Maisie

Hoggie Doggie

2003-12-26T23:52:00.000-05:00

Rick weighed Maisie tonight for me. 21½ pounds!! Remembering that she was a whopping 4½ pounds when we brought her home in September, three months ago. She's not fat by any means, but give her some food and she'll polish it off, then rattle her bowl for more. I learned very quickly that if it is something she really likes, not just dry food, she will eat every bite and then beg for more. Since she leaves her dry food sit until she truly is hungry, I don't give in and get her more - or, if I think maybe she does mean she's hungry, just dry food. Usually that will sit too. She wants the good stuff, you know?

And don't we all?

Merry Christmas!

2003-12-25T09:41:00.000-05:00

Maisie's first Christmas. Of course she has no idea, but she got a huge bone to chew on, and new treats from our family in Florida and Michigan. The bone is large enough that she can carry it, but not for very far and not very long. She can't quite figure out what to do with it which is absolutely hilarious! I will try to take a picture later this morning.

1, 2, uhhh... 3!

2003-12-22T21:22:00.000-05:00

Maisie can count.

At least to three. Every night when we head into the bedroom, after I've settled her into her kennel/crate with a treat, she begins her watch. She knows Rick is going to bring her a chew for the evening. But not just one, not two, but three.

And Maisie will take one from his hand, look back up at him and take the second one, look back up and take the third one - then lay down in her kennel and start chewing. She knows she gets three and how many three are and that is good enough for her!

Smart little silly little dog.

Toothless Wonder

2003-12-21T17:22:00.000-05:00

Today is Maisie's fifth birthday, and she's celebrating in grand style! I've found three teeth so far, and the one yesterday or the day before. She's going to be eating mush in no time flat at this rate. Whoever said dogs teethe around 5 months or so is correct. Sheesh!

I'm going to have to throw her stuffed toys in the washer to get the blood from them!

Sunday evening

2003-10-26T20:09:00.000-05:00

Today was a rainy drizzly day. Maisie was sad to be stuck inside, trapped in her cage for longer periods of time than she wanted. She has begun to learn what a good evil stare means. Rather than telling her NO all the time when she's fussing to get out, we give her a stern look and don't stop until she looks away. It works very well, and means that she knows how to behave when she chooses to.

I gave her a bath last night, she is almost big enough to jump out of the tub but can't quite manage it. She needed the bath and I know she feels better for it, she certainly looks better. I made sure the water was a comfortable warm temperature, and have to admit I was jealous. I would have loved to been in that nice warm bath but for some reason she didn't seem to enjoy it. Washing off that good stinky doggy smell she works so hard to attain I guess. After the bath I held her wrapped tightly in a couple of towels, it was cool in the house and I didn't want her to get cold. She fell asleep in my arms which was so sweet, I kept giving her little kisses. Rick took a few pictures, they are in the photo album.
I will miss her tomorrow when I am at work.

Sleep

2003-10-24T23:18:00.000-04:00

Maisie looks so adorable when she sleeps. I want to scoop her up and cuddle her to me. Today I sat out with her on the deck for a while, down on the boards with her letting her jump over and on me. Sharp little claws which need trimming. She seemed proud though, happy to show off each one of her toys as she played with them in turn. I need to spend more time with her on her level, down on the floor rather than up and walking around. She's learning that she likes to be close to me; I'm not just something to play with or on, but something that can give her affection - maybe she's learned the difference between affection and attention?

Back Deck Fun

2003-10-24T07:02:00.000-04:00

Rick found a way to tether Maisie outside on the back deck. It's still warm enough during the day, her crate is set in the shade with the door latched open so she can go in and out as she pleases. She runs around out there tossing her stuffed lamb this way and that, chewing on her kong toy. The tether allows her just to the edge of the deck, where she can peer out between the rails to watch Grover in the backyard. She spend five or six hours a day out there, gets all excited to be able to go and have more freedom than she would in the house while Rick is working. I'll be sad for her when it gets too cold to let her be out there like that.

Weekend Fun

2003-10-18T20:05:00.000-04:00

Today has been a very nice day for Maisie. She's had both of us home of course and loves the extra attention. Almost every time I've sat on the couch to crochet she's right there, begging for me to let her out of her crate. And I only put her there to sleep!

We took Maisie down to see Grover the Mutt today, they love to visit. I added two pictures to the photo album, one of them together and another of her asleep in her crate. She's a handful but we love her anyway.

She was very good last night, sleeping seven hours - or at least not demanding I take her out in that time. I saw no signs of any accident in her crate when I changed out the newspapers today. When I fixed breakfast she played in the kitchen near my feet, begging a few bites of scrambled egg when she smelled it cooking. Into the crate for that though, no begging at the table.

Maisie rules the world

2003-10-17T07:03:00.000-04:00

Maisie has figured out sit now. I still have to struggle at times to get her attention, she's so interested in everything, and I mean everything, but when I do she plops right down. And in case I think that is maybe just a coincidence, she will also sit from a lying down position. You know, like when she's gnawing away on my hand or robe or whatever she can grab and I tell her to sit, up she goes.

Now we are working on the biting and gnawing. Toys are fine, hands and feet are not. She likes to sit on the couch with me and play with her toys and I like that. Part of the reason we got her was to be more of a companion for me. She has to ask to get up and behaves pretty well, though I have to speak to her at times for biting. This Saturday will be the fifth Saturday she's been here. All in all I think we're doing fine, though I've had my moments of uncertainty. I understand that is normal for Beagle owners!

I weighed her for kicks on Tuesday night. She was 10.5 pounds. She has doubled in length since we've gotten her, and her crate no longer looks like a playroom for her. She's getting so big!

Weigh-in

2003-10-13T21:08:00.000-04:00

9/22 - 4.5 pounds
9/29 - 6.5 pounds
10/6 - 7 pounds
10/13 - 9.5 pounds

Five pounds overall in a month! She's beginning to take after me.

She's doing well with the sit command, and tonight I got excited over a bark. I had put her in her crate and noticed she was a little squirmy. I asked her if she wanted to go out and she wiggled a little more. I asked if she wanted to go outside and she barked. Wow! So out I took her and she did her stuff, the perfect trip outdoors and I was very excited. When I put her back in her crate she barked again. Sly little thing thought if I took her out once when she barked, maybe I'd take her out again. Fooled her, she's still in there. :o) She sat on the couch with me for some time this evening while I crocheted, playing with her stuffed lamb and a rawhide chew. She's a very good girl.

Sit!

2003-10-12T21:32:00.000-04:00

One of the two of us is learning to sit. I hope it's Maisie. I know that beagles will do anything for food but I really think that our beagle is exceptional in this area. I don't mean that she is the perfect little dog and does everything we ask her too all of a little bit of kibble. I mean that she will climb over anything in her way, including me, just for the hint of a treat. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beagles said to make sure I have her attention when training. Well good luck Julie! The best way to guarantee that would be to turn myself into a big Milk Bone. I had a hard time getting her attention as she was more interested in whether or not I had anything for her.

She did very well though, I'll give her a 30% success rate on today's session. I'm fairly certain she had the idea but just wasn't sure if I really meant it or not. Plus how to figure out what I meant at all - I think she did very well.

Bath time tonight, finally. No sign of fleas either, I'm really liking that flea shampoo! The ear mite medicine seems to be working, she's not shaking her head as much as she used to thank goodness.

Good Dog/Bad Dog

2003-10-11T09:28:00.000-04:00

She slept 6½ hours last night, a new record. I could hardly believe it. It makes me wonder if she is adapting to our middle of the night bathroom schedules. She does tend to ask to go out when we get up. Rarely does she start complaining if we don't. Last night was an example - I didn't have to get up until 6:00 and then she started mumbling. Then back to sleep until 8:45 (thank you Lord!) and she was a perfect little girl with all the love in the world piled upon her as she rightly deserved.

Until 20 minutes later when she pooped in the computer room.

No warnings, barely a skipped tug on her tether (which she was not attached to because I trusted her) she took two steps and started. I can't even get her to make that decision that quickly outside!!! Luckily I saw her do it and started yelling no, she took off and I chased after her to take her outside. Now she's back in her crate, not complaining because I think she must realize it would do her no good.

Rick and I both have said that we are very much aware of her needs and make sure she goes out every three or four hours at the most (though yes I'm celebrating the later times at night). She hasn't had any opportunity to learn to tell us when she needs to go out herself. She's only been here three weeks so maybe it's too early to hope for such things, but I'm going to do my best to get her to realize that she can tell us when she wants to go too, not just when she is in her house.

Wish us luck.

Maisie the race horse

2003-10-10T21:45:00.000-04:00

Somehow it seems as if I just posted yesterday and here it is Friday night. Maisie is in desperate need of a bath but managed an upset stomach to dodge the issue. It hasn't affected her playtime ability as she's been racing around the living room playing with her ball and stuffed lamb toy. I rush to take her out each time she pays more attention to the floor than I think is necessary.

She slept five hours straight again last night, amazing. I was hoping for a repeat tonight but with her stomach bothering her I doubt I will be so lucky. In fact, I'd best go put the clean towels in the dryer so I can grab one for a quick change in her crate if necessary. No fun trying to do that at 3:30 but of course I will if she needs me to.

She is such a good girl.

Weigh-In

2003-10-06T20:37:00.000-04:00

Not much of a gain this week:

9/22 - 4.5 pounds
9/29 - 6.5 pounds
10/6 - 7 pounds

2.5 pounds total since she's been here. Grow Maisie Grow!

Bark Hoppy

2003-10-06T20:05:00.000-04:00

We should have named her Hoppy. Despite having an affinity for Hopalong Cassidy, we never would have thought how appropriate the name Hoppy would be. Oh well. I took her out when I came home from work and darned if she didn't hop all over the place. She turn around, look at me, hop up and down three or four times, run a few steps, then start hopping all over again. Right now she is trying her best to get a treat from the hole in her Kong toy. Not at all an easy task but she is thoroughly absorbed in trying to get it out.

She barked at me for the first time today. I made her go down the front steps - not that I wouldn't have picked her up if she couldn't do it. Just a simple test. She did it once perfectly, as if this was no big deal. Later this evening she went down one step and then barked at me as if to say "Are you crazy lady!?!" Not nearly as much as she is, but she still managed it just fine with a little encouragement.

ewwwww...

2003-10-04T22:37:00.000-04:00

Maisie has discovered dead worms. Don't ask me why, I guess they must taste good. I spend more time when taking her out digging dead slimy worms out of her mouth than anything else. On the plus side, I THINK she may be beginning to understand the concept of "Maisie go potty!" after 9,427 times of saying the phrase. Either that or there have been some amazing coincidences over the past two days.

Some things of note for today:

~ Maisie slept for six hours last night before waking up. I woke up before she did a few times, but as she wasn't asking I wasn't offering. Finally around 5:30 or so she decided it was time to go out. Dare I hope for a repeat?

~ The collar we bought her the first day she was home is finally "her size" now. Still hooked on the last hole, but now it fits. She didn't like the harness though I did, it is so much easier to grab her with it than the collar. We'll see how it goes, I may switch her back though I think she already needs a bigger harness.

~ She had a bath this evening in the tub for a change. No struggle as in the sink, and I was able to give her a good soaking as the water rose to within an inch of the top of her back. Very few fleas, I'm not brave enough to say they are all gone but I sure can't find any.

~ Started medication for ear mites tonight, hopefully in a few days she won't be suffering so much. We had a heck of a time finding anything to treat them.

~ Got the Idiot's Guide to Beagles book yesterday, and have already started applying a few things. She is getting to be old enough to learn more than her name.

Tired now...

2003-10-03T22:14:00.000-04:00

Maisie is sleeping in her crate, its Friday night and she'll be up earlier in the morning than I care to think about. She's been really good this week other than a few potty accidents indoors, usually because she's playing and very excited. Nothing that I can call deliberate. Still irritating though. She has discovered that it is fun to dig in the dirt and as a result will get more baths than she can stand - if I can ever wake up enough to give them to her.

I should have taken a nap!

peace and quiet - I hope

2003-09-29T22:20:00.000-04:00

Trying to get Maisie in bed-time mode. I've got her relaxed on my lap, watching me type one-handed. She desperately wants to help but I'm telling her no. Poor mistreated puppy dog. I love my robe, it's making the perfect hammock for her to lay in.

I had to loosen her harness about an inch this evening. She weighs 6 pounds today at her weekly weigh-in; last Monday 4½. Growing girl.

Only mildly exhausted

2003-09-29T07:06:00.000-04:00

Maisie did very well with the new location of her cage. She couldn't understand why she could hear us talking and whimpered to be let out until she got the message "NO". She woke up a few times but I only took her out twice, mental mathematics telling me she may think she needs to go out but that it hadn't been long enough in between for her to need to go out. She is learning what 'no' means thank goodness, and gives up easily after hearing it repeated a few times. Thank goodness!

This morning I carried her cage to the living room while I finished getting ready for work. Rick should be up in a few minutes to take over puppy patrol.

All in all, I think she was very good last night! I'm very pleased.

New challenge

2003-09-28T19:53:00.000-04:00

Maisie was such a good girl last night. I could hardly believe it was the same dog as the night before. What a good little beagle we have! Tonight we're going to try moving her cage into our bedroom. I'm not sure how well she will do but we're going to give it a shot. Maybe she will fall back asleep faster knowing we are nearby. I hope!!!

My sweetie (Julie) and her (our) cute little doggie

2003-09-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

You (Julie) are out in the front yard with Maisie as I type this. Just want to say how sweet you are, taking such good care of your little baby doggie. Someone already got "Rick" as their username here, and when I saw that, I said, "I'll be dogged"! So, now I am.
Last night was a good night for Maisie, and accordingly, a good night for us. We all got to sleep! Hopefully, this being a "work night", we'll have another good night's sleep. How much more pleasant it is to have a cute little puppy when we all get a good night's sleep!

Good girl!

2003-09-27T23:42:00.000-04:00

Learning to sleep on cue. This is going to be the first major hurdle. Learning to balance the no's with the good girl's. And she really is a good girl, just very young.

Rick and I played hard with her this evening, trying to wear her out so she would sleep better tonight. We probably let her sleep too much during the day, I'm sure that doesn't help matters any. I need to remember to play more with her and include learning opportunities in each session. She gave us a lesson herself tonight; she started chewing on the remote control holder and we kept telling her no. I don't necessarily want to remove her from a "bad" object, I want her to understand what is unacceptable behavior. Eventually she moved a few inches away from the remotes and Rick was very quick, he softened his voice and told her good girl immediately. With both of us telling her good girl for moving, she didn't go back to the remote holder the rest of the evening. I'm not foolish enough to think she's never going to chew on the remotes again, but I hope I'm smart enough to be consistent in reminding her to stay away from them.

Her favorite place to play each night is under the coffee table - it has a three inch clearance, maybe four inches at best. She grabs her toys and scrambles under there with them, her head knocking against the table each time.

I weighed her tonight. Is it possible that she's gained three pounds in one week? I won't mention how much weight I've gained.

Spoiled already?

2003-09-27T20:57:00.000-04:00

I took her out this afternoon after a quick shopping trip. She was a good girl, did exactly what she was supposed to, plus one other thing. The silly dog rolled over onto her back two times just so I would rub her belly. Nah... she's not spoiled! How in the world did she figure out that one so quickly???

Exhaustion reigns

2003-09-27T12:29:00.000-04:00

My head hurts. Maisie had us both up for a good portion of the night. It was a very bad night. I ended up laying down on the floor next to her crate to get her to stop yelping. She's going to learn the meaning of the word 'no' in about five minutes at this rate. Today of course she is a perfect angel. I want to take a long hot shower, climb back into bed and sleep for a few hours. I doubt I will.

I'm trying my best to figure out when her birthday is. For some reason I have a mental block about it. The lady we bought her from said her nine week birthday was last Monday, 9/22. I'm calling her birthday 7/21 and settling on that date.

Last night she woke up around 3:00, starting yapping and yelping and wouldn't stop even after two trips outside. First Rick and then me, we were both very frustrated. It was 5:30 am before I was able to get back to sleep. Maisie is still very young, but she is going to have to start learning how to cooperate with us. I'm not afraid to get up and take her out, she's going to learn the meaning of 'no' if it takes me all night tonight. We'll see who falls asleep first.

2003-09-26T21:35:00.000-04:00

I want to have a place to record all the little things that Maisie learns as she grows up. Not sure how to set this up but I am going to give it a shot. We've had her for just under a week now and we're all still learning how to live with each other.