our delinquent dog part 3

A busy morning for a little pup. First a visit to the vet, then on to the hairdresser.

The vet felt her tummy and it seems most likely that Arry is not pregnant. Despite her antics with 2 dogs, we have escaped puppy-dom. We are relieved and a little sad. The kids are just sad.

It is still possible that there are pups hiding in there somewhere, but the vet said she'd be surprised. Oh well. Maybe next time.

Next time?!?!

Yes. Maybe. But next time I'll be prepared. Arry will be wearing doggy-chastity pants unless we find a well behaved, similar sized, pedigree. No more biff encounters for us.

Here is Aravis with her new summer cut.

Our delinquent dog part 2

13 months ago, we became dog owners. Before that, I was an animal hater. I didn't want a dog but the kids had begged and begged and Joel needed something special at that particular time. So we took the plunge. Long time readers may remember my deliberations on breed. Basically, I wanted the battery operated variety. One that was around when it suited me and not around when it didn't.

In the end we got Aravis - a beautiful Cavalier x Tibetan Spaniel. She was very cute from the start, but I wasn't really into her so didn't touch her at all if I could help it. In this post, I said that I hoped to like her eventually. In a house full of men, Arry is now my special friend.

Today I sat outside with her for half an hour, talking about whether it was really necessary to run down the stairs and bark at every passer by. She conceeded that it wasn't necessary and agreed only to bark at men and weird looking women. We talked about quite a few other things but I didn't raise what was really on my mind.

You might remember the story of Arry's adventures with a good looking mini foxy. Unfortunately, things did not end there. A few days later, while we were away in Rockhampton, Arry went under our friend's fence and had an encounter with 'Biff'. Biff is not an attractive creature. Not the kind of guy you'd want hanging around you're adolescent girl. Apparently Biff has a great personality, but I'm struggling to care about that right now. The two dogs had to be pulled apart (thanks Chris!) and Biff cried his heart out for 45 minutes.

So, with one dog or another, it's likely my girl is expecting. I'm feeling maternal and clucking over her quite a lot. The kids are very excited. Trouble is, I don't want Biff's pups. Anyone got a couple of hundred dollars to fork out for a Cavalier x Staffy pup? No. I didn't think so.

our delinquent dog

There has been a dog hanging round our place. When I say 'hanging round' I mean putting holes in our gate, digging under the fence, breaking in, howling outside our window at 5.30 am... But we understand. There is a fine line between true love and stalker-like behaviour. Our beautiful girl, now an adolescent, clearly smells as good to this dog as Bella does to Edward Cullen.

Andrew and I arrived home yesterday and noticed that Arry wasn't there. We both feared the worst. Arry is very pretty but she is not at all clever and has absolutely no road sense. Andrew went walking the streets looking for her. I stayed home to call the council.

The council had good news. With her boyfriend, Arry had been on adventures all over the suburb. The pair of them were found on Sandgate Road (a major road) looking grubby and sheepish. A disabled woman to whom we are very grateful grabbed them and dropped them at a nearby vet. They were examined and put into cages. When I went to get Arry, the vet told me that she is on heat and it's unlikely that the other dog hasn't had his way with her.

So, chances are, we have a teenage pregnancy on our hands. Andrew and I feel like irresponsible parents, but I'm secretly a little excited. Her boyfriend has a nice nature and seems a responsible gentleman... He has been back today.

We'll find out in a couple of weeks if we're expecting.

Arry is Cavalier x Tibetan Spaniel
The other dog is 3 parts Mini Foxy, 1 part Jack Russell.

Both dogs are small, friendly and good looking.

Anyone interested?

our little puppy...

... continues to poo anywhere that looks comfortable.

She has two speeds. On and off.

The kids are infatuated. I can see that she's cute. I'm hoping to like her soon.

Aravis

Our new little dog is a Cavalier x Tibetan Spaniel. The kids named her 'Aravis' (after Aravis in the horse and his boy). We think she's pretty cute, especially when she's not covered in poo.

dogs again

I've been reading about how to look after a puppy. Not sure I'm up to it.

I thought I was done with toilet training!

It seems that puppies shouldn't be left by themselves or taken out until they are 12 weeks old. How is this compatable with any normal lifestyle?

Give me a human baby instead. I know what to do with those.

A cavoodle is looking most likely at the moment.

dogs

Let me say right up that I'm not an animal person. When I see a puppy I feel no desire coo over it, touch it, or even to look at it again. If birds became extinct tomorrow I wouldn't care. And cats? Itchy eyes and sneezes. But for the last few weeks I have been spending a ridiculous amount of time surfing the net for the perfect puppy.

For many years we've put it off. But we're putting it off no longer. It's time for dog ownership.

Here's what I'm looking for:

• a young dog (<3)
• attractive to look at
• not smelly
• not needing a daily walk
• not needing excessive grooming
• that can live outside
• small but not too small
• with some character
• interested in people, but happy to be ignored
• good with the kids
• not too expensive.
  

Does such a dog exist? A friend suggested we look in toyworld for one that comes with batteries.

We had an Airedale Terrier when I was a kid. I loved her. (She is the only animal I've ever loved, or even liked.) I can't imagine feeling fond of any dog unless it looked a little like she did. So I've been thinking about Lakeland terriers (similar to airedales - only smaller) but I think it's way beyond our budget.















This is a lakeland terrier.