Skyler's Scoop: The Poop on Puppy Power

My Aussie Pup is Growing Up
By Cal Orey

Today, it hit me. Skyler, my blue merle Australian Shepherd is going to be four months next week.  He looks bigger and I'm beginning to notice many milestones that make me smile because my puppy is morphing into a handsome dog with soulful hazel eyes...

1. I can sleep six hours instead of four through the night.
2. There are no more hisses or growls by my Siamese Zen and Brittany Simon...Skye is part of the pack...
3. ...He grooms kitty in the AM and before we go to sleep. And my Aries Zen cat loves the attention.
4. Simon has seemed to get his mojo back... he wags his tail, chews his bones and all of Skyler's toys. (While we both greatly suffered the loss of our beloved Brittany, Seth, 6 and grieved)...new life and energy from Skye has helped us go through the healing process.
5. Skyler can now sit, sit up, and definitely shake upon command. He comes and fetchs balls and walks with me at the campground. We're working on the herding my pants leg.
6. He loves going on errands and smiles when the wind blows through his double coat. He's a pup on a mission and gets it when we we're ready to go do it.
7. Potty training is a minor issue...he lets me know when he has to do his business and we've got it down about 80% if not more.
8. He is loving. He is smart. He is energetic. 
9. I love having two dogs (again). There is balance in the household.
10. My fur child is growing up so fast...and I am falling in love (again).

P.S. I don't know how to break it to Simon (40 lbs) that his new brother is going to be bigger. He likes little dogs. It makes him feel secure. Maybe he won't notice and think it's in his head? Or perhaps he'll think, "Skyler needs to go on a diet?" Or maybe just maybe he'll feel like he's got a protector when the tourists let their dogs off leash!

(In memory of Seth, the dog who stole my heart and soul.)

Skyler's Scoop: The Poop on Puppy Power

These Eyes

By Cal Orey

What color of eyes will my Aussie end up sporting?

I'm obsessed with my Australian Shepherd pup's eye color. His mom has ice blue; dad amber. At 3 1/2 months Skyler has hazel eyes. But is this the final color?

Nobody seems to know. I've contacted psychics, vets, Aussie breeders, intuitive friends--everyone says something different. One trusty psychic says one of each color. I'd be thrilled. A group of folks say amber. Happy again. One astrologer insists brown. 

So, each day I go out into the sunlight and on non-sunny days I use a flashlight and look at my boy's eyes. I know. Then, I take pics and zoom in to look at the hue. This has become one heck of a job. The dog probably senses I'm neurotic. Well, I predict by six months old I will know the end result. One of each? Amber? Hazel? I give up. Time will tell..."Skyler? Let's go outside. Mommy wants to see your eyes again."

The thing is, I should be putting more energy into training this energetic fluff ball. When he sits upon command I do get to see his hazel eyes. And last night they were hazel when he watched me discover the small hole in my waterbed. How can such a small pup and hole make a big mess on each corner of the  waterbed liner. My muscles ache from blotting up water with towels again and again. I was lucky to find a new patch kit that saved what could have been a disaster.  
But no reprimand for my teething puppy (who has 20 or more toys) because I didn't catch him in the act but he is the puppy monster with very big eyes--whatever color they end up to be-- that still melt my heart.

Skyler's Scoop: The Real Poop On Puppy Power
By Cal Orey
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, No! It's Puppy Monster!

It's March 3, and it's been one month since I've been blessed with the puppy moves of my blue merle Australian Shepherd Skyler. I admit change has its ups and downs but this young Aussie's energy is exactly what this house needed. There's new life and we're all feeling it--a canine-type hurricane, tornado, earthquake has hit our home with a p-u-p-p-y! And the aftermath is in the air...

                         

Zen, my fearless, laid-back Siamese-mix cat has accepted this ball of fluff that keeps going and going. (After all, he gets his ears licked in the morning and night by the new dog.) And Simon, my senior Brittany? He's warming up to his new canine friend.  Hisses and growls are no more.  Car rides, snacks, and squeaky bones/balls keep these two docked tails wagging (and my tail, too) and noses sniffing each other in private parts that I don't go.

I don't know who coined the phrase that adopting a puppy will keep you younger. What were they thinking?  But, looking at the photo above I'm thinking, "I am the big 60. So, what am I doing with a monster puppy? Is it residue from the Seventies era of drugs?"
Thanks to Skye's 4:30 AM wake-up calls to go potty, eat, drink water and, "Hey, let's play hard!" I've tried to go with the flow and keep up with this four-legger young enough to be my great grand kid.
Read: I've been dealing with the hardship by going to bed earlier and back at the resort pool to swim/hot tub at 7:00 ish AM every other day to keep sane. Monitoring a 13 week old pup (now 16 pounds) is like having an infant-toddler around and you cannot be sedentary.
We're working on the word, "Drop!"(not so easy; my hands have red bumps that look like measles) and "NO!"  but he's got "Sit" and "Sit up" down. And he walks on a lead like a TV show dog (sort of). The multi-colored fluff ball keeps me active as well as helping to brush up on the forgotten word--patience. I think his double coat needs brushing again. The thing is, we all like this energized bunny rabbit of sorts, especially when he's calm--not herding us from room to room. 


Flashback to yesterday. It was the third round of puppy shots. It seems like the ordeal whooped him and me. He is a perfect canine gentleboy in the vet's waiting room. I asked the vet tech, "Will it hurt?" I got a quick "no." But then, I heard LOUD crying in the back room that lasted 10 seconds, reminding me of the World Series quake in '89. When my furry bouncy boy returned to me I asked, "Was that my little Skyler yelping?" Yep, evidently one of the shots burns... 

Welcome to Puppy Monster

On the upside, the night was peaceful in the waterbed having two calm, cuddly dogs curled up at me feet while watching "Turner and Hooch" to make me feel better while watching another human deal with a puppy monster who has a huge heart.

So, do I regret my choice to be a puppy mom? Pregnant pause. For the most part, it's all good in between the potty accidents, chewing my rugs, comforters (fave is shredded), sweaters, books (horoscopes gone thanks to the energized Sag), and there is a small scratch on my beautiful Siamese pussycat's nose. My life consists of baby gates, a dog box, toys, and household clutter. Would I do the puppy ordeal again? Ask me when the puppy stage is over.  Welcome to the real poop on puppy power. "Skye?" "Where are you?" Quietude with a pup is not a good sign. "Skyler!"

Skyler's Scoop: The Real Poop on Puppy Power

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

Welcome to the c-r-a-t-e. I admit it. Both my new pup Skyler and I have included the word crate in our vocabulary and I am in heaven! And this is exactly how I--the down-to-earth anti-crate animal lover became a dog crate lover convert...

The Dog Box

After umpteen telephone calls to my trustworthy pet sitter and no call backs--I was frustrated. How in the world was I able to go swim, hit the store, whip up a meal with a 14 pound (he gained one in one week) puppy running crazy throughout the house? Read: I had no life and sported puffy no sleep puppy eyes. What to do?
On Saturday afternoon, like a zombie Stepford wife on a mission to keep her household in perfect order I visited my local pet store. "One dog crate, please!" Alas, I brought home a crate fit for a 25-35 pooch. It laid in the car behind Skyler (on his best behavior on drives) and senior Simon, the Brittany who loves to go as well.
Once home, I opened the big crate, turned on Animal Planet, left Simon to babysit (he's 60 in human years and gets how to behave) with the little tyke--and I went to the grocery store (my first visit in more than two weeks)! 

Hello Life! I Feel Human Again

When I came back home--Skyler was still alive!  And to me this means swimming at the resort pool, going to the dentist, gyn, post office--and most importantly, I am not chained to a 11 week old puppy because I took charge.
Last night, still a bit exhausted from the new "baby" addition to my family, I thought, "I wonder if energetic Skyler (a true Sag fire sign) would sleep in the crate?" True, he's been good snoozing through the night on the right of me in the bed; Zen, the Siamese cat to the left and Simon under the comforters by my feet but...a hiss and growl here and there has given me semi-broken sleep. So, I tried the crate. A couple of preliminary whimpers and done! Amazing! Note to self: Write a thank you note to the two-legger who invented the dog box. I feel like I went to a plush hotel and slept like a pup. And Skyler still loved me in the morning! 
After a cup of java this AM, I heard my pup barking crazy at his new box. I looked inside and Zen (the cat who thinks he's a dog) was comfy in Skyler's new digs. So the motto of this tail? Crates have their place in a human and pup's life to make it sane; if used here and there it can be a godsend to a nurturing human dog mom! 
Oops. Where oh where is my puppy? The Aussie escaped through the baby gate and is on the loose. Dog gone. I found him. Skyler was having the time of his life in the dining room--a place that is my library and oasis (complete with a fish aquarium) for grown up people that know where the bathroom is and don't chase the kitty for the thrill of it.  But note, I vow to use the incredible dog box sparingly.  Repeat as necessary. I have my life back!

Skyler's Scoop: The Real Poop on Puppy Power

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet
Help! Who Do I Call? Puppybusters!

Tomorrow is sweet Valentine's Day Lovefest and I have my sweet loving and loyal two canine valentines--senior Simon and youngster Skyler. I admit that there are roller coaster twists and turns of raising a puppy. Do I have regrets for adopting a new Aussie? Well, at my age it is a mega challenge. I think I've aged 10 years in 10 days with my 10 week old Australian Shepherd (and he literally shredded the article on how to care for him so I'm on my own)...

Brainstorming for a 
Puppy Monster Barricade

Yesterday, for instance, I looked at my once tidy and comfy bedroom/workroom--an oasis--and it resembled a devastated region after a great quake.  Piles of pillows, large framed pictures, books, and baby gates were used to be a fortress to keep "monster puppy" away from my cords to the TV, cable box, computer, waterbed--all the comforts and links to the 21st century. But the mess was an eye sore and wasn't really working for my dog that seems to have a higher IQ than me and will go through all obstacles to chew on anything I need or want.
So, in desperation I called a mountain handyman. Alas, two big men and two big white trucks arrived at my cabin. I was rescued. It was amusing. I smelled like puppy pee while holding my new pooch in an attempt to open the front door. My 13.2 pound ball of tri-color fluff was looking all cute and innocent with his hazel eyes while we watched these big men as they stood in my room where I work and chill. They talked like two heady surgeons while troubleshooting how to keep Skyler out of my cords to the world. Wood barricades--at least three--was mentioned as was putting boards on baby gates. (Last week Skyler put his head through one of the holes and it got stuck. I had images of me dialing 9-1-1 but ended up gently pushing his furry head back out  in the nick of time.) 
Then, the senior handyman got a dog-proof brainstorm. He attached the outlet strip to the back of the bed headboard. It was brilliant! No more doggy shredding cords! I was no longer distraught and getting images of puppy getting shocked by the electricity or my words, "NO! Skyler!"  I won the battle this time around. But that's not all...
It's still a human challenge with Puppy Potty Training 101. Yes, Skyler is a fast learner and gets it right and outside 75% of the time. I don't do crate training, nor does he. But watching puppy 24/7 is a bit of a chore. Two days ago, I called my trusty pet sitter and left a message: "Please come for an hour so I can go swim." I haven't heard back as of yet. So, the treadmill out in the living room is looking better every day. (Unfortunately, pups can't do it until one year old because their body is still in its growing stage... but I'm not a puppy and it may just do the trick to get a bit of sanity.)
Of course, Skyler needs to exercise, too. But for the next six weeks dog walks are limited due to the puppy shots regime and it is icy out there. (The word is, the local dog trainer fell while walking four dogs; one escaped.) These home bound blocks are only temporary and then it's time to go do it--and getting a move on will make our tails wag.
And the photo of me and Skyler? Well, it's the no make-up, no hair color, no sleep puppy look.  True, this phase shall pass and one day my Aussie and I will make a handsome couple. Note to self: Make hair appointment. 

Skyler's Scoop: The Real Poop on Puppy Power

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

So, adjusting to a new puppy doesn't have to be a Stephen King sci-fi "Cujo" type film. Skyler may not be a Marley 11 after all. Zen, my beloved Siamese mix kitty gets it. And late last night he proved it to me, his mistress who was yowling and crying to friends that her new puppy addition has destroyed her relationship with the cat. "My kitty has mega cat-attitude. He's on strike. He's making a statement and won't sleep with me like a strong-willed man with issues," I whined.

Good Night Sweet Zen

The deal is, I cannot get shut-eye without Zen. This zen-like cat who thinks he's a dog always sleeps with me--every night. He purrs to me softly and snuggles up to my chest underneath the covers all night long. At 1:00 AM, I telepathically communicated with him all alone in his cozy cat napper in the living room: "Zen, I can't sleep. Please come to bed. I'm so tired. Simon is underneath the comforters at my feet. Skyler is quiet to the right of me. Your place, on the left of the bed is empty and open." But I got a dead calm. No response as I laid between two snoozing canines, young and older.
Suddenly, I felt a familiar pounce on the waterbed and four gentle cat paws of a 10 pound feline saunter up to me. I lifted up the flannel sheet and Zen curled up with me once again. Sweet Zen! We were in human-cat bonding heaven once again. I whispered, "Good night." And like the character in the film "City of Angels" who needed her angel to hold her until she fell asleep--I got my angel cat back and shut my eyes. Thanks to Skyler's good energy and my puss who sensed it it was a good night all night long.

So, we are on Day 3 and normalcy in the household is happening. Can a young alpha cat, beta pup, and alpha dog all get along? You betcha! Thank you Skyler for backing off and allowing me to get much needed z-z-z's with my sweet loving pussycat. While you may be hitting 15 pounds this week, the little puppy in you still shows. I predict Sky, a Sagittarius and Zen, an Aries--two Fire Signs--are going to be good friends. Who says cats and dogs don't get along? 
P.S. Skyler, if you don't start herding Zen I forecast a peaceful household and you will be part of the pack.  
UPDATE: LAST NIGHT SKY GROOMED ZEN'S FACE! IS THAT DOG-CAT LOVE OR WHAT? OR MAYBE SKYLER IS LIVING UP TO HIS NAME MEANING "SCHOLAR" AND IS KEEN TO POLITICS.

Skyler's Scoop: The Real Poop on Puppy Power

By Cal Orey, The Writing Gourmet

At 7:00 AM, Groundhog Day, my sibling, Simon the senior Brittany, and I got on the road bound Sacramento to pick up Skyler, my new Australia Shepherd 9 week old puppy. As a night owl, this feat was challenging- foreshadow to changing my serene senior life as I once knew it. Snacking on cookies and chips to keep awake and deal with the twists and turns in the mountains was a prelude to my pre-Skyler healthy lifestyle.
Before picking up puppy, cell phone chat let me hear my new crated child! He was loud--squeals and whines. Once the Red Bluff, CA horse lady with a litter of Aussies let the pooch out of the dog box, all was quiet. And so the fun began...

When our eyes (his are hazel) met for the first time--it was puppy love. The long ride home back to the Sierra was better than expected. The docked tails of both boy dogs were wagging fast. All was calm. My 200 mile drive to sedate the dogs plan worked like a charm. Everyone was dog tired. Then, the 3:00 PM vet check also was lucky. My rocky raccoon eyes from lack of sleep widened when Skyler (13 pounds of fluff) received an "A" for the hands-on physical exam. Exhale.
Once home, my new dog duo and cat were relatively calm. In fact, by 1:00 AM we all were cuddled up and sleeping in the waterbed. No problems. But hold the phone. My vet told me that the pup I saw on February 2 was not the real deal I'd see in about 18 hours later. Fast forward to the doc's prediction. (Three hours of sleep, night one.) Meet the real energetic puppy Skyler!

The New Puppy Rules

* Lose crate. Whoever the pro-dog crate writers are, I believe it's fiction they wrote when saying it works. Read: It does not unless you have ear plugs and laid-back neighbors.
* Forget cats and puppy best friends from the get-go. Spoiled felines and new puppies aren't instant pals, especially if you have a me-first Aries Siamese-mix kitty and Sag herding dog. Zen is not zen-like for now. Last time I saw him he was packing up his kitty food and toys...He may be seeking a new "No Puppies Allowed" home.
* Use dog lead smarts. Skyler didn't know the word "lead"... He does now and loves it. I love it.
* Hide all tech cords. Last night in a puppy minute, Skyler shredded my cell phone cord. Radio Shack no longer carries it. Upside: I got my new cell phone back from brother--it works. Good dog! 
* Stay on top of poo. Ah, we got this feat handled. After every feeding, playtime, naps it's outdoors to do puppy business. Note to self: Skyler is living up to his name "scholar." He's got potty training down to a "T"...

Now, if Zen can just get the message that the pup is a permanent fixture in the house, we can live in peace. "Zen? Here kitty, kitty."