So Tired!

I don't know when I've felt this bone-tired!  I'm up at around 5:30 am with the pup, and if I don't get a nap during the day I'm back in bed at 8:30 or 9pm.  He has to "go" once during the night, between 2 and 3am, so my sleep is broken then.

Leash training might be turning a corner for the positive.   He really doesn't want to be outside, nor does he like walking on a leash.   I think the heat has a lot to do with it, and I try to keep him in the shade, which means no long walks.

My granddaughters took him to soccer practice yesterday evening, and Donald promised to make sure he wouldn't go near any oleander bushes!  Rocky was a hit with all the girls I hear.  I was glad for the break, when Jeannie and I went to get a new pr of frames for my broken ones (which were still under insurance, thank goodness).  We then went to Costco, where I bought things mostly for the dog but one case of beer for me!  That should last a while.  

My son Joe is going to try to come over today and do something with the oleander - if nothing else at least trim it way back.   I don't know how difficult it would be to remove it completely.  There are so many ugly thorny plants that come under the fence from the open area behind my house, and they are almost impossible to get rid of.  I've always wanted to get a landscaper to come and thin out all the overgrown plants in the back yard, but my retirement budget doesn't have much left over after necessities such as food.  I saved for a while to get the pup which I'll get more enjoyment from than a backyard which I never go into any way.  There is very little space between the house and the back fence, and it would take a lot of work (and a lot of $) to do something with it.

Here's another weekend coming up and I hope you all have a good one.  I'll be so glad when it turns cooler again, although I shouldn't complain with the wonderful chilly nights we have.  I leave the bedroom window wide open and the breezes feel so good. 

On another note, the breeder in AZ just took her sister for several medical procedures she needs, including gall stones, hiatal hernia, and one more thing I forget.  She mentioned that since she is caring for her sister she hasn't been able to keep up with selling the remainder of the pups as easily.  The litter had one more black male and I think 3 black females; the rest were chocolate.  They are in Willcox AZ, not far from Tuscon, and if anyone is interested I will send you her website.  She ships puppies if requested, to any location.

Good Neighbor

I have had some problems taking Rocky out because he picks up every rock, leaf, twig, whatever, he can find.  The rocks are his favorite.  I tried to sweep the driveway of all the debris that blows there, including millions of buds and such from the crepe myrtle tree.  I got nowhere because Rocky was in the way.  My next door neighbor came out to meet Rocky and then got his leaf blower and completely cleaned my driveway  for me.  So many folks who live around me have been stopping by to meet the puppy.

My son Steve is bringing Liam (grandson) over today to meet Rocky.  Steve is the one who asked me to watch Smoky for him when he was about Rocky's age now, and I never gave him back to Steve.

He's walking much better on the leash today, still not great, but much improved.  For being such a quiet little pup when I first got him, he's letting me hear his voice now.  He cries when I shut the door of the crate, and is developing a nice bark!

I really miss being able to hop in the car and drive where and when I want to.  I cancelled a doctor appointment for this morning, but I am not very happy with this particular doctor anyway (G.P.).  My left eye is still not totally healed but should be sometime this week.  If I ever get back in decent condition, and  if the weather cools down, I will start to walk more places.  

 

A few more photos

I thought I'd show you a few more pictures.  Rocky is doing very well and is the most lovable pup.  He tries to get into the bedroom and my laundry basket, no doubt to chew something.   He seems to be pretty tired today though, no doubt because of all the stimulation of the past few days.

  Click a picture to enlarge it.  Here are two sleepyheads on the way home from AZ.

Back at home:  Who is resting on the doggie bed?

Rocky in his new carrier:

 

I haven't had a chance to get my computer battery replaced and am still having all kinds of trouble with it.  There are other photos but I can't seem to move them to the blog, so maybe tomorrow I'll post some more. 

We made a trip to Petco yesterday and I came home with a very large wire crate.  Rocky goes right into it but cries if I shut the door; I wonder if he'll ever sleep in it at night.  We also used the dogtag machine and printed out a tag for his collar.  The girls were anxious to get the tag!

I would think he would love walking outdoors on a leash but he doesn't.  Maybe the pavement is too warm for his little baby paws.  Right now about the only thing I can do is take him out on the shaded part of the driveway and he does his business as quickly as I set him down.    I may have mentioned that the 2nd time I tried to take him to the dog park across the street, a woman who was there with her dog told me I couldn't bring him in until he is 4 months old.  I was a bit irritated with her, but after talking to a neighbor I know and trust, he said it's a good idea to keep a puppy away from all the diseases he could catch from the ground in there, and that some things can remain in the ground for quite a long time.  Rocky is up to date on his shots, but I had a neighbor back in Cincinnati whose pup caught parvovirus and died within a day or so.   I won't take a chance  once I thought about the possible consequences.

First Night at Home

Our first night at home went well, except he cries when I put him in the crate, which is the one Ara used to ship her cat to Sacramento.  It's plenty big and has good air flow, but not  great as far as looking out goes.  I am going to Petco today to get a wire crate that I hope he won't feel so boxed in with.  Even if he cries all night I have to do it. 

I've been awake since before 6am as the minute he stirred I ran him outside.  Later on I tried to get him out immediately after he ate, and just barely made it in time.  I sometimes feel like I'm the one being trained.

First day photos:  (click to enlarge)

Love at first sight:

Doggie kisses:

Back home at Jeannie's house:

Arianna reading to Rocky:

 

I think I have more photos but maybe they are on Jeannie's camera.  I will definitely be posting more.

The trip went well.  We left in the late afternoon, and Jeannie drove for a while until it got dark, then Donald took over.   By daybreak Jeannie resumed and we got into the designated  meeting place in Phoenix.  We had lunch and then waited for the breeder to arrive with the pup.

After meeting and talking to the breeder, she went over the paperwork with me while Jeannie & Donald bonded with Rocky.  Eventually we left to start back home and drove as far as Barstow, CA before stopping at a Days Inn, exhausted.  The next morning we continued to Sacramento, so it was a very quick trip.  I think it was nearly 1600 miles round trip which is a long way to go with only one stop and heavy traffic on both ends of the journey.

I am still exhausted and after sleeping for an hour on my lap, Rocky is stretched out on the floor continuing his nap!

I'll try to get more photos soon.

I guess I did ok with my eyes.  The surgeon told me I really should avoid going over 500 ft, but if I had to then watch out for how I feel and see.  The highest point we went over was approx. 5000 ft, and Donald took it easy and drove slowly; I watched for the signs I needed to watch for, and we stopped for about 20 min. at the top of the mtn.  There were some miles in the low 2000 range but they didn't seem to bother me.  By the way, the green wrist band has to be worn until the gas bubble in my eye is gone.  It is to alert emergency personnel.
 

Short post - back from trip

We got back this afternoon. I'll write more tomorrow (Sunday) and post some photos. Had a quick but wonderful trip. I just took Rocky out before we goto bed - he say down every time we stopped so I just brought him on home. Within 2 or 3 minutes he had peed on a rug! How he's having fun tossing his toys around but I'm tired and ready to go to bed. Just caught him grabbing the electric cord to a floor fan and planning to chew it! Life won't be simple from now on! But he is a beauty and a bundle of joy.

I just posted this as a comment to the one I wrote before leaving for AZ.   I decided to just write a new one.

A Bundle of Nerves!

That 's what I am this evening.  We are leaving in a few hours to go pick Rocky up in Phoenix.  I think I have everything together but can't load anything until Donald & Jeannie get here, so my kitchen floor is crammed with items to go into the car.  I went to a pet store this afternoon and got a collar & leash, food bowl, some toys and other necessary items.  I just want to get on the road!

The eye surgeon cautioned me about the elevation along the way but he didn't tell me I shouldn't go.  I've been poring over the maps, googling elevations, etc., and think I will be ok.  He said if my eye starts to hurt we should pull over and stop ASAP to let the pressure equalize or something like that.  There is a pass in So Cal that is about 4100+ ft, but if I remember it correctly there are numerous pull-over sites along the climb.

I'm posting this evening because I won't take my computer with me as I won't have internet - maybe if we stay at a motel in Phoenix, but it isn't worth the hassle.  So next time I post, probably Sunday evening, I hope to have some photos of my little rascal!

Until I get back, everyone have a great weekend.

Just a quick note.

I thought I'd write a few lines to tell you that I'm leaving late tomorrow to pick up my lab puppy Rocky in Arizona.

The airlines evidently aren't transporting pets to certain cities because of the high temps, so Jeannie & Donald are driving me to pick up Rocky.   So the next time I post I will have to be keeping an eye on a little curious lab while I'm writing.  

I saw an eye surgeon today who thinks my eye looks wonderful, and thinks I can travel if I'm careful to watch out for signs of distress due to elevation change too quickly.  I'm trying to figure the best route that doesn't involve a lot of change, but we will just go slow and if I experience difficulties, then we will slow down or stop until the pressure in my eye reaches equilibrium.