We were told that a new dog run area was added out to the yard by the house, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was very happy when we got there, as it was a very nicely sized area off of the screened porch that included a tree for shade. We still had to get the dogs from the house to it, but it is a wonderful addition to the property, and we are extremely grateful that it’s there. The in-laws have a couple of little dogs, and it is wonderful for all of us!

There were bad storms all Friday night, which means Beowulf had to be tranquilized. We thought at first he might be ok because he was sleeping in the room with us, but he was not. He didn’t whine continuously, but he paced around and around, which included several laps around the bed, many of which had him stepping on my head, hair, legs, etc. He was much more relaxed after the pills kicked in. Go figure.

Saturday was still a bit rainy in the morning (and a little in the afternoon), but we were able to squeeze in a visit to the horses (Ozzy’s first time!) and Indy and I were able to get a nice hike in. I would be very sad if she was unable to run around on the back hill/pasture area that she loves so much.

OK, picture time!

Ozzy “meeting” one of the minis. He was a little nervous at first and not really sure what to make of them.

Although the horses and Indy were definitely interested!

This was about as close as Ozzy got.

Then we moved on to the standard horses. Indy and Apache are good friends. She has never shown any hesitation with them, although she was about a year old when she first met them.

Hmmm, you’re a lot bigger than those other horses…

But within a couple of minutes, Ozzy was pretty much over Apache.

This is a very stoned (and happy) Basset Hound.

Because of his “condition” we could not take him around the property until late Saturday. His rear legs always have issues working, and the inner lid covers his eyes so much, he cannot see very well at all.

Hanging out on the screened porch – not sure if he’s going to play yet…

Teddy and Stella.

Stella is a Pomerian Poodle rescue, and is quite a cutie. Indy is almost obsessed with her, and they play quite well. Ozzy also enjoys playing with her.

Rawr! (OK, it’s a yawn…)

Passed out puppy.

Pink pads.

Teddy…

Although Stella and Indy played, Stella did seem a little more interested in Ozzy, likely because of his size. I wonder what she’ll think the next time she meets him.

As I mentioned, Indy and I got in a decent hike. I cannot deny her the opportunity to make crop circles.

And that long grass is quite tasty.

Recharging.

Come on! You are way too slow!

What a pretty girl dog.

Back at the cabin…

I love this shot of the sleepy boy.

Stella is totally fierce.

Sunday weather was gorgeous, of course…so we took a walk in the morning, and Ozzy totally pounced on Indy. I’m surprised I got anything on camera because it happened so fast.

Everyone got their zoomies out before we left for home.

They were all a little soggy and tired.

Even Indy.

It was a very nice weekend-a good time was had by all. And the return trip was so peaceful with a truck full of passed out dogs!

Well, Ozzy seems to be a bit better. I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Yes, he has accidents. But his signals are clear, and sometimes he even…get this…tells us he has to go! Especially this week.

It’s interesting, as I think the process has improved quite a bit this week, and it was never really bad. We’re clicker training this time around, which we’ve never tried before. And it’s working – with the other dogs too. But on average, he’s having one “oops” a day. It’s never been poop – only pee. And he’s never gone in his crate. (Although I suppose there’s always a first time.)

So I have high hopes for him-maybe he’ll be reliable before 9 months? Could he be one of those rare, not super hard to house train, Swissies?

Until I got to the door of the bedroom, that is. Then I realized why.

Ozzy was waiting at the baby gate in front of the door. He looked sleepy and felt all nice and warm. Yup, he was free and roaming our house for who knows how long.

I was up around 2am (the time he normally wakes up) and swear I heard him shift in his crate and sigh, but I could be manufacturing that memory or something. So, we don’t really know how long he was out. There was a small swizzle in the hall (I guess he only got the O of Ozzy out) and another pee spot that was likely his, but that was it.

We are not really sure what happened. It’s possible that the crate wasn’t completely closed when we went to bed. It’s also possible that Ozzy opened the crate because we didn’t lock it. The other possibility is that Beowulf let him out, as he is well versed in opening that specific crate when it’s not locked. (It used to be his crate…and he would regularly open it with a well placed shovel nose.)

It’s not something we want to have happen again, but it was the best night of sleep I’ve had in a while.

We decided to have a few friends over with dogs (all healthy and immunized, of course) on Saturday to help with Ozzy’s socialization and just to have fun. The house seemed very crowded, but there weren’t that many people. I think it was the Leos, Saint Bernards and Swissies that made it seem crowded. Of course, when it cooled off a bit outside and the yard was all shaded, it was even better!

I think you’d prefer pictures to reading my diatribe…

Ozzy having sleepy time around the time they started arriving.

My pretty girl, Indy.

Ozzy attacking his new BFF, Cash.

Ozzy and Rufus, the puppy addict.

Leos and Swissies!

Juli, part of Juli’s human, and Cash. Juli has a blog too.

Indy was nice to Vasey’s human despite the fact that they did not bring Vasey.

Remember our good friend Reggie? He’s another blue-eyed boy.

Juli in “jail.” Sticking the face through there must be a Swissy thing. No other dog breed visiting our house (our living there) has ever done it.

Pretty Leo girl!

Recharging.

Is my puppy! Back off!

Beowulf got love too. And he tolerated Ozzy. Probably because he had Cash to torment, though.

More recharging.

I don’t know why, but I love taking pictures of Swissies from this angle. Cash was more than happy to oblige.

I think Cash needs a Swissy puppy of his own to play with, although he technically is a puppy himself.

Ozzy likes to climb on dogs when he plays with them. Most of them are ok with it, including Cash.

Cash and Huntley got in some good play time too.

See?

And then all dogs (except for Huntley) got tired and crashed.

Then humans continued on for a while, but I don’t think I’ll post any of those pics…

We drove down to a cute river town in Missouri, Louisiana, on Thursday night, then drove the final hour to the breeder on Friday morning. But of course, we did stay and take advantage of the really awesome bistro breakfast at the Inn first. I must share that I had a fantastic breakfast skillet with sausage gravy on top. Yum. And yes, I know it has nothing to do with dogs.

Maybe I’ll stop yapping now and just give you the pics.

We were greeted by some barking Swissies – go figure – including Ozzy’s adoptive mom, Delphine. Soon after meeting and cuddling our little (damp) guy, he decided to get a meal.

Delphine is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. She was very insistent that both Dan and I give her lots of love while there.

This is Robert, Ozzy’s dad.

Robert seems to have a similar view of the puppies as Beowulf. He doesn’t mind them, but he doesn’t like it when they bite him. I wonder how Robert would feel if he knew I was comparing him to an antique Basset hound.

Ozzy’s two half sisters were still there. I’m actually not sure if the breeder is keeping one or not. They were very cute and very forward. And hungry.

Ozzy and Dan.

After about an hour, it was time to start the drive home. Ozzy was very good in the car and on the road in general. He got lots of love at the gas stop. After about 6 hours (we hit bad construction traffic – grr), it was time to introduce him to Indy and Beowulf. This, of course, involves sniffing.

And more sniffing.

And still more sniffing.

Indy play bowed in under 5 minutes.

Trying to help her learn to play gently with the puppy was tiring for all.

Then it was outside time. Can you tell Indy is enamored?

RAWR!

Ozzy is already adapting to the camera in his face.

Indy’s happy dance!

Probably one of my favorite pics. Ozzy meeting Grandma.

That’s it for now! Check back soon for more pics and stories.

Somebody in our house, (hmm, could it be Indy?) was sick this weekend. Lots and lots (and lots) of vomit. Think Brian Griffin (Family Guy) in the ipecac episode. Food was being digested ok, so most of the upchuck was water. Still not fun to clean up. As we headed into hour 25 of sick, Dan called the e-vet for an opinion and they suggested we bring her in. So we did.

Sitting at the e-vet on a Sunday afternoon is a lovely way to avoid housework. You know-laundry and carpet cleaning? I also was unable to give myself a much needed pedicure, but that’s not really important. We sat in the waiting room with Indy for a little while as the more urgent cases were handled. She barked at a few people (she’s got a good bark, so she freaked them out a bit), but was otherwise fine. She was great with the techs and the vet, which was a welcome surprise. She got an antiemetic shot and pills to take home, antibiotics, plus we were told to give her Pepcid with each meal. And of course, her meals will be rice and chicken for a few days.

The rather unpleasant part of this trip had nothing to do with Indy or the bill. You never really know what you’re going to witness while you’re at an e-vet. It is, of course, frequented by people whose pets have emergencies off hours or weekends, so it is always likely something unpleasant will happen. Well, yesterday was no different. While we were waiting for a tech, a family carrying a little Pomeranian in blanket came running in. It had been vomiting throughout the day, but started vomiting blood, so they rushed him in. From the reaction of the tech, I believe that the dog might have been DOA. The horrible thing for us was after the family was in the room for a minute or so, the mother let out an incredibly sad cry. Obviously, worse for her than for us…

I’m thinking of that poor family today.

The absolute best part of this whole deal is that it rained on and off the entire weekend. Let me tell you how great it is to go outside with your dogs in the rain at 5am on a Sunday morning. It is freaking fantastic.

That’s all for now.