OK, it has been a pretty doom and gloom series of posts I have run lately, so now we’re going to lighten it up! Although I still miss my beloved Lexie, life around here has somewhat stabilized with five dogs. I thought it was about time I gave you an update on how the new family members were doing, as well as the old-timers!

The pup weighed in Tuesday at nearly 17 pounds. It was only a few weeks ago that she was 9 pounds. She is all legs, and she has lost her puppy face and most of her puppy breath. Her head is more the “elementary school” look… not puppy, not adult. She walks on a leash, comes when called, and sits on command most of the time. We’re working on down and stay. She’s about 11 weeks old right now. She isn’t one bit afraid to take on the big dogs and will lie next to them and yowl and howl when they have something she wants. Often she gets her way…


Zoë is putting on weight—no surprise since I’m feeding her high octane stuff and lots of it. She thinks I hung the moon and can’t stand to be more than a few inches from my side. (Were it so easy with our kids!) She’s sleeping next to my bed at night and has more or less figured out what the outdoors is for as opposed to my carpeting… She plays well with all the other dogs… she’s full grown but very much puppy. She also has teeth and jaws that destroy anything unfortunate enough to come between them.


Ben, who has only been in the family since the very end of last year, is turning out to be a bit of a porker. I don’t feed him that much and we walk daily but he’s still a bit thick. He’s also developed an allergic reaction which in dogs manifests in the skin… so his nose looks like hamburger right now where he dug at it until it bled. He’s now living with the benefit of steroids… and much happier. He's got a great disposition and is a joy to have.


Reilly has adjusted to all the new additions and even plays with the pup… a real shock. She’s pretty set in her ways. Chance sleeps unless it is time to eat or time to walk, and then she makes an appearance. As you can see when I took the first picture, neither walking nor eating were offered... and she wasn't there.


All in all these guys have shown me how in many cases, good food, training, love and consistency can work wonders. Too bad it isn’t a universal axiom.


My dogs fill my tank in a powerful way. What are you doing to fill your tank? Check out this article about how parents need a life, too!