Vera Lynn Came To Visit

Pruett:

I’m so excited! My girlfriend Vera Lynn came to visit to welcome Daphne to the family. We all go to play, play, play! It was great because Daphne was still feeling a little shy so this way I got to run around and get some puppy energy out with Vera Lynn. Click here to watch us all play. By the end of the day she was comfortable and I think she’s realizing this is her forever home and new family.

Bark/Bury

I Made It!!!!! Daphne’s First Post!!!!!

Today was quite a long journey but I think I handled it very well. I was very sweet and offered kisses to all of the dock workers in hopes they would keep me safe on my journey to my new home. I didn’t have any flight delays and landed in North Carolina right on time. My Dad was there and waiting for me. I greeted him with kisses and leaned on my crate door so he could give me lots of love and pets. We drove home and I got to see my brother Pruett. He was much bigger and much more coordinated than I remember. I was scared at first with all of the new surroundings. Dad had to help keep Pruett’s excitement under control so that  I’d have some time to adjust. Finally though he calmed down and I really think we will be best of buds. I’m much more of a snuggler with my human family than he is and Mom and Dad said they are hoping that will rub off on Pruett. They said they couldn’t get enough of the snuggles and that works out just great for me!

Pruett and I discovered a hole under the fence in the bushes in the backyard and we escaped. We are all ready going to be a quite an adventurous team. Dad found us right away and said we can’t play outside anymore until he fixes the fence. BOO! Oh, well. I know he just wants to keep us safe. I’m so tired from today that I just want some time to relax and get used to my new home and new family. I’ve got some pictures below of my first night.

I was a little unsure at first that this was my big brother! He was much bigger than I remembered. I tried to slyly get my Dads attention so he could help me but he just kept taking pictures.

Like brother, like sister: DIRT IS DELICIOUS!

I'm not sure if he was trying to kill me or hug me. I am sure he has good intentions. :)

Hi World! Here! Ready! Bring it! Ready to Love!

We were temporarily abducted and turned into alien zombie puppies!

See! I do not mind this getting dirty play! I am a mess already (but still cute as anything)!

Whatcha want for dinner?

My brother was trying to withhold his excitement but sometimes it was just too much!

This would be one of those occasions.

I was hungry after a long day of travels. I am also a growing girl so I have to eat plenty so I can grow big and strong and beat up on my brother.

Look how similar by brother and I look - seriously! Look our our head shapes. :)

Bark/Bury

Daphne in Virginia

Daphne at 3 weeks.

Daphne is in Virginia. Yay! Yay! Only 30 minutes until she lands. OMG! I’m wiggly with excitement. Something I’d forgotten to mention to everyone - Daphne and I got to play as puppies at our breeder mom’s house. All of our brothers and sisters got to romp and play until we found our forever homes. I hope she remembers me!!!! Dad just left to go pick her up. BE BRAVE DAPHNE!!!!!!!

Bark/Bury

Daphne Has Left Idaho

We just got this email from Kim! OMG! We are all so excited! I hope she does ok.
“Hello,   Daphne is on her way finally.  I think that because she is almost 12 weeks she will be a little afraid at first just because she is about at that age to go into a fear period so I think that shipping her might bring her in early.  She LOVES people a TON and was licking everyone at the shipping dock.   Have fun with her.   OHH  and she is in a growth spirt and she is growing taller and has gotten about an inch in the last week so her weight can’t quite keep up with her.    Please let me know when she gets there.   THanks.”

Bark/Bury

Tyson & Maddieness

I just watched and observed at first. These two played rough and I was not quite sure how to interact.

I made two new friends (eventually) tonight: Tyson (Boxer) and Maddie (Black lab/Newfoundland/Boxer). We pulled up to the house and these two huge dogs came running out. I still have a tough time telling the difference between excitement and aggression so I start panicking. “DAD! DAD! DAD! AHHH!,” I screamed. Dad pulled me out of the car. WHAT WAS HE THINKING?! I WAS TERRIFIED! I didn’t know them. He said they were friends but I wasn’t so sure. We went into the yard and Dad assured me I’d have fun and needed to practice making friends. I watched first. Click here to watch.

Then we started to play some more. Click here to watch.

Sometimes they played in ways I didn’t understand but I went along with it since they really seemed to know what they were doing. Their human neighbor went into his backyard and Tyson and Maddie went and jumped up on the fence and started barking. I’m not sure what that means but I didn’t want to be odd man out so I followed.

Sometimes they played a little too rough for me but that is why they have each other. Pretty soon Daphne will be here and I can pick on someone my own size. I just watched and observed and got some ideas for how to kick my sister’s butt! hehehehehe.
Playing is hard work. I can’t wait for Daphne to get here. Our breeder Mom Kim called and said Daphne would be here on Wednesday (THAT’S TOMORROW) at 5:15 pm! OMG!

We all sure were worn out in the end. I bet there will be a lot of pictures of Daphne and I all worn out.

Happy but tired!!!!

Bark/Bury

Ridin’ Dirty

Daphne - I’ve got one more thing. You should probably mentally prepare yourself for this. We are an outside, get down and dirty kind of family - even Mom. We go hiking and hang in the garage and help Dad work on the car and play in the grass and mud and creeks. Lucky for me all the dirt disappears on my black coat but you are going to show EVERYTHING! So while you may be dressed all girlie in pink you should be ready to be a rough and tumble and outdoors kind of girl.

Bark/Bury

Note to Daphne

Hi Daphne! Travel Safe! See you soon!

Hi Daphne. I’m so excited to meet you. Our breeder mom Kim called today to say that your trip was scheduled for Wednesday. My Dad will pick you up at the airport. Don’t be afraid. You’ve got a great and fun life ahead of you with this family. They sure love me a lot and I know they will love you just as much. I know that it might be scary all by yourself on the plane but just try to remember the good times you have ahead (and maybe nap a lot). We are going to play, play, play so I hope you are ready.
Kim said you were 17 lbs so we are just about the same size. I’m up to about 22 lbs so you’ve got some catching up to do but I am your big brother after all.

I may have been testing out our new toy. : X

We went to Petco and you have this wonderful pink collar that I picked out for you and Grandma bought us a wonderful leather leash and there is this tug of war penguin toy we picked out too! OMG!!! OMG!!!! Mom bought you a matching ID tag in pink. Dad and Mom both think it will be fun to have you wear pink and me blue. I know it is a little weird but just go with it - it makes them happy. Only 3 more days! SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!

Bark/Bury

Racing & A Flying Monkey

The sun was too bright so Mom made me a shade tent out of a jacket so I could nap.

Mom, Dad and I headed up to VIR (Virginia International Raceway ~ outside Danville) to watch an Endurance Race. The race started at 9:15am and was running 13 hours! Thank goodness we weren’t staying the whole time - Dad just wanted to see one of his friends drive. We got there in time to see the race start. I wasn’t quite feeling on my A game today. Grandma mentioned something about a fear period when I had my first track day. I wasn’t afraid then but something seemed different today. There were a lot more noises and I was a bit skittish. I didn’t sleep very well last night either so I was pretty grumpy. I wanted them to carry me around but they said I was too big. I took a quick nap once we got there and that helped some.

After my nap we walked over to a grassy area of bleachers to watch the race in the shade. On the way we saw a woman in a jacket that said “Black Dog Racing”. “That’s me,” I thought. I wondered if they needed a mascot or if Dad would make me the mascot of his racing team. That would be pretty cool! Maybe Daphne and I could both be mascots!

Black Dog Racing Car

We sat down to watch the race and a black dogs walks up and her human friends starts throwing a ball for her. She is super fast! I ask Dad if we can go say hello and see if she wanted to play. Dad and Mom were super happy that I wanted to interact with other dogs so off we went. It turns out that THIS is THE “black dog” of “Black Dog Racing”. Her name is Marley. She seemed more interested in the ball than me but I sure wanted to play. I barked and barked and play bowed just like I’d been practicing at home. She played a little but always went back to that darn ball. Click here to watch. I thought that maybe if i acted disinterested and chewed on a stick that maybe she’d want to play. But sadly no…click here to watch.

Me & Marley - I had so much fun today - I can't wait for my sister to get here!

Dad decided to throw the ball some to see what would happen - maybe then Marley would be interested in me. The first time I gave chase after Marley but she was so FAST! I was worn out but she was ready to do it all over again. They threw the ball for her again. This time I just watched and herded her back to the humans after she’d retrieved the ball. Seemed kind of smart to me - why should we both go after that ball. I say DELEGATE! Click here to watch.

We watched the race for a little longer and decided to go home around lunch. I heard that there might be a surprise waiting for me.
On the counter at home was a package addressed to Dad from Grandma. Mom opened it up right away ~ it was a new leather leash for Daphne and I and a puppy leash (basically a little leash that puppies can wear and the humans can grab them if they wander too far or are getting into trouble but that pups can practice being “off leash” on). Of course I’m a big boy and can’t imagine needing such things but little sis Daphne will I’m sure.

Dad also got a present in the mail. It is a flying toy monkey from woot.com. It took me a while to figure this toy out because of the strange noises it made but I quickly overcame my fears. That monkey is no match for me! Click here to watch.

Screaming Monkey Defeated!

Bark/Bury

Daphne Update

I went with Mom and Dad to Petco last night and helped them pick out a pretty pink collar for Daphne. Mom ordered her an ID tag just like mine but in pink so we’d match. We’re waiting to hear from Kim at Patchwork Shepherds as to her when she will arrive. Mom is going out of town next week (SO SAD) for work but Dad says he can handle us both if she is able to come live with us next week. I’M SO EXCITED!!!!!

Bark/Bury