Sloan's new shoes...



No, I don't find this amusing.

and other humiliations. Poor Sloan--she's such a good sport. Per her personality, she's eager to please, so no matter what Boden has in store for her (his favorites: pulling her tail, trying to get on her back), including his most recent interest of "dressing" her, she goes along with it albeit reluctantly. He's most recently tried to get her in winterwear (to keep her warm, of course) which don't go over well.  But wiith my assistance, we managed to get shoes on the poor thing. If I could tell what she was thinking from the look on her long face, it would be something like, "Help. Help me, please." :)

If she would just run away when Boden has her in his sights, like Bueller does! Bueller has no qualms about heading for a hideout with an urgency that screams "Every dog for himself!" when Boden comes running. Sloan could learn a bit from that ol' dog.

@!*#!

i.e. my first swear word.  Yea, not good.

It went something like this:  I was escorting Sloan to her kennel because she was behaving like a begging mongrel while Boden was eating.  As I was shutting the door to the dog's room, Boden yelled, "Dammit, Sloan.  In your kennel!"  The good news is, he used the term appropriately, I guess :( 

He hasn't repeated it, since, and I didn't make a big deal of it (or any deal for that matter), so hopefully it's not a permanent part of his vernacular just yet.  And I told Todd to clean up his mouth from now on because I don't want a toddler that swears like a sailor...or his dad.

In the dog house

Boden checking out Bueller's house

Not sure why all little kids that visit us think that Bueller's kennel is king, but they do, and Boden is no exception.  The video isn't that great, but it shows Boden in action--he's a walking, talking, mostly capable little dude.  It's crazy to me that last time at this year, he was just learning how to walk and now,  he runs, he says words I can understand, kind of listens to me (once in a while), and has his own ideas about what he wants to do...child development is truly amazing.

Sloan-y Dumpty sat on a wall.

Sloan's boo boo

Sloan-y Dumpty had a great fall...or something.  We're not sure what the heck happened to her on Easter Sunday, but somehow she  managed to rip her chest open and didn't make a peep when it happened.

We were all in the backyard; Todd was messin' with the dock, I was chasing Boden, Bueller was being ornery (surpise) and Sloan was hanging out by the water.  I went in to get a tissue, came out and Todd said "Should we go to the Emergency Vet or wait until tomorrow?".  I'm all "What the flip happened?!"  Sloan isn't talking.  Arrgh. 

Sloan is pretty much "ho hum" about her new hardware but I think Boden finds her even more endearing because of it.  Not a good thing. 

CSI: Victoria

The crime: suspected dog mayhem

The evidence: Paw prints on countertops and kitchen table

The suspects: P-man's Valdhorn Bueller Brown (aka Bueller), Sloan Brown

Prior records: Both suspects have long rap sheets of prior convictions related to bad dog behavior.

Final Report: Both suspects were interrogated extensively. When presented with the evidence, Bueller turned his head, yawned and seemed a little bored; Sloan wagged her tail and smiled happily. She seemed oblivious to the fact that she is our top suspect. The paw print evidence is inconclusive as they could be traced to either suspect. The crime remains unsolved but we will continue to closely monitor the suspects. They were such good pups, it's hard to understand where things went wrong.

His future is so bright...

Boden has to wear shades. Here he is walking around in his full winter get-up and laughing at the puppies.

Sit still?

Boden is so much fun, right now...and a real handful.  He is in constant motion from literally the moment he wakes up.  This morning, I brought him to bed for a little extra dozing because he was still sleepy (yea!) after nursing.  As I was debating whether or not I should get out of my cozy spot,  I watched him sleep soundly on his back with his arms flung upwards and legs spread (i.e. not leaving a lot of room for mom and dad to sleep comfortably).  I was thinking "awwww, how peaceful and sweet he is" when, in an instant, he went from eyes shut, heavy deep breathing to eyes wide open, straight to standing in an instant.  From that moment we were off and running..."Boden, come here.  Boden, where did you go?  Boden we don't play with Tylenol bottles even if they are "child-proof".  Boden, don't pinch the dog...again.  Boden, stay out of the garbage.  Boden, don't feed the dogs.  Boden, please, stop feeding the dogs.  Boden, stay out of the dog dish.  No, Boden, we don't play in the toilet."  And this is all before I had a chance to pour myself some coffee.  Whew.  It's like trying to manage a bull in a china shop--disaster looms around every corner.

Picture:  Boden is a blur because he wouldn't stop moving :)

Little Rebel

We've been working on the word "no" and what it means with Boden. It used to mean "turn and smile and continue doing what I'm doing"; now it means "jut my chin out, stick out my bottom lip, and continue doing what I'm doing". On the positive side, we're making progress, I guess--but it seems to be in the wrong direction.

This blatant defiance just seems so uncharacteristic for someone who is supposedly completely malleable at this age. He should be putty in my hands--do what I say; trust that I know best! The first time Boden stuck his lip out, locked eyes with me and proceeded to feed Bueller his banana soaked Cheerio after I told him no, my jaw dropped open. He's too young to reason, he was not into being re-directed into a more positive action, and he clearly knew what he was doing. So, what's my option? I can't give him a time out or have a discussion with him--well, I did try that (Bueller doesn't need organic bananas. He has dog food. This food is for Boden. Are you all done?). But it was followed by another handful of food passed off to a drooly, eagerly waiting Bueller.

What if Boden is a born rebel? Today it's feeding the dogs from his high chair, tomorrow he'll be stealing cars. I can't even place blame on the "wrong crowd" he's been running with. We are his "crowd"...though there is that 3 year old at daycare that seems to have a mean streak. I'll have to have a talk with the daycare lady about that.

He's just a dog...

Really, Bueller is much more than that. He started physical therapy last week and I shared this with a few people during every day conversation. I got some interesting looks and responses (filled with judgment)...like "wow, you must really love your dog" and "my husband would never agree to doing that for a dog." I'm sure some people think it's a completely frivolous expense, but, if your kid dislocated his shoulder would you tell him he was just going to have to live with it? Yes, Bueller is a slightly lower priority to me than Bodie (Todd may rank them differently), but he is a very integral part of our family.

There's been many times since we picked Bueller up from the breeder almost 8 years ago that we've been ready to give him "back"; luckily, he only p'd one of us off at a time so he always had either Todd or me on his side to keep him around. But through all his puppy biting (oh, he was awful), obstinancy, selective hearing, finickiness, and "talking" back, he's ours to love and care for.

He's, of course, been incredibly intolerant of the PT--won't stop running, jumping, and is rebelling against walking on leash...in other words, he continues to test our patience daily (as he has from day one). I equate his personality to that of a crabby, little bit crazy, old man who is really gruff but has a tender heart. He is what he is and we love him. Sure, I want to beat his #$% some days, but I still love him and would probably give him a kidney if he needed it.

Wanted: Good Home for a (Sometimes) Good Dog

"Family at their wits end is seeking a good home for precocious, strong-willed, sometimes loving, often fussy, pure bred male dog. Good home is one that will adhere to a tight schedule and a predictable routine that revolves around dog's needs only. Dog listens in an "I'll take that into consideration" kind of way, has a great education, lives for hunting, tolerates humans in the off-season, is wildly stubborn in a Grumpy Old Men sort of way, and indulges in excessive personal grooming. He's impeccably clean, often rising in the hour before dawn to primp himself for the day and enjoys getting his teeth brushed and ears cleaned. Please call, if interested, and I will arrange an appointment for the dog to interview you to see if you meet his standards."

Me and Bodie took the dogs for a walk this morning which is a wonderful way to start the day--unless all you are doing is yelling "Bueller, come", "Come here!", "Mother (bleep)er! Get the (bleep) over here!" Hence, leading me to compose this want ad in my head between screams of frustration.

Really, it's just like having a dog

Awhile ago, friends of ours had a baby (she's now 4) and Todd and I would listen to their parenting stories and chime in with our own anecdote about how whatever parenting situation they were experiencing could be related back to "raising" dogs. Well, we still stand by that...there are many situations with Boden which have been completely reminiscent of the early days with Bueller and Sloan. Sleeping with my hand inside the bassinet on Boden's tummy so he will stop crying completely parallels our first nights with both puppies: Todd and I both took turns laying with a hand in the kennel (I believe with Sloan her kennel was actually IN our bed--like the co-sleeper we use for Boden!) to help them sleep through the night. Todd and I have both caught ourselves saying "Boden's in his kennel...I mean CRIB" or "good dog--er, I mean, BOY--Boden", and "Boden has an appointment with the veterinarian...I mean PEDIATRICIAN...tomorrow". Hopefully, we haven't uttered these comments in public within earshot of strangers or we should be getting contacted by Child Services shortly.

After spending 8 years with dogs and only 2 1/2 weeks with a baby, there's bound to be little hiccups like these, right? But, it is amazing how raising the little beasts you love, whether they have 4 legs or 2, are amazingly similar.