We’ve had the pups for a month now. Sometimes it seems like we have had them for longer and other times it feels like we just got them. It has been quite the transition. We have finally settled into somewhat of a routine but it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows.

We went from no dogs in the bed, to both dogs in the bed, to our most recent change back to no dogs in the bed. When Moose was sleeping with us, Anna would wake every morning about 2am with an energy level of 150. She didn’t need to potty or anything, she just wanted to be up. It would wake Moose up and then it was a pain to get everyone back to sleep. We then let Anna sleep in bed with us also. That worked ok for a night and then Moose began to wake at 230 EVERY morning causing Anna to get up and be excited. Nobody was getting a good nights sleep. After Scott threatened to give them away and/or he was moving upstairs, I knew we needed to find something that worked. Our most recent arrangements are they are both in crates in the bedroom side by side so they can see each other and see us. It seems to be working. Moose still wakes at 230 to go potty but Anna doesn’t get all excited while she’s in her crate. And everyone can go back to sleep afterwards.

Besides the sleep deprivation, we were also dealing with a “leaking” problem with Anna. She would just be laying down and when she got up, there would be a puddle. Once, it was even bloody, making me think she was in heat. She was very restless and panting constantly. When we would walk she would squat a bunch of times with not much coming out. I was doing laundry every day! I did some googling and decided to ask the vet if they would culture her urine to test for UTI. They did. She did in fact have a UTI. She finished her course of antibiotics and she is doing much better. She is scheduled to be spayed tomorrow. Fingers crossed they do it. They won’t spay female dogs over 90lbs so she has been on a diet and exercise regimen. Last we weighed her, she was down to 90.5. So close. Other than that, Anna is the sweetest girl. She is super nervous initially around new people but warms up quickly (especially if they rub her belly). She is very jealous of Moose but she is also very patient with him. She is a cuddle dog and if she is not on top of you, then she is not close enough. She also thinks she is part mountain goat. She climbs on top of the picnic tables and climbs across the furniture like it’s a jungle gym.

What to say about Moose? He is part sweet and cuddly puppy and part velociraptor! He loves his toys and loves chewing on me. He has razor sharp teeth that easily puncture my clothing and my skin. I try to keep a toy with me at all times to distract him when he goes velociraptor on me. He LOVES Anna! He goes where she goes and does what she does. He is constantly on top of her wrestling. She is so gentle with him 99% of the time. He doesn’t know a stranger and thinks that everyone should pay him attention. I always warn everyone that wants to pet him of his sharp puppy teeth. He is very good at asking to go outside and we haven’t had an accident in the house for a while. Hopefully I didn’t just jinx us.

They both love to go on walks everyday. They also both LOVE food! We have slowly started taking them on little adventures. We took them to the beach. They were happy to be out there. Anna did not like the waves. Moose didn’t mind them but he only wanted to be where Anna was. We have taken them on the golf cart. We walk to the waterfront and sit on the lawn, people and dog watching. Scott took Anna to the dog park while Moose and I were at my parent’s house. He said she played really well with the other dogs. They love to play with the tennis ball in the backyard. Anna gets the ball and Moose chases her. It won’t be long before Anna won’t be able to outrun him.

The last month has been full of adjustments, obstacles, laughs, cuddles, stress, and some yelling but overall it has been good. Things will hopefully only continue to get better. Despite all of it, we are very much in love with our new fur babies.

Prepare for photo overload!