Dog Walker

Oliver Update

As I write this, I'm wondering if my next blog entry should be, "Willow Update" as Matt might think I am playing favourites. He's very sensitive to making sure Willow isn't left out by me ever since Oli came along.

Oliver is now almost 5 months old now. Time flies. At his last vet appointment, he weighed 8 pounds which is about a pound more than we expected him to be full grown and he's still growing for a bit. That's okay!

Oliver can be quite playful, especially in the morning. He has started to bark at the fireplace, the t.v., new visitors and windows. He has started to chew more which has not been so good for my bras and socks! He loves walking and is rather spazzy on his lead...but so entertaining to watch. His ears fly back and his hair goes crazy in the wind has he hop-runs along with a great amount of gusto for a little dude.

Oliver likes to steal Willow's food and her tennis ball. He likes to get her attention but is not too sure what to do with it when he has it! :)

He loves a tummy or ear rub and is o so cute when he's sleepy! He'll sleep just about anywhere. He loves our 'sock' bag of single socks, my piles of clothes and anything cloth-like on the floor. He does not require expensive toys as a toilet paper roll will do. Just like a kid eh?

He can 'sit' and 'come' but I have to work on all the other commands.

This spring should be interesting-we caught a glimpse the night before he went back to the groomer-the boys took him for a run in the mud and puddles-when he came back he looked like a wet sloppy cat! O well, he can join the boys in their dirt fest-they will all have a blast!

Leash Intro.

The sun was shining brightly and it was an unusually warm day in February, so off we went to Hilton Falls...we thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce Oliver to walking on a leash.

Of course, he's a puppy, so he was rather wired especially at the beginning. By time we were done, he was asleep in my arms. What a trooper though. He walked a lot and through big mushy piles of snow too!

The boys enjoyed their typical adventuring with sticks and missions on the trail... we lost Matt's glasses...ugh... but they were thankfully found by a helpful jogger!

You never know what lies before you when you venture out! Good or bad, that's life! We love it!

Still chanting 'bring on spring!'

Stay warm and savour the sunshine!

Introducing: Oliver

I'd like you to meet Oliver. Jeff gave Oliver to me as a Christmas present. He was born on November 4, 2010. He's a little 'Malshi' pup. When we got him, he weighed 1 pound and 7 ounces. He will only get to be about 6 or 7 pounds when he's full grown.

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It all started with a commercial featuring animals needing rescuing just before Christmas. We all ooed and awwed. I was also struck by how much our boys love the barn cats on the property. I even considered a cat. But, I gave my head a shake and remembered my allergies, and Josh's for that matter...also, how Willow completely loses it when a cat is around the house. As I was shaking my head, I ended up on Kijiji looking at puppies! One thing lead to another and I fell in Love with a cute little 'hypo-allergenic/non-shedding' puppy and realized there are dogs under the size of Willow's 60 pounds-they are small, and they stay small! My interest in a puppy got stronger and I recognized that part of the reason why had to do with the fact that my boys are all growing up... and while they hug me lots, we don't cuddle like we did when they were babies-combined with the knowledge that many friends and family members are having babies themselves! I guess I was needing a 'baby-fix' so to speak! :) Anyways, my darling Jeff told me that he would do anything to make me happy and on Christmas Eve, he called the owner of the puppy and made arrangements for us to go and see him. The kids were settled with Grandma and Grandpa Goodman, watching 'Elf' and didn't bat an eye when we said we had a Christmas errand to run at 7 o'clock at night!

When we arrived at the seller's home, we met two pups. Oliver picked Jeff essentially by kissing him and wagging his tail with happiness. His face was small and he had a sweet marking on his nose... So, we bundled him up in the sweater the woman gave us and brought him home to surprise the boys.

Close your eyes!

Then, O my goodness, he's sooooo cute! They were really surprised and happy about our bundle.

It didn't take long to hug, cuddle and play with him... as well as name him. Jeff picked the name that worked for us!

As we watched and listened to 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' on YouTube (haven't found our family book since the move)- Oliver scampered about and we all smiled wondering how we were ever going to get to sleep!

Since his arrival, we've had many visitors who love him and want one just like him! I think a few considered putting him in their pockets!

He is adjusting well and we love him to bits!

More pics to come!

May 2011 bring you spontaneous surprises that bring you joy!