Thursday, July 23, 2009

Gilley at 10 Weeks

Liz took these photos of Gilley yesterday... I need to start keeping up with my photos so I can remember how little she was! Seems she grows by the hour. We are really getting good at potty training and thankfully, she lets me know MOST of the time when she has to go outside! She thinks it's a big game in the morning when I open her crate and we run to the back door! Eating is improving now that I changed her food... was not crazy about the puppy food we tried first... hmmm. She loves her toys - LOVES her toys. And, she loves stealing anything Ace has in his mouth. He gladly obliges, though they end up playing "trade" most of the evening! He eventually gets fed up and starts making wookie noises at her, but that's the only flack he gives her. She loves being "groomed" by him when he gets her to stay still for two seconds!

She keeps offering SIT & DOWN, so we just started putting a name with them. She doesn't know them yet by name, but is an eager little student. She is pretty accepting of new noises and situations, sometimes it takes her a few minutes to warm up to new dogs, but enjoys her play sessions! After our boosters next week, she will get to meet more new friends. Her favorite treat? ICE!! Water is her second favorite thing, and then toys, and then... if it's stinky enough... food. Right now, she's outside frolicking in the drizzling rain.... I think now that she's learning to go to the back door for potty breaks, it's a novelty and she goes out just for fun sometimes too!

Henry has snarled at her a few times, but for the most part, tolerates her. She reads him like a book cover to cover, and mainly steers clear! She is definitely coming out of her shell... I'm seeing her real character and sense of humor emerge now as she plays like a boy then turns on the charm... master manipulator!! She was a little witch with me and then with Liz and I when we tried to do her nails yesterday, so our groomer put her back on the groom table and lo & behold, she was a COMPLETE ANGEL!!! (Yes, I was peeking - we were cracking up!) Still hates her collar - stops and scratches trying to get it off. Gotta learn to deal with it Gilley girl!

Soooo, she's already catching me when we run together Guess I need to start working out on my own if I expect to keep up with her in a few months, eh?!!!! I wish I could just spend all her waking hours with her now and freezeframe these fun days. I love this shot of her below... looking all grown up already! She is just a beautiful girl. Polli... Cisco... you did good work kids :) These pups are all just the most gorgeous, spirited, intelligent, and outgoing bunch... I am so lucky to have one!
I just love my girl!


Gilley had a great time when she saw Debbie, Renee C. (her "Nonnie"!) and her brother Chief (a.k.a. Spot) when they came in town for the Reliant Dog Show last week. I sometimes play the puppy videos that Renee C. taped for us and Gilley goes absolutely nutty when she hears her voice!!! We're off to agility practice guys.... thanks for lookin'!

Gilley at 9 Weeks


Been busy with my girl the past couple of weeks... she is way too much fun! I keep telling her to stop growing up so fast, but it's no use - she's bigger every time I turn around. Next week we go back to the vet to get our last round of shots for a while... any guesses on what her weight will be??!! For a picky eater, she sure is using her food efficiently! Here she is chewing on a vanilla cow's ear she stole from the pet deli at work after her bath with the groomer... little thief.


Friday, July 10, 2009

Beach Day!

Having some fun in the sun with Gilley girl here... she got her feet wet and played hard today!

I love this little face. I was so proud of my girl for handling all of these new experiences this week with such a curiosity and zest for learning. Right now, I am just enjoying her being a pup... and, it's so nice having Bob, Jr. stay with us to help make her first week at home such a fun time. We will surely miss him when he goes home!


Here they are keeping up with Liz as she challenges them to come closer to the water.

So much to see little pup... can't wait to share it all with you.

A Busy Week

Puppies were busy playing and meeting new friends this week - everyone joined in on the 'welcome wagon' and loved on the new kids. They came to agility practice Monday evening where they helped Renee set the course and took turns running with her - Bob, Jr. even took the tire!

There's that look again, you know what that means.... GAME ON!!!
Terrorizing each other is their favorite thing to do... we had to tear ourselves away from watching them to actually go to work in class... could watch them all night.

Here is Gilley breaking in her toy that Daddy won for her... really nice having a little girl in the house.

Stalking Brite in the playroom... BIG FUN. Everyone was so sweet greeting the puppies with open arms and big hugs... they are just such sweet, happy-go-lucky kiddos.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Happy 4th of July!!

We woke up this morning and got right to it! Gilley helped me mow the lawn before it got too hot, so she is learning all about scary noises from the mower & weedeater. She barked a couple of times, and then just watched me. We also practiced going up and down the stairs inside, and she did great! I just kept calling and encouraging her, and she was quite proud of herself that she accomplished such a feat!

Then, we went to visit Hamlet & Racket and we had a little play session with Hammie! Where was my camera for that??!!! He loved her, and she just goes with the flow! After our visit, we went to meet Joni and stop by PetsMart for a few little sundries. It turned out to be a very special visit because we met Theresa, Renee's niece! She was able to meet one of Cisco's babies in person! Gilley loved her and seemed quite content being held while we talked.

After we returned home, I figured she would be pretty worn out, but she got her second wind so we held a mini-pool party, just Gilley & I! It was more fun watching her and playing with her than trying to get the perfect photo, so the camera was only out for a second! I think these are pretty cute :) She's already biting at the water hose and sticking her nose underwater... OH MY!!

After a nap, we headed off to Tomball to see Granny Renee, Jami, Blake and more friends while they were showing. Gilley met Slider, Jami's new little American Eskimo - again, why wasn't the camera out?? Shame on me!!! And, she recognized her brother Bob, Jr. right away and took to immediately bossing him around. She had a ball, and gladly stayed up way past her bedtime to see her Daddy get his 2nd Grand Prix for the weekend!!!!! YEAH HE DID!!!!!! Fun, fun time... thanks everyone for making it a great day for us... Life is SO Good :)

Goin' Home! Photos from Friday's Big Day

Here's our farewell shot! (Forgive me, too enamored with the puppy to give the camera my attention!!) Gilley whined just a bit in the car and quickly quieted down for our 4 1/2 hour drive home. From time to time, I would look back at her in her crate and she would just be watching me. Lots of praise for being a good, little sidekick! We also discovered a most favorite treat on the ride home... ICE!! She's nutso about it! She also got to meet her Aunt Tracy & Uncle Mark... and her new playmate Sugar!!!


Here's Daddy Cisco taking a swim earlier in the day! My, my...isn't he handsome. Gilley is going to try out her swimming skills at the beach next weekend... can't wait!!

Last puppy pile-up over the air vent! We got the biggest kick how they all fought for that sweet spot!

Here's Polli 'beating the heat' inside cooling off with us :)

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Puppy Day!!! Friday, July 3rd

It was a bittersweet day taking Gilley from her brothers and sisters and her "Nonnie" Renee, but it was time for us to start our journey together, and she was such a trooper. We had a great day at Renee Culpepper's home, lunch and a champagne toast, and some playtime with Daddy Cisco & Mama Polli before we took our pups home. It was a PERFECT day.


Here she is along with her littermates after getting sprayed with the water hose for almost jumping over the lattice rail... cute.


Gilley & Grissom just hangin' out on their porch.. waiting for someone to let them in the A/C!!


What a greeting from my girl! I love her personality and outgoing nature... boy did she get a great start in her first home. Here she is flashing a smile before we went home. So hard to leave a place where we have made such great, new friends... bittersweet for us too, until we see you again!!!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

5 1/2 Weeks

What's not to like about this girl... she's a 'foodie', multi-tasker (cooling off while eating / drinking), and modeling all at the same time!!!

4 Weeks Old


Little did I know that she would steal my heart right out from under my nose... is this a sign of things to come? Purdy, purdy girlie :)

6 Days Old



Just a wee one here at 6 days old... she had already crawled into the dog bed all on her own the day before!

Happy Birthday! May 11, 2009

They're here! Six healthy puppies... Big Momma, Spot, Skunk, Little Polli, Lil' Cisco, and the surprise in the bunch...Bob, Jr. Welcome to the world little ones ;)