Super Bowl

I don't know about you, but I'd LOVE a super bowl! Imagine how much food could fit in it!!

Anyway, apparently it's not really a bowl, and I'm supposed to cheer for the little red birds, not chase them.

Dad says I should be an offensive lineman in the Puppy Bowl. Sounds good to me!

1st Birthday

I turned one on Saturday! I don't really know what that means, but I got lots of pats, kisses, and even a trip to Petco. I got some new toys, loads of food, and pets by pretty much everyone in the place.

However, better than that, it's been snowing! I've been out in it before, but this is the most I've ever seen, and it's awesome. I even got mom and dad to come out with me for a photo shoot, and I think they had fun too.


So, birthday, snow, finally registering in the AKC, joining the local Newf club, and working on my training? It's been a busy week!

Registering and Training

Well, mom finally dug through all my papers and got out my AKC registration. I'm pretty sure it came like, forever ago, but it's filled out, stamped, and ready to go out tomorrow.

I met my new trainer today. His name is Joe, and he's awesome. He'd tell me to do these things I do all the time, like sit and DOWN (!!!), but then, THEN, he gave me something amazing called Ham! HAM!! Ohh it was so good, and I showed him how good it was by getting no less than 7 slobbers on his pants. Mom was worried about my allergies, but since I never had ham, it was okay. Plus, there was no way I was letting that ham leave after getting a wiff of it!

Apparently this is just the beginning, as there is some "good dog person test" (CGC) coming up this spring. Mom sees doggies visiting the kids all the time at the hospital, and she wants to take me. However, I gotta take this test and get those initials behind my (finally registered) name before I can go with her to work.

Hmm, after all that ham, a nap sure does sound nice!

Christmas

Well guys, my first Christmas was a huge success. Mom and Dad put loaded up BOTH cars (one for my stuff, one for theirs), then I got loaded in as well, and off we went. Grandma invited us down for the week, where I got to play with her two dogs, and my aunt's cattle dog puppy as well. We two puppies really hit it off, and I finally have a best friend. He's really tiny, a minuscule 40 pounds, and has more energy than anything I've ever seen. I did my best to run and play for 15 minutes, then it was Super Naptime.

I already opened and tried to eat a wrapped Kong present, and am currently doing considerable damage to an oval tennis ball toy. I asked for a Tuffie, maybe it'll come for my first birthday next month!


My allergies are better at the moment (with out antibiotics this time) but get worse ever few weeks. Mom's hoping the lamb diet I'm on (YUM) will keep them at bay.

Mom and Dad did buy me a new bed to try out at Grandma's. They thought since I'd be sleeping in a room with other dogs I wouldn't chew it, but I proved them wrong! The hunt for a Newf-proof bed continues in the Taylor household.

I've been hearing rumors that mom's trying to get me into a Newf club. Apparently I need some more manners, and the trainer they've found also has a Newf club who meets in his kennel. Here's hoping to meeting more guys my size!

New Bed

Well guys, it took me about 3 months, but I did it. I chewed through the zipper and destroyed the inside of my supposedly chew proof Orvis bed. My parents spent almost $200 on it, so they're not too happy with me today. A nice lady from Orvis is getting them a refund, but now what do I sleep on??

I voted for the couch, but for some reason was overruled. Apparently I still need some crate time, especially at night, so my mom really needs to get something comfy in there for me.


They were nice enough to leave the destroyed cover in there for me since it tastes so good, but it's not too soft to sleep on. What do you all sleep on, and can I destroy that one too??

Itchy

I've been one itchy dog again lately. I break out from time to time, but after a trip to the vet and some antibiotics, I'm good again. My mom switched my food in August, and until now, my skin has been happy and smooth.

Any hairless area is red, bumpy, and really itchy right now. The vet thinks it's allergies, but I can't get tested until June when I've lived here a year. I'm back on antibiotics, and going on a chicken, beef, wheat, and corn free diet. It took some doing, but my mom found a lamb and rice food that's free of bad stuff and just for puppies. Hopefully I'll like it, because it's the last stop before prescription food for awhile.

I got a medicated bath at the groomer today, who used some kind of sulfur and tar shampoo on me. I look great and feel fluffy, but kind of smell like a road. I'm not as itchy at the moment though, so it must be working to make my skin better.

My mom's all worried since I broke out again. She's doing what the vet said, but anyone else have any ideas? What do you do when your pup's skin breaks out?

Life in Photos (1)

Here I am on the day I came home. I was almost 4 months old, and already 74 pounds.




I'd like to point out my fabulous WVU nametag. I loved it so much, I somehow pulled it off and ate it. It did result in a trip to the vet, xray to determine it wasn't stuck in my belly, and 3 days of my parents looking for it in the backyard, but it was quite tasty!




Sometimes I practice my karate kicks on Mom.


I love to wear my bandanna on game days. This isn't as easy to eat as the name tag was!


My first real hike. The first 3 miles weren't that bad, but the 4th was a killer. I practically had to drag Dad back to the car.


At last, my favorite past time!