Dogs Again - But This Time - a BOOK!!

So here goes my first blog that is more "my thoughts" driven as opposed to "hey my dogs did this this week". I warn you though, it's still about dogs....

After dinner on Sunday, Ryan and I walked over to Barnes and Noble (one of my favorite places in the WORLD); we wanted some drinks, dessert, and reading/browsing time. Now, I've set myself up for an hour or so of browsing the random books on the display table, to make mental notes of the interesting things I see....I'm attempting to branch out a bit from ONLY Sci-fi/Fantasy books. Then I see this little paperback book on the end cap, only about 5 minutes into my search. The book is titled, "Marley & Me" by John Groban, but it's not the title that gets me, it's the adorable picture of a yellow lab looking at me from the cover. I pick it up and look at it for a min, say to myself, "how cute!" then put the book back down and continue my search. Less than a minute later I go back to the book, pick it up, and proceed to sit down next to Ryan and read.

Let's get something straight first, since Ryan and I brought home our 1st bundle of joy we've practically dived head first into dog EVERYTHING. Petsmart every week, Dog Whisperer (National Geographic Channel) on Friday nights, and then even a few of the animal rescue shows. I rush out of work everyday no matter what I'm leaving for the next day, so I can come home to my adorable puppies faces that are so happy to see me (who cares if it's mainly because they've been locked up all day and really need to pee..they're HAPPY!!) We go on walks, I've even started a little running and Ryan roller blades. We've spent hours working on "sit" "down" and "stay". We continue to buy fancier and fancier treats to keep Sable's attention so that hopefully she'll learn to do what we want her to. Basically, we've dived head first and stayed submerged in the world of dog ownership.

Back to the book....really the basic message of the book is the story of a couples first puppy, a huge yellow lab and how nuts he is. From the time they picked him up, until he's put to sleep to ease the suffering of old age. The first two nights, I'm laughing myself silly, crying because the stories of the crazy lab are so hysterical I can't contain myself. The last reading session (today right after I got home) I spent in tears. After I finish the book, all I want to do is to sit and hug my puppies, tell them how much I love them and that I never want the day to come that I have to make a decision to take them home any other way than, alive. Of course all they want to do is play and have lots of hyper fun....and I would pick up Shiva and make her sit for a decent hug....but yeah..it's rained...she's kinda covered in slightly damp mud. So, my mood has been a bit subdued and really I want to stay home and play with my dogs, but I have a party to go to, that I really should attend (the Secret Sister reveal party at church). I think the biggest turning point was when the most amazing Secret Sister in the world (aka Joanna) gave me a huge bag toys for my puppies. Without even knowing it she gave me the perfect gift: new toys to go home and have fun playing with my girls.

So, I got home and worked with Sable on "fetch"...she loves to go get things that are thrown...but isn't so great at giving them back so you can repeat the entire process. Found that I also need to work with Sable on her nipping, since Shiva came around, Sable's been a bit extra nippy and just needs to learn that my skin is weak and needs gentle treatment. Which gives me one more reason to work with her. Ryan and Shiva worked on "look" and "sit" in the kitchen; she's doing quite well for an 8 week old.

And just so this post is not completely void of pictures....I've added a few from their fun in the mud yesterday:

Fun Fun Fun!

So, today Shiva did one of the most adorable and sad things I've ever had a puppy do. I'm walking around the house and of course I have a very cute ball of white fluff following me around with very happy blue eyes. I stop, turn around, and the side of Shiva's little head ram's full force into my shin. Shiva being all of 7 weeks old does exactly what a human child would do in this situation:

She turns around and immediately starts whining and basically crying.

Sable comes running and Ryan gets her up off the floor to avoid being half eaten by the other monster. Of course after only a few seconds she was just fine and off to run and play again. Just reminded me that even a puppy can act just like a little kid. Scream "OWWWW!" then 5 seconds later run and play as if nothing ever happened.

Our darling dears are doing wonderfully. Shiva has been on 2 walks so far, I've taken her along while Ryan roller blades with Sable. Play time still needs an ear listening and the occasional eye, considering (as of Saturday) it's 55lbs up against 11.5lbs. They've attempted some tug-o-war games, which pretty much ends up being Shiva pulling and jumping around for all she's worth and Sable standing there just looking at her like she's nuts.

Shiva got a clean bill of health on Saturday, the vet even commented on how laid back she was. She was falling asleep as he was checking her heart beat and giving her her shots.

We love our puppies. I simply adore the brilliant, astonished looks and comments we get when we've got them out and about. Everyone comments on how beautiful Sable is and how cute Shiva is. Their light blue eyes are always a head turner. I'm just vain when it comes to my dogs, there's not really another way to describe it....ahh well I suppose it could be worse ;)