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Category: Green Pet

  • Saint Bernard Puppy Update: Super Size Me

    Saint Bernard Puppy Update: Super Size Me

    st bernard puppy

    Dogs are miracles with paws.
    Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

    I missed the last puppy update; we did weigh her but the weather was uncooperative for photos and has been nothing but a wet and woolly rollercoaster ride since.

    I am in the midst of crate-training; housebreaking seemed to be going really well until we went to the beach for a weekend. She had exactly ZERO accidents at the beach house, but then several yesterday before I’d even got out of bed (my morning to sleep in). Regression? Or just the fact that I read her cues better than the rest of the family?

    Not sure, but I hope we’re back on track soon. I have to take Maverick for a physical later this week, meaning I’m going to have to leave her on her own for several hours for the first time. I’m nervous.

    Here’s the growth update, and it’s ZOMG-worthy. I actually made Jacob bring me the scale so I could double-check.

    July 9th, 8 weeks old. Welcomed 12 pound puppy into our home.
    July 23, 10 weeks old. 15 pounds. Weight increase, +25%
    August 6th, 12 weeks old. 20 pounds. +33%
    August 19th, 14 weeks old. 25 pounds. +25%
    September 3rd, 16 weeks old. 38 pounds. +52%

    FIFTY. TWO. PERCENT. INCREASE over the last two weeks.

    Hey, remember this little sweet thing from 8 short weeks ago?

    boy with st bernard

    dog and puppy

    Yeah. She looks like this now.

    two dogs

     

    She’s still playful, which is nice, but her behavior is improving as she grows, which is a tremendous relief. I was a little panicky about having a full-size, gangly adolescent Saint Bernard tearing about with all the toothy exuberance of a puppy.

    (I still need to buy her a Saint Bernard sized bed, she has already outgrown Jimmy’s, who has taken to sleeping in Cassidy’s room. Between that and vet visits and another round of replacement Nylabones and rope toys, it’s going to be an expensive month for puppy mommy.)

    I can see the gentle giant emerging. But I’ll be honest: she’s got a bit of the devil in her.

    Still cute. And she loves me best… so smart, too.

     

    puppy closeup

  • Saint Bernard Puppy Update: Karma, Week 10

    Saint Bernard Puppy Update: Karma, Week 10

    saint bernard puppy

    My little dog,

    a heartbeat at my feet.

    -Edith Wharton

     

    green dog

    green pets

     

    Using the Wharton quote while I can, because she’s not going to stay a little dog for long.

    That’s a 25% increase in body weight in just two weeks!

    Who wants to place bets on how heavy she’ll be weighing in, at 12 weeks old?

    Other random things:

    • She’s gone from needing to be walked every 90 minutes to every couple of hours, and she can make it from my bedtime at 12:30am to wakeup at 5:45am. That seems like it sucks but it’s SO MUCH BETTER than those first few days.
    • I think she brought a couple of fleas with her. I went to Petco and most all of the flea baths said they were not appropriate for dogs under 6 months old (and carried a huge number of scary warnings). There was an herbal choice that was for pups over 12 weeks old. Do I wait a few weeks and hope for the best? Is just a mild bath and thorough fleacomb sufficient? I really really don’t want a flea infestation.
    • I bought some toys and things from Petco’s eco line, all of which was on clearance. Which was good for me, but why? Is it being moved for a new eco line or was it not selling?
    • I feel dumb buying toys for a dog, particularly stuffed animals.
    • Saint Bernard-sized beds are really expensive. I paid less for my first mattress set.
    • I want to find green pet supplies that aren’t necessarily Petco brand; small companies, local, etc. Know of any offhand?

    How much longer until those puppy teeth come out? Those buggers are like tiny razors!!

    We’re adjusting nicely, she’s a good dog, but I can’t wait until I feel comfortable leaving her alone for a few hours at a time. I’m going a bit stir crazy.

    Good pup. Good Karma.