Off to pick pup up!

[Elibean]

And as I wouldn't have got this far without you lot, and am annoying dh with my burbling, thought I would post and spill excitement here.

dds equally excited. dh also excited (though pretending to be cool).

It does remind me a bit of having babies - that mix of excitement and terror 'what if we have a horrible life from now on' in the face of imminent, forever life change

He'll have changed a lot in the 10 days since dd2 and I met him...wonder if he's learnt to chew/play yet?! Will update later....

[LeBOF]

We will need pics!

[Vallhala]

Can I come too! :o

[Crosshair]

Have fun!

[tooearlytobeup]

Yay!

[MeMySonAndI]

:-)

[higgle]

Good luck, I'm sure you will be fine.

[chickchickchicken]

pics?

[Elibean]

OMG, he's adorable! Val, yes, wish you could have come too - you'd have liked the foster lady as well as the pup/s (only about five million in her cottage, along with chickens and cats)

Actually, wish you could all come and meet him - and promise to post pics asap. He's tearing up and down the garden atm, with the dds and dh - he's a bit scared, but snuggled up to me in the car on his blanket, and is very quick on the uptake when treats are involved - of course

Very soppy, very very soppy....

[chickchickchicken]

have you decided on a name?

dog2 was so scared and pitifully grateful for any kindness when we first rehomed him it was heartbreaking to watch. at the same time its incredibly rewarding to see them flourish and become part of the family

its great that he responds so well to treats. do keep us updated when you have time

[RedwingWinter]

Congratulations on your new dog! He sounds lovely. Can't wait to see pics.

[Elibean]

Have now achieved (him, not me) a poo in the garden, a wee in the garden, behaving during our supper (had to put dds at breakfast bar out of reach, but he knew not to jump up at dh and my plates!), a walk on the lead with not much pulling, and he's flaked out at our feet by the sofa.

Which I know he'll end up flaking on, eventually

dd2 is a bit hyper and anxious around him, and dd1 is a bit hyper and excited around him, but all in all they've not been too bad. Zero (or whatever he ends up being called - still not quite sure) has been super good, apart from trying to eat my socks that I stupidly pulled off and threw across the room. He wouldn't give them up for anything, till I gave him a treat

I think he's mostly lab, with a touch of staffy/beagle or something?!? Will post pics tomorrow and you can all hazard guesses!

Now for the night, the crate (which he likes), and being firm with myself...

[chickchickchicken]

how about Zorro for a name? similar to Zero but doesnt sound as negative?

i know a fabulous black lab called Zorro who is an amazing retired assistance dog

[WitchesBrewIsMyFriend]

oh so excited! Hope you have a good first night with your lovely new addition to your family.

[Elibean]

Pictures (not great ones) on profile

Impossible to get any without the dds in, as Seamus (finally - being a woofer from Limerick, and everyone agrees at last) loathes being left out, alone, or away from the kids. Which has its pros and cons...

We had a great night, slept without a murmur from 10.30 to 7am when I went down to him, slight wee in crate from excitement at my appearance then most of it outside.

He's very very hungry all the time (he's underweight), its hard not to feed him more often than we're meant to

Today he's learnt pretty much to sit for crossing roads, to fetch his ball and to 'give' when he brings it back. He's no slouch.

Slightly worrying habit of pulling out tufts of turf from lawn to eat (?!) and crunching up sticks/stones/leaves at random moments - but suppose thats a combo of lab and underweight??

[Elibean]

chick, I think thats a great name - but I somehow picture a black dog with it!

Zero proved too hard to get small mouths around, and Biscuit was considered (on the grounds that he's HobNob coloured) but Seamus won out. Lets see if it sticks

[chickchickchicken]

sorry was getting him mixed up with harvey (mainly black i think). dont know why i was picturing harvey in my mind i blame rl! its been a turbulent last two months

anyway, i love the name seamus. he looks lovely too. it sounds as if he has done amazingly well considering he has been with you such a short time. me thinks he is a lucky dog

[Elibean]

Thank you

Seamus is now getting shortened to Mouse He may be lucky, but he will end up with a whopping identity crisis at this rate! Thankfully, he doesn't seem to know his name anyway - so may forgive us for a shaky name giving!

I suspect he's so used to having to fit in and be good that he's in the easy stage...we'll see what happens in a week or two! He did have a big play with another 5 month old (retriever) pup on the common tonight, and another side of him came out - far more normal and madcap

How long do you think we should let him settle before giving him a bath?! He's a wee bit pongy, but I'd hate to traumatize him....

[Elibean]

Chick, hope its been good turbulent, as opposed to bad turbulent, time for you....

[chickchickchicken]

bad turbulent but settling down now. fingers crossed

with regards to bath i would wait a few days or a week if you can. in the meantime could you get him used to being touched and groomed a bit every day in preparation?

[DogsBeastFiend]

All great news, glad to read it. :)

Chick, I too hope life improves loads lovey.

[Elibean]

sorry to hear that Chick (the bad bit) but glad its settling down. Paws crossed the settling continues.

Yes, will wait a week, thanks. He's very used to being touched, will try brushing gently tomorrow.

He fell of the sofa tonight twisting around to get dd1 to cuddle him some more before bed, the dingbat. Hopefully no soft bones harmed!

[Elibean]

off