Well, we've had Abbey (Xandria) two weeks now and, goodness, have our lives changed! Today she is 10 weeks old.
Abbey is a blessing in a very small package. She is filled with love and good humor combined with a very stubborn streak showing all her Deckel characteristics in a 3 pound package. She is growing and each day I see changes in her.
She sleeps in her crate at night and goes in without a whimper or a cry. She takes naps during the day, usually lying on my shoulder where we both benefit from the love that flows between us. She plays with her toys like it is a battle to the death (usually the toy dies!) and runs and jumps outside with delight. Of course, true to her breed, everything goes into her mouth - rocks, leaves, sticks, worms and dirt. I spend my days saying "No Abbey, no Abbey" until I believe she thinks her name is "No Abbey". Does she listen to me, usually not! But I keep trying.
I feel like the mother of a newborn child where my day is focused on the baby, playing with Abbey, walking Abbey, napping with Abbey! We have taken her out to town and she adapts to it beautifully. She is too small to walk the sidewalks yet with all the crowds so I carry her in a doggie sling. She has played in the beautiful grass beside the capital building and lunched at a sidewalk cafe. She is admired by all who see her and many strangers have stopped us to have their picture taken with Abbey. She goes right to them and gives them a friendly lick, just in time for the photo. Of course, they don't want Bill or I in the photo, just the adorable puppy. Our town is very dog friendly and shop keepers usually have a supply of dog treats for the visiting pet. Abbey was fussed over in a lovely jewelery store we stopped in, given a doggie treat and her own bottle of water. (No jewelery was offered, but who knows what can happen!) Again she was passed from arm to arm and took it all in her stride.
We have signed up for Puppy Kindergarten classes that we will start in May.
Abbey and our cat, Patty, are still coming to terms with each other. Abbey wants to be friends and play, the cat tolerates her but isn't sure yet just how far she wants to get to know Abbey. But, unlike her usual behavoir, the cat stays in the kitchen with us all day in her own bed instead of taking off to her usual napping spots. That says a lot for the future relationship!
The housetraining is going as well as anyone could expect at 10 weeks old. I think she is picking it up very quickly.
There is no doubt Abbey is extremely smart and knows just what she wants. When we go for walks it is usually where Abbey wants to walk, not where I wanted to go. We are getting to know our neighborhood and the other dogs in it. Abbey is always pleased to see them and never barks, just wags her tails and wait to see what happens. Yesterday we met a 10 month old Collie and Abbey handled it all like a champion.
I could never have guessed Abbey would be mine, Bill did a wonderful job keeping the surprise. Thank you for your help in all of the planning!
Well, time for a walk!
Abbey is a blessing in a very small package. She is filled with love and good humor combined with a very stubborn streak showing all her Deckel characteristics in a 3 pound package. She is growing and each day I see changes in her.
She sleeps in her crate at night and goes in without a whimper or a cry. She takes naps during the day, usually lying on my shoulder where we both benefit from the love that flows between us. She plays with her toys like it is a battle to the death (usually the toy dies!) and runs and jumps outside with delight. Of course, true to her breed, everything goes into her mouth - rocks, leaves, sticks, worms and dirt. I spend my days saying "No Abbey, no Abbey" until I believe she thinks her name is "No Abbey". Does she listen to me, usually not! But I keep trying.
I feel like the mother of a newborn child where my day is focused on the baby, playing with Abbey, walking Abbey, napping with Abbey! We have taken her out to town and she adapts to it beautifully. She is too small to walk the sidewalks yet with all the crowds so I carry her in a doggie sling. She has played in the beautiful grass beside the capital building and lunched at a sidewalk cafe. She is admired by all who see her and many strangers have stopped us to have their picture taken with Abbey. She goes right to them and gives them a friendly lick, just in time for the photo. Of course, they don't want Bill or I in the photo, just the adorable puppy. Our town is very dog friendly and shop keepers usually have a supply of dog treats for the visiting pet. Abbey was fussed over in a lovely jewelery store we stopped in, given a doggie treat and her own bottle of water. (No jewelery was offered, but who knows what can happen!) Again she was passed from arm to arm and took it all in her stride.
We have signed up for Puppy Kindergarten classes that we will start in May.
Abbey and our cat, Patty, are still coming to terms with each other. Abbey wants to be friends and play, the cat tolerates her but isn't sure yet just how far she wants to get to know Abbey. But, unlike her usual behavoir, the cat stays in the kitchen with us all day in her own bed instead of taking off to her usual napping spots. That says a lot for the future relationship!
The housetraining is going as well as anyone could expect at 10 weeks old. I think she is picking it up very quickly.
There is no doubt Abbey is extremely smart and knows just what she wants. When we go for walks it is usually where Abbey wants to walk, not where I wanted to go. We are getting to know our neighborhood and the other dogs in it. Abbey is always pleased to see them and never barks, just wags her tails and wait to see what happens. Yesterday we met a 10 month old Collie and Abbey handled it all like a champion.
I could never have guessed Abbey would be mine, Bill did a wonderful job keeping the surprise. Thank you for your help in all of the planning!
Well, time for a walk!
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