Episode 11: 18 weeks: YAY! Finally

Amy Shackelford
May 10, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Jul 4, 2021

Bonnie

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: white with brown spots

Red Nose

Expected size: about 70-80 lbs

Current weight: 33 lbs

Clyde

Staffordshire Terrior

Color: Lilac

Red Nose

Expected size: about 80 lbs

Current Weight 38 lbs

YAY! FINALLY!!!

The puppies finally had enough of their vaccines to be introduced to the dog park. We chose an overcast day and went later in the afternoon to hopefully have fewer dogs on there first adventure. Moxie, Penny, and Nico went also.

Penny tends to get overly excited so if we have fewer dogs there until she calms down, it goes better. She is very friendly to others, but super-- and I mean super enthusiastic. Nico just loves everything, and Moxie is close to perfect when we go places. All of the big dogs were good examples. The idea of Bonnie and Clyde having the older dogs to help them acclimate was the goal.

We have two parks, well two separate sides. One has lots of trees and benches and is more popular and we will try next time. The other side bigger and wide open with lots of room to run (that was our choice). And run they did. Penny is a bullet when she turns it on, and I was extremely impressed with how fast Nico runs. He kept up and really might be faster with those long legs of his. Well, the pups gave a valiant effort to keep up and ran there little hearts out but of course couldn’t begin to match Penny. After a few minutes Penny relaxed and ran with them, so they were in heaven. Bonnie did try a little too hard and once went face first in the grass.

It was an incredibly happy and successful trip; we needed that after last week's failure). They met some new dogs and people and had a blast. When we got them home, they were done, and didn’t even want to move for the rest of the night.

NEW LEASHES

The puppy leashes were just too thin as the dogs got stronger. We bought some padded leashes with an extra handle closer to the dog for emergencies. The retractable leashes work well but are hard too handle when you have more than two dogs to walk (which of course we do- 4, sometimes 5). These cloth ones can also fit around your wrist leaving your hands free for your other dogs, poop bags, and confrontations.

MOMENT TO REMEMBER:

Randomly as we were walking, Clyde, without prepping at all, springs into the air to attack a two-foot weed. “The boy’s got hops!”

PUPPY PAD UPDATE: 97% accuracy

Clyde whined and Bonnie stood at door. As soon as they went out, the peed and pooped. I hope this means they’re getting it.

Clyde scratched my legs while I was sleeping on the couch so that they could go out and potty!!! Ouch, but I’ll take it.

OUTDOORS: 75% accuracy

ATTACK!!!

These vicious pit bulls are attacking everyone (with their unconditional affectionthat is)!

CUTEST MOMENT

Clyde just hiked his leg for the firs time, so I guess he thought he would try again. He hiked without preparation, his balance was off, and he fell right over. Hilarious!

WHY... JUST WHY MOMENT

(I’ll try not to be graphic)

Bradley was standing, using the bathroom and all of a sudden, Clyde’s head popped between his knees. He wanted to see what this new noise was. He would not move, He didn’t try to drink, but Bradley had to be careful of his aim. Why Clyde… just why?