my boys!

Play with me!

Oscar is doing well. We are slowly getting to know him and figuring out what he needs to become a well-adjusted and happy pup. So far this means:

No fewer than two walks daily, at least 20 minutes each. Today he got an extra trot around the block after yoga, before work. Beagles have lots of energy and need lots of exercise to stave off sassy behavior (which comes from boredom). I have been running home at lunch to let him stretch his legs.

Stuff to play with while we are gone, and clearly defined boundaries so he can't go pee in the basement. I've read that small dogs can confused basements with "outside" because it seems secluded from the family, and that they hide if they are learning that peeing inside is unacceptable, but haven't developed the communication with us yet on when he needs to go out. He wants to go out to play more than anything, so its been a lot of trips outside, walking around, and then back inside, only to go out again 10 minutes later. It's a hassle now, but it'll be worth it in the winter when he is (hopefully) fully housebroken.

Beagles are adept climbers. This little 18 pound dog climbs over a standard baby gate like nothing. He doesn't jump - he climbs like a freaking spider monkey. He have to stack two standard gates to keep him in his room during the day and use a taller 3 foot gate to keep him out of the basement.

The vet says he has some seasonal allergies. So I've been giving him claritin. It seems to be helping so far. Apparently in dogs, allergens cause them to have itchy skin (instead of a stuffy nose, hayfever, etc).

Kennel at night, which is going well. Never force your dog in the kennel. It is really tempting to do so when I'm tired and he doesn't want to go to bed. It needs to be a place they associate with relaxation and happy things, so they will go in willingly; otherwise it will become a stressful event every time he needs to go in. (Stress = sassy) Oscar wanders in and out sometimes, but I still need to bribe him with a treat at night. I show him the treat and then toss it inside the kennel. He goes in after it and sometimes tries to grab it and run out right away, but that behavior has been decreasing the last couple nights. Lately he has just been sitting down to enjoy his snack. He is very good at night, doesn't cry or whine (except for a little if we are up for a while before bed, but really not much at all).

The nose knows! We have to be careful when we cook now to clean up afterwards (before bed at least) or the poor guy goes nuts trying to figure out why the kitchen still smells like bacon and he can't find it. Since his kennel is in there it only seems fair. Beagles are in the bloodhound family and have even more sensitive noses than a lot of dogs.

That's it for now. Oscar out!

sigh...

Erich gave me a look when he saw my first oscar post...the one that says "really,dear?"

Yes really. Because I'm tired of reading blogs that talk all about their adorable children. I don't begrudge you your children. It's just depressing. I want something cute to take care of and photograph and adore. So if you don't like my excessive photo adoration of my dog, then go somewhere else. Because there is so much more to come.

this one's for you, Harry

I think he likes it. :-)

And here is some evidence for you, Kari, that yes, Oscar is in fact real, because I haven't the slightest idea how to photoshop Erich into my blog. Also you know it is real because he is checking his phone while I'm telling him to stand by the dog.

michelangelo's got nothing on me

I had my foot there first, I swear.



I love my dog!

Meet Oscar!

He's here! Well, actually, he's been here for a week, but it has been so fast I haven't had a chance to post any pictures yet. I think most people who read this have already seen Mr. Oscar in real life, but still...he's taking a nap next to me on the couch, so I figured this was as good a time as any.


This is actually a different napping picture, but cute nonetheless. He looks bigger here than he really is, only 18 pounds. A bit skinny for a beagle, but the vet said he could gain a pound and he'd be fine. Apparently most dogs are overweight, just like most of us. There is a tupperware cup in the fridge with steak gristle scraps that Erich saved for him that should be up to the task. He gets a good cup of kibble every day, plus snacks. I am not concerned he'll be underweight for long.

He's keeping me pretty busy. And he's a little sweetheart. Hasn't barked once yet. Peanut!

the wolf river

Rafting was awesome! It totally makes up for the fact that I am terrible at skiing. We went down the Wolf River yesterday at Big Smokey Falls.

I don't have any pictures because I didn't bring a camera on the raft. Good thing, because it would have been gone. After the second or third rapid Erich (sitting behind me) says, 'look sweetie' and I glance to my right just in time to see our turkey sandwhiches floating down the river. Then my apple, and my water canteen. Jerky sticks abound inside our raft. They had been tucked away in a cooler than didn't stay closed well. I thought it might be a problem but it was all we had to use in the house. Lunch down!

Fortunately, however, our friends shared their food with us and I managed to keep myself inside the raft, despite my slowly deflating seat (I discovered a leak roughly the same time I waved goodbye to my lunch.) Don't worry, it was localized to my seat. This meant, however, that I was practically squatting towards the end. No matter, though, it was still so much fun!

Also Erich jumped off a cliff at a calm swimming area, but I couldn't find a picture of it. Aieee. He's good, but I don't want him to do it again. Which of course means he insists on doing it again. Next trip: only bring things we can strap down, and some kind of waterproof camera because the view is too good to pass up.

Wordpress will be posting photos from this weekend in the next week. Tell me is you see us!

Puppy update: Nina is gone! She's been scooped up, I assume, by some loving family moving faster than us. Bye Nina!

Mom recommends a german shorthair. Look at those paws!

drumroll, please!

Today, we are going rafting down the Wolf River. I am excited. Erich promises I won't fall out and hit my head on a rock.

More importantly, however... WE ARE GETTING A PUPPY! Some contestants:
Nina (scooped up already!)
Wilma Wilma is a little older but I like her. I tend to like dogs with some beagle in them.
Angel
Jodi

Also a three-legged dog named bandit. Who has trouble controlling his poo.

Not sure when we will bring one home, right now we're still just researching and learning what kind of dog would fit us. Erich wants "a new one" but I wouldn't mind an older dog with the right disposition. We'll see! Yay!