ROSE
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STATE: NY
AGE: 6 WEEKS
WEIGHT: 6 LBS
SEX: FEMALE
NEUT/UTD: NO/SOON
COAT COLOR: WHITE
DOCKED TAIL: YES
CROPPED EARS: NO
CHILDREN under 4: YES
CHILDREN OVER 4: YES
SEPARATION ANXIETY: NO
OTHER DOGS: YES
CATS: YES
CRATE TRAINED: NO
HOUSE TRAINED: NO
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: NO
LEASH TRAINED: NO
MICROCHIPPED: NO
ADOPTION FEE: $300 +$50 refundable spay/neuter deposit
AGE: 6 WEEKS
WEIGHT: 6 LBS
SEX: FEMALE
NEUT/UTD: NO/SOON
COAT COLOR: WHITE
DOCKED TAIL: YES
CROPPED EARS: NO
CHILDREN under 4: YES
CHILDREN OVER 4: YES
SEPARATION ANXIETY: NO
OTHER DOGS: YES
CATS: YES
CRATE TRAINED: NO
HOUSE TRAINED: NO
OBEDIENCE TRAINED: NO
LEASH TRAINED: NO
MICROCHIPPED: NO
ADOPTION FEE: $300 +$50 refundable spay/neuter deposit
** NOTE: Because I am still a baby, I will only be placed in a home where someone is home often, such as
retired, work at home, work opposite shifts, stay at home parent, etc.**
UPDATE 6/4/10 - I have been a bit remiss in my updates.
Rose is such a pleasure to have as a part of the pack. She is the dog that teaches the foster dogs how to use the
dog door, she is my test dog to see if my fosters are dog friendly or not: she knows when to retreat to safety.
Rose is very smart and knows how to get her way either with me or one or all of the other dogs! She opens the
gate between the kitchen and the family room: not good security if I am trying to keep the dogs separate for one
reason or another. She is very social and loves to play or just cuddle.
She frequently cuddles with any of the other dogs, but she especially likes to cuddle with me.
People often comment on her one blue eye, which is very distinctive!
One phenomenon that has occurred over the last year or so is that she is developing some small fawn spots on
her lower back on her white coat. It is not really unusual, but it seems the spots usually appear sooner after the
"under spots" appear.
She is still the petite little girl of 52 lbs. and still the smallest of the litter, so I understand.
UPDATE 5/29/07 - Rose is doing well. She is petite compared to her brothers, but is a very solid 50.6 lbs.
Since I adopted her she has been through 2 sessions of obedience classes. She was the class clown in both, but
did pass without too much fuss.
She uses the dog door with obvious joy, and was a bit upset when I had to close the inner door when the weather
started getting cool last fall. Just a few sessions with a smelly treat and she learned to ring the bell to get the door
opened!
She has taught a couple of the fosters to also ring the bell.
She is the teacher: A foster comes in and within a short time she is working on them to learn to use the dog door.
She actually will keep repeating going in and out to show each one just how it is done!
She is not the most honest dog around, but at least she isn't too destructive. We have lost one tv remote to
chewing. Other stuff that she has stolen: Bean boot, telephone, shoe, dog nail trimmers, cordless Dremel tool,
water and soda bottles. Most things that she steals she takes outside. Luckily she did not take the Dremel
outside. She also only seems to want to "possess" the items.
She also takes lots of toys and bones outside and brings sticks inside.
She is a very happy and I would say well adjusted little girl. She does play pretty rough with the other dogs, but
then they all take naps. She is a good eater and seems to approve of all the meals served. Her only complaint
might be that she isn't getting enough! I control her diet a lot better than mine! At least she won't be overweight
very soon.
For the last few months she has been allowed to sleep in the bedroom without the leash that tethered her to the
bureau for so many long months. She is growing up, but she is still crated when no-one is at home. Safer for all
concerned.
Gypsy's Wild Rose is a big girl now!
UPDATE 12/9/06 - When I brought Rose home she was only 10 weeks old. She struggled with the dog door,
having to paw at it repeatedly to get one side to open, and then would crawl through. Going out was another story
because she was having some difficulty getting it to work. Ahhh, at least I will have to let her out and can keep a
closer eye on her. YEAH, RIGHT!!! By the middle of week two, she was an 'old pro' at operating the dog door and I
had to stay on my toes to keep an eye on her. Twice she got caught in the fence! The temporary blockades have
long since been removed since she has grown too big for the "kitty gaps"!
All the while she was honing her skills at taking care of her natural needs outside. Worked for me! Then came the
cooler weather and the inner door was closed more and more. Suddenly there were pee accidents in the house!
By now she had been through a couple of sessions of obedience and I had already mounted the bells by the back
door. My efforts at teaching her to ring the bell were 'light'. I kept forgetting!
Meanwhile, her skills at getting my attention and communicating to me that she needed the inner door opened,
have gotten very good! Now she is also occasionally ringing the bell with the intent of going outside! If nothing else,
she is one smart pup and loves the snow!
This week I have taught her to speak. After all, they do have to work for food, and this was just another job. RIGHT!!
She sits in very excited expectation of her meal, she will do anything I ask of her (sit, down, wait, etc.) and now I
have added "Speak"! She goes from a perfect "SIT", into a jump spin and "SPEAKS" and back into her perfect SIT!
She is a funny little girl.
Her weight seems to have stabilized at 50 lbs, for the time being. She will be 9 months Christmas eve.
Today I am going to put up the tree. Should be interesting.
She and Sam are currently growling and snarling in the family room. Anyone would think they were trying to kill
each other. They have so much fun together.
UPDATE 10/23/06 - Somehow, and I suppose it is easy to do, Rose is now limping some and holding her left rear
leg up just occasionally. She is better today, but I am keeping her on leash restriction for the next couple of weeks.
She was bothered a bit a few weeks ago and it passed. This time I am going to really keep her down! Sam keeps
trying to get me to let her out with him to play, and since I am being a meanie, she is staying inside. Rose also
keeps trying to get something going inside, but I am staying pretty much on top of that as well. Keeping a pup quiet
is a lost harder than it looks. There is absolutely no cooperation! While I was at the vets today doing the floors, I
weighed the little beast!! Forty nine pounds! Not so little! She is just a growing girl!
UPDATE 9/29/06 - What can I say about this beautiful young lady? Just that, I guess, because she now really looks
like a boxer! She has jowls, wrinkled expressions and the snuffle, snuffle. She is really becoming a very pretty girl,
not that she wasn't before.
Tuesday evening was the first class in Obedience 101: no dogs! Next Tuesday she has to go to school, hungry!
She already behaves pretty well, most of the time, but there is a lot of room for improvementm for both of us.
She is still bringing in branches and other stuff through the dog door, but not quite so many as she used to. Before
I think she was chewing and teething outside and felt that she could bring her stuff into the house. Now these
same things just appear to be toys.
Whenever I prepare to leave the house, she sits at the door waiting for me to reach for her leash-all leashes hang
by the door. When she does get to go, she has that watchful "boxer stare". If you were to be able to sneak up on
the vehicle from a different direction, all dogs would be surprised! They don't appear to conceive that one can exit
from a different door. They expect you to appear where you disappear. So far, she is good in the car: no distructive
behavior or anything, yet. Hopefully, never.
UPDATE 8/29/06 - Rose is the life of the party! When she isn't in a growing phase (napping) she is always trying to
find something to do, someone to play with or is just plain busy with a toy or bone.
She was spayed a week ago today and you would never know that she had surgery. She isn't sore, complaining,
or laying about. She has started heckling Clara a bit when they are outside. Clara spins and tries to get her, but
Rose is so very fast. She even does a bit in the house, but in a bit of a different way: a bit more gentle. I think she
realizes that Clara is blind and really wants to play with her. This little girl is now up to 40 lbs and still gaining like a
champ! She loves her food. Feeding time is a real circus and she knows which dish is hers. As soon as I take
her dish off the kitchen counter she makes a speed run to her crate, and actually has been known to fuss if the
door isn't open, yet.
She already knows about cleaning out the other dishes after the other dogs have finished. They don't leave
anything, but it is fun to watch, usually, 4 dogs rotate around the dishes to see just who left a tiny crumb! It just
doesn't happen!
Rose is a wonderful little supervisor. She makes sure that I get the coffee pot set up the night before, makes sure
that I take my shower, never lets me go out back alone, and would crawl into my skin to be close to me if she could.
The boxer personality is showing up in spades with this little girl. She is a leaner, loves to please and needs lots
of personal body contact.
A very interesting little girl.
UPDATE 8/24/06 - Yesterday was a very quiet and subdued day here at my house. The dogs all moped around and
didn't attempt to engage in any play or anything! Rose went in for her spay. Around 2:30 when I brought Rose back
home, there was lots of joy, but she was too doped up to notice. Today you would never think it was the same dog!
I am supposed to keep her quiet for several days!!! It is obvious that the vet and none of the techs have ever owned
a boxer!
She is trying to get play started just about all of the time. She appears to feel fine and just doesn't understand why
she can't go out and raise hell as usual. If I crate her, for more than a half hour at a time, she salivates profusely to
the point of dehydration. So..........right now she is being gated in the kitchen to give a bit of quiet time. It works!
Pack behavior is something else. Even tho' there were still 4 at home, they were missing her terribly! It really
showed. Chelsea and Abbi both were very glad to see her, and tho' she was doped up, Chelsea snuggled down
beside her on the dog beds, to protect, or keep her company or something.
Interesting to watch.
UPDATE 8/19/06 - My little white girl is growing like a weed! Those of you that saw Rose at Pet-Fest had various
comments, but in general all seemed to approve of her. She does have freckles on her stomach and butt!
Nearly 3 years ago when I got Sam, he was about 9 months at the time, and weighted 39 lbs. He was so skinny,
but ate well. I had a hard time putting weight on him, but he finally gained. His weight had nothing to do with his
spirit and stamina. This morning I went up to the office to help put stuff away after the cleaning company has
messed everything up. Nothing was in the right place. To complicate matters, the vet in charge and her husband
have been painting the waiting room and the two exam rooms! The office re-opens Monday! Lots to finish between
now and then, but for the most part I am done. I do intend to check in tomorrow afternoon and see if I should stay or
not to help get things straightened out. Long story shortened, I weighed Rose. She isn't yet 5 months old and the
poor little thing only weighs 39 lbs! She is constantly playing with the big dogs and "body bangs" with both Abbi and
Sam. The vet says she usually recommends keeping a pup on puppy food until a year. If she keeps on growing the
way she has been she will be about a 100 lbs. by the time she reaches a year!
Big difference between a home raised litter (Thank You Gypsy and Jill) and a puppy mill, pet shop pup. Sam has
finally caught up, but he will always have the mental scars. But he is sooooo very lovable!
UPDATE 7/29/06 - I have this little 30+ pound creature running about the house, creating hazards, watching every
move I make, and hoping for food-24/7!
Rose is first and foremost a "chow hound"! She loves all food, especially if it is mine! It does show that she likes
to eat.
She isn't fat, but she is growing. She is lengthing out, has plenty of muscle, imagination and stamina!
The hoard of 'used' bones from the box in the back room has been distributed about the yard, family room, living
room, bedroom, and even the stairs! Toys, some of which date back as much as 25 years, have suffered the
same fate. One has to watch where to step.
Sam finally snapped at ther this morning! It is about time! She has harassed him since she got here and he has
taken it like a gentleman.
Abbi is really taking over her education. They run and play, body-bang, and in general are very rough with each
other. She is learning lots of things, some good and some not so good, from the other dogs.
She has her spay appointment for next month and she will get her micro-chip and rabies shot at the same time.
In Sept. she goes back to Obedience. She did well in the puppy class, but needs more and is going to get it.
She does sleep all night, is dry all night and I am thinking of getting the 'bell strip' to teach them all to ring when
they want to go outside. The dog-door is good, but come cold weather they will have to ask, as the inner door will
be closed most of the time.
Rose still likes to cuddle with Chlsea, and will check daily to see if she has started giving milk! They still have a
very good relationship and do play together a bit.
Sam also plays with her, but doesn't care for her very sharp little teeth. So far, she does not have any new teeth.
Tug-of-war is a favorite and is a daily happening.
UPDATE 7/7/06 - When I first brought Rose home at the end of May, Abbi checked her out and generally accepted
her presence, but didn't act as if she wanted very much to do with her. Occasionally, she would rumble at her if she
got too rambunctious, and has Alpha Rolled her a few times. That was it. But the little 11/12 lb. pup just wasn't
worth her time.That was it, until this week! This week, has been a huge change! Abbi is playing with Rose, and
teaching her lots of new stuff. She appears to have taken her 'under her wing'. They don't snuggle together or
anything, but Abbi is definitely interacting with her and they are having a wonderful time. Rose doesn't appear to be
asking for mercy at any time, and Abbi sure isn't giving it. They are both rough and Rose is soaking it all up!
Sam doesn't seem to mind, and I think it might even be a relief to him. This just might be the necessary break that
he needs to get the scabs off of his jowls and face. She has such sharp little teeth!
Rose and Sam still get plenty of play time and they just came crashing in through the dog door and have just
tanked up at the watering station.
The real cuddling comes when Rose snuggles up to Chelsea.
It is interesting to watch the changes as they come about.
UPDATE 6/29/06 - Rose is doing pretty well. The dog door has been an immense aid with her house training.
Sometimes she forgets or gets 'cought short' and has a liquid accident.
Sam is so good with her. So far he hasn't retailiated against her for her sharp little teeth on his heels, jowls,
elbows, ears, etc. Chelsea is also very good with her and is her surrogate mommy, but doesn't put up with nearly
the foolishness that 65 lb. muscle guy-Sam-does. I really think Sam is enjoying being a puppy (5 months in a pet
shop curtailed his puppyhood) as well as playing with a puppy.
Clara is on the receiving end of some teasing from Rose. Rose gets right up behind her, barks and touches her
with her nose, Clara spins, snarls and lunges, and Rose is 6-8 feet away! This is a game with Rose, but not with
Clara. I am trying to discourage Rose from this behavior.
She is also doing well in 'Puppy Obedience' and hasn't fallen asleep since the second class! However, an hour is
a lot for such a young one to manage, but we do get a lot out of it.
Abbi has taken her in tow, just a bit, and Rose has been Alpha Rolled a couple of times. She is learning just who
is #2 alpha. I am #1.
She is accepting the crate as her dining hall and tho' she still doesn't care to be crated, she gets crated whenever I
need to.
Rose has had two vet visits and a third is due in three weeks for another shot. She does have an appointment for
her spay in August.
Rose is in excess of twenty lbs. and can do stairs very well, crashes the dog door the same as the big dogs, can
jump onto the couch from the floor, sits, walks pretty well on leash (that should improve), leaves us alone when we
are eating (goes to lay down with the others), loves her grass salads, sleeps all night (usually), loves real marrow
bones,isn't doing damage to the furniture-yet, and she loves to cuddle in your lap and take a nap there. She is
doing well with the 'no bite' most of the time, but needs occasional reminding. She also knows what 'bad' means
(used when she is harassing the cats) and she understands the word 'NO' when she is doing something she
shouldn't.
SHE IS A KEEPER!!!
UPDATE 6/19/06 - Rose is white, some of the time. She is still just a young pup and really enjoys exploring the
yard and there is a lot to check out.
There is a 300 gal. propane tank, a large storage building, a small storage building, some bales of hay covered
with a tarp, my chipper which is covered with another tarp, the mosquito magnet, a picnic table that is covered, the
lattice work that is used in part to hide some stuff and to also hang some ladders that belong to my personal
electrician (my son).
This is all out back of the house! Surrounding the whole thing is 130 feet of fence, the ends of which are separated
by the house which gives nearly another 40 feet. Not much, but enough to make things interesting.Then add in
numerous big trees and some that aren't yet so big. I have a cluttered yard to all appearances, but the dogs don't
care and this organized chaos works.
Rose has discovered the small brush pile by the chipper and has been dragging small branches around. She
even dragged a small one in through the dog door! I keep putting the branches back, but the cure is to get out there
and chip. Meanwhile she has something to chew on instead of the furniture. Once those are chipped I can move
the chipper to another part of the yard, outside of the fence. Living in the woods necessitates the need to clean up
fallen branches.
The dogs haven't yet figured a way to incorporate the composter into their play. They just run around it.Then there is
the "kindling bin" which the squirrels frequent. Chelsea is teaching Rose to watch for squirrels!The hay is useful to
spread about by the back steps which helps to keep the dirt outside. The dogs also like to lay there and wrestle in
the sun.In the meantime, I have a couple of tarps "draped" for drying, so that maybe I can put them away until they
go back into service covering the as yet uncut wood. Rose likes to walk under the edges of the tarp to "hide".
I could extend the fence further out back, but then it would take in the seasonal brook, as well as other low land.
Can you imagine the mud that she, and the others, could find then? I actually live pretty much surrounded by
swamp on 3 sides.
They run, play hide-and-seek, ambush each other, and have a very good time. At least there is nothing that they can
get hurt on.
The ground is either bare, has some clumps of grass, lots of chips, pine needles, some hay and various wild
plants as well as the herb garden. Abbi keeps stealing the Parsley! I am waiting to see if Rose develops a taste for
Parsley as well.Rose enjoys playing in the big clump of Hosta. I think she likes the way the big leaves feel rubbing
along her body.
Rose currently has a patch of pitch on her left hind leg. She may have found a sticky cone. I can put peanut butter/or
veggie oil on it and then she can clean it off. I think she would prefer the p-butter.
UPDATE 6/15/06 - Today I had to take my fence apart in order to free Rose! The fence (that is visible from the road)
is constructed of super strapping uprights, as well as the same material in 10 ft. sections for the longitudinal
pieces. Each section is screwed to the metal fence posts so that no wood is in the ground, to rot.All I had to do was
remove 2 screws and her head was free! She does have a couple of red spots behind each ear where she pulled,
attempting to free herself. She didn't want to back up, but I pushed her back, redid the slat screws and installed a
couple of short pieces near the ground to keep her from getting the idea to do it again. She was also digging to get
out and I think that is how she got her head caught.
When I originally built the fence I purposely left a gap near each gate so that the cats could go through. I never
envisioned that I would have to do a security thing for a puppy! The main gate is secured with a scrap of plywood,
the gate at the other end of the house now has a branch jammed in the kitty escape gap. The gate at the very back
is not yet secured, but will be when next we all go outside. I think another branch will do the trick.
Once her head gets a bit larger things can go back to normal.
Meanwhile, this young lady does sit on command-very food motivated. Rose is very good about going outside to
potty and loves the praise associated with it.
Chelsea has taken over in the "mothering" department. Sam is still the beaten up guy with scabs on his jowls, and
Abbi is still the bossy disciplinarian. Clara does not really bother her, but is intolerant if Rose gets too chummy.
She will be 12 weeks tomorrow.
UPDATE 6/13/06 - Yesterday, Rose worked hard at playing: she wrestled with Sam, chased him, chewed on him,
teased Clara, tried to get Chelsea to play with her and even got the very aloof Abbi to play with her.
Then came Puppy Class last night. The first forty minutes was ok. She made eye contact, click, and treat. She
followed the smell on my hand, and treat. She sat, click and treat. She did very well. Then came a brief break in the
action, she was attentive, but felt the need to do a puppy stretch, and then she relaxed a bit and fell asleep!! She
just ran out of steam and that was that.She slept all the way home, 20 minutes, and then snoozed the whole rest
of the evening. She was really right out of it.
All the dogs are less than 5 months old. There is Rose, the only boxer, a Labradoodle, and the rest are Labs. The
Lab-d was very vocal and disruptive, one of the other pups-a little black Lab.-also fell asleep. The little black Lab is
just 8 weeks and very shy, etc. I suspect that he was taken from his mother and siblings too early.
The woman next to me kept asking me "what did she say"? She doesn't pay attention. When Ginny asked us to
spread out more so that the dogs wouldn't be quite so distracted, she wouldn't move. If she dares to try to sit near
me next week, there will be war! She does not make any attempt to control her pup, lets it go full leash length, etc.
Fred and I even swapped chairs, and it didn't help! She just lets the pup do anything. I didn't pay all that money to
have someone ruin the schooling for Rose!
I think Chelsea is teaching her to keep an eye out for squirrels.Rose is one little rough and tumble pup! The
problem is, she thinks she is one of the big dogs!
Today it stopped raining and eventually the sun came out. Sam went outside and Rose followed, he did a bit of
running and she chased.He then did his speed lap and naturally her little legs couldn't keep up-she now does the
ambush with no problems at all! Her stamina is amazing for such a young dog, and she works hard at playing with
Sam. Eventually the inevitable happened and she crashed for about two hours of very solid sleep! Then she was
ready to go again, and did!After supper they were outside again and she was playing in a bit of a different manner.
She was almost frenzied and Sam was not running: he was tumbling her over and giving her a good rough play
time. Too rough, tho' I don't think either realized it. I did break up the extra rough playing tho' Rose wanted to stay
outside longer. As soon as Sam came into the house and didn't go back out, she decided to also come in. She is
again sound asleep recovering, adding more stamina and growing, which is what puppies do.
Tomorrow is supposed to be another day of not too much, if any rain, and I am in hopes of getting her outside for
some one-on-onework without the other dogs. Obedience tomorrow night and we haven't worked on it but just a
few times this past week.
She does take herself outside, to go potty, using the dog door, if she thinks of it in time. Once she was on the verge
of coming into the house, was on her hind legs getting ready to push the doors: she suddenly changed her mind
and ran off several feet-to go pee!
The daily changes are interesting.
UPDATE 6/8/06 - Not only has she grown, but she is eating like a little pig! She knows that food comes from the
kitchen, to the table, and that dishes are to be pre-rinsed by boxers prior to being put into the dishwasher. She
knows when my SO gets home that all dogs get a treat as soon as he comes through the door, and has already
learned that dogs are not allowed at table when people are eating! She is fourteen, plus lbs.She definitely 'gets it'
on needing to go out, but the rain is a deterrent! We are working on this with the aid of an umbrella-for her,
not me!
The "big dog" real bones are now her 'teething toys'. She chews on them with avid devotion! They allow her to
remove bones from in front of them, that they have been chewing!
If she is being ignored or otherwise not playing, she likes to lay beside Chelsea on the dog beds. Chelsea likes
her. Sam is her play-mate, Abbi is the boss and metes out discipline at times, and other times "herds" her to a
better location. She is protected from Clara. Clara is accepting her and hasn't been segregated for a few days. WE
(meaning Abbi and me) just discourage her from bothering Clara.
She is growing again--I mean napping again!
UPDATE 6/7/06 - We have had an abundance of rain lately and it has made getting outside to clean the yard
difficult. Yesterday was a good day, for a change, and I worked outside and cleaned the yard, removed the old hay
from around the door and put down a fresh bale. The old hay was not only wet, but was becoming more like a wet
compost and a mosquito breeding ground.
Rose was delighted with the hay and helped spread it, Abbi rolled on her back and Sam tried to get a nap in the
sun. Chelsea did spend time outside in the sun as did Clara. Rose didn't think Sam needed any rest and has
added to the scabs on his neck! His neck is all lumpy from her hanging on to him!
Rose is quite a girl! She has suddenly mastered the dog door and doesn't hesitate to use it. This morning she
went out and because I do not want her unsupervised, I went to the door to watch. She played a couple of minutes
in the fresh hay and then decided it was time to 'potty'. She got the proper praise and seemed quite pleased with
herself! She seems to be getting the idea.
I have to use a piece of wide board to cover the water bowl at night after supper. I think if I cover it early enough she
will go through the night. I can't pick it up because it is one of those big jugs with the bowl attached.
She loves to chase Sam in the yard and those little legs are really getting a workout. Rose is an awful lot of fun to
watch and is a quick study.
UPDATE 6/5/06 - Sam is 3 years old and weighs in at 60+ pounds. He is usually a pretty rough character and
loves to play.This past week he got acquainted with Gypsy's White Rose. Rose is sort of like a Piranha with her
sharp little teeth. She grabs him by the loose skin and proceeds to attempt to shake him. He lets her! She makes
him cry and he only tries to pull away! He is so very gentle with her.
On the other side, Rose is so rough! She lunges at him, grabs whenever and wherever she can. His heels must
be sore, I am sure his neck and jowls are, and he just lets her abuse him. The most he does is use his feet to try
to get her off of him. He has taken her by the ear and pulled her along and there are no marks!
Abbi isn't quite so gentle and tries to stop some of the roughhousing. I think it upsets her.Even Chelsea has
played with this little dynamo. She likes her and lets her pretend to conquer her and she just sits there and sort of
purrs/growls.
Clara has been downstairs all day today, so far, and the most reaction from her is that she quivers when Rose
gets really excited and is barking and growling. That is when she appears to need reassurance. She is settling
down and can always go upstairs for some peace and quiet.
In the meantime, little miss is starting to give signals about needing to toilet. I am trying to pay attention to help her
get her needs taken care of. Progress: "No", is part of her vocabulary recognition, and I think she is beginning to
understand "outdoors".
Sam is not wearing a collar around her at all, because she liked grabbing it. With the recent discussions about the
dangers of collars, I don't want this little girl hurt. He likes the yard and isn't too likely to escape from it. Besides,
they are supervised when they go out, even if they do have a dog door.
Rose has mastered coming into the house using the dog door, but hasn't 'gotten' the going out, yet. Plenty of time
for that.
Rose is even beginning to accept the crate as her personal "dining hall". I don't know how she behaves when we
have left her the couple of times that we have. She was fine when we returned. I suspect she is going to like her
crate.
This is a larger crate from the one we tried to use on the way home last week.
Nap time for all of the puppies of all ages!
UPDATE 6/3/06 - Yesterday Rose saw her vet for the first time and got a shot. She is having a bit of a reaction
today and is doing a lot of sleeping. She is up to 12 lbs. 3 oz. She was 10 weeks yesterday.If there is still a
vacancy, she will start Puppy Obedience, Monday evening.
Sam seems to be a bit relieved to have some time off today from being harassed by Rose (but he likes it). He is
so gentle with her, and seems to really like her. And she is soooo very rough!
Abbi is protective, and sometimes appears to be trying to calm her down. Too funny to watch these fur-kids.
Chelsea seems to be relaxing as Rose has not since attempted to 'nurse'! They actually laid together for a bit
yesterday.
Clara seems to be calming down a bit, and tho' still wearing a leash hasn't attempted to "get" her today. In fact she
just seems pleased to be able to hangout with everyone else and sleep on the loveseat instead of being
relegated to the upstairs.I did take Rose and present her butt to Clara to sniff and since then she seems so much
calmer. Actually, I did it twice. Fingers are crossed! I am trying to do everything I can to help Clara accept this little
girl. It is difficult enough for Clara to learn new stuff without eyes, and if I can help her accept this new little "pest",
then all effort is worth it.
Rose has mastered the dog door coming into the house. Going out is not yet being done and I am just as glad of
that. I prefer to take her on leash for a bit so that she can get the proper prodding to "pee" or "do poops" and then
the praise when she does. She is doing ok, but not perfect and I don't expect perfection from such a young pup.
5/29/06 - Rose has been adopted!
5/5/06 - See Gypsy's page for my Mom and Ghost's page for my Dad. I will be available for adoption when I am 8
weeks old, on May 19th. Apply now if you are interested in adopting one of us as we will go quickly & they cannot
hold us for you to get through the application process.
retired, work at home, work opposite shifts, stay at home parent, etc.**
UPDATE 6/4/10 - I have been a bit remiss in my updates.
Rose is such a pleasure to have as a part of the pack. She is the dog that teaches the foster dogs how to use the
dog door, she is my test dog to see if my fosters are dog friendly or not: she knows when to retreat to safety.
Rose is very smart and knows how to get her way either with me or one or all of the other dogs! She opens the
gate between the kitchen and the family room: not good security if I am trying to keep the dogs separate for one
reason or another. She is very social and loves to play or just cuddle.
She frequently cuddles with any of the other dogs, but she especially likes to cuddle with me.
People often comment on her one blue eye, which is very distinctive!
One phenomenon that has occurred over the last year or so is that she is developing some small fawn spots on
her lower back on her white coat. It is not really unusual, but it seems the spots usually appear sooner after the
"under spots" appear.
She is still the petite little girl of 52 lbs. and still the smallest of the litter, so I understand.
UPDATE 5/29/07 - Rose is doing well. She is petite compared to her brothers, but is a very solid 50.6 lbs.
Since I adopted her she has been through 2 sessions of obedience classes. She was the class clown in both, but
did pass without too much fuss.
She uses the dog door with obvious joy, and was a bit upset when I had to close the inner door when the weather
started getting cool last fall. Just a few sessions with a smelly treat and she learned to ring the bell to get the door
opened!
She has taught a couple of the fosters to also ring the bell.
She is the teacher: A foster comes in and within a short time she is working on them to learn to use the dog door.
She actually will keep repeating going in and out to show each one just how it is done!
She is not the most honest dog around, but at least she isn't too destructive. We have lost one tv remote to
chewing. Other stuff that she has stolen: Bean boot, telephone, shoe, dog nail trimmers, cordless Dremel tool,
water and soda bottles. Most things that she steals she takes outside. Luckily she did not take the Dremel
outside. She also only seems to want to "possess" the items.
She also takes lots of toys and bones outside and brings sticks inside.
She is a very happy and I would say well adjusted little girl. She does play pretty rough with the other dogs, but
then they all take naps. She is a good eater and seems to approve of all the meals served. Her only complaint
might be that she isn't getting enough! I control her diet a lot better than mine! At least she won't be overweight
very soon.
For the last few months she has been allowed to sleep in the bedroom without the leash that tethered her to the
bureau for so many long months. She is growing up, but she is still crated when no-one is at home. Safer for all
concerned.
Gypsy's Wild Rose is a big girl now!
UPDATE 12/9/06 - When I brought Rose home she was only 10 weeks old. She struggled with the dog door,
having to paw at it repeatedly to get one side to open, and then would crawl through. Going out was another story
because she was having some difficulty getting it to work. Ahhh, at least I will have to let her out and can keep a
closer eye on her. YEAH, RIGHT!!! By the middle of week two, she was an 'old pro' at operating the dog door and I
had to stay on my toes to keep an eye on her. Twice she got caught in the fence! The temporary blockades have
long since been removed since she has grown too big for the "kitty gaps"!
All the while she was honing her skills at taking care of her natural needs outside. Worked for me! Then came the
cooler weather and the inner door was closed more and more. Suddenly there were pee accidents in the house!
By now she had been through a couple of sessions of obedience and I had already mounted the bells by the back
door. My efforts at teaching her to ring the bell were 'light'. I kept forgetting!
Meanwhile, her skills at getting my attention and communicating to me that she needed the inner door opened,
have gotten very good! Now she is also occasionally ringing the bell with the intent of going outside! If nothing else,
she is one smart pup and loves the snow!
This week I have taught her to speak. After all, they do have to work for food, and this was just another job. RIGHT!!
She sits in very excited expectation of her meal, she will do anything I ask of her (sit, down, wait, etc.) and now I
have added "Speak"! She goes from a perfect "SIT", into a jump spin and "SPEAKS" and back into her perfect SIT!
She is a funny little girl.
Her weight seems to have stabilized at 50 lbs, for the time being. She will be 9 months Christmas eve.
Today I am going to put up the tree. Should be interesting.
She and Sam are currently growling and snarling in the family room. Anyone would think they were trying to kill
each other. They have so much fun together.
UPDATE 10/23/06 - Somehow, and I suppose it is easy to do, Rose is now limping some and holding her left rear
leg up just occasionally. She is better today, but I am keeping her on leash restriction for the next couple of weeks.
She was bothered a bit a few weeks ago and it passed. This time I am going to really keep her down! Sam keeps
trying to get me to let her out with him to play, and since I am being a meanie, she is staying inside. Rose also
keeps trying to get something going inside, but I am staying pretty much on top of that as well. Keeping a pup quiet
is a lost harder than it looks. There is absolutely no cooperation! While I was at the vets today doing the floors, I
weighed the little beast!! Forty nine pounds! Not so little! She is just a growing girl!
UPDATE 9/29/06 - What can I say about this beautiful young lady? Just that, I guess, because she now really looks
like a boxer! She has jowls, wrinkled expressions and the snuffle, snuffle. She is really becoming a very pretty girl,
not that she wasn't before.
Tuesday evening was the first class in Obedience 101: no dogs! Next Tuesday she has to go to school, hungry!
She already behaves pretty well, most of the time, but there is a lot of room for improvementm for both of us.
She is still bringing in branches and other stuff through the dog door, but not quite so many as she used to. Before
I think she was chewing and teething outside and felt that she could bring her stuff into the house. Now these
same things just appear to be toys.
Whenever I prepare to leave the house, she sits at the door waiting for me to reach for her leash-all leashes hang
by the door. When she does get to go, she has that watchful "boxer stare". If you were to be able to sneak up on
the vehicle from a different direction, all dogs would be surprised! They don't appear to conceive that one can exit
from a different door. They expect you to appear where you disappear. So far, she is good in the car: no distructive
behavior or anything, yet. Hopefully, never.
UPDATE 8/29/06 - Rose is the life of the party! When she isn't in a growing phase (napping) she is always trying to
find something to do, someone to play with or is just plain busy with a toy or bone.
She was spayed a week ago today and you would never know that she had surgery. She isn't sore, complaining,
or laying about. She has started heckling Clara a bit when they are outside. Clara spins and tries to get her, but
Rose is so very fast. She even does a bit in the house, but in a bit of a different way: a bit more gentle. I think she
realizes that Clara is blind and really wants to play with her. This little girl is now up to 40 lbs and still gaining like a
champ! She loves her food. Feeding time is a real circus and she knows which dish is hers. As soon as I take
her dish off the kitchen counter she makes a speed run to her crate, and actually has been known to fuss if the
door isn't open, yet.
She already knows about cleaning out the other dishes after the other dogs have finished. They don't leave
anything, but it is fun to watch, usually, 4 dogs rotate around the dishes to see just who left a tiny crumb! It just
doesn't happen!
Rose is a wonderful little supervisor. She makes sure that I get the coffee pot set up the night before, makes sure
that I take my shower, never lets me go out back alone, and would crawl into my skin to be close to me if she could.
The boxer personality is showing up in spades with this little girl. She is a leaner, loves to please and needs lots
of personal body contact.
A very interesting little girl.
UPDATE 8/24/06 - Yesterday was a very quiet and subdued day here at my house. The dogs all moped around and
didn't attempt to engage in any play or anything! Rose went in for her spay. Around 2:30 when I brought Rose back
home, there was lots of joy, but she was too doped up to notice. Today you would never think it was the same dog!
I am supposed to keep her quiet for several days!!! It is obvious that the vet and none of the techs have ever owned
a boxer!
She is trying to get play started just about all of the time. She appears to feel fine and just doesn't understand why
she can't go out and raise hell as usual. If I crate her, for more than a half hour at a time, she salivates profusely to
the point of dehydration. So..........right now she is being gated in the kitchen to give a bit of quiet time. It works!
Pack behavior is something else. Even tho' there were still 4 at home, they were missing her terribly! It really
showed. Chelsea and Abbi both were very glad to see her, and tho' she was doped up, Chelsea snuggled down
beside her on the dog beds, to protect, or keep her company or something.
Interesting to watch.
UPDATE 8/19/06 - My little white girl is growing like a weed! Those of you that saw Rose at Pet-Fest had various
comments, but in general all seemed to approve of her. She does have freckles on her stomach and butt!
Nearly 3 years ago when I got Sam, he was about 9 months at the time, and weighted 39 lbs. He was so skinny,
but ate well. I had a hard time putting weight on him, but he finally gained. His weight had nothing to do with his
spirit and stamina. This morning I went up to the office to help put stuff away after the cleaning company has
messed everything up. Nothing was in the right place. To complicate matters, the vet in charge and her husband
have been painting the waiting room and the two exam rooms! The office re-opens Monday! Lots to finish between
now and then, but for the most part I am done. I do intend to check in tomorrow afternoon and see if I should stay or
not to help get things straightened out. Long story shortened, I weighed Rose. She isn't yet 5 months old and the
poor little thing only weighs 39 lbs! She is constantly playing with the big dogs and "body bangs" with both Abbi and
Sam. The vet says she usually recommends keeping a pup on puppy food until a year. If she keeps on growing the
way she has been she will be about a 100 lbs. by the time she reaches a year!
Big difference between a home raised litter (Thank You Gypsy and Jill) and a puppy mill, pet shop pup. Sam has
finally caught up, but he will always have the mental scars. But he is sooooo very lovable!
UPDATE 7/29/06 - I have this little 30+ pound creature running about the house, creating hazards, watching every
move I make, and hoping for food-24/7!
Rose is first and foremost a "chow hound"! She loves all food, especially if it is mine! It does show that she likes
to eat.
She isn't fat, but she is growing. She is lengthing out, has plenty of muscle, imagination and stamina!
The hoard of 'used' bones from the box in the back room has been distributed about the yard, family room, living
room, bedroom, and even the stairs! Toys, some of which date back as much as 25 years, have suffered the
same fate. One has to watch where to step.
Sam finally snapped at ther this morning! It is about time! She has harassed him since she got here and he has
taken it like a gentleman.
Abbi is really taking over her education. They run and play, body-bang, and in general are very rough with each
other. She is learning lots of things, some good and some not so good, from the other dogs.
She has her spay appointment for next month and she will get her micro-chip and rabies shot at the same time.
In Sept. she goes back to Obedience. She did well in the puppy class, but needs more and is going to get it.
She does sleep all night, is dry all night and I am thinking of getting the 'bell strip' to teach them all to ring when
they want to go outside. The dog-door is good, but come cold weather they will have to ask, as the inner door will
be closed most of the time.
Rose still likes to cuddle with Chlsea, and will check daily to see if she has started giving milk! They still have a
very good relationship and do play together a bit.
Sam also plays with her, but doesn't care for her very sharp little teeth. So far, she does not have any new teeth.
Tug-of-war is a favorite and is a daily happening.
UPDATE 7/7/06 - When I first brought Rose home at the end of May, Abbi checked her out and generally accepted
her presence, but didn't act as if she wanted very much to do with her. Occasionally, she would rumble at her if she
got too rambunctious, and has Alpha Rolled her a few times. That was it. But the little 11/12 lb. pup just wasn't
worth her time.That was it, until this week! This week, has been a huge change! Abbi is playing with Rose, and
teaching her lots of new stuff. She appears to have taken her 'under her wing'. They don't snuggle together or
anything, but Abbi is definitely interacting with her and they are having a wonderful time. Rose doesn't appear to be
asking for mercy at any time, and Abbi sure isn't giving it. They are both rough and Rose is soaking it all up!
Sam doesn't seem to mind, and I think it might even be a relief to him. This just might be the necessary break that
he needs to get the scabs off of his jowls and face. She has such sharp little teeth!
Rose and Sam still get plenty of play time and they just came crashing in through the dog door and have just
tanked up at the watering station.
The real cuddling comes when Rose snuggles up to Chelsea.
It is interesting to watch the changes as they come about.
UPDATE 6/29/06 - Rose is doing pretty well. The dog door has been an immense aid with her house training.
Sometimes she forgets or gets 'cought short' and has a liquid accident.
Sam is so good with her. So far he hasn't retailiated against her for her sharp little teeth on his heels, jowls,
elbows, ears, etc. Chelsea is also very good with her and is her surrogate mommy, but doesn't put up with nearly
the foolishness that 65 lb. muscle guy-Sam-does. I really think Sam is enjoying being a puppy (5 months in a pet
shop curtailed his puppyhood) as well as playing with a puppy.
Clara is on the receiving end of some teasing from Rose. Rose gets right up behind her, barks and touches her
with her nose, Clara spins, snarls and lunges, and Rose is 6-8 feet away! This is a game with Rose, but not with
Clara. I am trying to discourage Rose from this behavior.
She is also doing well in 'Puppy Obedience' and hasn't fallen asleep since the second class! However, an hour is
a lot for such a young one to manage, but we do get a lot out of it.
Abbi has taken her in tow, just a bit, and Rose has been Alpha Rolled a couple of times. She is learning just who
is #2 alpha. I am #1.
She is accepting the crate as her dining hall and tho' she still doesn't care to be crated, she gets crated whenever I
need to.
Rose has had two vet visits and a third is due in three weeks for another shot. She does have an appointment for
her spay in August.
Rose is in excess of twenty lbs. and can do stairs very well, crashes the dog door the same as the big dogs, can
jump onto the couch from the floor, sits, walks pretty well on leash (that should improve), leaves us alone when we
are eating (goes to lay down with the others), loves her grass salads, sleeps all night (usually), loves real marrow
bones,isn't doing damage to the furniture-yet, and she loves to cuddle in your lap and take a nap there. She is
doing well with the 'no bite' most of the time, but needs occasional reminding. She also knows what 'bad' means
(used when she is harassing the cats) and she understands the word 'NO' when she is doing something she
shouldn't.
SHE IS A KEEPER!!!
UPDATE 6/19/06 - Rose is white, some of the time. She is still just a young pup and really enjoys exploring the
yard and there is a lot to check out.
There is a 300 gal. propane tank, a large storage building, a small storage building, some bales of hay covered
with a tarp, my chipper which is covered with another tarp, the mosquito magnet, a picnic table that is covered, the
lattice work that is used in part to hide some stuff and to also hang some ladders that belong to my personal
electrician (my son).
This is all out back of the house! Surrounding the whole thing is 130 feet of fence, the ends of which are separated
by the house which gives nearly another 40 feet. Not much, but enough to make things interesting.Then add in
numerous big trees and some that aren't yet so big. I have a cluttered yard to all appearances, but the dogs don't
care and this organized chaos works.
Rose has discovered the small brush pile by the chipper and has been dragging small branches around. She
even dragged a small one in through the dog door! I keep putting the branches back, but the cure is to get out there
and chip. Meanwhile she has something to chew on instead of the furniture. Once those are chipped I can move
the chipper to another part of the yard, outside of the fence. Living in the woods necessitates the need to clean up
fallen branches.
The dogs haven't yet figured a way to incorporate the composter into their play. They just run around it.Then there is
the "kindling bin" which the squirrels frequent. Chelsea is teaching Rose to watch for squirrels!The hay is useful to
spread about by the back steps which helps to keep the dirt outside. The dogs also like to lay there and wrestle in
the sun.In the meantime, I have a couple of tarps "draped" for drying, so that maybe I can put them away until they
go back into service covering the as yet uncut wood. Rose likes to walk under the edges of the tarp to "hide".
I could extend the fence further out back, but then it would take in the seasonal brook, as well as other low land.
Can you imagine the mud that she, and the others, could find then? I actually live pretty much surrounded by
swamp on 3 sides.
They run, play hide-and-seek, ambush each other, and have a very good time. At least there is nothing that they can
get hurt on.
The ground is either bare, has some clumps of grass, lots of chips, pine needles, some hay and various wild
plants as well as the herb garden. Abbi keeps stealing the Parsley! I am waiting to see if Rose develops a taste for
Parsley as well.Rose enjoys playing in the big clump of Hosta. I think she likes the way the big leaves feel rubbing
along her body.
Rose currently has a patch of pitch on her left hind leg. She may have found a sticky cone. I can put peanut butter/or
veggie oil on it and then she can clean it off. I think she would prefer the p-butter.
UPDATE 6/15/06 - Today I had to take my fence apart in order to free Rose! The fence (that is visible from the road)
is constructed of super strapping uprights, as well as the same material in 10 ft. sections for the longitudinal
pieces. Each section is screwed to the metal fence posts so that no wood is in the ground, to rot.All I had to do was
remove 2 screws and her head was free! She does have a couple of red spots behind each ear where she pulled,
attempting to free herself. She didn't want to back up, but I pushed her back, redid the slat screws and installed a
couple of short pieces near the ground to keep her from getting the idea to do it again. She was also digging to get
out and I think that is how she got her head caught.
When I originally built the fence I purposely left a gap near each gate so that the cats could go through. I never
envisioned that I would have to do a security thing for a puppy! The main gate is secured with a scrap of plywood,
the gate at the other end of the house now has a branch jammed in the kitty escape gap. The gate at the very back
is not yet secured, but will be when next we all go outside. I think another branch will do the trick.
Once her head gets a bit larger things can go back to normal.
Meanwhile, this young lady does sit on command-very food motivated. Rose is very good about going outside to
potty and loves the praise associated with it.
Chelsea has taken over in the "mothering" department. Sam is still the beaten up guy with scabs on his jowls, and
Abbi is still the bossy disciplinarian. Clara does not really bother her, but is intolerant if Rose gets too chummy.
She will be 12 weeks tomorrow.
UPDATE 6/13/06 - Yesterday, Rose worked hard at playing: she wrestled with Sam, chased him, chewed on him,
teased Clara, tried to get Chelsea to play with her and even got the very aloof Abbi to play with her.
Then came Puppy Class last night. The first forty minutes was ok. She made eye contact, click, and treat. She
followed the smell on my hand, and treat. She sat, click and treat. She did very well. Then came a brief break in the
action, she was attentive, but felt the need to do a puppy stretch, and then she relaxed a bit and fell asleep!! She
just ran out of steam and that was that.She slept all the way home, 20 minutes, and then snoozed the whole rest
of the evening. She was really right out of it.
All the dogs are less than 5 months old. There is Rose, the only boxer, a Labradoodle, and the rest are Labs. The
Lab-d was very vocal and disruptive, one of the other pups-a little black Lab.-also fell asleep. The little black Lab is
just 8 weeks and very shy, etc. I suspect that he was taken from his mother and siblings too early.
The woman next to me kept asking me "what did she say"? She doesn't pay attention. When Ginny asked us to
spread out more so that the dogs wouldn't be quite so distracted, she wouldn't move. If she dares to try to sit near
me next week, there will be war! She does not make any attempt to control her pup, lets it go full leash length, etc.
Fred and I even swapped chairs, and it didn't help! She just lets the pup do anything. I didn't pay all that money to
have someone ruin the schooling for Rose!
I think Chelsea is teaching her to keep an eye out for squirrels.Rose is one little rough and tumble pup! The
problem is, she thinks she is one of the big dogs!
Today it stopped raining and eventually the sun came out. Sam went outside and Rose followed, he did a bit of
running and she chased.He then did his speed lap and naturally her little legs couldn't keep up-she now does the
ambush with no problems at all! Her stamina is amazing for such a young dog, and she works hard at playing with
Sam. Eventually the inevitable happened and she crashed for about two hours of very solid sleep! Then she was
ready to go again, and did!After supper they were outside again and she was playing in a bit of a different manner.
She was almost frenzied and Sam was not running: he was tumbling her over and giving her a good rough play
time. Too rough, tho' I don't think either realized it. I did break up the extra rough playing tho' Rose wanted to stay
outside longer. As soon as Sam came into the house and didn't go back out, she decided to also come in. She is
again sound asleep recovering, adding more stamina and growing, which is what puppies do.
Tomorrow is supposed to be another day of not too much, if any rain, and I am in hopes of getting her outside for
some one-on-onework without the other dogs. Obedience tomorrow night and we haven't worked on it but just a
few times this past week.
She does take herself outside, to go potty, using the dog door, if she thinks of it in time. Once she was on the verge
of coming into the house, was on her hind legs getting ready to push the doors: she suddenly changed her mind
and ran off several feet-to go pee!
The daily changes are interesting.
UPDATE 6/8/06 - Not only has she grown, but she is eating like a little pig! She knows that food comes from the
kitchen, to the table, and that dishes are to be pre-rinsed by boxers prior to being put into the dishwasher. She
knows when my SO gets home that all dogs get a treat as soon as he comes through the door, and has already
learned that dogs are not allowed at table when people are eating! She is fourteen, plus lbs.She definitely 'gets it'
on needing to go out, but the rain is a deterrent! We are working on this with the aid of an umbrella-for her,
not me!
The "big dog" real bones are now her 'teething toys'. She chews on them with avid devotion! They allow her to
remove bones from in front of them, that they have been chewing!
If she is being ignored or otherwise not playing, she likes to lay beside Chelsea on the dog beds. Chelsea likes
her. Sam is her play-mate, Abbi is the boss and metes out discipline at times, and other times "herds" her to a
better location. She is protected from Clara. Clara is accepting her and hasn't been segregated for a few days. WE
(meaning Abbi and me) just discourage her from bothering Clara.
She is growing again--I mean napping again!
UPDATE 6/7/06 - We have had an abundance of rain lately and it has made getting outside to clean the yard
difficult. Yesterday was a good day, for a change, and I worked outside and cleaned the yard, removed the old hay
from around the door and put down a fresh bale. The old hay was not only wet, but was becoming more like a wet
compost and a mosquito breeding ground.
Rose was delighted with the hay and helped spread it, Abbi rolled on her back and Sam tried to get a nap in the
sun. Chelsea did spend time outside in the sun as did Clara. Rose didn't think Sam needed any rest and has
added to the scabs on his neck! His neck is all lumpy from her hanging on to him!
Rose is quite a girl! She has suddenly mastered the dog door and doesn't hesitate to use it. This morning she
went out and because I do not want her unsupervised, I went to the door to watch. She played a couple of minutes
in the fresh hay and then decided it was time to 'potty'. She got the proper praise and seemed quite pleased with
herself! She seems to be getting the idea.
I have to use a piece of wide board to cover the water bowl at night after supper. I think if I cover it early enough she
will go through the night. I can't pick it up because it is one of those big jugs with the bowl attached.
She loves to chase Sam in the yard and those little legs are really getting a workout. Rose is an awful lot of fun to
watch and is a quick study.
UPDATE 6/5/06 - Sam is 3 years old and weighs in at 60+ pounds. He is usually a pretty rough character and
loves to play.This past week he got acquainted with Gypsy's White Rose. Rose is sort of like a Piranha with her
sharp little teeth. She grabs him by the loose skin and proceeds to attempt to shake him. He lets her! She makes
him cry and he only tries to pull away! He is so very gentle with her.
On the other side, Rose is so rough! She lunges at him, grabs whenever and wherever she can. His heels must
be sore, I am sure his neck and jowls are, and he just lets her abuse him. The most he does is use his feet to try
to get her off of him. He has taken her by the ear and pulled her along and there are no marks!
Abbi isn't quite so gentle and tries to stop some of the roughhousing. I think it upsets her.Even Chelsea has
played with this little dynamo. She likes her and lets her pretend to conquer her and she just sits there and sort of
purrs/growls.
Clara has been downstairs all day today, so far, and the most reaction from her is that she quivers when Rose
gets really excited and is barking and growling. That is when she appears to need reassurance. She is settling
down and can always go upstairs for some peace and quiet.
In the meantime, little miss is starting to give signals about needing to toilet. I am trying to pay attention to help her
get her needs taken care of. Progress: "No", is part of her vocabulary recognition, and I think she is beginning to
understand "outdoors".
Sam is not wearing a collar around her at all, because she liked grabbing it. With the recent discussions about the
dangers of collars, I don't want this little girl hurt. He likes the yard and isn't too likely to escape from it. Besides,
they are supervised when they go out, even if they do have a dog door.
Rose has mastered coming into the house using the dog door, but hasn't 'gotten' the going out, yet. Plenty of time
for that.
Rose is even beginning to accept the crate as her personal "dining hall". I don't know how she behaves when we
have left her the couple of times that we have. She was fine when we returned. I suspect she is going to like her
crate.
This is a larger crate from the one we tried to use on the way home last week.
Nap time for all of the puppies of all ages!
UPDATE 6/3/06 - Yesterday Rose saw her vet for the first time and got a shot. She is having a bit of a reaction
today and is doing a lot of sleeping. She is up to 12 lbs. 3 oz. She was 10 weeks yesterday.If there is still a
vacancy, she will start Puppy Obedience, Monday evening.
Sam seems to be a bit relieved to have some time off today from being harassed by Rose (but he likes it). He is
so gentle with her, and seems to really like her. And she is soooo very rough!
Abbi is protective, and sometimes appears to be trying to calm her down. Too funny to watch these fur-kids.
Chelsea seems to be relaxing as Rose has not since attempted to 'nurse'! They actually laid together for a bit
yesterday.
Clara seems to be calming down a bit, and tho' still wearing a leash hasn't attempted to "get" her today. In fact she
just seems pleased to be able to hangout with everyone else and sleep on the loveseat instead of being
relegated to the upstairs.I did take Rose and present her butt to Clara to sniff and since then she seems so much
calmer. Actually, I did it twice. Fingers are crossed! I am trying to do everything I can to help Clara accept this little
girl. It is difficult enough for Clara to learn new stuff without eyes, and if I can help her accept this new little "pest",
then all effort is worth it.
Rose has mastered the dog door coming into the house. Going out is not yet being done and I am just as glad of
that. I prefer to take her on leash for a bit so that she can get the proper prodding to "pee" or "do poops" and then
the praise when she does. She is doing ok, but not perfect and I don't expect perfection from such a young pup.
5/29/06 - Rose has been adopted!
5/5/06 - See Gypsy's page for my Mom and Ghost's page for my Dad. I will be available for adoption when I am 8
weeks old, on May 19th. Apply now if you are interested in adopting one of us as we will go quickly & they cannot
hold us for you to get through the application process.
