Saint Bernard Puppy Update: Super Size Me

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?

Yeah. She looks like this now.

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.