Adventures of Duncan the Hound Dog

I have to share the latest Duncan story (and yes, I will try not to be one of those annoying people who do nothing but talk about their puppy).

First, let me begin by saying we have been having a hard time keeping Duncan from eating the grass. He has been chowing down on the grass like we have not been feeding him real puppy food. I've heard from several sources this indicates an upset stomach, but I think with everything we've been trying it is simply a legitimate like for the feel of the grass in his mouth.

The other night Jeff awoke to the sound of Duncan puking. Yes, puking. Grass makes you puke. He quickly woke me up to tag team the cleaning/removal of Duncan from the puke (which he was at this point standing/rolling in). Jeff released him and I began attempting to get him to down the 2 flights of stairs to the safety of outside. He ran from me, trailing puke down the hall. By the time he got outside, there was a definite trail leading to the backdoor in a zigzag pattern of puke on the floor.

I went outside with Duncan to console him and clean him off as best I could while Jeff took care of the mess inside. The door closed and locked behind me. Welcome to 4 am at 40 degrees in our new backyard. Without a sweater or jacket. In my pajamas.

Jeff finished cleaning before letting us back inside. Apparently the cleaning supplies were not enough to get rid of the stench, so Jeff used the next best thing: FeBreeze. Now, I like FeBreeze as much as the next person, but the potency of this stuff left us coughing (seriously, he must have poured it on instead of using the spray nozzle).

I opened some windows to make sure we did not die of chemical inhalation when trying to go back to sleep. Of course, with it being 4 in the morning and 40 degrees outside, it was a bit chilly. Never fear, though, because we have blankets... somewhere... somewhere in the midst of boxes surrounding us (because we just moved and have not unpacked everything yet), there were blankets. I was sure of it.

... But as it was 4 in the morning, Jeff and I spent the remaining time fighting for the comfort of the sheets and thin blanket covering us.

We spent the next day going over the backyard with a fine-tooth comb (again) to rid as much as we could that may be a danger to Duncan. I was convinced everything that could pose a problem was removed, so imagine my surprise when we were outside playing and he came up to me with several large paint chips in his mouth. Who knows where they could have come from, but I am guessing we still have our work cut out for us.

Hope all is well with you and yours and that this post makes you smile a little. :)

Posting from the New House

Ok, so here it is: the first post from the new house. We moved Saturday. It was the smoothest move I have ever been involved in. Our friends began showing up around 8, and by 12 the trucks were loaded up and we were arriving in front of the new house. Another 4 hours later, Jeff was returning the rental truck and we were surrounded by boxes. Later that night, our living room was set up (including all of Jeff's fun electronics), and we fell asleep on the couch, exhausted.

Overwhelmed, I think, is a good word. There's definitely more boxes than I ever could have imagined, more freedom than we've had in a long time (seriously, we didn't even turn down the tv last night when the clock turned 10), and Duncan has a backyard with which to run, jump, and play without feeling crowded. Life is good. :)

In addition, I was forturnate enough to have friends gather in my honor yesterday to celebrate Jeff and I's upcoming marriage. It is truly wonderful to know we are supported and loved. What a wonderful weekend!!! Now I think I'm going to put on my sweats (it IS a little chilly here) and go play with Duncan in that backyard. :)

Today we carved out a slice of the world for ourselves

An approximately 11,800 sq. ft. slice of the world (give or take 200 sq. ft.). That's right. In the great tradition of American citizens, we purchased a house.

It is located off of Johnson Drive, in western Shawnee, KS, between Monticello and Lakecrest. Our beautiful new home (aged appropriately to fifteen years) is a spacious (approx 1600 sq. ft.), atrium split (the layout is like an unshuffled deck of cards). Big selling points for Jeff include a three car garage (the third car garage is a tandem for future...stuff), a modest kitchen and a backyard with a fence, wooden deck and a concrete patio. Yes folks, Jeff can finally grill again after three plus years of apartment living. Selling points for Heather include and are not limited to the fact that it is NOT an apartment, it is OUR place and the puppy can be as LOUD as he needs to be (yay for crate training!).

The house came with all appliances except the washer and dryer. Thankfully, the "Neb" has our backs there with crazy financing deals.

We are almost all packed and our move in date in the new house is 9/25. We will be painting three of the rooms before we move in so that the spaces will suite our tastes in wall colors (Jeff requires boring Johnson County beige). Also, a Jones brand delousing will be necessary as well. We will learn how to mow a yard again and the other copious joys of home rearing.

Stay tuned. It will undoubtedly be a fun move!

Home at Last

Hi, my name is Duncan. I am an 8 week old Lab. Well, I think I am a Lab. My doggy-mom was a Lab, and my doggy-dad was a Lab... I'm not sure what that makes me, but I think I heard someone say I was a Lab...

I came to live with my Mommy and Daddy today! They started coming to see me about 6 weeks ago. They came at least once a week to play for a few hours... sometimes they only sat and petted me while I slept, but they came every single week. Mommy heard about me through someone she works with, who goes to a jazzer-cise class with the nice lady who helped rescue my doggy-mom.

My doggy-mom, Bella, wandered into a shelter the day before I was born. Can you believe they were hurrying up to euthanize her before she delivered so that me and my brothers and sisters (all 10 of us) would die so they didn't have to take care of us?? But then some people came in and took out all of the animals that they thought could be adopted, but were about to be euthanized, and put them in foster homes until they could all be adopted. It was very lucky for my doggy-mom and brothers and sisters and me that they came. I was born the very next day! My would be death-date turned into my birthday! I'm told that day is also extra special to my Mommy and Daddy because they celebrated their 3 year anniversary on the day I was born!

So far I've spent a lot of time sleeping, sleeping, and sleeping. In fact, Grandma Jaye just called to see how I was doing (I went to visit her a little while ago and peed all over her rug... to be fair, it WAS green and looks a bit like astro-turf). While Grandma Jaye was on the phone I fell asleep TWICE! My Mommy thinks it's really funny. I don't sleep for long, though. I have also been trying to figure out how to get around the doggy-blocks they put in the living room to keep me here. They are getting ready to move and don't want me getting into any of the stuff they may have accidently left out (but I understand they've spent the last week puppy-fying their apartment getting ready for me). Overall, I'm very excited to finally be home, and I really like playing with my Daddy. Well, at least when I'm not sleeping. :)

Duncan Jones