Hello, Sue!
"Jaws"(LOL) is 10 weeks old today and I cannot believe it's already been two weeks since she came to breathe new life and joy into this quiet home.
Like Kathy with Bentley, we have been experimenting with ways to curb her desire to put all things living and non into her mouth. I've begun to recognize her "tells" before she strikes and have averted most of her attempted sneak attacks before they happen, but she did latch onto Curley's ear but good this morning on our walk while I was chatting to Chica. She's so quick! I usually walk Chica and Curley in one hand and Bailey in the other to avoid this, but she has a determination streak in her and I'd relaxed my guard. I know that the day when all three will walk side-by-side so that when Alex and I go for family walks we can walk side-by-side, too, is just around the corner. This phase won't last long, but while it is here, I've been putting her Nylabone teething bone in the freezer alternately with some rings so she always has something cold to put in her mouth, which she seems to enjoy, along with all the toys with ropes on them. We keep them close by in case she has her sights set on something living as she is gratefully easily re-directed to things she should be chewing on.
She earned mega bonus points on Friday, Sue! My amazing boss allowed me to bring her and Curley into the office for most of the day because Buffalo Exterminating was coming with a Beagle to go through all the apartments in the building to check for bed bugs. As she hasn't had her second series of Distemper and Parvo vaccines, I could not bring her to daycare with Chica, and I can't bring Curley there, either, so the two of them joined me in the office. I picked up a big nylon crate for her at Target Thursday night (that's the first picture-sorry it's hard to make her out-I don't have a flash on my cell camera) and Friday morning after our walk I packed up her toys, her blanket, some food, a bed for Curley and a gate. I actually got all that and the kids into the office in one trip! And once we were settled with her her under the desk and Curley next to my cubicle opening, I didn't hear a single peep out of her all day! She went right to sleep, curled up with all her toys. I took her out twice and after I got the all-clear, brought them back home on my lunch hour. Everyone she met loved her, of course, and were awed by her coloring and soft coat.
She's up to 5.8 lbs now and tonight when Alex gets home she's going to get a little trim around her backside, between her paw pads and near the ears. I've discovered that if I put a little pile of food in front of her, I can clean her ears without her really noticing and I do keep after them because it's so very important. She runs up the stairs fearlessly, but is still afraid to attempt going down them. And while she is still spending much of the day sleeping, this weekend I've used that time to refresh my soul with some of my favorite Janette Oke books. I've loved them since I was a tween, falling in love first with her "Love Comes Softly" series, which Hallmark has adapted into movies, but returning most frequently to her "Canadian West" series. They were my first and favorite "romance" novels and the messages in them always bring warmth and light to my heart and spirit when they are in need of it. I would highly recommend them for your Granddaughters when they are old enough. They are along the lines of the "Little House on the Prarie" books but nowhere near as thick.
We hope all is well with you and the family. God bless you for this growing treasure that has brought us so much to our lives!
Love,
Sarah
Note from Sue:
"Love Comes Softly" is my favorite book also! (after the Bible, of course!) It is a prairie romance written by Janette Oke. It is such a dear little story...a quick read. LOVE IT!
