A New Stuffie & Hangin' With the Sisters

Check out the size of this thing!

It's been a PAWSOME week! First, I had pretty much destroyed all of my stuffies, so Mommy got me a brand new one. Stuffies are my very favorite, you see. They are fuzzie like us doggies and they are great for tugging or fetching. Stuffies also make give great snuggles and are amazing chew toys. I am very good about only chewing on MY stuffies and not my sisters'. Sometimes I make a mistake, but I always "drop it" when I'm told. Mommy has had to make sure the girls know to tell me "drop it" rather than try to pull it out of my mouth, 'cause then I think they're trying to play tug, and the game is on! And believe it or not, I do obey my sisters. Mommy has made sure to include them in all my training and basic household manners. They are able to give me food and water without me jumping or pushing them (us Dane's are leaners and "paw pushers", you know). I will sit and wait for them when they let me out of my crate or inside from the back yard. I will also get "out" of the kitchen or bedroom when told, but I usually only obey Avery, the big sister, on this one.

Nom Nom Nom, Chomp, Chomp, Chomp

Sometimes Brynan's tummy rubs are a little too rough.

Everyone asked Mommy if it was a good idea to get such a big dog while she had small kids. Mommy always said any dog can be dangerous to kids if both the dog and the kids are not taught how to behave. That is the main reason Mommy chose to get a puppy rather than a grown rescue. She couldn't risk a doggie with bad habits being around the little girls. This way she was able to "start from scratch" on training and behavior. Now I've grown up around the little ones, I'm used to their silliness, and sometimes not-so-gentle play. Mommy always mediates, but we all make mistakes sometimes, and she knows I will be patient with the first mistake until Mommy can step in. We also allow the "soft bite" (at least on Mommy and Daddy) to show me to be gentle with human hands in the mouth. Some say this is bad, others say it's good; Mommy just knows it's sometimes simply a reflex to nip and when that happens, Mommy wants me to "check myself" when I find a human hand in my mouth.

Her mouth is closed, but she's not biting down.
I often let her do this with my hand or arm, and she always
lets go when I tell her "eh"

So, speaking of my sisters, it's been kinda cold here in Texas this week, with highs in the 50's, and dropping to the 30's-40's at night (yes, that's cold in Texas!). The girls and I haven't wanted to play in the backyard much, so we've been hanging out inside. Winstin was hangin' with us too. Look how cute we all are:

Brynan watching her show while I chill on the sofa pillow.

Winstin, getting love from his favorite Avery

Brynan, Winstin, Avery

I tried to get in this picture too, but as usual, Winstin wouldn't let me near HIS Avery! Humph!

C'mon! Just one picture?!?!

Then we played dress up, but I had to be Princess Jasmine...again.

I wanted to be Sleeping Beauty this time. *pout*

Can't wait to see what the weekend has in store.

Puppy Love!!

Wordless Wednesday



"Lost in Thought"

Puppy Love!!

A Not-Fun Friday

I am really NOT happy right now!

"Grrr"

My Mommy said, "You're getting kind of stinky Jazzie."

I said, "Thank you Mommy!"

Mommy said, "It's time for another bath."

I said, "WTF?!?!"

Mommy said, "Don't bark at me like that. Come on..."

So, I did what any self respecting, wanting to stay smelly dog would do....I hid in my crate!

Well, then Mommy tricked me! She sat down in the floor with my leash and some nommie hot dogs. I honestly thought we were going to go do some more leash training. I mean it's HOT DOGS! Those are reserved for the "I really want you to know how happy you are making Mommy" moments. I had no choice. So, I come and get my hot dog, and Mommy clips my leash on. Then we start heading toward the front door, but we make a detour to the bathroom. I think Mommy just needs to straighten her hat, but then she closes the door! She takes off my collar and puts first my front feet, then my back feet into the bath tub....full of WATER!!

First she shoves a hot dog in my mouth, and tells me what a good girl I am, and then she pets me and loves me, and gives me another hot dog. Then....she begins alternatley dumping water on my back and giving me hot dogs. I don't know if I should be fighting her or licking her, so I just stand there all mixed up. Next she puts some smelly stuff on me and rubs my back and belly and legs. I have to admit, that was kind of nice. But then she starts dumping water on me again; by this time I'm trying to sneak a leg over the side of the tub, but Mommy keeps catching me. At long last, Mommy tells me okay, and I hop out of the water. Mommy rubs me with a big towel, and even lets me tuggie on it some. But let me tell you, no amount of niceness will ever make up for the bath torture!

I don't even understand the point of it. It's not like it made me look any better, right?

Is this my good side?

What about from this angle?

Check out this angle.

Still the same beautiful, shiny, luxurious, silky black coat I always have.

I think I even smell worse now than before I had a bath! Humph!

Where'd all my outdoor smells go?

Like I said, my Fun Friday turned out to be not-so-fun, and I am NOT happy....

*sigh and pout*



Puppy Love!!

Friday Fun

Super zoomies! Hear my sisters laughing in the background? For some reason they think I'm greatness. Oh, and please excuse my poor manners in this video; I got a little excited and forgot myself for a moment. hehe!

Puppy Love!!

Finally Friends

So, remember how Winstin, my Sheltie brother, used to make growly faces at me anytime I came near him? Well, he's starting to come around, and actually PLAY with me! See, Mommy finally decided to just put us outside alone together one morning when she was in a hurry. She supervised from the window to make sure Winstin wasn't too mean to me, but after a couple minutes of irritation, he just went to his doggie house and ignored me. So, Mommy just kept leaving us outside for short periods of time to interract without interference from her or Daddy, and finally Winstin just accepted my presence as normal, and now we're almost friends! I sometimes get a little out of control trying to play, and he has to "put me in my place". Humph! Mommy says he has to be dominant since he's smaller, but that's just more big doggie discrimination if you ask me! Anyway, back to us being friendly. Check out some pics of us playing bitey face!

Sometimes Winstin likes to play dirty though, and biteys my ear...

Or my neck...



And he is very much a leg biter. I think some of you have mentioned leg-biting siblings as well....

See Winstin going for my leg?

But that's okay, 'cause every once in awhile I can get him to play my favoritest game of all...TUGGIE!

And then a little more bitey face...

I really like having siblings!

Puppy Love!!

(Note from Mommy Lisa: These two doggies have been hilarious lately. I have just been leaving them outside to get to know each other on their own for about an hour at a time. They have come so far! Like all siblings, it's not perfect. Jasmine still irritates Winstin, and Winstin still snaps at Jasmine some, but it is so much better. I was feeling guilty bringing in a new puppy that irritated my senior doggie so bad, but seeing him act young again has made it all worth it. It's like Winstin has a new lease on life, and he's going to show this "little whipper-snapper" how it's done! Their playing together gets the whole family laughing, and they are just such a joy in our lives!)

A Lazy Saturday

Why stand to drink when you can sit?

Puppy Love!!

My 4 Month Birthday!

Yesterday I turned 4 months old! I have come a long way since Mommy first brought me to live with them. I was just an itty bitty baby!

Sweet baby Jasmine, 6 weeks old

But now I have a grown into a big girl and I have learned LOTS of things! I now know how to sit and wait at the door until I'm invited in. I also do this before coming out of my crate and while waiting for my food to be put down for me. Even when I'm getting carried away during play time, Mommy just has to say, "Eehh! Wait..." and I settle and sit until Mommy is ready to play again. My knowing how to do this at only 4 months old just confirms to Mommy that there is no excuse to have an out of control, jumping all over you doggie.



Mommy, may I please come in?

Mommy has also taught me down-stay. I'm up to about 90 seconds before I get antsy. Mommy thinks this is good though. I am also trying to learn to resist nommies. That's a hard one, but I'm making progress.

Don't eat the cookie, dont' eat the cookie...

Some of my other good-girl acomplishments are "leave-it", "off", and within the last week I have started going to the back door and nudging the blinds to tell Mommy I need to go potty! Mommy gets very happy with me when I do this. And guess what! I have been getting to stay out of my crate more because I'm getting to be more "trustworthy." Also, just for fun, Mommy has taught me to "spin". I don't know why, but she and the sisters like it, and I get treats, so whatever...

I have also learned something very important from my big blog friends...MEDITATIONS! Mommy didn't think puppies had such deep thoughts, but see for yourself...

Ohhhmmm...

Haven't I learned a lot in just 4 little months? Whoever says Danes aren't smart has clearly never owned one. Mommy says although I still have a lot to learn, I'm already one the best doggies in the world!

Jasmine, 4 months old

Puppy Love!!

PS: This weekend Mommy's taking me to the pet shop for a bigger crate and a new collar for my birthday! The sisters said presents are the best part of birthdays, and I think they may be right!





Introducing Winstin!

Many of you have heard me mention my grumpy old Sheltie brother, Winstin. Well, Mommy said it was time to introduce him to everyone, and show that he is actually a very sweet boy who simply doesn't appreciate being boxed in the head by the frisbee sized paws of dane puppies. Humph! Notice the cracker-dog face he makes at me when I get too close:

Don't come near My Avery!!

Whatever, I guess since Winstin is now having to share his home and family with me, I will share my blog with him...but just this once!

Ok, so about Winstin. He is an almost 10year old Sheltie baby that Mommy has had since he was 3months old. Mommy said he was her baby before she had human babies, and that he has been the best doggie ever, especially with the human sisters.

His favorite sister is Avery, the oldest. She is the one that always snuggles with him on the sofa (um, why don't I have sofa priviledges?!?!), and scratches his back in just the right spot.

Story Time

Best Friends

Snow...in Texas...at Christmas?

He is also very patient with the baby sister. He just sits still and lets Sissy hug and kiss all over him. Mommy does take pity on him pretty quickly, though, and makes the baby leave him be.

Smooches from the rag-a-muffin.

When he was younger, he enjoyed taking long walks, playing fetch, and cuddling with Mommy. Unfortunately, his health has not been so great for the past couple years. See, every year, Mommy has Winstin shaved in May, because it gets SUPER HOT in the summers. So, his hair grows out over the next few seasons, with just baths, brushes, and trims from Mommy. Well, two Mays ago, Mommy took Winstin in for his annual vaccines, and then to the groomer. When she picked him up from the groomer, she noticed a large lump on his throat. The lump had gone un-noticed due to his shaggy winter coat. Of course, she took him back to the vet, and after x-rays, discovered it to be a large tumor. There was more risk to remove it than to leave it, due to its location, so Mommy decided to let him live as easily as possible for as long as possible. Since then, two more large, fatty tumors have developed on the sides of his rib area, but the one on his neck doesn't seem to be growing, and none of them seem to bother him.

Shaggy, tumor-hiding winter coat. And it's only Dec. here.
By May, it's pretty out of control.

Well, in July Mommy noticed that Winstin was limping a lot, and pulling tufts of hair out of his tail and chewing on it. She made an appointment for the following week (just a few days away), but over the weekend, the hair pulling and tail chewing got worse, to the point that his tail was bleeding. So the vet man had Mommy go ahead and bring Winstin in earlier than planned. It turns out that he had chewed through to the bone in just a couple days time, and ended up having to have 1/2 his tail amputated!! The vet man said he had probably hurt his tail somehow. He was chewing, trying to get rid of what was hurting him, and the limping was probably the pain spreading up from his tail to his back. Since his tail amputation, he has been completely fine. And even with the tumors, he is still a happy little guy, that nudges hands to say, "pet me please."

He's such a sweet, happy boy!

Mommy debated the stress it would cause Winstin, adding a new puppy to the household. Ultimately she decided that: a.) the sisters really needed to get attached to a new doggie before Winstin's time with the family was over, and b.) Winstin was likely and hopefully going to be around a few more years, and the girls wanted an active doggie to run and play with them.

So, now Winstin is the family snuggle buddy, and I, Jasmine, am the new family playmate! Everyone is happy, healthy(ish), and just feeling blessed by the happiness we sweet, and funny doggies bring to the family.

Puppy Love!!



Finally! A Real Adventure

I finally experienced my first real adventure yesterday! It start out with a car ride to our neighborhood lake. There is a nice trail around the lake, and Mommy said I need to practice my leash walking. Humph! Let's see how she likes being lead around by the neck! I mean, seriously!! She says I would have a lot more adventures and fun experiences if I would just cooperate, but I'm not sure I believe her. Anyway, I digress; back to my lake story...

Just a cute picture of me practicing recall in the back yard.
Wanted to break up all the text! :)

So, we get to the lake, and spend the first few minutes arguing about who the leader is. Fine, Mommy, I'll kind of obey you. Oh, but wait; HECK NO! There's no way I'm letting the sisters walk in front of me! *pull, pull, pull* Then Mommy was so rude as to poke me in the rump with her foot and tell me "eehh," which is her way of warning me not to do something. Well, that made me stop in my tracks and do an about-face. Apparently this reaction just reinforced Mommy, because after that she would poke me in the rump with her foot any time I got a little to, ah, enthusiastic, and I would stop and turn. She said that was MUCH more effective than her just stopping and waiting for me to behave. Well, needless to say, I got sick of being poked in such a rude fashion, so I was much more agreeable after that. On the up-side, Mommy made the sisters walk behind us, so I wouldn't be tempted to chase after them.

So, on our walk we spotted a little lizzard, some bike contraptions, a scooter contraption (which I'm sure was trying to get me), and a disgusting swarm of grasshoppers. Mommy and the sisters squealed like little girls....oh, wait; the sisters are little girls. Well, after half a mile (remember I don't go for many walks 'cause I'm naughty), I was a bit warm. Mommy took me over to the lake so I could get a drink. Um, no thank you; I'm sure there was fish, duck, and turtle cooties in there! EEEWWWW! But, I did try to get a closer look at some little fishies I saw swimming around, and then the most awful, horrible, tragical thing you can imagine happened.....I fell IN....TWICE. In to the water with the fish, duck, and turtle cooties! It seriously must have been like 3-4 inches deep. I could've drowned and Mommy just laughed at me! Oh, the horrors; I think I'm scarred for life....

So, the little rat went a little bug-eyed when I
tried a little dane play with him.

Well, after that travesty, we headed back to the car. Just before we reached the parking lot, the big sister, Avery, said, "Mommy, look at that little puppy." And sure enough, there was a little boy chihuahua doggie all alone. As soon as he saw me, he rushed right over and said "hello". He was very unsure of my Mommy though, and kept trying to run from her. I didn't especially like him, but Mommy made me do a sit-stay so she could try and earn the trust of the midget. After much coaxing, and the help of a nice man, Mommy was able to get the little guy in the car. Mommy says I am a heroine, because I was brave with the strange little dog, and helped Mommy to rescue him from the unknown perils of our suburban neighborhood.

 He wasn't wearing a name tag, only a rabies tag. So we took him home, and Mommy called the vet from his rabies tag, and they said they would find his file and his owners and call us back. We played a bit of phone tag with the vet, but finally learned that his name is Taco (which my sisters think is ridiculous). He should be going home to his family today. Thank goodness! Little runt took over MY crate, and I had to sleep in the bathroom. And I must admit, I did have an accident in there, so Mommy says I'm not quite ready to move out of my crate yet. Here are some pics of me and the midget. Mommy didn't take the camera thing to the lake. She said it was hard enough trying to control 4 wild girls (me and the 3 sisters).

Think I'll stay under this chair 'til I'm sure you don't have cooties.

 

Hmmm....You don't look TOO scary....

Okay, we can be friends!

(Note from Mommy Lisa: I have been stressing about Jasmine's naughtiness on the leash for a while now. I know leash training isn't easy, but I need to at least be able to control Jasmine before she is bigger than I am. I have tried the "stop when there's tension" method, but it is just not effective for us. If I had more time, maybe, but I can't have a 80-100lb puppy dragging me around the neighborhood in a few months. It has even gotten to the point that Jasmine doesn't want to go on walks, because I stop every two steps; now she just sits at the end of the driveway and refuses to move. I hated the idea of her being confined to the house for the next several months, so I decided to take her somewhere new, where she has no negative associations. She did much better. When she would walk nicely beside me, she got a hot dog, and when she pulled, I touched her rump with the toe of my shoe and "eehh" her. Jasmine would startle, turn and look at me, and wait until I caught up, then we just kept going. This seemed to work really well for us, so I think I will try it a few more times this week. I know there are a lot of "purely positive" trainers out there, but even with my kids, I may not punish a bad behavior, but I definitely address and correct it. This seems to work for my dogs as well.)

Fetch is the BEST!

I just love playing fetch with Mommy. It is the best, and it always leads to my second favorite game, tug!

Oops...overshot the target a bit.

Gggrrr...gotcha rope bone!



Hold up. I gotta get a drink.

Until next time my friends...

Mommy mumbled something about "lanky".
What's she talking about?

Puppy Love!!



MY Chair....

So, when I came to live with my family, the baby sister had this great little chair that was all her own. Well, since Mommy wouldn't let me have the couch, I decided I wanted that chair...so I took it! Mommy says they LET met have it, but I like to think I claimed it! Mommy and the sisters get good laughs at me falling out of the chair, and this is where I take all the toys I just want to chew on. Mommy says I can keep it as long as I don't get "territorial" and grump at the sisters if they go near it. I am starting to outgrow the chair, but I don't mind, cause I LIKE IT!

Accessorizing with the princess phone case.

Hmmm....I must have dropped the phone.

Wonder if I can find that card thingy that Mommy trades for toys and yummies...

Do you have a favorite non-bed hang out spot in the house that you have claimed as your own? I may need some new ideas soon...

Puppy Love!!

A Bad Ear Day

Okay, Mommy has told me that puppies go through lots of changes as they get bigger, but she never mentioned my ears! When I was just a little thing, they hung nice and straight down the side of my head.

But then they got to where they were always angled backward

And now they flop all the way back and get stuck!

Awful, I know! But it gets WORSE!! Now, my ears have started to point....straight forward sometimes! As, my new friend Mango would say, WTF?!?! (oooo...Can't bark like that around the sisters!)



DO NOT LAUGH AT ME!

Mommy says she has seen pics of other DANES (not labs..hehe) with puppy ears like this. She assures me they should get back to normal soon, but it makes me wonder if this is why some humans like to do that funny cropping thing to their doggies ears. Mommy promised she would NEVER do that to my ears though...funny looking or not!

Puppy Love!!