Saturday, August 15, 2009

Our First Full Week

Owen has adapted very well to living with us instead of his mother and sister. He gets very excited for his mushy food, he nibbles my neck when I carry him up and down the stairs, and he sleeps beneath our feet.


He's already responding to his name AND we've started teaching him to sit.

His favorite spot is in front of the open refrigerator. Smart dog. He comes running every time we open it and we have to be careful not to shut his little head in the door.


This is his second favorite spot.


It's been ridiculously hot the past several days (I currently have a heat rash on my neck -- very attractive) so we've been "showering" him a couple times a day. He LOVES it.


Friday evening we finally decided it was time for a haircut. He was very good for most of it, but I did have to let him chew on my fingers to keep him still while Ibis cut his head. (That's why there aren't any action shots.)



We are so happy we have him and wouldn't trade him for the world, even if he does wake us up at 4 & 5am. Every day.

19 comments:

Robin said...

In the pictures where you guys are holding him, or he's near your bodies, you can tell how little and sweet he is. You're a great puppy trainer, Mel! That's a long way to go in a few short weeks. I'm both impressed with you and embarrassed about my own past puppy training blunders.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Thanks Robin. I feel guilty whenever I don't take him out in time, but we've figured out that once he's pooping, there's no stopping him (we've already had one incident on the stairs). So I just pretend we don't see him so we don't encourage it, lol.

WendyCinNYC said...

Aw, how sweet. Training puppies is such a pain--they are lucky they are so cute! Who can get mad at such an adorable face?

Spy Scribbler said...

My cats are waking me up at 5am. I'm thinking the other cat is out there, but she won't show herself or come when I call! I read that cats, when they first get out, are so scared that everything, including their owners, becomes a possible enemy. I don't know. It might not be him. I hope it is, though! I miss him so much!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Wendy, I'm convinced that's why they're so cute.

I guess Ibis is working with him on the stairs and so far he can get up TWO. We have four flights...

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Natasha, I can't believe he's still missing! I love your status about the other cat being so happy he wants you to pet him. Aww...

Nadine said...

Those pictures are adorable! What a cute little guy! And I am so impressed that you are already getting him to sit!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I wouldn't say we're "getting him" to sit, just that we're working on it. :P

JLC said...

So glad Owen is giving you such joy. He seems very happy with his new buddies as well. :)

Laura Martone said...

Mel, your new furry friend is so darn cute! I'm happy for you and the hubby, and I'm sure Owen is quite delighted, too.

Incidentally, my kitty, Ruby Azazel, also loves the fridge. I've almost squished her several times! And then felt awful about it, of course.

P.S. Because your blog is so interesting and funny, I nominated it for a Kreativ Blogger award! Congrats, Mel!

erica m. chapman said...

Those pics are so cute! I can't believe you guys cut his fur. I would be so afraid!! great job.

Whew, 4 or 5 in the morning, that's something that will probably slow down once he can hold it longer :) Sounds like you guys are enjoying him and he you!

Laura- Ruby Azazel is a great name for a kitty!

Can't wait to see more pics of the little guy.

Anonymous said...

What can I say but to echo how darn adorable he is?

Melanie Hooyenga said...

JLC, I worry about him developing separation anxiety, but he's too cute not to play with all the time.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Laura, thanks for the nomination!

Today I woke up at 6 and he was still sleeping AND hadn't peed, so that's good.

I love that name too. :)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Gypsy, I think so too! Last night he was going CRAZY and I couldn't calm him down, but he was fine by bedtime.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I think I mixed up who I was replying to -- Erica, he sleeps longer some days. :P

Laura, I've heard that a lot of animals like the fridge. He hasn't figured out how yummy people food it yet, so right now it's just the cold he's after.

Laura Martone said...

Mel & Erica - glad you like my kitty's name... it took a bit of thought, and time. When my hubby brought her home from the shelter, I named her "Ruby" immediately (after the village in my novel, Ruby Hollow, 'cause I knew she'd be my mini-muse). But the "Azazel" part came several weeks later, when we realized that she was part-demon and looked exactly like the evil kitty at the end of the movie Fallen (which was all about a possessing demon named Azazel). Confused? Yeah, I know.

Oh, and Mel, you're welcome on the nomination... and I'm happy that Owen let you sleep a little longer today. :-)

As for fridges, I think you're right - kitties and puppies like the cold air and the fact that a new door has opened ("Ooh, what's in there?"). Of course, now that Ruby knows that's where I keep her lactose-free kitty milk, she has another reason to get her head stuck in the door. Sigh. Remind me again how having pets is supposed to lower our blood pressure.

Christopher Goodwine said...

I almost hyperventilated from sheer cuteness power. Best of luck!

Janna Leadbetter said...

I'm so happy you got him! I think he'll be great for you. And you for him, too. Too stinkin' cute!