Debra,
Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours - thank you for bringing us so much joy! Dexter is doing wonderfully this morning. He has eaten, peed and pooped normally. And of course, he's had lots of love and play. It's so obvious he's well-socialized and just has a great disposition. He's beautiful and everything we wanted!
Stella's wearing a sweater as an alternative to an E-collar. She had a couple of lumps removed (non-cancerous thank goodness!) and wants to get into those stitches! We don't normally keep them "dressed," but it's been a bit chilly here, so my mom and I are going to brave the chaos at Wal-Mart and pick one up for Dexter too.
Attached are some pictures from last night and one from this morning!
Cortney
Debra,
He definitely has no lasting effects from the long crate ride. He's a normal happy puppy and yes, we did learn about the "love-bite kisses" he gives. He's just so excited and we'll work with him. I find usually letting out a "yelp" helps them learn that it hurts. He is just so sweet and follows us everywhere. My mom bought him a little fleece sweater this morning and he just loves it. Stella and Dexter are already family. They're very sleepy from all the playing.
I will keep you posted with how he's doing!
Cortney
Debra,
All is soooo well!!! Dexter went to his "well puppy" visit yesterday and the vet told us he is just perfect. Beautiful head shape, markings, wonderful disposition and personality. Vet was happy to hear we were not going to ask him to crop Dexter's ears. The vet wanted to de-worm him just to be sure. He's eating normally - I realized I didn't ask how often you were feeding. We're feeding him 3 times per day for now - you can tell when he's hungry because he paws at your face and starts to nip a bit. We gave him a bully stick today and he thinks that's the best thing ever! He's peeing and pooping normally - no mucus or diarrhea. Dexter is getting good at "sit." We haven't done a lot of work with him just yet, but make him sit for a treat after a successful "potty outside." He gets so excited for treats. Brandon and Dexter are nearly inseparable - Dexter follows him everywhere and they love to nap together. Stella loves him too and they are getting along great. Crate trainng is an adventure as always - he played really hard tonight and Brandon and I are keeping our fingers crossed for more than a few hours of straight sleep tonight!!! :)
Big loves and hugs to Galaxy - I'm sure she misses her brothers and sisters!
Cortney
Update 11/29/09
Update 11/27/09
Update 11/26/09
Update 12/5/09
Hi Debra,
Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that Dexter is doing great! He enjoyed snow for the first time - Stella is very accustomed as she "grew up" in Minnesota and enjoys licking it and playing with it. I'm guessing as Dexter puts some meat on his bones, he'll have a lot more fun. For now, he likes it for a short while but is then ready to go back inside and be cuddled.
Dexter had his shots this week and did very well. Both of his testicles have dropped, so we're thinking we'll get him neutered around January-time. He weighs 14.6 lbs and the vet is very happy with his progress. He had a bath and manicure today - followed by lots of snuggles and love. Crate training is going well. His crate is definitely a safe-haven and he goes in and out all day even when we are home. He's a big fan of bully sticks and we put it with him at night so he has something to chew. Potty training is well, potty-training. Thank goodness for tile floors and vinegar.
Well, I'll sign off for now. Take care and have a great weekend!
Cortney & Brandon
Dexter sleeping with big sister Stella
Dexter with big sister Stella & their Beautiful Christmas Tree!
Stella in the snow
(If Dexter is out there to I don't see him)
Update 12/12/09
Good morning Debra!
Sorry it took so long to get back to you - I've been pretty sick all week. I had to get a lot of vaccinations for my upcoming deployment. First things first, we will certainly wait to neuter Dexter! Brandon and I just did not realize we were supposed to wait 1 year. Neutering isn't a subject either of us knew much about and it sounds like there are all sorts of benefits to waiting, so of course we want what's best for Dexter. Brandon jokes that will be his 1st birthday present - poor baby!
Dexter continues to grow. I'm not sure how much he weighs now, but I had to buy him a bigger sweater because he's just about outgrown the one he's been wearing. After I read your e-mail, I gave Dexter some baby carrots and he just loves them! He eats everything but the core. It's pretty funny. He also is loving apples, cottage cheese, yogurt, beef tripe, brussel sprouts and scrambled eggs. I've been mixing a bit of each in his meals this week. I've also started to give him little "raw snacks." He's gotten some rabbit, water buffalo and beef ribs so far. He is very jealous of Stella's meals and I have to hold him back because Stella is too nice to "warn him" to stay out of her bowl - she just shares. Ha ha.
I have to share this cute story - Dexter thought he found Galaxy the other day - he was in my room looking in my full-length mirror and his little ears perked up and he started digging on the mirror and running around the back of the mirror looking for her. It was really cute, but I felt so bad for him. He and Stella are the best of buddies, but I know he misses his brothers and sisters! His little personality continues to grow. He's very sweet, loves to give kisses and looks for a warm body to cuddle with as he falls asleep.
Crate training is going well. I come home and let Dexter out at lunch so he and Stella run around for about an hour in the backyard before I have to go back to work. Then of course they wear each other out every night. I do put him in his kennel right at bed time so he knows it's time to sleep, but let him out after he settles down. I don't want him to spend too much time in there. I have the next kennel size up (from when Stella was little) and I think we're about ready to switch over. He's never pottied in his kennel at all, so I think he's ready for the bigger space. Potty training is still potty training. It's work, but I know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. And he's getting a lot better!! Half of the battle is all of the water he drinks - Stella and he play so much that they both drain the water bowl at least 4 times per day, which is great! And of course whatever Stella does, Dexter does. So when Stella gets a drink of water, Dexter's suddenly thirsty.
Well, I'll sign off for now. Have a wonderful weekend! I attached a picture of Dexter eating a brussel sprout last night.
Cortney
Update 12/24/09
Good morning and Merry Christmas Eve!
Just wanted to send a few pictures and let you know Dexter is doing very well! He had a round of shots yesterday and did very well. He weighs a little over 20 lbs now - growing so fast. Everyone who sees him just falls in love with his little personality. They also compliment his coloring - he's such a beautiful dog. He thinks he's the same size as Stella and it's so fun to watch them play. He still hates having his manicures, but over time he'll get used to it. Potty and crate training are going well.
Dexter's on day 2 of raw feeding - we're giving him pre-made raw (Primal brand). He's doing very well on it. We also gave him a pork neck bone this morning - I attached a picture of him eating it. He absolutely loved it and it kept his little puppy teeth and jaws busy for an hour. What a nice break! We're also watching another boxer over the holidays for a friend (3 y/o female) and they are all having a blast playing together. Dexter is socializing very well with other dogs. We took all three dogs for a long walk this morning (Brandon and I took turns carrying Dexter :) - didn't want to overexert him) and they're all sound asleep now.
Well, I'm off to make some lunch while the boxers are all quiet - these moments don't last long. Take care and have a Merry Christmas!
Cortney & Brandon
Update 1/8/2010
WAHOOOO - I feel like it's Christmas all over again with all the womderful updates and pictures I have received this past week.
Debra,
Congratulations to you and Galaxy! I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I leave next weekend for training and then Iraq for 7 months. Just trying to tie up all the loose ends here. I am so glad Galaxy is enjoying show - and that she's doing so well. I bet it's been so rewarding for you especially since just a few short weeks ago, we were both dealing with the basics of potty training! Dexter is potty training well. Accident-free for at least a week now. He can sit, lay down and stay now. Most importantly, he understands the command, "off." :) Very important for young boxers. He's a full-timer on the raw diet now and is growing so much. I don't have a scale, so I'm not sure how much he weighs, but he seems to have grown like a weed over the last couple of weeks! He's showing so much more personality lately - he goes crazy running circles around the house and the back yard. He is so tough and thinks he's the same size as Stella. She's had to warn him a few times when he jumps all over her (especially when she's tired), but she's been very patient. I'm very proud of her.
The dogs have been with me at my house in Clovis the past couple of weeks. We haven't wanted to split them up and of course I told Brandon he couldn't take Stella back with him to our house Alamogordo, so I've been lucky to have them both. I have to admit I have not been good about massaging Dexter's ears, but Brandon is very diligent so he will make sure that happens while I'm deployed. I'm already dreading leaving my babies. I sure will miss them - they are such a treasure and a joy. I've attached some pictures of them from this weekend.
Take care and thank you so much for adding Dexter to our family!
Cortney
