raising litter mates, taro and kratos
I haven't had to raise a puppy since 1999, long time I know. There are a few things that need to be done before we get them on April 10th. I have emailed a reputable dog trainer (he worked with Jordan) and he has suggested that I get read some material that he thinks would be beneficial. Training begins the moment we get them home...
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| Are You Prepared for an Emergency?
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Yesterday, at about 5:30pm, I was forced to evacuate the house due to a nearby gas line explosion. Although all ended well - 6 hours later and we were able to return to our homes, the opposite could have easily happened - and it opened my eyes to how little prepared I was had this escalated into a more serious situation. read more... | |||||||
| Bloat and Dogs
Monday, January 21, 2013 The litter mates third (3rd) birthday is on February 21st - I can't believe it! Since bringing the pups home, neither of them have given me a real "scare" - up until yesterday evening.. read more... |  | ||||||
| A Training Experiment
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 I enjoy teaching Kratos and Taro new commands. I have been occupied with BrainyCakes lately and I hate to admit that I have been slacking in teaching them something new each month. read more... |  | ||||||
| Happy New Year Dog Lovers!
Friday, January 4, 2013 WOW! What can I say - we've been keeping super busy these days! My iPhone camera is also crapping out on me, so pictures are not being taken on a regular basis :( Soon I will have a new phone (hopefully) and blogging will be back on track! read more... |  | ||||||
| The Greatest Benefit of Owning a Pet
Thursday, May 17, 2012 Puppy Love Blog has been nominated for an award and I want to express my gratitude to all of you who made this possible. To accept my nomination, I was asked to describe what I think the greatest benefit of owning a pet is. I had some difficulty at first because I can list SEVERAL benefits of owning a furball, but there is one that takes the cake! read more... |  | ||||||
| The Routine Dog - How Important is a Schedule?
Monday, March 19, 2012 I come in contact with lots of pooch people daily with thoughts and ideas about dogs that differ greatly from my own. I do what I feel is best for my dogs and their well being and what is best suited for our lifestyle. read more... |  | ||||||
| Happy 2nd Birthday "Kratos and Taro"
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 On February 15, 2010 we lost our beloved Labx "Blue"(aka "Blue Dawg") suddenly to an aggressive cancer. This left our precious Jordan lost and depressed ( Read Jordan's Story on our blog as well ). I set out to find a local breeder of Labrador Retreivers - the rest is history! **click on the picture to see more** read more... |  | ||||||
| Valentine's Day Goes to the Dogs!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 I have never been a big believer when it comes to celebrating Valentine's Day, however, for the dogs ( and cats ) I like to spoil them a little extra BECAUSE I CAN! Not only am I able to spoil my own dogs this year - I was able to spoil other dogs as well with special "Daisy's Heart" PupCakes (visit BrainyCakes website for full story). read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador LitterMates and Home-Made Treats
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 It is like Christmas everyday here at home - the home of healthy nutritious wholesome goodness. There is nothing like the smell of sweet apples and cinnamon, or peanut butter and banana scent in our warm and cozy house. The dogs have learned to control their drooling (ha ha) they love their fresh BrainyCakes Treats. read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Kratos LOVES Mud Puddles
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 The snow has since melted and pools of water are forming! This wouldn't be so fascinating except that Kratos adores laying and playing in puddles - MUD PUDDLES! read more... |  | ||||||
| Another Snowy Day for Black Labrador Litter Mates
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 Another fun day in the snow with Taro and Kratos. Crazy winds coupled with blowing snow made for an interesting adventure. We made sure to bundle up. read more... |  | ||||||
| Kratos and Taro Visit Heritage Park, Mission BC
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 We were finally able to take the dogs out beyond our neighbourhood to enjoy the snow! Roads are still a little slippery so we didn't take a long drive, we made our way down to Heritage Park. read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador LitterMates Enjoying the Snow
Monday, January 16, 2012 It is like a winter wonderland here in Mission, BC. We are expected to get between 15-20cm of snow!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Litter Mates Enjoy the Snow
Sunday, January 15, 2012 It it most unfortunate that it snows at night or overnight. It is very difficult to get pictures and videos at 2:30am!! You guessed it, we were out at 2:30am enjoying the snow as dumped down on us. read more... |  | ||||||
| Much Anticipated Snowfall
Saturday, January 14, 2012 It is the second week in January and we haven't had any significant amount of snow. What we did have was a tease (a dusting here and there) for both the dogs and ME! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Litter Mates SItting on a Tree
Friday, January 13, 2012 Since puppyhood our littermates have had to " work " for rewards. They get very little treats "just because". They did not have many meals in bowls during extensive behavior molding- we fed them by hand. read more... |  | ||||||
| Langley B.C. Off Leash Adventures (LitterMates in a Mud Pit)
Thursday, January 12, 2012 I wanted to take the boys somewhere different for a change. We had not visited the Langley Off-leash dog park in awhile, that is where I decided to take them. read more... |  | ||||||
| In Memory of Jordan
Monday, January 9, 2012 A year ago today we had to let our precious Jordan go be with her brothers up in puppy heaven. It still feels raw and my heart still aches..but I am grateful for the time we had together. read more... |  | ||||||
| Dog Humping - How Embarassing!!
Sunday, January 8, 2012 I have often wondered WHY my LitterMates like humping so much. Watching their behaviour has led me to believe that their inappropriateness is just natural behaviour for some dogs. I recently came across two articles talking about " dog humping" that has put my mind at ease about my dogs being "dirty and perverted". I was also relieved to read that we are doing the right things to help curb the behaviour. read more... |  | ||||||
| Toy Review - Labrador LitterMate Durable Toys
Saturday, January 7, 2012 Kratos and Taro destroy most toys in a matter of minutes. I came across a line of Kong toys that I had to try out - called Squeezz Toys. I received them just in time for Christmas! read more... | |||||||
| Happy 2012 Puppy Love Blog followers!
Friday, January 6, 2012 Another year gone.. Where did the time go? This entry was supposed to be posted a few days ago but I was, and continue to be, busy playing with my new ipad2! One of my resolutions for 2012 is to blog more, now I have no excuse really :) I'm using my iPad now. read more... | |||||||
| Silly Black Labrador
Tuesday, December 6, 2011 Kratos and Taro have very different personalities even though they are litter mates. Kratos is quite laid back - his brother, however, keeps me on my toes! read more... |  | ||||||
| Omega -3 Fatty Acids - Flax Seed!
Saturday, November 19, 2011 I remember with IceMan, Blue and Jordan, that during the winter months particularly, their coat occasionally got "flaky". I would imagine it is due to the dry cold winter air outside as well as the increased temperature inside the house. Seeing that my dogs have always been "inside dogs" - they too reap the benefits of a warm house - I like adding some Omega-3 Fatty Acid to their diet to help with any dry itchy skin! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labradors and First SnowFall 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011 We had our first snowfall yesterday - and silly me didn't have a camera handy! It didn't help that it was dark either. I wasn't actually expecting to play in the snow! But we have enough. Sadly enough - the rain rain will start soon. read more... |  | ||||||
| Repercussions of Playing Ball in the House
Thursday, November 3, 2011 I know I am supposed to be writing an update on Taro's training - but I had to do this quick one! As we were waiting for our morning adventure to the park the boys and I were tossing the ball around inside the house. Uh-Oh! read more... |  | ||||||
| Anxiety Issues?
Thursday, October 27, 2011 As puppies, Kratos and Taro were exposed to various "common noises/sounds" to help desensitize them to noises such as fireworks and thunder. Who knew that Taro would have anxiety issues ( or at least what I think is anxiety ) around the "chirping" crosswalk street lights! read more... |  | ||||||
| Studious Cat
Friday, September 30, 2011 Today I took the boys out to Bateman Park for a romp around with their friends.. when I came home I found the cat doing some "light reading". read more... |  | ||||||
| Happy Saturday!
Saturday, September 24, 2011 There is really no better way to wake up on a Saturday morning, then to wake up to find your black lab puppy and your cat snuggled on the dog cushion! read more... |  | ||||||
| Rehabilitating an Older Dog.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Getting a new dog is always fun. Adding a new dog to your established pack can be tricky - but possible. Although getting a new puppy, a rescue or a foster is exciting - remember your current pack at home. If you have cats, remember that not all dogs have been raised with cats- some are quite aggressive toward kitties. A new addition is added stress for everyone involved. Make sure you have the time and resources as well as alternatives - just in case life throws something unexpected at you! read more... |  | ||||||
| Taro Plays Hide n Seek
Friday, September 2, 2011 Taro learned how to crawl quite quickly. His litter mate Kratos didn't like the idea so much. No matter what lure/reward I used he was not going to budge! Taro, however, has taken "crawling" to another level - he goes into hiding! read more... |  | ||||||
| A Bandage Experiment
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 Day Four (4) and his wound is healing well. Luckily most days have been dry - yesterday morning was a little wet - plastic wrap on the foot! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador and his Mystery Wound
Monday, August 29, 2011 Yesterday I heard some commotion in the living room - looked as if the puppies were wrestling/playing in the house! Heard a few bangs and crashes - nothing seemed disturbed. We found a bunch of water on the floor under the glass table ( the cats have a "glass" to drink out of ) which makes me think that perhaps that is where he got his owiee =( read more... |  | ||||||
| Kennel Cough - Black Labrador LitterMates
Monday, August 8, 2011 Our littermates picked up some sort of a virus which had them stuck at home for about a week. They weren't ill the entire week - but I kept them away from other dogs so that they wouldn't get other dogs sick. It was an interesting week at home, they did well, learned a new trick! read more... |  | ||||||
| Our First Trip to Ruskin This Year
Thursday, July 28, 2011 The weather hasn't been all that great so far this summer - but today was a fabulous day, and we weren't going to waste it for anything! We went to Ruskin. read more... |  | ||||||
| Teaching New Tricks
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 I was able to spend a lot of time with Kratos and Taro ( I still spend lots of time with them ) at their crucial stages. I was there to catch and correct each mistake they made. Although at the time it almost felt pointless, I am glad I didn't give up! Patience, Consistency, Positive Reinforcement and Love are the ingredients to the recipe of SUCCESS!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Keep Away - Labrador Retreiver Edition
Wednesday, July 6, 2011 Kratos is ball obsessed, and Taro won't chase a ball more than twice! Taro's enjoys playing with the other dogs, and his newest past time is chasing birds (video to come). He also enjoys stealing the ball and taking off with it! Baby Jake is a bonus in this clip - he is relentless! read more... |  | ||||||
| Tender Tummy Treats - BrainyCakes Dog Barkery, Mission BC
Friday, July 1, 2011 I had to take Kratos and Taro to the veterinarian yesterday. They both have loose stools, and Taro also has some eye issues - most likely seasonal allergies. read more... |  | ||||||
| Bateman Park/Stoney Creek Trail, Abbotsford, BC
Friday, June 24, 2011 Kratos loves playing fetch. If there is a chuck-it involved, he is there. He is ball obsessed and so far he has shown no signs of aggression! We went to the off-leash area in Abbotsford this morning and I was able to get some video clips on my phone. read more... |  | ||||||
| Off Leash Dog Parks - What to Expect.
Thursday, June 23, 2011 Kratos and Taro are most excellent (most of the time) and I am able to take them with me nearly anywhere ( providing dogs are allowed) and I am quite confident that they will settle down and behave themselves. Having said this I would like to make clear that as long as Stephen or myself are with the puppies they are confident little boys! We have been going to dog parks with them since their last set of vaccinations - about 11 weeks of age - and prior to our litter mates we frequented dog parks with our other dogs who are no longer with us. I got my first dog in 1998 - long time ago!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Aggression or Play-Fighting?
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 I don't know too many people with litter-mates, both males. I know a few people who have raised two or more puppies ( usually a few months apart from one another) but from what I have observed - it isn't quite the same. Just a warning that this blog could be controversial! read more... |  | ||||||
| Bateman Park or Stoney Creek Park? That is the question!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 I may have gotten the name wrong the first entry - I'm not 100% sure what this Abbotsford Off-Leash Trail Dog Park is called - One side says Stoney Creek, the other says Bateman Park! The park itself is on Bateman Road, so it's either one or the other! I apologize for the mistake - IF I even made a mistake! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador LitterMates exploring Bateman Park with some K9 buddies!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011 Yesterday morning started out pretty gross. There was a toss up between a long walk around the neighbourhood, or a stroll off leash in a nearby park - the park idea was much more appealing. Kratos and Taro called up their buddies and off we went to enjoy the morning. read more... |  | ||||||
| Outdoor Adventures with Black Labrador Litter Mates
Tuesday, June 7, 2011 We have had a few gorgeous days in a row now - which means our favorite trail is less soggy! Stephen and I packed up the dogs and headed out to the Hayward Lake Reservoir Trail in beautiful Mission, British Columbia! read more... |  | ||||||
| Mini-Blog
Sunday, May 29, 2011 AHH! Didn't realize I haven't written in awhile.. lots of exciting things happening. But right now we're heading out on our Sunday Morning adventure! read more... |  | ||||||
| Rest In Peace Raffy Cat
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 We knew this day was coming, but what we hadn't expected was just how quickly her health would deteriorate. She was an older cat, 20 (twenty) years we believe, but no matter how old she was, it is still too soon for me. read more... |  | ||||||
| Twenty (20) Year Old Cat
Thursday, May 5, 2011 It's been a tough few days here at home again. Taro and Kratos are fine, but our older cat Raffy (Raphael) isn't doing so well. She is our 20 year old kitty (approximately) and she is finally showing her age. read more... |  | ||||||
| Skunk Bath For Your Dog
Thursday, May 5, 2011 There are a few "recipes" out there for skunk baths for your dog. Ranging from tomato juice baths, to Skunk Off products at the pet stores, it leaves you wondering if any of this stuff really works. What I can tell you is for those of you with light colored dogs may want to stay clear from the tomato bath - your dog might turn pinkish! read more... |  | ||||||
| Golden Ears Park, Maple Ridge BC
Saturday, April 30, 2011 We decided to go for a drive to Golden Ears Park with Taro and Kratos. The weather wasn't perfect, but we took a chance and thank goodness we did! We had a great time. This is their first visit - and they did great! read more... |  | ||||||
| Rainy Days with Black Labradors
Friday, April 29, 2011 The weather has been so off and on the last few weeks it is insane. I don't mind the snow at all - but the rain is another issue! Regardless of the weather, the boys need to get their daily exercise. Try having two black labrador litter mates and not exercise them daily! read more... |  | ||||||
| What Treats Should You Feed your Puppy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Taro and Kratos spend the night occasionally at the breeders. The last visit they had there, Cheryl her daughter and I were talking about nutrition and I told them about my latest adventures in baking. An interesting story was told to me in regards to another dog. read more... |  | ||||||
| Introducing New Treats and/or Ingredients to Your Dog.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Having worked in a veterinary clinic for many years you can only imagine the different types of requests, questions and information I have come across. One of the most common issues revolve around diarrhea in dogs and what to do about it. read more... |  | ||||||
| Nutritious Home Made Snacks for our Black Labrador Litter Mates.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Something good has come out of one of the most heartbreaking experiences I have been through. Although we lost Jordan, I have gained some valuable information regarding dog nutrition. SO valuable that not only has it changed my views on the food my dogs are eating, but also in the foods that we, ourselves consume daily. read more... |  | ||||||
| April SnowFall 2011 - Mission BC
Monday, April 25, 2011 We have had some crazy weather - a few mornings we have been pleasantly surprised by snow! Snow in mid-April.. crazy. The snow didn't last long - but I was able to play in it with the puppies! read more... |  | ||||||
| Healthy, Spoiled Labrador Litter Mates
Monday, April 11, 2011 WOW! Been over a month - time is flying! Been up to a few new things, Taro and Kratos are doing well. We have visited a couple of new off leash parks where they have met many new friends and continue to play well with other dogs big and small. Let's get caught up! read more... |  | ||||||
| Lazy Sunday at GrandMa's
Friday, March 4, 2011 When Stephen and I go places if at all possible we like to take Taro and Kratos. I usually take them for car rides to the supermarket, to go get gas, etc. I want them to realize that the car isn't only to go places to play, it's a place to behave and practice patience. read more... |  | ||||||
| Langley Off Leash Park Adventures
Thursday, March 3, 2011 The weather has not been great lately. Below minus temperatures with some serious wind here the last few weeks hasn't stopped us from going out. We were lucky to have a fairly decent Saturday, so we packed up Kratos and Taro and off we went! read more... |  | ||||||
| Training Litter Mates Together
Saturday, February 12, 2011 Now that we have built a solid understanding of commands inside and around the backyard, it is time for the boys to begin some training with distractions. We have been practicing at Heritage Park this past week, so far so good. read more... |  | ||||||
| Mental and Physical Exercise for Your Dog.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 The weather has been cooperating thus far, the days have been bright but very cold. Taro and Kratos have made a few more friends - Heritage Park has a few more puppies! We've been going out for longer walks coupled with off leash playtime with their friends at Heritage Park. read more... |  | ||||||
| Leash Walking Your Puppy
Friday, February 4, 2011 As our black labrador puppies head into dog-hood - February 21 is their birth date - there are a few important issues to address. Many puppy owners forget that training should carry into their adolescent, adult and even into their senior years. I have run into a few little issues with our litter mates. simple things that they knew how to do six months ago suddenly have slipped their minds.. silly puppies!! read more... |  | ||||||
| More Snow
Friday, January 21, 2011 It was such a pleasant surprise to see snow falling this morning. My plan was to walk them to Heritage Park at around 9:30am to meet their friends. A few weeks ago we met a puppy who is similar in age, named Daisy, that Taro and Kratos love to run around with. I get to chit chat with Daisy ( & Bella's) mom, so we're all pretty happy! read more... |  | ||||||
| Early Morning Snowfight
Saturday, January 15, 2011 Our last snowfall was a big one. I mentioned before how much I love the snow.. I was up pretty early the next morning and I woke the puppies up as well. They were very excited but confused with the amount of white fluffy stuff on the ground! They didn't waste any time getting to playing in it. read more... |  | ||||||
| Hayward Reservoir Trail, Mission, BC.
Friday, January 14, 2011 We had a crazy snowfall a few days ago but has since melted. The puppies are loving the snow, Kratos loves chasing snowballs, Taro not so much. I didn't get a chance to take them to Heritage Park since Stephen took my vehicle to work due to the road conditions. read more... |  | ||||||
| And Then There Were Two
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 It has been a quiet couple of days around here since Jordan's passing. I wasn't convinced that the puppies would care too much about her not being around, but they definitely miss her, and so do I. read more... |  | ||||||
| Rest in Peace Jordan.
Sunday, January 9, 2011 It is with an aching heart that I write this entry. Jordan took a turn for the worse last night, and this morning we had to let her go. She waited for her grandma (my mom)and had a great visit before letting us know that it was her time to leave us and join her brother's in puppy heaven. read more... |  | ||||||
| Ten Month Old Black Labrador Litter Mates
Thursday, January 6, 2011 Our black labrador litter mates are developing into handsome dogs. They are behaving well - most of the time - and they absolutely LOVE the snow!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Christmas Miracle
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 It's been a rough couple of weeks for Jordan and the rest of us. Entertaining labrador litter mates coupled with an insane medication and feeding schedule for Jordan doesn't leave me much time at all!! I am happy to report that she is showing little signs of improvement daily. We know the road ahead is a long one, but she has come this far... there isn't any stopping now. read more... |  | ||||||
| Eosinophillic Gastroenteritis
Friday, December 10, 2010 The battle continues daily with hopes that Jordan can bounce back from her illness. We have ruled out cancer, and we have her on a number of different medications to see if we can clear this all up for her. read more... |  | ||||||
| Jordan's Endoscopy Results
Monday, December 6, 2010 You can not imagine the anxiety I am going through as we await the results of Jordan's biopsies collected early last week. The samples were sent off to an excellent pathologist back east. We weren't expecting results over the weekend, but we received them. read more... |  | ||||||
| Crisp, Clear, Cold, Sunny Day.
Saturday, December 4, 2010 Surprisingly enough the weather hasn't been too bad lately. I prefer the cold, crisp and sunny days over the wet and warmer days. Puppies are loving the frozen ground and dirt-sicles!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Raising Black Labrador Retriever Litter Mates
Friday, December 3, 2010 Our litter mates are fabulous little puppies. The last couple weeks have been hectic and stressful and not to mention time consuming caring for Jordan. The puppies are often left to their own devices for longer periods of time now - especially while I am attending to Jordan. read more... |  | ||||||
| Preliminary Findings - The Waiting Game
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Jordan had her endoscope done yesterday to see if there are any problem areas down through her stomach and intestines. The specialist who performed the procedure had done her colonoscopy not too long ago (July 30, 2010). There is an area of concern, the pathologist report is still pending. read more... |  | ||||||
| Jordan's Story Part II
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 It is so emotional to think back to how things used to be with Jordan. Even though there are days when she can be a complete b***h.. I know that if I'm having a crappy day, Jordan would be right by my side trying to cheer me up. She is a fantastic dog. She knows the true meaning of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. read more... |  | ||||||
| Jordan's Story
Monday, November 29, 2010 I know this blog is supposed to be about our Labrador Litter Mates, not about Jordan. The reason I am blogging about Jordan is to help anybody else out there who is currently going through the same situation, or those who may go through this in the future. I know we haven't come to any conclusions yet, and she hasn't been relieved of her symptoms - but we are trying our hardest. If I can help out even one person and their furry canine companion it would be satisfying to know that perhaps Jordan's experience has saved another dog and their owners from going through the awfulness that we are currently dealing with. read more... |  | ||||||
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Older Dogs
Monday, November 29, 2010 There is still no change in Jordan. It has been a week on her new combo of medications, and no change. She refuses to eat anything, and is getting very difficult to force feed. An episode at 2am made me take her to a local veterinarian in the area earlier today - my regular veterinarian isn't in on Mondays. read more... |  | ||||||
| Ultrasound Report
Friday, November 26, 2010 Jordan stopped eating again, and this time it was the longest she had gone without eating. She had been on her medications since October 3, 2010, but it doesn't seem to be working. I asked for a referral for an ultrasound to be sure she doesn't have anything festering in and around her organs. read more... |  | ||||||
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease in An Older Dog
Sunday, November 21, 2010 My poor little Jordan is not well these days. The little interest she once had in food is completely gone now, and it's killing me to see her like this. I did more research on medications, and other diagnostic tools to see if I could come up with ANYTHING to help her. I asked my veterinarian for a referral for an ultrasound. It has been booked. read more... |  | ||||||
| Labrador Puppies and Snow
Saturday, November 20, 2010 WOW! What a beautiful morning. Woke up this morning to lightly falling snow and two very excited labrador litter mates. I had to bundle up before even opening the back door it was THAT cold!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Bad Weather, Active Puppies.
Friday, November 19, 2010 The weather has changed drastically, and the our puppies energy levels have not. They are still very active, and if that activeness or boredom is not dealt with, this house could loose its roof! read more... |  | ||||||
| Labrador Puppies First Snow Encounter
Thursday, November 18, 2010 I love the snow! So you can imagine how excited I was today when it started snowing. Jordan enjoys the snow as well, but she hasn't been herself the last little while, and well, she hasn't been eating well again since yesterday. Our last dog Blue LOVED the snow, and always got so excited when it was snowing. Let's see what happens! read more... |  | ||||||
| Ear Problems in Labrador Retrievers
Thursday, November 11, 2010 I am trying to do all the preventative cleaning and grooming for the boys at home. Having worked in a veterinary clinic for the last twelve (12) years has taught me a lot of the little things that we, as owners, can do ourselves. I started doing these routine cleanings a few times a week since our labrador retriever litter mates first came home. All that conditioning is paying off. read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Puppy Testing his Limits
Thursday, November 11, 2010 Ever since our black labrador litter mates stepped into their new home, they have been learning how to behave appropriately. Up until recently they have proved to be obedient little guys - they are now testing their limits, and it's extremely important at this stage to discipline properly and handle them correctly to reinforce your alpha role. read more... |  | ||||||
| Jordan's Update
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Last entry Jordan wasn't eating well, and she was starting to lose the weight that she had started to gain. Don't really know what brought all this on, but I need to fix it quickly. She had me on the hunt for turkey - the chicken wasn't good enough anymore. read more... |  | ||||||
| Jordan's Relapse
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 It has been a struggle with Jordan since we found out what was wrong with her. Her biopsy results diagnosed her problem - Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)- and since we have started to implement the changes to make her more comfortable, it appears it is harder to control than I had thought. read more... |  | ||||||
| Eight Month Old Black Labrador Litter Mates
Monday, November 8, 2010 Our labrador puppies are growing up fast! They are eight (8) months now, and they are transitioning into good little dogs. Okay, not so little, I think they may be about seventy (70) pounds. I will take them in to get weights on them soon. read more... |  | ||||||
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs
Friday, October 29, 2010 I was worried about leaving Jordan for a few days while I went on a quick trip to Las Vegas with some friends. A few days before I was scheduled to leave she started losing her appetite again. We restarted her appetite stimulant immediately. I didn't want to start her on her new food until I was back from Vegas, but I had to. So far it seems like it's working for her! read more... |  | ||||||
| Ten Commandments for Responsible Pet Owners
Thursday, October 21, 2010 When we went to pick up our puppies we were given some handouts - what to expect from our puppies and the different stages they will go through. We also got a page that lists the Ten Commandments of Responsible Pet Owners that I would like to share with you. read more... |  | ||||||
| New Diet for Large Bowel Disease
Wednesday, October 20, 2010 Jordan has been feeling much better and has gained a couple pounds in the last two (2) weeks eating her Merrick brand canned food and home-made turkey and rice. She has been on her steroid for almost two weeks, and we stopped her appetite stimulant two (2) days ago. read more... |  | ||||||
| How Much Exercise Does your Puppy Need?
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 Weather is getting colder.. it is going to get harder holding a camera with mittens! Still without rain, which is great, but it sure is chilly in the mornings. Rain, shine, snow or sleet these puppies need their daily walks. read more... |  | ||||||
| The Virtue of Patience - Patience with the Puppy
Saturday, October 16, 2010 Our black labrador litter mates are transitioning from cute to handsome! They aren't growing as quickly as before, but they are definately growing. They are becoming more independent, but also quite loving and cuddly. They are seven (7) months old now. read more... |  | ||||||
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Friday, October 15, 2010 Jordan has been eating well for almost a week now. I went into the pet store and literally bought every higher quality canned dog food to try with her. I think we may have finally found one - and it's Turkey! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Litter Mates Socializing
Thursday, October 14, 2010 Our black labrador litter mates aren't so little anymore! They are growing fast. They are a little over seven (7) months now, and weigh in over sixty (60) pounds. They are great little companions, and they each make an awesome pillow! read more... |  | ||||||
| Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs
Sunday, October 10, 2010 It's been awhile since an entry. The puppies and Jordan have been keeping me busy. The puppies are doing well, they are a little over seven (7) months now and growing up quickly. Jordan was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease beginning of August, and it has been a challenge since. She has lost her appetite which has resulted in extreme weight loss. The battle continues daily... read more... |  | ||||||
| Write a Post, Help a Homeless Dog.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 How often have you had a chance to have a 20 pound bag of dog food donated to a shelter simply for writing a blog post? It’s really that easy. Pedigree has upped the ante big time. And please spread this message: The food drive is not limited to pet blogs. Imagine if we could spread this message beyond our circles and see how far it goes? The numbers could be substantial. Here is the full scoop.. read more... |  | ||||||
| Long Weekend with Black Labrador Puppies and My Niece.
Friday, September 10, 2010 The weather is starting to cool down, and the rain has showed itself. Unfortunately for me, these puppies don't care if it's raining or not! My niece is coming over for a few days this weekend, and we are pretty sure there will be a lot of excitement and jumping going on. This will be a good time to test, train and ingrain the idea that jumping equals nothing! read more... |  | ||||||
| How to Train your Dog "down"
Thursday, September 9, 2010 "Down" is another basic command that your dog should learn. It is a command that can be used to teach your dog to "play dead" and to "roll over" once established. Our labrador litter mates can do all three commands, yours can too! read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Puppies Swimming
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 We have had some exceptional weather lately. We made a spontaneous trip to Hayward Lake with the puppies, and as usual, they had a blast! On the way out, we saw some deer!! read more... |  | ||||||
| How to Teach your Puppy to Come When Called
Thursday, September 2, 2010 Teaching your dogs to return to you is very important. It could be a matter of life or death in some circumstances so you want to be sure that your canine companion understands and follows through when they hear you say "come". Our black labrador litter mates have shown on many occasions that they understand the word "come" and as a reward they are given more off leash time. We practice several times a day, indoors and outdoors, and we will continue practicing "come" throughout dog-hood! read more... |  | ||||||
| What to do When your Puppy Begins to Chew.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 Ever wonder why there are so many abandoned and abused dogs out there? Lack of training and control of your dog could result in frustration and ultimately the need to re-home your puppy or dog. Nobody expects your canine companion to be perfect, but basic obedience coupled with good manners results in a long happy life for both you and your pooch! read more... |  | ||||||
| How to Train Your Puppy to Sit
Friday, August 27, 2010 Training begins the moment your litter mates enter your home. It is important that all family members practice the same training technique with your puppies. Being consistent and patient with your puppies is very important in the training game. Follow these steps and I can ensure that you will be on your way to having two obedient litter mates! read more... |  | ||||||
| Post Operation Update
Monday, August 23, 2010 It has only been a few days since the surgery, and I am already having difficulties keeping them calm and quiet. I have another week or so to go! I will need all the luck I can get. read more... |  | ||||||
| Post Operation Day One
Sunday, August 22, 2010 Our black labrador puppies have copious amounts of energy! I had an idea of what may make them sleep more during the day. A walk around the block isn't going to tire them out. I am going to have to start working their minds. read more... |  | ||||||
| Black Labrador Puppies Get Neutered.
Saturday, August 21, 2010 On Thursday the puppies went in for their neuters. They are six months old now, and since we won't be breeding them we had decided that having the procedure done would be better for them. read more... |  | ||||||
| Hayward Lake Dog Park, Mission BC
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 We had another beautiful weekend. Temperatures were high, no place better than Hayward Lake with the puppies to cool off. read more... |  | ||||||
| Abbotsford International Airshow 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 We decided to take the puppies out to the Abbotsford International Airshow. We didn't have tickets, but we thought we'd try to find a place in the shade to sit back and enjoy the show with our puppies. read more... |  | ||||||
| Portable Kennel
Monday, August 16, 2010 We want to be able to take our puppies as many places as we can, even when they are older. I had heard from a friend that there were portable "tent-like" kennels available for traveling puppies and dogs. I started to do some research online. read more... |  | ||||||
| Mill Lake
Sunday, August 15, 2010 Last weekend's weather was not the greatest. Rain or shine these puppies (and Jordan) have to go out. I didn't want to walk around the neighbourhood in the rain, I wanted to go somewhere close and exciting. read more... |  | ||||||
| An afternoon at White Rock Beach
Saturday, August 14, 2010 My cousin's girlfriend told me about this area. She hadn't been here before, so we agreed to meet there Saturday afternoon. Taro and Kratos hadn't met Marlon yet, so it was going to be interesting to see how Marlon reacts to them. read more... |  | ||||||
| Feeding and Walking
Friday, August 13, 2010 The puppies are very active and very social. Right now they go on at least two walks a day, usually about an hour each. Most mornings they are pleasantly surprised to run into their friends at the Hillside Elementary School field. read more... |  | ||||||
| Cherry Street Field Visit
Thursday, August 12, 2010 One of our many visits to Cherry Street school/field. There is a little playground for the kids with a tire tunnel contraption that we were able to get the puppies to crawl into. They had a great time. read more... |  | ||||||
| New Tags, New Attitudes
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 Since the puppies have been visiting many new places and often running around off leash, we decided it was time to get them some identification. We ordered a couple of "superhero" tags online. Taro wears a Batman tag, Kratos is sporting a Superman tag. read more... |  | ||||||
| Puppies are Five Months Old
Monday, August 9, 2010 I know it`s been awhile since i have last updated. Stephen and I have been working on the site, fine tuning some details. The puppies are doing well, and I have lots of new pictures.. stay tuned! read more... |  | ||||||
| Island 22 Regional Park Visit
Friday, July 2, 2010 The puppies had a fabulous day today. In the morning they went for a romp around Heritage Park. They played with a few new dogs, and ran around with each other. In the afternoon we went on a drive out to Chilliwack, Island 22 Regional Park. read more... |  | ||||||
| Puppy Nutrition & Development
Thursday, July 1, 2010 Every puppy owner should know the importance of puppy nutrition and development. We want our puppies to develop into strong healthy dogs, and it begins with proper nutrition. We wanted to make home-cooked meals for our puppies, but we will have to wait until they are adults. read more... |  | ||||||
| Off Leash Adventures
Monday, June 28, 2010 The puppies are spending more time outdoors and off leash now. They both have certainly earned their off leash privileges, and continue to do so daily. They follow us closely when off leash, they play quite well with other dogs, and their manners are improving. read more... |  | ||||||
| Raising and
Training Litter-mates
Saturday, June 26, 2010 Before deciding to purchase litter mates I did some research via the internet. Most, if not all, of the sites I visited had recommended NOT to raise two puppies together. A few of the other breeders I had emailed (out of town) had also said the same thing. I still chose to take on the litter mate challenge. read more... |  | ||||||
| Swimming Puppies
Saturday, June 26, 2010 It was a fabulous weekend for swimming, they filled Hayward Lake back up, so we took all the dogs to the lake. We had hopes that Jordan would teach the puppies to swim and have no fear of the water. Kratos jumped in, Taro was a little hesitant, but he ended up swimming a little. read more... |  | ||||||
| Ruskin Picnic Area
Friday, June 25, 2010 Ruskin is another place that is great for dogs that swim. It is quite rocky, and doesn’t have a lot of beach area. There are two sides to this place - near the boat launch, and the opposite side that has a little bridge. Some people like to fish here as well. read more... |  | ||||||
| Dog Socialization
Thursday, June 24, 2010 We are quite lucky to have such nice areas, close by, to take our dogs to during any season. It also appears that EVERYBODY in the area has at least one dog! It’s nice to live and visit areas that are dog friendly. Our little guys will be getting plenty dog socialization in the months to come. read more... |  | ||||||
| Training Littermates
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 The last couple months have been brutal but at the same time rewarding. I have lost a lot of sleep, and they have upped my tolerance and patience levels significantly. It continues to be an amazing experience raising these two hellions together. They are fabulous puppies to work with, and they are a lot of fun. read more... |  | ||||||
| Taro's Hot Spot
Saturday, June 12, 2010 The boys are constantly play fighting and wrestling with each other. Taro usually instigates it, and unfortunately gets the most “war wounds”. A few days ago I noticed the left side of his cheek was a little gooey. I was hoping it would clear up on its own, but the area needed a good clip and clean. read more... |  | ||||||
| Solo Adventure - Kratos
Monday, June 7, 2010 The last time we went to visit Stephen`s family we took Taro with us. This visit we decided to take Kratos, and leave Taro with my mom and dad at home. Worst part about it is that we forgot the camera. read more... |  | ||||||
| Revisiting the last Three Weeks
Tuesday, June 1, 2010 Well the boys are fourteen weeks now. Lots has happened in the last few weeks in terms of progress. They are nearly 100% housetrained - upstairs and their commands are coming along quite well. Both dogs are walking on leash - Kratos still not as confident as Taro, but coming along nicely. read more... |  | ||||||
| Eleven Week Old Black Labrador Puppies
Monday, May 10, 2010 Both dogs are doing great. Although they are still hard to separate when they are playing and wrestling with each other, as individuals they are responding quite well. We all had a great weekend, we took Taro on his first adventure away from his brother. read more... |  | ||||||
| Kratos and Taro's First Trip to the Park
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Today was their first official outdoor adventure. Both Taro and Kratos impressed me with their behavior. I was starting to feel frustrated, because just recently, in the backyard it`s like I don`t exist, and I thought I was seriously doing something wrong. read more... |  | ||||||
| They Love their Kennel
Friday, April 23, 2010 We had one rough evening with the kennel and barking that something had to be done. We are obviously doing something wrong, and we have to fix it before it get’s out of hand. After a discussion with our fabulous trainer I knew what had to be done. Make the kennel fun fun fun! read more... |  | ||||||
| Testing Limits
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 I think the boys are finally testing our limits. They don’t want to be separated anymore, and Taro has taken up excessive barking when crated, and this will become a major problem if we let him get away with it. Stephen and I have decided to put them on a schedule to get these issues under control. read more... |  | ||||||
| weekend with the puppies
Monday, April 19, 2010 The boys usually wake me up at about 3:00am because they have to go out to do their business. They slept through the night, and woke up at about 7:00am. They were full of energy but the day wasn’t so great. We had some inside playtime. read more... |  | ||||||
| Another Fabulous Day
Saturday, April 17, 2010 I took the boys with me to the office today, just in case they needed some treatment after getting their stool sample checked. The last two days their stools had been getting worse, and I didn’t want to put it off any longer. read more... |  | ||||||
| Day Five
Thursday, April 15, 2010 We are on our fifth day with Taro and Kratos, and I am more than impressed with their progress as well as ours. Raising litter-mates is much harder than I anticipated. Don’t get me wrong though, I am loving every moment of it. read more... |  | ||||||
| Travelling with the Boys
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 I was quite impressed with the boys on their road trip to Port Coquitlam, then to Vancouver, and then back to Mission. They were wonderful. I put their kennel in the back seat with some chew toys and off we went. I had ordered a bunch of puppy toys from a local supplier that was delivered to the office today. YAY!! read more... |  | ||||||
| Settling In - Day Three
Monday, April 12, 2010 The last few days have been pretty hectic around here. I think things have started to settle down. The cats have started to come out more, although they have taken to living downstairs now. Jordan is still a little grumpy, but for the most part she is handling the new puppies quite well. read more... | |||||||
| welcome home boys.
Saturday, April 10, 2010 Finally, the day has arrived. We are able to bring our two new black lab puppies home. Taro and Kratos are finally going to meet their new family. We are ready, everything is in place, all we need are the pups!! Stephen and I have to meet our breeder at 1pm. read more... |  | ||||||
| six week old puppies
Friday, April 9, 2010 I am so excited I can barely contain myself. Tomorrow is the day we get to bring home our Taro and Kratos. Originally we were supposed to get them at 11am, but now we have to wait until 1pm. It’s ok though, this just gives us much more time to take Jordan for a nice long play session. read more... |  | ||||||
| Two More Sleeps
Thursday, April 8, 2010 It was so windy today, it was insane. Took Jordan to the vet today, she got her rabies shot. Unfortunately the power went out so I couldn't get a weight on her. She has to get her teeth done soon anyways, so I’ll weigh her then. read more... |  | ||||||
| Three More Sleeps
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 Another rainy day, and more work outside. All the major tasks have been completed, and we are ALMOST ready for our puppies. The only thing left to buy is a baby gate. I am about half way done the second book that was recommended to me, lots of great information. read more... |  | ||||||
| four more days
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 If it were up to me I wouldn't be sitting here writing this, I would be at the breeder's bonding with our puppies!! I am so excited to get the two of them on Saturday, I can barely contain myself. My books came in the mail today too. read more... |  | ||||||
| Another Visit
Monday, March 29, 2010 We went for a visit 2 days ago, i know. But we just had to go again. Our last visit with the puppies went awesome of course, but the puppies were pretty sleepy. They weren’t as active as we thought they would be. Today, however, totally different story. We walked in to where they are staying and they were all running around like crazy!! read more... |  | ||||||
| five week old puppies
Saturday, March 27, 2010 The next few weeks we are going to be spending time preparing for the puppies. From getting kennels to making a frame for a bathroom area outside, and also puppy proofing the house. For the first month or two they will be confined to a certain area in the house. This calls for a baby-gate! read more... |  | ||||||
| Three Week Old Labrador Retreiver Puppies
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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