Kaiser the Show Dog

Kaiser looked like this just a few days ago.  Scruffy and unkempt looking.  But so cute.  Still like a baby.  Fluffy furball he was.
But, his furry little self was developing matts - like overnight it seems.  On his chest.  I tried brushing and brushing - to no avail - and didn't want to hurt him.
So, off to the groomers he went - for his first haircut. The lady at the groomers told me he would look so handsome, but not really like a puppy anymore.  I felt like a mom with a 2 yr old - full of curls - who was getting their first haircut, and then they would end up looking like a big boy.

And that is exactly what happened.  Just look at him. I couldn't believe it - looks like a totally different dog!  Jalyn was freaking out - she misses the furball!  She said he already looked like an old man - but now he looks like a really old man!!  Joshua's exact words were, "OOOHHH, I am so proud of Kaiser!!  He's so dorable!!"

It was so traumatic for him!  There was so much barking - and doggy stench!  He was petrified there!  He has slept ever since we got him home!

This old man actually turned 5 months today!  Not sure if we will keep up this new look for him or not.  Oh, and he lost all of his black fur - except for the under belly - he's all silver now! 

Now I had better wake him up before he decides he's done sleeping when it's time for us to go to bed!

Just Curious? - A Doggy Question

As I take Kaiser out in the freezing cold, and hear his feet crunching the freezing grass,

and as I stand there shivering under the stars,

or in the bright of day, bracing against winter's winds,

I often wonder, "Just how do people do this in REALLY frozen places?" 

Curious minds want to know - or at least mine does.  Does a dog willing step out into snow and go potty? 

Or is it a little like when it's raining here, and I have to drag Kaiser out the door, give him a little push,

and force him to go into the pouring rain? 

Or are "northern" dogs just so used to the frigid temps and snow on the ground, that they think little of it?

Do they like to be out when it is snowy?  Like to run around?

Do you bundle them up?  In cute little sweaters?  Like the one Kaiser keeps trying to chew off,

and the one I love to put on him - just because it's too funny - and too cute?

Do you take them out on a leash?  And stand there shivering - waiting for them to do their business?

Really - any of you snow people, fill me in... 

For Pet Lovers Only

I am a researcher at heart.

Whatever it is I am interested in -

I must know it.

Honestly, I can become slightly obsessed!

Just a little.

Whether it was when I was trying to get pregnant,

being pregnant, breastfeeding, raising children,

becoming a Christian, getting to know God, the bible,

whatever it may be,

I read about it, get lots of books, search the web,

I pour over and over it - until I know it.

As well as I can :)

When I got Kaiser, I wanted to feed him food that was good for him.

I researched dog food.

I went to pet stores, grocery stores,

read just about every website online, comparing dog foods.

I read vet websites, forums

 (some fights and fueds - what people will fight about!),

celebrity websites, many articles, etc.

Yes, I  know - obsessed.

This is what it is like without school on my brain!

Anyway - my final results are in:::::

There is NO perfect dog food.

BUT, there are lots of bad dog foods.

And I have decided not to buy those.

I did learn a lot about feeding dogs fresh food -

and have decided to do so, along with some better dog food.

So, obsessive as it may sound, I actually made a big pot of people/doggie food.

See, it looks good, doesn't it.

It's got chicken, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes,

apples, and brown rice.

I filled 6 containers, put one in the fridge, and put the others in the freezer.

I mixed it with some of his food -

as I will do once a day.

I have never seen him eat so happily!

Really.

See how yummy it was?

Just look at that wet beard and sweet face!

It is worth it.

I figure a container a week, I will only have to make a pot

every 5-6 weeks.

Hey, it's much better that whatever mystery meat

is in canned dog food.

Besides, I think I want him to stick around for a while.

(Ha. Ha.)

Little Dog Syndrome

I have it...

I can't help it, after having such a big dog for so long,

it's just so cute to have a little one!

One where you can do things like this to:

Today we wake up to cold temps (for us),

and I gleefully say it will be that way all week.

So, Kaiser gets a sweater.

And other than possibly keeping him warm,

it makes me laugh everytime I look at him!

For that, it's worth it!

And just look at this face!

Can't wait for Jalyn to wake up -

she will gush.

He is her baby!

Life With a Puppy

Kaiser

Puppy Kennel

Puppy Bed

Puppy Chew Toys

My scarecrow that keeps getting it's straw torn off and has been dragged around my living room - by puppy teeth

Puppy food and fresh water

A dark hallway - with all my doors closed - so that puppy will not potty on my carpet

Puppy Cuteness

Welcome Kaiser

We have our little puppy now.

Let me first tell you the story of how we got him.

First, we went to the pound and found a puppy. We didn't have our hearts set on it, it wasn't love at first sight or anything. Well, we paid the deposit, and was told to come back in 3 days to get it, after she was spayed. We picked out a name, bought all the supplies, and was all ready.

Thursday morning comes along. Bible study. We all passed around a prayer sheet/list. I put on there for everyone to pray for the puppy situation. That whatever dog we got would be a blessing to our family and for the dog.

About 2 hours later, I get a phone call from the pound. The lady tells me the puppy we picked out has scabies. Along with all of her litter mates. Highly contagious to humans. She tells me it will be at least two weeks before we could get her.
I told her we would have to think about it.

Well, last night, me and Jalyn did lots of research on the computer. We looked at several dog breeds. One dog that kept coming up - one that I had never though of before was a Miniature Schnauzer. I have never even known anyone with one.

I called a lady here in town who was selling some Mini Schnauzer puppies. I got her answering machine and left a message. Meanwhile, a friend of mine was going to pick up a new puppy in Mississippi, to a town about an hour away. The lady had several puppies for sale, and I was going to look at one of hers.

RIGHT before I was about to leave this morning, the lady I called last night, calls me. She lives about 3 miles from my house. She has 4 adult Miniature Schnauzers. And 2 puppies left to sell.

Me and Jalyn went right over. We fell in love.

Wouldn't you?

Meet Kaiser.

He has the sweetest disposition. Between Jalyn and Joshua, his feet have barely touched the ground!

Let's pray that tonight goes smoothly. I don't know whether to crate him, or cuddle him. I don't want him to be crying, missing his Mama, Daddy, and little brother.

I'll let ya'll know how he does!

We are having a baby

Tomorrow.

Or at least, that is what it feels like.

The kids have been wanting a puppy for quite a while. Even though we already have this big lug!

He's giant, but loveable.  He's too big, but so sweet. 

But, they (the kids) want a little dog too.

An indoor dog.

Our gentle giant barks when he needs to. 

Or at least when he thinks he needs to.

When I think of little dogs, I think of yappy little things.

Not appealing to me.

Nonetheless, I went to the shelter with Clay and Joshua.

We searched and we found.

A little dog.

One that will stay little.

We go pick her up tomorrow.

And so it feels about like I am having a baby.

Or something like that. 

Without all the warm fuzzy feelings.

Something life altering, and time consuming.

(Of course when I had a baby, I was thrilled!)

With this arrival, I am trying to be cautiously optimistic.

I know the kids will be thrilled.

And they are old enough to help out.

But housetraining...

And chewed up things.

And kenneling.

Taking a puppy out at night to potty.

And all day.

If I thought I was busy before. 

Look out.

Do any of you have little indoor dogs?

What do you do with them when guests come over?

Like for Bible Study today?

Would you put them in their kennel - or let them mingle?

I will be needing much help in these matters.

Or maybe she will be the sweetest thing ever,

and will be housebroken in a day.

She may never bark.

I can dream,

can't I?