It's me Joy.....

Hi Everybody

This is Joy posting for my Dad Larry, he has been really busy .. I'll tell you all about it.

Ok, Ok This is what happened.. K, Last month on the 4th of August my Dad woke me up really early, I went outside to go to the potty then Dad said,"Cmon Joy we got a long ride ahead of us." We went up to the car, now I'm worried, I haven't had breakfast yet. We get in the car, I'm thinking maybe we are going to see my friends at the Vets, but no Dad just drives right on by the office and keeps on going. We ride over through Moorsville and Dad gets on the freeway. We drive , and drive, and drive. Dad stops at a rest stop, I get out of the car to go potty and he gets me some water.

We get back in the car and away we go again, this is pretty cool cause I really like to ride in the car. We keep driving and all of a sudden it starts getting warm in the car, the Air Conditioning decides to stop working. Dad doesn't panic too bad just rolls down the windows and keeps on driving. He is playing the AC controls and all of a sudden I here a noise, makes me bark, and we look outside the windows and see a puff of smoke come out from behind the car. Dad said a bad word, but looks at all the guages and decides to to keep on driving.. He gives me a drink in the front seat as we are going and don't ya know I spill it all over the place. Dad's real cool though he doesn't get mad or anything I'm thinking the water cooled him off a bit, it was really getting hot out. Pretty soon the directions lady starts talking on Dads phone telling us to turn here, turn there and then we arrive at where we are going.. It's really hot, there is noone there to meet us, cause Dad said Cousin Ed is at work and we are early. So me and Dad go over to the neighbors and get some water for me to drink, and the lady there was really nice, gave Dad a bottle of water too.
So after a little while Dad's Cousin Ed shows up and lets us in the house, it is a pretty nice house that we are going to live in, real big yard with lots, and lots of tall grass to explore. So after a while we go get something to eat for Dad, I get my Dinner, Dad said he didn't feed me that morning cause he didn't want to get me car sick, lol I NEVER get car sick..
So for the past month me and Dad have been going on long walks every morning and evening, here in Southwest Pennsylvania where we moved to. Dad said he needed to get back with his family, most of his Cousins live close around here. I have met some of them, they are all pretty nice, they like me so that makes me and Dad happy.

Ok all about how I'm growing and stuff, I'm getting really bigger, I have all of my big girl teeth, I weighed 43 pounds last week when Dad weighed me. He is giving me some different food, it's called Wellness Dad adds a little bit to my Eukanuba so I don't have any problems with my tummy, he says eventually I'll just be eating the just Wellness, Dad says it is really good for me. He has been researching for a long time.

We have been going to obedience school for the past couple of Tuesday evenings. We have some pretty cool other puppies in our class, all different kinds of dogs. Dad says I'm doing pretty good, Janellle thinks I'm doing pretty good too, she is the teacher, but she thinks I need a treadmill to help me get rid of some of this energy I have.. She says I'll calm down as I get older. I just love to meet people and I get pretty hyper, but once I meet everybody I calm down most of the time. I've learned sit, down leave it, take it. I already knew sit and wait, cause Dad does that when we go in and out of the house, I have to wait until he says it's ok to go through the door, I'm not allowed to rush out or in..

Dad says he will post some pictures of me in a few days, he has to get some batteries for his camera. Dad was really happy the other day, I let him have one of my baby canine teeth to put in with his important stuff. It's just a bottom one but it made him happy.

That is all the news I have to tell you today. I'm sure Dad will post something soon, we just got our internet set up the day before yesterday.. Took a whole month to get a guy out to install the cables..

Pss't don't tell Dad I'm using his computer, he might think I'm chewing on it, I chew on a lot of things, and I think he doesn't like it when I do that.

News from Joy.

Joy is growing in leaps and bounds.

We went to her first "Puppy" Training class last night after the huge rain/tornado warning storms..

Of course Joy took it all in stride, and the instructor Christen said that Joy is a very well balanced young lady. We learned a lot of stuff in a very short amount of time.. The class was held at the West Shores Animal Hospital where we take our critters to see the doc when necessary.

There were all kinds of smaller dogs in attendance, a Minature Dachsund, Chihuaha, a little Beagle, even a Dust Mop looking Bichon Frise. The only problem we had was Joy didn't particularly care for the Beagle smelling her tush. LOL

Peggy, Dr. Reeds wife was supposed to be there to open the office, but was unable to come so we did the class outside, boy was it hot and muggy.

I took Joy back this morning as we needed Interceptor for Billie and I wanted to know how much she weighs. I was thinking about 200 lbs but in reality she only weighs in at 31.8 pounds. Still a pretty good weight for a 4 month old. She is about 17 inches at the shoulder and like I said growing in leaps and bounds. Seems she grows right before my eyes.

2010-0630 - Homecoming ;)

The last weekend of this month was Larry's Family Reunion. This was going to be his first trip away from home since Joy arrived. He left the morning of the 25th and all appeared to be well. Joy didn't seem to be overly concerned that Dad wasn't around, she went about her routine just like always. He called several times over the weekend and a couple of times, Joy could hear his voice coming through the phone. She stopped dead in her tracks and looked around for him but when she didn't see him, she just went on about her business.

Until he came home! Oh my! It was THE cutest thing ever! He went by Enterprise on his way back to drop off the car so he wouldn't have to deal with it in the morning and when they brough him home, Joy and I were out in the kennel. Billie was already barking about the strange car and then Joy started huffing and giving little barks (just to let Billie know she wasn't slacking off but she really had no clue what the barking was all about!).

It was really kinda strange, Joy wasn't acting like anything - not excited, not happy, just like Dad came home in a strange car every day. I think it disappointed Larry a bit 'cause he was missing his girl like crazy!

All that changed when we got into the bedroom and he started dropping his bags on the bed. That's when Joy actually *saw* her Dad! Before it was just a figure with a lot of things hanging off him and it didn't mean anything. But as soon as Larry let all the baggage go, Joy went nuts! She started squirming and worming and whining and hollering and wagging her whole body!! It brought tears to my eyes to see her being so thrilled to have her Dad home again! And I know it warmed Larry's heart to the max! :D

2010-0618 - Vet visit!

A visit to the vet can't begin until Joy gets her fair share of attention from the staff!



Well, today was the "BIG DAY"!
The day Joy got the last of her Puppy Vaccines and her first Rabies shot today and took it like the wee trooper she is. There was a quick whimper and then all was well in her world again. And because she's finally gotten her Rabies shot, we were able to get her signed up for puppy classes starting on 13 July. Yay!! Can't wait to get some serious training under way.

Larry had cajoled me into letting her wear her "big girl" collar a couple of days ago so she proudly showed that off to all the attentive ladies in the office!

Can you believe she's
pounds already! Whew! I can tell when I try to pick her up! And every time I do, I can hear the warnings from Cathy's hubbs - "If you don't want a 100 pound dog on your lap in a few months - don't put her on her lap now!" LOL And there she is ... on my lap! She's doing the same thing her dad, Ice, did ... gets up on the couch and then nuzzles her way behind my back just a gruntin' and groanin' the whole time! And there I am laughing like crazy.

Wrong? Oh yeah, way wrong, but man, she's soooo freakin' CUTE!

My wrists are looking like I went a couple of rounds with a piranha! Joy's teeth are sooo sharp and my wrists are small enough that her little mouth just goes around them so easily :( Larry's been telling me that I'm asking for trouble with the way I love on her, but you gotta realize - I'm first a cat lover! Never had a dog until Buffy & Billie came into my world, so all my "loving methods" are based on what I learned with cats and they like their heads and ears stroked and scratched. So I head for Joy's head and ears - just like I did with Buffy & Billie! Well, it seems Buffy & Billie never got the "play with my head and I get to bite you" routine like Joy has. And too, Joy's got a "round" head. Every dog I've ever gotten to love on has a knob on the top of their head - Joy doesn't - it's a smooth, round head - no bumps and it's soooo darn CUTE!!! I just love rubbing her head... not so crazy about the bites though! I've been paying close attention lately and only sneak in a head rub every once in a while and the wrist bites have been dramatically minimized.

She's got this howling kinda thinger going on that can really pop an ear drum! She doesn't do it very often and at first we thought it might be separation anxiety 'cause the first time she did it was when Larry was taking Billie up the hill, but today we had a new visitor and oh dear! She let out her howling/yelping sound thinger and it was not for being separated! This was a new person and she wanted to get next to Nicole in the worst way! The cuteness of that behavior wore off real fast and into the crate whe went!

She does real well with the crate and for that we are truly blessed! :) She goes in without any stalling or balking and the only time she whines to come out is in the morning - after spending the whole night (about 6 silent hours). We (and the vet) are pretty impressed with this little girl!

2010-0613 - Summer has arrived! :(

Oh my! Summer has decided to make her appearance and is doing so with just about everything she's got! Three days running of 90 degree F plus temps and today looks like it's going to be the worst of the three. It was 80 degrees F at 9:30 this morning - blech! Joy absolutely dislikes the heat! She's on the AC vents every chance she gets and when she's not actually covering them, she's close to them!

Over the past two weeks the statement heard from our own lips and everyone who's been by has been: "My God! She's growing soooo fast!"

We did one of those "hold the pup, weigh us both, then weight me" thingers and came up with 19 pounds. Then did some height measurements and came up with 14" at her shoulders with another 5.75" of neck and head. Not real scientific, but we're dealing with a squirmy pupper her! LOL




Friday afternoon she was trying to get up on the sofa and in one of those "not thinking this through" moments, I had the brilliant idea of coaxing her to victory by offering a treat if she managed the climb. This is something not too unlike rooting your baby on to make his first steps ... then wondering "What was I thinking?!" LOL Now Joy climbs up (and tries to climb up) on every chair/seat she can find!


Then there's the "attitude"... oh yeah, the little girl definitely has an attitude and when she doesn't want to do something she sits down and does this "thing" with her right leg that isn't far from tapping her toe! (giggle) She twitches her "wrist" joint and glares (yes! glares!) at you. She will finally give in but not before you are fully aware that she's giving in under protest! LOL

We got the two additional panels and that made the kennel 10' x 20' which was a great improvement. Now we can sit out there with her (and Billie when she chooses to join us!) and it's not feeling like we're in a small space. Even though it's a chain link fence, it's still close in with only 10' on all sides! Then we got the cover for it and wow! What a difference that has made!



Spending time out there now is a pleasure - at least until the temperature gets ridiculous! We're thinking it won't be too long before we get a kiddie pool out there for Joy to splash around in! ;)

2010-0528 / 0530

We're beginning to wonder if the great outdoors is really all that "great". We've been taking Joy out for her potty breaks and spending time in the kennel with her while she just romps around and lays in the shade. Wednesday evening we noticed a small bump on her belly and made arrangements to take her in to see the Doc Thursday afternoon.

The Doc figures it's either a bug bite or an irritant from a twig or stiff plant that she might have been poked with while she's been romping around, gave her a shot of benedryl and sent us home with orders to "keep an eye on it".

Well, today it's almost gone but there a couple more in the same area, so we're "keeping an eye on them", too. ;)

Can't believe that she gain a pound in less than a week! She's up to 12.8 pounds which is just about my limit for lifting. Good thing she's almost able to climb up on the foot stool!

On the recommendation of Dr. Reed, we got a pressed rawhide bone for Joy to chew on (instead of us!). Then, of course, we had to get one for Billie ;) Me thinks Joy is living in "tomorrow" when she'll be big enough for the bone she always heads for!













We are on constant patrol to take away the big bone (Billie's) and replace it with the little one (Joy's) - which usually involves a bit of "hang-time" when Joy doesn't want to let go of the big bone (grinning)

Wednesday was a "Red Letter Day"! Joy was laying on the living room floor then she got up and headed into the bedroom. I followed her and was surprised to see her go into her crate, lay down, and close her eyes! Woot! The first time she's gone into the crate on her own, without being told to. Pretty cool. I turned around and walked away leaving the door open so she could come back out whenever she was ready --- which turned out to be nearly three hours later!

Joy and I were getting ready to go outside this afternoon when Larry turned on the power drill... Joy did an immediate about face and headed back into the living room just yapping her brains out! She does not like power tools! LOL

2010-0530

Looks like those bumps/bites/whatever are history. They have vanished as quickly as they arrived. Yay!

Joy absolutely does not like Summer (and it's not even here yet!). Take her out to the kennel - which has been extended to 10' x 20' and she hunts down the shadiest spot she can find - even if it's under your chair! As soon as we say "Let's go in the house, Joy.", she's up and heading for the door and rushes right in to plop down on the AC vent. Yep, a girl after my own heart! Looking forward to the first snow fall! LOL

Larry's been having to loosen her collar almost daily! Joy's still trying desperately to make friends with Billie and Billie's having none of it! I'm really surprised because Billie used to love being around little puppers. Perhaps the wee one next door has tormented her to the point where she's figuring anything little is nothing but trouble! ;) Will definitely be interesting to see what happens as Joy grows bigger... and bigger... and bigger! LOL

2010-0521 - Second Vet Visit

Over the past two weeks it's been amazing to watch this little one actually grow before our very eyes!

When she arrived she was a very clumsy puppy, tripping over her own paws and stumbling up and down the single porch step. When she'd run to the porch, she'd invariably not understand the "step" and bump into it with her chest, then tumble up onto the porch. Now she comes running and makes that step like it was flat ground!



She loves running around in the front yard and making discoveries!



We can see her growing and decided to see if we could measure her height. Admittedly it's not the "neatest" attempt, but not too shabby for our first time! LOL



We're still working on the potty training, but it's getting better - or should I say "we" are getting better! LOL We're thinking that Joy's figuring her name is "No Bite" or just "No!"

She had her second vet visit today, getting her second round of puppy shots.

We were amazed at her new weight! Wow more than four pounds gained in two weeks! Larry says that's 50 percent of her weight gained in just two weeks!



While we waited to see the Doctor, Joy went around the corner and for a second was nose-to-nose with Nacho, the Animal Hospital mascot.



Nacho made a quick leap onto the bench and looked at Joy like she was just a pesky little kid -- which she is!

After her doctor visit - along with lots of words of praise for such a beautiful little girl and what a great personality and she's doing great! Andrea came in to clip Joy's nails and Joy just wiggled and squirmed with ... well "joy" when Andrea came into the room. Andrea's family raises Great Danes, their site is Andisdanes

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2010-0530 - the powers that be at Blogger.com have a glitch were we are unable to copy/paste into our blogs... until they get this straightened out, I will be unable to post any images :( I'll be checking back twice a day to see how the progress to resolve this issue is coming along and as soon as it's resolved, I'll be adding new updates and images.