naps inbetween
all that play. You were really good about going outside, but I had to
watch you constantly to get you out the door.
I did get quite a few photos of you - because everyone was waiting for
them!
When bedtime came, I put you on the bed with me and hoped we could get
a little rest. How did you get to be such a noisy sleeper? Grunting
and groaning, moving about, next to me, on top of me, chewing my hand,
pulling my hair - I am exhausted!
Feb 26, 2000
I think I am too old for this - I am SO tired.
We got up at 5:30 (not that I slept any) and you ate and went out. You
hung onto Daddy's pajama legs and chewed his feet - he was not thrilled.
Then came playtime and a nap - and more pictures. I tried to get some
work done while you slept, but your naps were short and I had to get
you outside when you woke up, so the day went slowly. I even tried laying
down on your bed with you and you snuggled up, nose to nose, and slept.
I last fed you at 6pm and am waiting for you to get up in a little while
so you can poop. Will you let me sleep a little tonight? Please?
Feb 27, 2000
I finally got some sleep!...although I should not have given Shiloh
that water at midnight. I could not bear to see her thirsty and thought
she would just wake me in an hour, but what I didn't know, is that Shiloh
changed her "territory." Her sleeping area became my pillow
or cuddled up next to me and she wet the bed farther down on the end.
I'll just block that off with pillows tonight - and NO water after dinner.
I fed her early as we'll be going over friends at 4pm....of course,
she is coming too!
Full belly and all played out after a romp outside, she is sleeping
now.
We arrived at my friend's house about 5pm and Shiloh was good in her
crate. She whined pitifully for a little while, but settled down to
sleep. I think she was a bit nervous there as it was a strange place
and lots of people. Cinnamon (one of the resident cats) was not thrilled.
Shiloh just wanted to sniff her, but got swiped in the nose for her
efforts. Still, she wanted to go back, so I had to keep her away all
night. She got cranky - just like a baby who has missed her nap - and
I sat with her on the floor downstairs until she fell asleep. Later
she was a "nicer pup" and enjoyed prancing around with a big
pink bow in her mouth.
Feb 28, 2000
We started our day early - 4:30am. Shiloh did well last night with her
smaller sleeping area, but she still had to plop on top of my head and
pillow :)
A couple of naps later, she had a long playtime chasing her little stuffed
chicken Mary Kay gave her yesterday. Hope she sleeps a while now as
I really need to get some work done here.
She does not seem to care for my office, so I let her sleep upstairs
and I check on her in 20 minutes. Sometimes she is up already and hunting
for me when I get upstairs - and then her little tail wags when she
sees me :)
Today Daddy brought home a little ball for her. Well, she had such a
great time chasing that around, pouncing on it, and growling at it when
it got stuck in corners. She wore herself out so much, she sat in her
water dish! Luckily, it was empty.
Had a bit of trouble getting the stinker to bed as she kept jumping
off the bed - not good for her legs at this age. But we finally settled
in - until 1:30 am.
Feb 29, 2000
At 1:30 am, we had to go outside and then Shiloh wanted to play. I brought
her little chicken into bed and she chewed on that a little while. She
got me up at 4:30 by stretching all over my head and pillow, so I took
the hint :)
Today she met Mr. Vacuum. She sniffed it first and then I took her to
her bed while Daddy started it. She was ok with it for a while, until
it came too close - then she wanted outside and played there.
Mar 1, 2000
Happy 8 week Birthday! Yes, Shiloh is 8 weeks old today and this is
the beginning of her fear-avoidance stage. She was very good last night
and we went out at 2am. She wanted to play then, so I let her crawl
in my lap and chew her pig treats until she got tired again. She won't
be able to do that much longer the way she is growing, so I am savoring
every minute of it. Her ears are fully erect now. She has changed
in just the 5 days I have had her.
I awoke with her soft neck on my hand and we began our day at 6:30.
She played in bed a while and I let her as she was holding her urine
and that is always a good sign! Then we went out, ate our breakfast,
went out and played, peed, and pooped. It has been very windy here the
past 3 days, but today is sunny and calm and there were lots of birds
out. Shiloh noticed the raven flying overhead, saw the cardinals in
the apple tree, and tried to chase the two robins which came flying
in low.
Mar 3, 2000
Doctor's visit today - Shiloh is 10 pounds, in good health, and got
her first shot of the second round. Next appointment is Mar 17.
Mar 5, 2000
Shiloh was such a stinker - and so cute today. She awoke from an early
nap and came down the stairs by herself to find me. It was such a nice
surprise - although I did search the house to see if there were any
"other surprises" :)
It was warm and sunny and we spent a lot of time outside....and Shiloh
discovered that she can walk on the pool cover. She proceeded to bark
at the pump and drink/wallow in the water which was on the cover. She
had a great time - all THREE times. Surprisingly, she cleaned up very
nicely.
I notice that she always lays down next to me, inside or out, and that
she seems to need that now.
Mar 7, 2000
Shiloh comes down the stairs by herself now, but I still have to listen
for her as she fell down a few this morning. It's a good thing puppies'
bodies are so flexible! She has also found hours of enjoyment in chasing
her tail. She still chews on hands, but the worst is the legs and feet.
When summer comes and we wear shorts, this will be a problem. I keep
telling her 'no' but it hasn't had much of an effect yet.
She still eats dirt and that worries me. I asked her vet but he said
puppies will do that in areas of children and other dogs. Shiloh eats
the dirt from the flower pots and inside plants - and 'Rista was never
in those.
Mar 10, 2000
Shiloh has just grown and grown. Her body is elongated, legs longer
and stouter, her gray coat is coming in, and the ears are still sprouting!
She loves to sleep under my desk now or along the wall, but it seems
she is not that comfortable, so I have to get her another bed for down
here. I spend my whole day here and now Shiloh does too. It is so nice
to have her here with me. I love it when she first wakes up and I hear
the thump-thump of her coming down the stairs to find me. I go to the
doorway and get on the floor with my arms open and she comes running
with her tail wagging. She licks my face and I kiss her soft head. It
is so nice to have a home with a sweet Shepherd Girl in it :)
Today she discovered snow. She had such a great time eating it, jumping
around and chasing her tail. She was so busy playing, that she did not
pee, so I have to wisk her upstairs when she wakes up.
Mar 11, 2000
Got some photos in the snow this morning and later we all went out to
Petsmart to pick out another bed for Shiloh. A salesgirl gave her a
pig piece and she happily chewed that all the way home.
Mar 15, 2000
Today is Shiloh's 10 week birthday!
We have been busy "fighting" for the past few days as she
still bites, but that is her only flaw. She is so good about everything
else. She will drag herself up the stairs to go to the door to be let
out, but she still needs to go out during the night. I can't wait for
her to sleep through the night - like any new mother!
We
go out a lot and try to burn off that energy with the 2-liter bottles
and a soccer ball. That usually gets her going on my feet and legs,
so before summer arrives, I had better come up with a solution.
Today I ordered some Bitter Apple and Simple Solution - pet repellants
- and hope those will help with her biting. The only thing that stopped
her was a smack to the face, but I hated doing that.
With the help of treats, I taught her to come and sit in only two tries.
Well, she will do anything for food! ...although she did not eat all
of her dinner last night or breakfast this morning. I wonder if she
is getting finicky because her lunchtime meal has all the added goodies.
Well, if she is hungry, she will eat her food.
Mar 16, 2000
Snow and sleet all last night and today. Shiloh ate all of her breakfast,
but did not poop outside and ended up going on her pet bed - very unusual.
Well, we got that cleaned up and she has a fresh, clean bed now. She
got better about going out in bad weather and we had an ok day.
Mar 17, 2000
Vet visit today and Shiloh is 17.7 pounds. She gained almost 8 pounds
in the two weeks. Jaime came home from school today and she had a great
time bothering him :)
Mar 19, 2000
Jaime gets all the tail-wags :) Shiloh is just entranced by him (pictures).
She was really good last night and got through the night - well, until
5 am! I got some work done early. Shiloh will sleep behind my chair,
on the wheels, and under my desk (where she will outgrow that space
soon), when I am at the computer.
She
is so cute today...she did battle with a broom, chased some flies, took
on a pine cone, relaxed in the sun, raced down the stairs growling at
her stuffed lion...and wore herself out.
Mar 26, 2000
Amazing how the time gets away from me. Jaime has been home all week
on Spring Break and Shiloh has just delighted in bothering him. The
last two nights were a bit hot for her and I had to turn on the ceiling
fan to give her a breeze.
She sleeps through the night now until about 5 or 6 am, goes outside,
eats, and then turns into Cujo, the Hound From Hell. Wild! All that
dog hears lately is NO.
She still needs to be watched as she thinks nothing of wandering off
and peeing or pooping in the house - and she knows better! I think it
will get easier as we ease back into our schedule here when Jaime leaves
tonight.
Mar 27, 2000
Another day of getting into trouble....she had peed and pooped, eaten
and was tired, so I did not think too much of it when Shiloh wandered
into the den. But then it was too quiet for a while - you know, just
like with toddlers. When I went in, there she was, chewing the carpeting
off the stairs! I am seriously considering Ridalin for her. LOL
Daddy
bought her a pool today as she likes water so much. He could not find
anything bigger than this sandbox, but it's fine for now and Shiloh
had a great time in the water. Another picture.
April 1, 2000
Another vet appointment today and Shiloh now weighs 24 pounds. She was
wild today with lots of energy as it rained and she spent most of the
day indoors. I really want to find a herding class for her as she is
a natural. I run with the broom and she chases it, but watches any pattern
I use and then cuts through to meet the broom!
I finally got my own domain name, something I have wanted to do for
a long time. I'll need to reorganize this site before I move it - hopefully,
for the last time! The new address is: http://4thmoon.com/
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