Hi there!
My name is Spencer and I'm an adorable little Maltese Poodle! You can see a longer description of me on my parents blog. My mommy and daddy, Cheyenne and Remy, spoil me like nobody's business, but I'm the best puppy ever so I deserve it!
This blog will be used to chronicle my journeys through puppyhood and maybe beyond... it will show my ups and downs, and mommy and daddy's experience bringing up a little pup. If they ever want to have a baby one day they better take good care of me! I need a lot of care and teaching too.
Day 1: Thursday, May 20th
Remy and Cheyenne drove out to Chaska to meet me and my old mommy. My old family had come into some financial trouble and had to move to a new home where there were no dogs allowed. Cheyenne and Remy had talked a lot about getting a dog, and Cheyenne had done a lot of searching for the perfect dog at different shelters and rescues in town, but neither of them planned to get a puppy.
Thursday was an extremely busy day, and we almost cancelled on going out to Chaska until we found out that the women had already brought the pup into town with her (a number of hours before our scheduled meet). We decided it would be rude to blow her off, so we took the half-hour drive out to Chaska. Traffic was terrible, so of course we were late, and I don't know if either of us really planned to take a 5 month puppy home. The funny thing about puppies though, is that they're so irresistibly cute. I had to have him. Remy and I stepped aside for a chat, but I didn't even really have to convince him. He was into the little guy too. We were also given his toys, his vet record, and an assurance from his mom that he was 90% housetrained. We named him Spencer on the way home :)
Another thing about puppies we learned, is that regardless of how cute they are, they all poop. They also have a tendency to poop everywhere and often when they're scared and stressed after a move. Remy and I spent the better part of that afternoon cursing and cleaning up super soft puppy poos. But by that night he was so cuddly and sweet that we both couldn't help but smile as he curled up in my lap. I could tell he was going to be a momma's boy, and he sure is.
When we got Spence Thursday afternoon, we figured it would be okay to have him in our apartment - which does not allow dogs - for one or two nights before leaving for the summer (we signed a lease for a dog-friendly apartment in the fall). Sure enough, putting Spence in his kennel that night elicited some pretty loud whining and barking... so even though we know it's terrible to encourage that sort of behavior by letting him out, we had no other choice. We let him climb onto the air mattress with us and really hoped he wouldn't go in the bed during the night. Luckily we woke up to a few accidents on the floor but nothing on the bed!
Day 2: Friday, May 21
Friday meant moving day, and Spencer spent most of the morning in the kennel as we cleared our apartment and filled our storage space with stuff. He was a little whiney but not terrible, but I can already see some strong separation anxiety going on. We'll have to work on that. We can't have a loud puppy every time he needs to go in the kennel.
Spencer also spent quite a bit of time out in the front yard, romping in the grass and chasing mom around the yard. There is a tree surrounded by some small bushes... and when Cheyenne ran around it in one direction, Spencer would run around it the other way, and meet her on the far side! His little playful bark is SO adorable!
Day 3: Saturday, May 22
Spence got better with the peeing on Friday, but Saturday morning was a disaster. We'd kept him in his kennel overnight, and in the morning we both watched in horror as the little pup emerged from his kennel covered in poo! The little guy went straight into the bath, and mommy and daddy started to worry. I looked up information online about what was recommended for different kinds of poo. The net told me that poo fitting his description meant we should get him to the vet quick, so I brought him in that morning.
Holy moly is the vet expensive! Over $200 for the visit, a virus check, an ear exam, and a gram stain. We did find out that despite the medication he'd received with his old family, he still had a little puppy parasite left making his tummy upset. They didn't want to give him anymore meds because he's so small, but they sent us home with some prescription dog food and nutritional supplement. Six small meals a day and bring him back in if his poo is still soft in a week.
So back home to finish cleaning and get out the door on our trip. We finally get everything taken care of and Spencer has no trouble in the car. He is such an easy-going guy... even thought our first long drive to Yankton was overrun with disaster he never got cranky. He woke us up in the morning, barking in his kennel, but no accidents made for happy parents!
Day 4: Sunday, May 23
All day Sunday Spencer only had one little pee accident and Jon and Robin's laundry room. His stool was a little firmer, and he was just as curious as ever. We explored the neighborhood and found Spence absolutely loves to chase Cheyenne and Remy through the tall country grass. We gave him Advantix flea and tick prevention but we still found a little bugger on him! Jon told also us it is peak tick season out here, so we've been searching Spence ever since.
Spencer's proud parents had a little photo shoot with their new guy that evening. He was extra good and his reward was extra affection. He doesn't like his vegetarian peanut butter treats we got him, but he loves licking peanut butter out of his kong. Did I mention that his favorite color is pink? He picked out a pink collar, leash, and kong at the store.
Day 5: Monday, May 24Monday was the day of swimming!
Monday was a big day for the little guy. We took him down near the lake for a nice long walk, and he followed each of us in turn, never getting more than a few feet away from the group. He is so attentive and doesn't wander, so right now he doesn't really need a leash. We stopped at a sandy beach to see how Spence handled the water. We knew he was okay with baths but a great big lake is another story. Mom hopped in to get her feet wet and that little ball of fluff tumbled right in after me! He spashed in over and over again and even went out deep enough to doggy paddle! What a trooper!
Day 6: Tuesday, May 25
Tuesday was the day of biking and chewing!
Tuesday was another big day! I installed this little wicker basked on the front of my bike for Spencer. We found a way to fasten him pretty securely inside and took him for a ride in the park. He handled it extremely well, and I think he really enjoyed most of the ride. The large bumps scared him and he almost jumped out once, but he really has one of the best dispositions of any dog I've met and it was easy to keep him in the basket.
We took him down onto the beach but didn't go into the water. We dug a big hole in the sand and raced down the beach instead! Robin rode with Remy and I and we all enjoyed watching Spence have such a good time.
Spencer started chewing on my skirt, and nipping at people during play, we we went into town and got him some rawhide chews. Robin got him a toy rope thing that's extra fun! Thanks Robin! He loves them both. He'll sit and chew the rawhide for a good long time, and we taught him how to tug on the rope in just a few minutes. He makes these tiny little growls that are so adorable, and when you finally let go and give him the toy, he drags it right into your lap and lays down for a chew. Precious.
Day 7: Wednesday, May 26
Wednesday was the day of fetch!
Wednesday morning brought the third morning in a row of no pooping in the kennel overnight. There was a little pee accident, so Spencer took a shower with mom and dad, but no poo is no poo! Woo hoo!
There hasn't really been much luck on the sitting front, although Remy and I have been diligently sitting him at doorways and before being picked up so that he gets used to the habit. On the other hand, Remy taught Spencer to fetch in a single afternoon. Jon, Robin, and I all went into town and Remy stayed behind to finish up some schoolwork, but it turns out he also taught Spencer to fetch his little hamburger toy like a pro.
After all of that running, our little guy was out for the count! He and I napped all afternoon, and then he flopped down under the table at dinner and didn't move a muscle. Luckily he didn't really have to do much moving at all after the mail came. Remy and I got a %50 hemp/%50 organic cotton baby sling delivered to Jon and Robin's and I enjoyed carrying him around in it all day! It's kind of pathetic how much we spoil our pup. But he's going to have a great life!
