Happy New Year!

We haven't been updating the blog for awhile as we have been enjoying family time for the holidays. Family being our people and dogs. The siblings have fully integrated into our "pack" and it is obvious to anyone that these two are here to stay. Edward remains a worry wart, springing up an alerting at the slightest sound. He has also become a big softy by being so affectionate. He is attached to Dad's hip at all times.

Miss Isabella is one of the sweetest dogs we have lived with. She has really come into her own, and has become completely independent from Eddie. She still submits to any male, but is so affectionate that she can even win over her stoic brother.

Willie remains his lovable self. He is the ever happy, clown of the house. Both siblings have accepted him, and it is not uncommon for all three of them to be curled up on the couch together.

We are so grateful to be blessed with our dogs, and we look forward to a new year of being with them.

A Fantastic Family Holiday

Well Isabella and Edward spent their first Thanksgiving with their humble humans. The King and Princess spent the day being shooed out of Mom's kitchen while she cooked, but did manage to get a little turkey that "accidentally" fell while Dad was carving the bird.

The rest of the day was spent playing fetch with Wille acting as the runner for the rope toy. Dad throws the toy, Willie bolts for it with Bella and Eddie close behind. Then Willie has to battle his way back to Dad while Bella and Edward try to steal the toy. This goes on for hours if you will keep throwing the toy, only to be interrupted for the occasional water break and a quick stop for Edward to mark the playing field.

We ended Thanksgiving with three pooped dogs curled up on the couch snoozing while the People watched football. A great day for dogs and people!

Overdue Update!

Well, we haven't checked in for awhile, so we thought it was passed due. Sorry, but we have been spending all of our time playing with dogs!

All is well in the Kingdom! We have had great progress, and some minor setbacks. Overall things are going better than anyone could have dreamed. All three dogs have settled into their roles thanks to Mom's patient ambassador skills. Willie and Edward have decided to live in peace, and can now be left to play unsupervised. Bella loves to run and play no matter who will join her.

Edward has become a real clown. Like the character Marmaduke, he just doesn't know how big he is, and that has resulted in some comical situations. Has night I awoke to bumps in the night, only to discover that Edward had managed to squeeze his entire 60 pound frame under the bed to create his own "den". He also sits in your lap like he thinks he is a Pomeranian, all the time crushing the poor human that he has designated his huggie buddy.

Bella is a sweet and loving dog that likes to sleep at the foot of the bed. So you can imagine our suprise when she had to be muzzled during her latest trip to the vet! Seems that Bella, like Edward has a life long problem with itchy skin eruptions that get scratched into sores. So the vet was trying to get a scraping to check for bacteria, and Princess Bella went primal on him, hair raised and all. Thanks to Mom and a patent doctor, all is well, and the itchy patches are healing.

A Wonderful Week for Edward and Bella

Things continue to get better and better for Eddie and Bella! Edward took his first trip to a new doctor this week, and he was none to happy about the stranger poking on him. However, the results are amazing! All of Edwards's itchy spots are gone, and have healed completely! As a result he has stopped his chewing and scratching, and has taken up shredding giant rawhide bones for a chew hobby. He is laying next to me now with one, while Bella sleeps on the love seat (her favorite comfy spot).

Bella has done a complete turn around from the nervous little shy girl that she once was. She has given up her nervous pacing in favor of curling up on any available lap. She has also become quite an independent missy. Whereas she use to look to Edward for direction and "pack guidance", she is now happy setting off on her own adventures, and occasionally finds her big brother a bit of an oaf. She has become a sweet little cuddle dog that loves to play with Willie, or just lay quietly and doze while mom makes dinner.

One thing is for sure. These pups are not starving! We special ordered a 25 pound bag of their favorite food, and that won't last too long. Edward has a voracious appetite, and has gained a lot of weight and muscle. Bella is a more dainty eater, but can polish off a bowl as well!

A few words about living with Carolina Dogs, for which if there was any doubt about their breed, let me assure you they have made the truth evident. As par for the breed, our yard is now covered in "snout pits". Both dogs love to dig these small holes, and even chew on the dirt. The pack mentality is so strong around here, that we even have to get biscuits and go in and out of a door in the correct "pack order". More on this as the weeks progress.

Another Great Friday to Report!

After a long week in travel, Dad came home to a wonderful reception. We were worried that after a week away, we might have lost some progress with socializing Dad as one of the pack. The contrary was true, as soon as Dad came in, both dogs bounded across the yard and greeted him with tons of kisses like a long lost friend! A very good feeling for sure.

Bella and Willie are fast becoming buddies. They have made peace, and enjoy spending time running and playing chase for hours on end. Bella has the energy of a puppy, and it is good to see her interacting socially with another dog. Edward is another story. Because Willie is a competing male, Edward has decided that there is no way he is going to play second fiddle. He is tolerant to a point, but as Willie is a fearless Scottie, he refuses to show proper submission. Sue is working as the doggie ambassador.

Edward is now eating like a horse! He eats four times a day, and is finally gaining weight. Bella on the other hand has become the Biscuit Queen. She curls up for hugs, begs, or any other method to get Dad to give her a treat. Both dogs have began taking naps on the bed with Mom and Dad. Bella curls up nicely in a little ball, but the pony-sized Edward has a little more trouble finding enough real estate to meet his royal needs.

Mom is taking the pack for vet checks this weekend, so they can meet and learn to trust a new doctor and vet crew. We got a good referral from a pet clinic in Pasadena, so we will see how the doggies like it.

End of the Week Update

What a wonderful end to the week! Nothing but happy news. Bella and Edward are coming out of their shells, and are developing their own independent personalities. Bella has calmed down so much, that she is currently snoozing on the couch next to us. A big change from the little girl that wouldn't come out of her crate for anyone! She is also exerting her independence from Edward. Where she use to follow him like a shadow, she is more than happy to let him chase squirrels while she lounges on the patio.

Edward's health has improved remarkably. His stress seems to have been relieved  by Sue's constant love, plenty of exercise and chew bones. Combining this with the hypoallergenic diet, and his hot spots have all but healed, and hair is starting to growing back.

Now for the big news. Sue has taught both dogs to sit, and Edward to shake a paw on command! We are not sure if the folks at Riverview already taught this to them, because they learned it in ten minutes!

New pictures are posted in "The Kingdom" for your pleasure. Happy Weekend!

Welcome to the Adventure!

First post! Thanks for stopping by. Please check back often to see how young Edward and Bella are progressing at their new home.

So far, the siblings are doing far better than anyone expected! The two have bonded with Suzanne, and they adore her. She dotes on them and they respond with love and kisses. Sue has put in a lot of time getting them use to their surroundings. Everything is new to them! They are amazed at sounds like the dishwasher, the bells from the church across the street, and the soft music Sue plays for them. Every sight is new too! They look in wonder at airplanes, and cock their heads at the television. Bella barked at her reflection in the full size mirror until she figured out the dog on the other side was fun to play with!

Both dogs are making strides in their health. Both had calmed down to the point of napping in Sue's lap, and it has helped with their anxiety. Edward has for the most part stopped chewing on his itchy spots, and they are healing nicely. Bella has stopped her nervous pacing, and actually has learned to slow down a sniff the roses (literally).

We will try and update any new info and pictures often, so please check back for updates