Our 1st scare :(

Tucker came home from the vet yesterday following his surgery the day before.  He got a clean bill of health from the vet, but as soon as we got home we discovered that there was blood in Tucker's urine.  Definitely a scary sight L  Not to mention he gave a little yelp right before going.  So I immediately grabbed my phone and called the vet, only to find the office closed literally 4 minutes prior.  Boyfriend and I brought him inside and did some online research.  Nothing I read alarmed me too, too much, so we decided it was probably fine to wait until tomorrow to call the vet.  He was acting completely normal otherwise, and still scarfed down his dinner and drank some water.  I talked to my dad a bit later and he thought it might be a good idea to just call the 24-hour animal hospital and get their opinion.  They weren't much help; they said it was completely up to me whether I wanted to bring him in that night or the next day.  Okay...sooo it's not an emergency, right?  I again decided to wait until the next day, and of course, if he started acting strange we'd go in right away.  Tucker luckily slept through the night just fine.

I called the vet first thing and they scheduled us to come in that morning.  I found there was a tiny bit of blood in his urine that morning, but way less than the night before (a bit of a relief).  The veterinarian gave me a few reasons there could be blood present, some of which could be a result of his surgery.  They gave him an ultrasound and wanted to test his urine as well.  Now we just have to wait for the results from the test L

Sad, sick puppy L

Success!

I just got a call from the veterinarian and Tucker is already out of surgery and doing well!  The surgery was very routine and they even took out Tuck's two remaining baby teeth and trimmed his toenails while he was under J  The only downside of the procedure is that his, um, nether regions are a bit irritated.  Which means I may need to apply an ointment down there...awkward.  Otherwise he's doing great!  And I didn't realize this until I dropped him off this morning but he will be staying the night tonight and I can pick him up tomorrow.  Originally I thought I was supposed to pick him up today.  So, the good thing is that I get to have a nice, quiet evening and won't have to worry about being woken up really early in the morning by the little guy.  But the bad thing is that he has to stay in a "strange" new place without me or his toys all night L I just hope the other dogs aren't too irritated by his incessant whining and barking (ha!).  Hopefully he'll just sleep a lot over the next 24 hours so he can fully recover from today's feat.
P.S. Yes, Tucker will be sporting the cone of shame for several days and I shall return with photos and stories of this adventure...

The big appointment

Tomorrow is a big day for Tucker...my little guy is getting neutered!  He's also getting microchipped.  I'm a little nervous for him since this will be his first surgerical procedure (and pray to God his only!).  But I'm sure he will be just fine!  I'm thinking I probably need to go buy one of those silly cones - aka the cone of shame - but the vet didn't say anything about it.  We shall see!  (Don't worry, if he has to wear it I will be sure to take plenty of photos!!)  Wish Tucker luck tomorrow...

Big Pup

Tucker was weighed at the vet on April 4 (just over 5 months old) and he came in at 9 lbs!  I'm starting to wonder at what age, and at what weight, he will be full grown.  I've read it's usually around 1 year or a little older.  Tucker's mom and dad, Lucy and Hurley, both weigh about 16 lbs.  The breeder's guess, based on his puppy size and in comparison to his slightly larger brother, was that he'd come in around 15 lbs.  I hope that's correct!  I'm looking forward to finding out just how big the little guy will get.  But of course, even if he ends up being a big 'ol 25 lbs. I'll still love him to pieces J

Puppy’s first haircut

Well the time had definitely come for Tucker’s first haircut.  I did some research and reached out to some dog owners and found a groomer that sounded promising.  I dropped Tucker off there at 10am, and they told me I could pick him up at 2pm.  I was feeling a bit nervous that they’d cut his hair too short and he just wouldn’t be as adorable anymore.  I couldn’t believe the transformation when I picked him up!  His hair was so much shorter (Boyfriend called it an “athletic cut”); he practically looked like a brand new dog!  But I was completely relieved that he still looked like a little cutie.  We then took him to U-Village so he could strut his stuff and show off his new ‘do.  I couldn’t believe the attention!  I have to admit it was actually a boost to my own self esteem having him fawned over so much.  If I had any doubts about his new appearance they were immediately erased.  I just love having a handsome dog J

Before (1)



Before (2)



Before (3)



annnnnnd After!

What a cutie :)

Striking a pose!

Accidents and more accidents

Are you kidding me?!  5 months old and still having regular accidents?  Incredibly disappointing and frustrating.  It’s times like these that I really wish I could just open a door and let him out into a yard every hour or so.  But I’m not so fortunate in that department.  Sometimes I just feel like I’m failing L  Is it my fault he’s going potty in the wrong places?  Or is it him?  Realistically I know it’s a combination.  I’m really looking forward to the day when this isn’t a problem.  Grrr, more work to be done…

"...sorry, Mom" (It's a good thing your cute, Tuck!!)

Off-Leash

One benefit of my apartment’s location is the off-leash area right across the street.  How perfect, right?  It’s basically a long dog run with a gravel ground.  Another convenience is that it is under the freeway so it’s protected from rain (though it does still get a bit wet and muddy in areas at times).  Tucker loves running around in there without his leash (and without me?).  We especially enjoy when there are other dogs for him to play with, which strangely enough, does not happen as often as I’d like.  But, when there are dogs present, Tucker just loves chasing after them!  Within the off-leash area there are also these gigantic cinder blocks that form these platforms and what are essentially really tall stairs.  The larger dogs often bound up and down them.  Tucker, however, watches on with a look of defeat on his face, as he is much too small to jump that high. Oh well.  He still has a blast!


Tucker at the off-leash area

Grrr.

You know what sucks?  When your dog pees on your BED. It’s bad enough when it’s on your floor… but the place where you sleep?!  Not cool.  I’m saddened and ashamed to say it’s happened more than once. Every time I’ve yelled and made quite clear my displeasure, and then put him in “time out”. (And then of course did some serious laundry).  Yet it’s not sticking with him.  Why my comfortable bed looks like a toilet I do not know.  I do know it’s disgusting and frustrating.  Oh Tucker, when will it stop, my little love?

Outdoor pup (and lovin’ it!)

After Tucker finally received all his shots, and got the go ahead from the vet, we were both thrilled to start going to real walks (because walking up and down the hallway of my apartment building doesn’t really count) OUTSIDE!  He started out a bit tentative but after no time at all he was scampering up and down the streets of my neighborhood.  I’m so glad he can finally act like a “real” dog!

Tuck couldn't wait to show off his adorable leash :)

Puppy Confinement

There are a plethora of downsides to raising a puppy in a small, 3^rd floor apartment in the city.  During the first several months of a pup’s life they are basically forbidden from going places in which they could come into contact with other dogs (of unknown vaccinations and diseases) until they themselves are properly vaccinated.  This includes dog parks, the pet store and basically anywhere public (i.e. the sidewalk!).  Since I don’t have a backyard, poor Tucker wasn’t able to go outside and play for the first couple months home with me.  Of course some people ignore this rule, but I figure better safe than sorry!  I love him too much to risk him getting seriously ill.

He was, however, allowed to make field trips to my parents’ house to meet Baxter and Rocko (fully vaccinated of course).  Baxter can be a bit, um, how do I say this?  Anxious.  So his first (and second and third) meeting with Tucker was somewhat tentative on his end.  Who was this small creature encroaching on his home?  And why was he jumping excitedly in his face?  He is starting to come around, but I wouldn’t say they’re buddies quite yet.  A little more progress left to be made, but I know it’ll happen sooner or later.  Rocko, who is a short but long and surprising strong dog, didn’t realize his strength when he would clumsily tap Tucker with his rear end and Tucker would fall over (somewhat repeatedly).  Luckily Tucker didn’t even notice this happening – ha!  So what did I learn from all this?  Tucker likes to play with other dogs!  Yay!

During this time of confinement Tucker and I also made tons of trips up to my apartment’s rooftop deck.  Tucker didn’t so much care about the beautiful view of Lake Union and downtown Seattle, but loved the room to run around in the fresh (although cold and wintertime) air.

View from my rooftop deck

Indoor playtime with Boyfriend

He loves chasing and "attacking" Ranger (his raccoon)

Tucker & Me (take one)

Those first several days with Tucker are kind or a blur.  The first few nights were rather brutal.  It’s so tough lying in bed trying to sleep while your 8-week-old puppy, away from his mom and siblings for the first time ever, whines and cries in his crate in the next room.  All you want to do is run to him and hold him and tell him you love him and everything will be okay.  But no.  You just let him be so he can learn to comfort himself in his “home.”  I took two weeks off from work when Tucker first came home.  We played and laughed and learned and slept every day.  It was fun, frustrating, exciting and exhausting.

Tucker & boyfriend hanging out on the couch



Playing with his new fav toy



Sleepy puppy

Welcome home, puppy

Finally, a mere two days before my puppy was coming home I made my decision.  He would be arriving the day after Christmas, via plane from Spokane, with his sister.  I was incredibly excited, anxious and nervous when the day came.  My boyfriend and I headed off to the airport to meet my first dog.  The soon-to-be owners of my puppy’s sister were there waiting with us.  I was so excited to learn that his sister, Eva, would be living just a neighborhood away from us in Seattle!

After waiting for what seemed like forever a crate arrived in front of us.  I peered inside and there was my little Tucker!  He was absolutely adorable!  And mine…I couldn’t believe it.  We opened up the crate and tried to get Eva and Tucker to come greet us.  They were both a bit timid at first, but soon enough were sniffing at the food we held for them in our hands.  I could have just stayed there in the airport cargo pick-up all day staring at little Tucker; but then my boyfriend pointed out that we should probably get going home.  Oh right, he was actually coming with us :)

On the car ride home it hit me that I was finally a dog owner.  Well, let me rephrase, it started to hit me.  Frankly I still stop and think, months later, ohmygosh I finally have a puppy of my own!

Tucker (right) & his sister Eva at the airport



Eva's mom and I greeting our pups

Decisions, decisions

Over the next couple months I got to view photos and even videos of the two little boys.  I was promised first choice between the two, and wanted to take Cesar’s advice and choose the one with the most low-to-medium energy level.  This proved more difficult than I thought – I figured it would be obvious which pup was meant for me, but there were things I liked about each one.

Brothers on the left, sisters on the right

Boys on the right

Happy birthday puppies!

On October 28, 2010 I finally got the call!  Two male blenheim (light brown and white) Cavachons were born and available (in addition to their two sable and white sisters).  I immediately verbally committed to one of them and sent in the deposit.  At that point it was simply a matter of waiting for my puppy to grow old enough to come home.

Lucy the mom

Hurley the dad

The baby Cavachons!!