When Sonia was a puppy, she slept in a cage next to Fiorella's side of the bed so that Fio could reach down and comfort Baby Dog if she whimpered during the night. When Sonia grew older--and bigger--Husband doubled the size of the cage by removing the center divider. At some point, Sonia objected to the cage door being closed so Fio left it open. Eventually, Sonia decided she was grown up enough to sleep with Mommy and Daddy and climbed up on the bed.
And she's been warming our toes ever since.
Showing posts with label puppy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puppy. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Late Night Last Night
About 12:30 last night, Sonya started clawing at the floor of her sleeping crate and wouldn't let up so Fio heaved herself out of bed and knelt down beside the crate to soothe Sonya with the lullaby she's lifted from Big Bang Theory. You know the one: "Soft doggie, warm doggie, little ball of fur/ Happy doggie, sleepy doggie, grr, grr, grr."
Puppy seemed to calm down so Fio went back to bed, but not for long. Sonya not only started clawing again, but added muffled whimpering to the mix. Now, Fiorella's biological imperative impels her to tend to high-pitched whimpering muy pronto so she got out of bed again, Maybe Sonya, who's finally housetrained, needed to pay a late-night visit to the backyard. Accordingly, Fio put on a robe, grabbed a handy leash, unlocked Sonya's crate, and invited her out, but Sonja just stared at her in a dazed sort of way, settled back down, and closed her eyes.
A little dazed herself, Fio went back to bed, leaving the crate shut but unlocked in case of emergency.
Half an hour before Husband's alarm clock rang, Sonya pulled herself up on the bed, spread her ample self across the area below Fio's feet, and went to sleep. Item of information: a double bed is not big enough to house two adults and one fourteen-week-old mammoth...uh...mastiff. Fio squirmed around to give herself more room, but sleep was a lost cause until Husband vacated.
Fio and Sonya slept another hour before Fio's inner clock and a nasty little dream dictated she rise and shine. Miracle of miracles--because Puppy's inner clock was running a little slower, Fio actually got to brush her teeth and put on some clothes before inviting Sonya to go downstairs with her.
The stairs are still a little tricky for Baby Dog, especially when she's just awakened, but she made it down with only a few hitches and trotted decorously to the patio door to go out and do her business.
In retrospect, Fiorella has decided that Sonya was having a doggie dream last night and wasn't even aware she was scrabbling against the floor of her crate. That would also explain why the whimpering had a muffled sound, why she seemed dazed, and why she wouldn't leave the crate: Mommy was interrupting her beauty sleep.
The important things Fio learned are that Sonya accepts the crate as her own bed, she's now strong enough to haul herself up on our bed, and that we need a soft, fitted mat for the floor of her crate to avoid further nights like this.
Puppy seemed to calm down so Fio went back to bed, but not for long. Sonya not only started clawing again, but added muffled whimpering to the mix. Now, Fiorella's biological imperative impels her to tend to high-pitched whimpering muy pronto so she got out of bed again, Maybe Sonya, who's finally housetrained, needed to pay a late-night visit to the backyard. Accordingly, Fio put on a robe, grabbed a handy leash, unlocked Sonya's crate, and invited her out, but Sonja just stared at her in a dazed sort of way, settled back down, and closed her eyes.
A little dazed herself, Fio went back to bed, leaving the crate shut but unlocked in case of emergency.
Half an hour before Husband's alarm clock rang, Sonya pulled herself up on the bed, spread her ample self across the area below Fio's feet, and went to sleep. Item of information: a double bed is not big enough to house two adults and one fourteen-week-old mammoth...uh...mastiff. Fio squirmed around to give herself more room, but sleep was a lost cause until Husband vacated.
Fio and Sonya slept another hour before Fio's inner clock and a nasty little dream dictated she rise and shine. Miracle of miracles--because Puppy's inner clock was running a little slower, Fio actually got to brush her teeth and put on some clothes before inviting Sonya to go downstairs with her.
The stairs are still a little tricky for Baby Dog, especially when she's just awakened, but she made it down with only a few hitches and trotted decorously to the patio door to go out and do her business.
In retrospect, Fiorella has decided that Sonya was having a doggie dream last night and wasn't even aware she was scrabbling against the floor of her crate. That would also explain why the whimpering had a muffled sound, why she seemed dazed, and why she wouldn't leave the crate: Mommy was interrupting her beauty sleep.
The important things Fio learned are that Sonya accepts the crate as her own bed, she's now strong enough to haul herself up on our bed, and that we need a soft, fitted mat for the floor of her crate to avoid further nights like this.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Puppy Priorities
A new baby can be diapered, but a new puppy requires hours of watchfulness. Housebreaking also involves setting up patterns, and when those patterns are disturbed, disaster follows--Fio's paper towel consumption has doubled in the three weeks. But Sonya is doing better.
Now to persuade her not to eat the Christmas tree. Take the tree down, you say? Well, Fiorella hasn't quite gotten around to that yet. She's been too busy puppy-watching.
Now to persuade her not to eat the Christmas tree. Take the tree down, you say? Well, Fiorella hasn't quite gotten around to that yet. She's been too busy puppy-watching.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sonya Snippets
Vinyl bones, tennis balls, squeaky dragons--they just don't cut it. Sonya's into electronics, or to be more exact, cords, or, to be even more exact, Fio's laptop power cord. Yeah, she's a Steve Jobs kinda gal.
*
Sonya's discovered Wendy's favorite sunbeam, the one that slants through the patio doors onto a small throw rug which is placed just right for a tired doggie to lounge on. She's also discovered the puppy in the mirror, the long mirror on the inside of the bathroom door. But no matter how much she cavorts or cajoles, it won't play with her.
*
Husband takes Sonya into bed with him at night while Fiorella enjoys her habitual half-hour soporific soak. They tried crating Baby before Fio's bath, but Sonya yelped so much that Husband couldn't sleep. And when Fio tried keeping Puppy with her in the bathroom while she wallowed in the tub, Sonya, who's barely Beagle size now, seemed to be frightened by Mommy's head being the only part of her she could see. But putting Little One to sleep with Daddy worked out just fine.
The transfer from bed to crate is a little dicey, though.
*
Sonya's discovered Wendy's favorite sunbeam, the one that slants through the patio doors onto a small throw rug which is placed just right for a tired doggie to lounge on. She's also discovered the puppy in the mirror, the long mirror on the inside of the bathroom door. But no matter how much she cavorts or cajoles, it won't play with her.
*
Husband takes Sonya into bed with him at night while Fiorella enjoys her habitual half-hour soporific soak. They tried crating Baby before Fio's bath, but Sonya yelped so much that Husband couldn't sleep. And when Fio tried keeping Puppy with her in the bathroom while she wallowed in the tub, Sonya, who's barely Beagle size now, seemed to be frightened by Mommy's head being the only part of her she could see. But putting Little One to sleep with Daddy worked out just fine.
The transfer from bed to crate is a little dicey, though.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Day by Day
Sonya's having some problems adjusting to the family routine, partially because Daddy's been home sick all week and everyone's been sleeping late, partially because Mommy's hip has given out again and she's not been too agile lately, all of which resulted in Sonya's housebreaking going down the tubes (pun intended). Husband even had to give her crate a deep clean yesterday.
But today is a new day. Sonya let us sleep till 7:30, awoke Mommy with a couple of sharp yips, and, without a leash, trotted down the stairs behind her. Mommy hobbled over as quickly as she could to open the back door, but Sonya was quicker on the carpet. "NO," Fio thundered. Sonya stopped in mid-dribble as Mommy grabbed her by the harness and directed her out to finish in the yard.
Mommy was somewhat suspicious when she let Sonya back in, and rightly so--ten minutes later, Baby started to squat again, but on the concrete floor this time, a sure sign of what was to come. Fio hustled her outside again. After a little dithering between the yard and the stepping stones, which Sonya's puppy feet identified as concrete, she deposited in the yard.
Hooray for Sonya, who's learning. And hooray for Mommy, who, still in her nightgown, is sitting on the couch writing this blog with sweet Sonya sleeping by her side.
But today is a new day. Sonya let us sleep till 7:30, awoke Mommy with a couple of sharp yips, and, without a leash, trotted down the stairs behind her. Mommy hobbled over as quickly as she could to open the back door, but Sonya was quicker on the carpet. "NO," Fio thundered. Sonya stopped in mid-dribble as Mommy grabbed her by the harness and directed her out to finish in the yard.
Mommy was somewhat suspicious when she let Sonya back in, and rightly so--ten minutes later, Baby started to squat again, but on the concrete floor this time, a sure sign of what was to come. Fio hustled her outside again. After a little dithering between the yard and the stepping stones, which Sonya's puppy feet identified as concrete, she deposited in the yard.
Hooray for Sonya, who's learning. And hooray for Mommy, who, still in her nightgown, is sitting on the couch writing this blog with sweet Sonya sleeping by her side.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Adventures in Housebreaking
Housebreaking a puppy is not an easy task when your hip is giving you trouble and it's raining cats and...uh...dogs outside.
Yes, that rain the meteorologists told us wouldn't come again till spring is here. The skies are gray, the ground is soggy, and our Sonya is too persnickety to use the backyard when the vinyl mat in front of the kitchen sink does so well for number one and the dining room floor is perfect for the other. She's also pretty stealthy about it.
At least Fiorella knows where to look, the mat can be wiped up, and the concrete floor is easily cleaned.
But once Fio's hip is better, Sonya better mind her Pees and Cues.
Yes, that rain the meteorologists told us wouldn't come again till spring is here. The skies are gray, the ground is soggy, and our Sonya is too persnickety to use the backyard when the vinyl mat in front of the kitchen sink does so well for number one and the dining room floor is perfect for the other. She's also pretty stealthy about it.
At least Fiorella knows where to look, the mat can be wiped up, and the concrete floor is easily cleaned.
But once Fio's hip is better, Sonya better mind her Pees and Cues.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sonya Speaks
I played a little game with Mommy this morning. Every time she tried to entice me up the stairs so she could keep an eye on me while she dressed, I did things like stop half-way, grab one of her shoes that had been left on a step, then hightail it back down, rump-bump-a-thumping all the way. When Mommy discovered my little trick and dragged me upstairs, I grabbed Daddy's pajama bottoms from the utility room floor and ran for my life. Mommy caught me again, and this time I had to stay in the bathroom with her, but that too had its opportunities. When Mommy tried to step into her underpants, I sank my teeth into one edge and pulled. I thought they were mine--after all, they were pink and I'm a girl.
Mommy, being bigger and stronger and having absolutely no sympathy for a bare-bottomed puppy, prevailed, finished dressing, then accompanied me downstairs, but not before I'd noticed her nightgown and heavy winter robe hanging from a high hook. In a nanosecond, they were on the floor. All it took was a little tug.
Don't blame me. These puppy teeth crave action.
Mommy, being bigger and stronger and having absolutely no sympathy for a bare-bottomed puppy, prevailed, finished dressing, then accompanied me downstairs, but not before I'd noticed her nightgown and heavy winter robe hanging from a high hook. In a nanosecond, they were on the floor. All it took was a little tug.
Don't blame me. These puppy teeth crave action.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Puppy Love
Maybe it's the new puppy, but life is rosy at La Casa Fiorella right now. Local Son has a new desktop computer, put together by Cousin Aaron and Friend Anthony after his laptop crashed. Daughter is recovered from her cold/flu, Minnesota Son is heading toward long-awaited knee surgery on March 5 (his late grandfather's birthday), and Husband has had an extended period of good health--the experimental lupus drug seems to be working.
Add to all that the fact that Friend Sharon is holding steady on her own experimental drug, Cousin Julie's daughter seems to have beaten breast cancer, Friend Suzy's husband has a new job, Friend Paula's daughter and husband have bought a new house, Friend Marion is expecting another grandchild, and Fiorella herself has had a nibble from another literary agent.
Fio has also developed a new skill--typing with her left hand because sweet, silky-furred Sonya Wendysdotttir is sleeping on her other arm.
The occasional puddles on the floor are worth it.
Add to all that the fact that Friend Sharon is holding steady on her own experimental drug, Cousin Julie's daughter seems to have beaten breast cancer, Friend Suzy's husband has a new job, Friend Paula's daughter and husband have bought a new house, Friend Marion is expecting another grandchild, and Fiorella herself has had a nibble from another literary agent.
Fio has also developed a new skill--typing with her left hand because sweet, silky-furred Sonya Wendysdotttir is sleeping on her other arm.
The occasional puddles on the floor are worth it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sonya Comes Home
Congratulate us--Fiorella and Husband have a new baby in the house. They drove to Luling yesterday and picked up a ten-week-old Mastiff.
The ride was long and arduous, and, as soon as Sonya was in the car, she raked Fio's arms with her cat-like claws, causing her new mother to bleed like a sieve. But all was forgiven when Baby Dog slept the rest of the way home--well, except for that pause midway when she threw up.
Anyway, Bosco welcomed the newbie, and the two of them played nicely together, Bosco being the more dominant because he's been in the house longer. Besides, Son's year-old pug is heavier--a situation which won't last very long. Adult mastiffs weigh in at 100+ pounds.
Then we'll see who's boss.
The ride was long and arduous, and, as soon as Sonya was in the car, she raked Fio's arms with her cat-like claws, causing her new mother to bleed like a sieve. But all was forgiven when Baby Dog slept the rest of the way home--well, except for that pause midway when she threw up.
Anyway, Bosco welcomed the newbie, and the two of them played nicely together, Bosco being the more dominant because he's been in the house longer. Besides, Son's year-old pug is heavier--a situation which won't last very long. Adult mastiffs weigh in at 100+ pounds.
Then we'll see who's boss.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Great Puppy Hunt
Fio and Husband are on the dog hunt again. They've decided on a mastiff because it's a large dog, has a good temperament, and its appearance will not remind them of any previous dogs, especially Wendy the Weimer. They would prefer a one-year-old female--old enough to be thoroughly housebroken, but young enough that Fio and Husband could enjoy a fair number of years with this notoriously short-lived breed. Unfortunately for Fio et al, rescue mastiffs are not only few and far between, but have been so terribly abused as to need lengthy medical treatments before they can be released for adoption.
So now begins the great puppy hunt. Yes, Fiorella and Husband are gearing up for the crate by the bed, the midnight forays into the backyard to maintain the housebreaking, and the gnawing on anything that is remotely gnawable.
But it's worth it.
So now begins the great puppy hunt. Yes, Fiorella and Husband are gearing up for the crate by the bed, the midnight forays into the backyard to maintain the housebreaking, and the gnawing on anything that is remotely gnawable.
But it's worth it.
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