From Crooked Creek to Cool Creek

Fun Facts - I have learned that it's pretty hard to take pictures of a black dog inside the house, so a majority of Varick's pictures are outside.  However, he does live in the house, of course.  Lot's of people ask us "do they all live in the house?!" when they see our dogs.  It always seems like a weird question to us, where ELSE would they be?

The best present I got this Christmas was my DROPCAM.  It's a wi-fi camera that I can view anywhere, anytime via my iPhone.  It is SO awesome for checking up on the puppy/dogs.  It will "alert" me anytime motion is detected.  Most of the time, it's one of the dogs ROLLING OVER, because they are lazy BUMS when we are not home.   Here are a few hilarious screen shots I caught of Varick in his crate.

You can see he's pretty comfortable in there.

And a note to Varick's breeder, Karen Belcher of Crooked Creek - we do have the "toe traps" under the doors blocked :)

Varick's had a couple of adventures this month.  First, he outgrew his "gold" puppy collar and graduated to a nice light leather collar from Ella's Lead .  It's their "tag collar" in 1/2 inch.

I think he looks handsome!

And best of all, we FINALLY got a break in the cold, rainy weather to visit the park that is literally across the street from us.  It features a free-flowing artisian well, where many locals come to fill up their water jugs, and also Cool Creek winds it's way through.  There are 17 acres of trails and the creek runs along them.  Varick has CREEK water in his blood, coming from the beautiful Crooked Creek Ranch.  He got his first taste of flowing water EARLY, and he STILL loves it.  We hope he will be our future dock-diving star. 

He had a ton of fun going over there, and played in the creek with Samantha.  It was hard to get the two of them to go home!

Not sure what is going on in this photo, but that is not a black bear cub with her!  Sure looks like it though.

 The first time we went, I used a leash.  We quickly changed that to a harness and a flexi-lead.

And a little digging for treasure!

The park had severe flooding about 2 weeks ago.  Our street was flooded as well, first time that has ever happened!  It's been WAY too rainy this spring.  There is a LOT of debris along the creek right now.

Photo taken of our TV News that morning.  You can just barely see the top of the bridge railing!
♦

The bridge!

Video of his first visit to Cool Creek

Another quick video of him splashing

 

His first Water Retrieve!

 and his second

And lastly - sleepy, sandy puppy!

Next month, hopefully the weather will be even better and I can catch some pics of ALL the dogs!

 

Not another Puppy Post?!

  So Varick has been with us for almost three weeks now!  He has grown so much in such a short time.  He has his "big boy" ears as of yesterday.  Wow time flies when you are having fun, and chasing after a puppy on the go.  "Constant Vigilance!" is the name of the game.  

I can honestly say that in my opinion, a puppy is more work than a newborn baby!  Babies don't arrive home with four legs, and a spunky attitude :)

Actually Varick has been a wonderful puppy and he is firmly a part of our family now.  Can't imagine our days without him.  I do love this puppy!

He is doing fabulous with his little introduction to obedience.  Lots of treats and encouragement while he figures out what I want him to do.  It's practically his favorite part of day.  

He has been to the vet for his shots and then went back last week for his microchip.  Didn't even make a peep for the chip!

He visited with my Mom's 10 month old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel today.  After their initial meeting, they became wrestle buddies.  Look out Bella, Varick is only 11 weeks old, and growing!!

The other dogs are getting along well with him also, although they do seem to view him as the bratty little brother.

And lastly, his 11 week old picture, and yes, both Samantha and Varick have their eyes closed!

 

Puppy Breath!

Even though you wouldn't know it by the weather, Spring has arrived!  And our hopes for a Spring puppy have come true.  Tuesday, the 25th we welcomed Venom of Crooked Creek home.  He is an all black German Shepherd. We are calling him Varick, which is a boys name of German descent that means honorable defender.  

He has been a wonderful puppy. His temperament is just perfect, confident, but thoughtful, ready to play when we are, and ready to settle down and relax when we do. Puppies are a lot of work, but it's so rewarding to open your heart to a new family member.  It's been VERY cold since he has been home, but today the sun came out at least.  It was still in the 40's but we enjoyed it anyway. 

Samantha age 4 1/2, Varick age 8 weeks 

This will be the first in a series, Varick will grow like a weed, and then we will watch Samantha grow.

Kids in the Sandbox

Watching his little girl swing

Running after the Jolly Ball

Sneaking in to steal Bayden's ball

Looking up to Jamie

Having a grand ol time with Shine

And a few actions shots I got of Jamie that I couldn't resist posting.

WHAT A GREAT DAY :)

Starting a whole new adventure!

A few dates to mark in February

Bayden's Birthday.  

She turned 7 on February 6.  

Hard to believe it's been 7 years since I've had a puppy in the house. 

 She would not put her ears up for me, she looks so serious with her ears back!

 

 February 12th would have been my two year anniversary of getting Rex.  

I called it his "Gotcha Day". 

Here we are goofing around on his one year Gotcha Day.

   

And I can't leave out my other two, 

although no milestones to mark this month for them.