raising litter mates, taro and kratos


Labrador Retriever LItter MatesI 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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Please visit our dog Bakery 'Brainy Cakes'


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.
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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..
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Taro gets Sick
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.
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Black Labrador Litter Mates at Bateman Park, Abbotsford, BC.
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!
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Taro and Daisy - Daisy hangs out with us a couple of days a week.  She really keeps my littermates on their "paws"
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!
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Black Labrador Litter Mates Kratos and Taro
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.
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Routine Dog - Afternoon Hike
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**

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Black Labrador NewBorn Picture - Welcome to the World Taro!
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).
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Black Labrador LitterMates February 2012.
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.
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Black Labrador "Taro" Waiting Patiently for Treats ( he isn't supposed to be in the kitchen though.. Oops! )
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!
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Black Labrador "Kratos" Happier than a Pig in SLOP!
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.
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Snow Covered Black Labrador Litter Mates
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.
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Black Labrador Litter Mates playing with a new friend!  That is Taro on the ground.
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!!
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Black Labrador 'Kratos' in the Snow
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.
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Black Labrador, Kratos, Enjoying the Snow
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!
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Black Labrador Sitting in Snow
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.
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Bateman Park - Abbotsford BC Jan 2012
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.
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Dirty Labrador LitterMates Ready to go Home!
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.
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Jordan <3 We Miss you Evil Brown Cow!
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.
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Playing around with the neighbours dog ( Delta, BC )
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!
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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.
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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!
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Black Labrador Litter Mates - Crisp, cold morning at Bateman Park, Abbotsford BC.
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!
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Organic Flax Snax - Sweet Potato & Apple
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.
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Taro (right) sporting his toque & Kratos (left) in his Olympics scarf!
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!
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Our broken candle holder =(
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!
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Taro - Proud of himself for digging!
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".
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"Rogue" catching up on some reading.
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!
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Black labrador Puppy and his Cat hanging out.
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!

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Taro the Black Labrador Litter Mate
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!
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Taro Utilizes his "CRAWL" command
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!
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Tada!  HomeMade Waterproof Bandage!
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 =(
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Kratos enjoying the backyard this morning - can't see his bandaged foot!
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!
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Taro and his Bowl
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.
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Black Labrador LitterMate, Taro, swimming and fetching for the first time!
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!!
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Teaching New Tricks
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!
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Black Labrador Litter Mates Taro and Kratos
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.
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Wheat-Free Tender Tummy Treats
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.
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Black Labrador Litter Mates.
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!!
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Happy Dogs at the Off Leash Dog Park - Abbotsford BC
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!
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Puppy Jake playing with his buddies Kratos and Taro.
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!
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Kratos and Taro at Bateman/Stoney Creek Park Abbotsford BC!
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.
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Kratos, black labrador litter mate, after his off leash park adventure!
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!
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Kratos - Black Labrador Puppy. Hayward Lake Reservoir Trail June 2011
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!
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BrainyCakes Sampler Packs
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.
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Hide-n-Seek in the back yard.
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.
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Raffy Cat
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!
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Black Labrador Litter Mates Taro and Kratos
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!
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Taro and Kratos - black labrador litter mates photo shoot!
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!
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Black Labrador litter mates playing with their Kong water toy on land.
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.
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A batch of 100% Organic Mini Treats!
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.
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Keep all ingredient lists handy while introducing new treats.  If there was ever a problem, at least you know what has been consumed.
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.
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Cinnakin Bones - Tasty crunchy WHEAT FREE treats.
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!
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Black labrador cute snow picture.
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!
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Kratos and Taro, black labrador litter mates ready for an off leash adventure in Langley, BC.
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.
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Kratos and Taro exploring a new area.
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!
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Taro the black labrador puppy returning to us for a pet.
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.
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Taro and Kratos at Heritage Park Practicing "stay".  Photo courtesy of Craig Noa.
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.
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Exhausted Black Labrador Puppy
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!!
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Taro the Scholar
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!
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Black Labrador Puppies looking innocent.
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.
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Black Labrador Puppy in the Backyard in the Snow.
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.
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Kratos running back to Stephen!  They don't like it when we are out of sight.
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.
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Taro the black Labrador Puppy Covered In Snow.
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.
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Our Jordan.
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!!
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Kratos the black labrador puppy sitting in the snow.
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.
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Jordan relaxing at home in her favorite room.
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.
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Jordan's Road to Recovery
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.
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Jordan Resting at Home, the Next Day.
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!!
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Nice Shot.  Taro and Kratos enjoying their morning play.
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.
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Taro, the black labrador puppy after an adventure at Heritage Park. Cute, but DIRTY!!
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.
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Jordan resting on her favorite blanket (mine) the night we got her home.
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.
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Jordan Story Part II
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.
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Jordan sporting my winter toque!
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.
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Jordan and her black labrador litter mates Taro and Kratos out for a walk around the SilverDale Wetlands Winter 2010
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.
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Jordan post ultrasound
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.
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Jordan Ultrasound
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!!
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Black Labrador Puppy, Kratos, holding a branch.
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!
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You can't really tell in this pic, but they are sitting on top of a gravel pile.
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!

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Taro the black labrador puppy in his first snowfall.
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.
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After a few hours of playing in the rain, Taro and Kratos the black labrador puppies, wait to get cleaned up before entering the house.
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.
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Kratos has learned that before entering the house from the backyard he must wipe his feet and have a sponge bath!
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.
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Jordan resting at home.
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.
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Jordan tired after some frisbee in the back yard.
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.
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Kratos the black labrador puppy at Centennial Park, Mission BC.
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!
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Posing for a picture. She is adorable.
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.
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Kratos and Taro
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.
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Jordan at the Silverdale Creek Wetlands, Mission BC
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.

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Handsome seven (7) month old black labrador retriever puppy "Taro"
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.
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Taro and Kratos hanging around the kitty post that they tore up when they were younger.
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!
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Jordan playing with black labrador littermates Taro and Kratos
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!
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Black Labrador Litter Mates - Taro and Kratos.
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...

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Jordan Summer 2010
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..
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Pedigree Postcard
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!
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Kratos the black labrador puppy posing for a picture at Ruskin Recreation Area, Mission BC
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!
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Black Labrador puppies Taro (left) in a "down" and Kratos in a "sit". Good Puppies!!
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!!
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Kratos with his Kong Water Toy
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!

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Training black labrador puppy to come.
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!
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An array of chew toys - mostly Kong for our puppies.
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!
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Kratos Sit.  Good Sit Kratos!
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.
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Second walk!  Taro the black labrador puppy in action.
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.
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Black Labrador puppies get distracted by the unknown!
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.
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Taro, the black labrador puppy, trying to get comfortable.
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.
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A very tired black labrador puppy (Taro) ready to go home.
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.
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Another picture of Kratos sleeping on Stephen.
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.
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Kratos in his portable kennel at the Abbotsford International Airshow 2010.
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.
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I was trying to get them to look at the camera, it wasn't easy.
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.
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Some fun with Marlon.  Marlon wasn't very fond of the puppies.
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.
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Another cute picture.
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.
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Another shot, this time you can see their cute little faces.
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.
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Out in the backyard, on our lounger.
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!
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Goofy Taro!
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.
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The puppies trying to help Jordan carry a branch.
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.
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Close-up of Taro's dirty face.  He looks pooped!
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.
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Keeping up to her as much as their little legs will let them.
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.
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Taro in on the kitty scratch post.
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.
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Both swimming!! Taro is in front (hence all the splashing) and Kratos being calm.
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.
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In a little deeper now.
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.
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Staring down at the water.
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.

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Great little puppies.
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.
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The puppies don't normally sleep on the couch, but I had put him up there to see what he would do.
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.
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Toward the end of the trip.  He played quite a bit.
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.
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Taro (right) and Kratos posing for a picture.
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.
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Kratos and his rope.  What a handsome black labrador retriever puppy.
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.
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"sitting" for  me to get  more of their favorite treats.
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!
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Cute shot!!
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.
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Playing in their area.
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.
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Awesome picture of Kratos.
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.
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My two black labs (taro  in red and kratos in blue) outside playing.
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.
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This was taken at about 7:30am.  This is how Taro begins his day.
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!!
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Taro in the backyard.
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.
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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.

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I took this one a few minutes later, Stephen had actually fallen asleep.
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.
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Puppy Nap Time.
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.
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Orca found some sunshine!
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.
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Rogue playing peek-a-boo.
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.
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Jordan in the backyard enjoying a nice afternoon.
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!!
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Isn't this adorable? They look so innocent here.
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!
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Kratos is on his back, and that other puppy is his feisty sister. They were rough housing.
Three Week Old Labrador Retreiver Puppies
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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Maya wanting to play with us again. 
It was shortly after this picture was taken that we left.   We didn’t want to distract her from feeding her puppies, they sounded hungry.