Happy 3rd Birthday, Cheyenne!

Today my little wee Labrador Retriever celebrates her 3rd birthday! It is amazing to realize that 3 years ago today her little life was being brought into this world. Only 8 weeks later would I meet her for the first time - a tiny little 10lb puppy with floppy ears that were too big for her head and sassy spirit to let everyone know that she was full of spunk.

It was her spunk that paired her with our family. At the time Dakota was still a little wired and our breeder didn't want to bring too docile or timid of a pup into our home. Funny how Cheyenne came home and Dakota calmed down instantly. Now we have our energizer bunny Cheyenne and a big mush named Dakota.

But life wouldn't be the same without our Lab bundle of joy and energy. Cheyenne is my shadow and has a huge place in my heart. We are two peas from the same pod and she is my love bug. Sure, she loves to play and is a true retriever at heart but all she wants is love and affection; that is what truly makes her happy and one look at her face and all humans are eager to please.

So, Happy Birthday to my beloved canine companion and furry baby, Cheyenne. Here's to many, many, many more years of health and happiness by our side!

Bring in the Ducky!

I am such a happy Labbie! Mommy went out into the extreme cold yesterday and gots me my barkday pressie! Of course, she couldnt leave little Sis out so Cheyenne gots a pressie of her own. Then she had the Lab gaul to steal my ducky from me. Wanna see? Take a look at the video evidence mommy gots on the camera thingy below!

Thanks mommy for the ducky! I am definitely one loved Lab!

Lab smiles,
Dakota

Missing Birthday Present

Bad, bad, mommy! My barkday came and went and all I gots is a "Happy Birthday" with a few belly rubs. You believe that daddy forgot to wish me a happy birthday until he got home late that night? I mean, what is a Labbie to do??

Sure, mommy said that it has been too cold to run out and get a present but I am worth it, aint I? What's the big deal with all this talk about the cold anyway? Sis and I dont see a problem. Actually it is refreshing to walk out into the brisk cold and have the breeze hit your "nether regions" and all. I think mommy is just a whimp because she dont have pretty coats like me and Sis.

She says not to worry. She says she will go out later today just to get my barkday present. All I can say is its about time and she better not come home without one of those stuffed ducks! I love me those stuffed ducks! Mine, mine, mine! None for bratty Sis! Now that be a barkday!

Lab smiles,
Dakota

Happy 3rd Birthday, Dakota!

Yes! Today is our Dakota's 3rd birthday. Just 3 years ago a small chocolate Lab pup named "Peaches" was born to two beautiful Labrador Retrievers. So small and so innocent.

Our breeds paired us up with Dakota after we filled out a family survey. At 7 weeks old, "Peaches" was assessed by the breeder and it seemed that our family was a sure fit to be the perfect home for this particular pup. Our breeder must have had angels whispering in her ear because she paired us up perfectly. "Peaches" fits this family like a glove.

At 8 weeks old, we drove 4 hours south to pick up our precious pup. She was adorable! She was a spitting image of her father; the Lab my husband fell in love with after seeing only a picture online. Even though she was small, you could tell by the size of her paws that she was going to be one big girl. That day we named her Dakota and welcomed her into our family.

I can't help but laugh because we always heard "get a load of this size of this pup's paws" while she was young and even today people still think she has some growing to do. Sure, she may be 3 years old but she is just an 82lb mushy puppy that sometimes thinks she is more human then dog. Alas, that is my husband's fault - or at least I would like to think it is his fault. *innocent smile*

So, tonight we celebrate Dakota's birthday and you all seem to think a new toy and trip to the dog park are the perfect way to celebrate. Alas, we are in the Midwest and have more snow, icy roads, and freezing temperatures today so the dog park will have to wait a bit more. Not to worry though - this Lab mommy will venture out into the cold tonight to get Dakota's birthday present. Want to know what it will be? Check back on Wednesday to see! *wink*

Here Comes Dakota's Birthday!

Next Monday, February 18th, our mushy Dakota will turn 3 years old! It seems like only yesterday that we brought her home at 8 weeks old and a small 10lbs. Today she is slightly over 80lbs and the biggest mushy human lover you can imagine.

So, it is once again time to poll our cyber Lab family. What do you think we should get Dakota for her 3rd birthday?

Don't be shy - the poll is multiple choice so choose as many or as little present as you think Dakota should receive. Of course, we took out the choice of "Other" this year because you people always think we should get another Lab puppy as a present for the Lab Brats. Are you nuts? Have you not read our blog and realize what life is like with just the two? *laugh*

Dog Style Birthday!

As you already know, this weekend was Cheyenne's 2nd birthday and boy did we celebrate!

Saturday we spent an hour or so at the dog park, where Cheyenne and Dakota had a blast running all over the place and playing with their doggy friends. Normally Dakota doesn't run a lot (without being thrown a ball) but she was all over the park; running alongside her sister and playing like you wouldn't believe.



Cheyenne and her new birthday present.

Then it was onto the pet store to pick up Cheyenne's new toy. Because the Lab Brats chew through everything, we had no idea what to get her. So, we opted to buy her a replacement to her squeaky-broken football that was able to last 6 months before being killed. She was in heaven and it was as though we had gotten her the best gift in the world. It squeaks! It squeaks! And it squeaks some more! (laugh)



Dakota with her new "pacifier".

Dakota ended up getting a replacement Cuz because she likes to chew the squeaker out of her toys too. She is so silly because she walks around with the ball part sticking out of her mouth like she is sucking on a pacifier!

Then Sunday was a day filled with treats. After a morning of dog training in the cold rain, we stopped by the local butcher for some dog bones. Yep! Raw cow leg bones that are fresh and still have the meat and marrow on/in them! The Lab Brats just couldn't wait to get home!



Cheyenne enjoying her birthday treat.

It took over 3 hours of chewing on the bones before either dog got bored or their mouth got sore (not sure since they refuse to tell us). It cost us $6 for the two bones and not only was it a very healthy birthday present but it is the only thing our Labrador Retrievers can't chew through. Well worth the money to make the girls happy on Cheyenne's happiest of birthdays so far. Here's looking forward to her next 50 birthdays! *wink*



Dakota with her own treat.

Happy Birthday Cheyenne!!

I cant believe it was 1 year ago today that our baby pup Cheyenne was born! Dakota was 9 months old when her baby sister was brought into the world and for the last 10 months she has been a wonderful part of this family.

Let's see, in her first year she had:

• 4 months of housebreaking


• 1 instance of coccidia


• 3 bouts of kennel cough


• 9 months of training not to mouth/bite


• 4 dog beds which she has tone apart (2 were Dakota's)


• 1 near death experience when she ate something glass-like and had to have major surgery


• 1 spaying


• 1 diagnosis of OCD (elbow displacement which was a misdiagnosis)

That is all my mind can recollect at this moment.

Needless to say, she has still been a wonderful part of this family and I wouldnt trade my little "sassy" girl for the world! In celebration of her birthday, she and her sister will get some giant cow bones from the butcher tomorrow and best of all, Cheyenne will start her first formal obedience training tomorrow!! Wow! That latter part makes me feel like it is my birthday!

Happy Birthday, Cheyenne! You are a gem! Here's to many, many more years!

Happy Birthday Dakota!

I couldn't let the day go by without wishing my big baby, Dakota, a very happy birthday! We have had her since she was a 8-week old puppy and now she is an 83 lbs., almost full-grown, chocolate Labrador retriever - dare I say it? - adult! Yep - she is a 1-year old as of today and we are amazed at how much she has grown but still wonder how many years of puppy energy she will have left. Sure, it was cute when she was 8-weeks old - bouncing off the walls and such. But now, having an 83 lbs. lab with all of that energy is cause for bruised knees and some broken furniture. She has no idea how big she is and still runs into me full force as if I am a sheet of paper blowing in the wind.

And to think, Cheyenne is now 27 lbs. and 15 weeks old! Better get some ice for my knees cause there will be two 80+ lbs. Bruisers running around our house in no time flat! Maybe we can keep bribing them with treats like we bought today - doggie apple birthday cake, doggie brownie (huge), and some all natural doggie cookies. Hmm, now that I think about it - that may have them running at me more! :)

Happy 1st Birthday to our big sweetie! Life just wouldn't be the same without you!

My Birthday

Today was supposed to be an easy day for me - Dakota was to go to doggie daycare and I was supposed to have the day to do start Cheyenne's one-on-one training. Since it is my birthday, I have the day off so why not have an easy day? (laugh) Well, it didn't turn out that way. No room at doggie daycare today (since it is not her normal day) turned my easy day into a hectic day. Cheyenne looks to Dakota to learn the ropes and Dakota wants my attention when I give Cheyenne any attention. (laugh) Try having a 80+ lbs. Lab decide that she want to be a lap dog all over again. When you are only 5'5" tall and 130 lbs, an 80 lbs pup sitting on you is not that comfortable! I like to breathe thank-you-very-much! (smile)

So, it seems that some changes need to be made in order to accommodate two energetic labs. That is where the crate training comes in. Cheyenne is still learning crate training and cries a little after going on. Of course, we have her go in the crate on her own. To do this, we simply take a small training treat, lead her to the crate by her nose (smelling the treat), and then say "kennel up" over and over again as she gets into the crate. When she is fully in, we give her the treat, she sits while eating it, and we close the door. This worked wonderfully with Dakota when she was younger and now all we have to do is take off her collar and tell her kennel up - she heads straight to her crate in the back bedroom and lays down in it. Since Cheyenne is still potty training, the collar only stays on while we are home so we can get her outside quicker. Never leave a collar on any pup in a crate when leaving the pup - the collar or tags can get hung up on the crate and literally hang the pup.

By switching them in and out of the crates, I can spend one-on-one time with each. They will also have time to play together but only on my terms. It is easy to think of them as babies but they are dogs - even seasoned pet owners need to remind themselves of this frequently. By keeping things on my terms - even if they don't like it - I will be able to accomplish what I need to do today - without the stress - and without losing my alpha role in the pack.