11 weeks

that's how long I have had Snickerdoodle as a part of this family. It seems like longer, and when I get frustrated, I need to remember how young she is, and how little time she truly has had to learn everything. In all honesty, we have had a good couple of weeks (KNOCK ON WOOD QUICK!). While she is still teething, which translates into chewing everything, she is also slowly learning the ropes.

The weather is finally giving us a break. We've stayed out of the hundreds for a few weeks, and have actually hovered in the high 80s. This week we even have some 70s for daytime highs. Rain comes with those cooler temps, so we have to work around that for our walks. But the walks have been a success ALL WEEK! They are on separate leashes, Skittle on a normal 4' leash, and Snicki on the short extender. Snicki is doing SO much better. Less jumping, less criss crossing, and not constantly trying to get to Skittle. And for Skittle's part, I have given her the full 4' to work with, so she is just that much ahead of Snicki when she needs to be. Today we walked for about an hour and 15 to 20 minutes :) I currently have two tired pups on the floor by my feet!

Snicki also had her surgery last weekend. I was out of town, so they got to keep her for 4 days. She has purple stitches AND has left them alone! She did very well, and came home as if nothing had happened. It certainly didn't dampen her energy level LOL!

Our future concentration will be on consistency of walking - to wear out the pup in order to get some training in. She has been difficult to train for one, because she is so hyper, she can't calm down enough to follow a command. And for two, Skittle wants the treats as well, so I have to attend to both. Snicki is smart tho, and I know she will pick up on the commands when it is time. I am giving all of us until about 6 months or so (which is mid November) to see how we are doing. If I feel like some formal training is in order, we will get in a class :)

Hope to post more good news in the upcoming weeks!

Not feeling up to pet momma of the year

Its been an interesting couple of months, to say the least. Lately I have felt like we have made more steps backwards than forwards. The day to day happenings in puppyhood are tedious with Snickerdoodle. She is definitely my second child, who is so much different in her first year than Skittle was. It certainly does not make me feel like I am doing things the right way.

Here are all of the things Snicki has "learned" lately. How to jump on the couches. How to run up the stairs. How to poop upstairs. How to run laps inside the house. How to chew up molding. How to chew up rugs. How to chew up dead crickets. How to chew up dead worms. How to throw up said crickets and worms. How to annoy Skittle on walks. How to quickly end a walk. How to make momma sit on the sidewalk and almost cry during a walk.

The good things? Snicki has lost at least 4 teeth, meaning there might be a light at the end of the chewing tunnel. Snicki has started to crawl into momma's lap for a kiss or occasional snuggle. She adores Skittle, and does know how to be passive around her - although Skittle hasn't quite figured her out yet. She stops for "NO", even if only for a second. She has become a very good eater, and is eating productively and quickly. And mostly, she is a sweet baby when she is tired.

I adore my girls, and try to find fun things to do every day, to help burn off the puppy energy. And to remember why I love them so much.