On August 2nd we will drive around the Lake and pick up our new puppy from the shelter.
It seemed to take forever but it seems we will finally get that puppy. The search has been hard because we wanted so many things. - A companion who could "grow" with Loki. Female to get along well with Loki. Puppy since that way there would be no hidden personality suprises. NOT doberman pincher, Pitbull, Saint Bernard (Huge), or tiny yippy dog.
Since late April I have been calling all of the animal shelters
within an hour drive just about every day. There were a few
possibilities but they were snatched up by the time I found out about
them. It seems they are doing a very good job spaying and
neutering the dogs! Very few puppies - but lots of kittens out
there.
A litter of 7 puppies arrived at the shelter July 24th at 1pm.
I quickly drove the 50 min drive to put in my application. 3
puppies were already "taken" by the time I got there but I
was in luck. I have dibs on one of the 2 female puppies.
They come from a breeder from two pure-breed parents. Mom is a
Golden Retriever and Dad is a Brittany Spaniel - so they are
pure-breed mutts! Thank heavens for romance - we know the predigreed
of the puppy and both breeds are nice dogs, a little big but that is
ok. The Puppies will be 8 weeks old on Aug 2nd when we can pick
them up.
When playing with the puppy I discovered that that people everywhere have found out. Puppies have sharp little teeth! The puppies are about 4 lbs at this point and will probably be 5-6 lbs by the time we pick them up. This will make her (the new puppy) heavier then cloud and nearing 1/2 the weight of Loki. I get the feeling that Loki is going to get a run for his money. Cloud might have a hard time with the nips that the puppy gives - but the puppy is so clumsy at this point and will be easy to avoid.
July 24th 6-1/2 weeks old
Scott and I went over to Tuftonboro on Saturday Aug 2nd 11am to
pick up our new puppy. There were several other families there
with their kids to get puppies. Tasha is a beautiful girl with
white on the extremities (paws,tail chest and head). She weighs
in at 5 lb 5 oz and so is already heavier then Cloud and taller than
Loki!
Loki is entranced with Tasha and tries to get her to play with
him. She plays some but for the most part is ignoring him.
Cloud hissed and arched her back when she first met Tasha.
But she doesn't seem too scared of her. She does dash away if
Tasha tries to play and bounces on Cloud. But Cloud come right
back. They seem to be playing but Cloud does alot of hissing
and growling - but a second later she is completely calm and standing
right next to Tasha. 
Following a suggestion my sister Bev made I purchased a 10' x 25'
3mil Plastic sheet from a hardware store and covered my floor in my
room with it. Now I don't have to worry about getting
urine/shit stains in my carpet. I have been charting when Tasha
goes and where (In/Out) in an attempt to get a feel for when Tasha
needs/will go again. Jane laughed and said I had too much time
on my hands.
Tasha is growing by leaps and bounds! as of 8/18/97 she
weighs 10lbs 11oz! Double her weight from 8/2/97 - a little
over 2 weeks!