The First Week

Our first week as puppy raisers has come and gone. It was an interesting week in that I was pretty sick, so caring for Mariko and the family were a bit difficult when all I really wanted to do was sleep :-)

We did take Mariko to the vet on Friday, she has a urinary tract infection, so a quick seven days of antibiotics and hopefully she will feel better (and sleep better too).

Our son, Kyle, helped me get some sleep this last week. He goes to bed later that the rest of us, so he will take Mariko out just before he goes to bed, usually about 11:30 or 12:00 and then she sleeps until 6:00. I hope to be back on my feet next week, so 6:00 should be good (I'm hoping she will let me get up before she does, so I can get a couple of things done first - we will see how it goes.)

Mariko is such a smart puppy! I can tell the BC worked with the puppies a lot. She loves cradle and massage and already will lay on her back with her hind legs relaxed while you touch her ears and feet, and of course rub her tummy.

Asleep on Katie's legs after a belly rub.

She has seemed to settle in very nicely and is even starting to go over by the back door when she needs to go out. It has been really cold and there has been a lot of ice on the stairs, so we haven't really worried about teaching her how to go up and down the stairs yet. Currently she loves to slide down Ginger's ramp.

Being a goof.

More fun on the ramp, trying out the gentle leader.

She's doing very well with commands and seems to have master "sit" and "down," and "kennel" and "hurry" are coming along nicely. She is also starting to look at us when we call her name (this is good!). We will begin introducing a couple more commands next week and continue with the ones she knows.

I'm really worried about puppy chewing and household furniture, so we have LOTS of chew toys for all of the dogs and I have resolved myself to the fact that it will be a while before the house is clean and tidy again.

Yep, this is what the house is going to look like.

Being a good girl.

I was only at work for a couple of days last week due to me not feeling well. She did very well settling into a routine and doesn't seem to mind that I'm there to work and not play with her.

Relaxing at work (nope, she doesn't want to be in her kennel).

Next week will be interesting as we try to figure out schedules so that I can still go to the gym, but get Mariko home and fed on time. It's like having a baby all over again, but without the maternity leave to help with the transition.