we got a new pet!

okay... i vowed NEVER to get a dog... and then i met annabella. i melted on the spot and fell deeply in love immediately!

dave and i discussed it on the way home and i called a friend to assist with making the decision (since i didn't want to do the wrong thing and my head was spinning cause i was so excited)... so when we came home we knew we were going to bring her home... well we sat the kids down and told them... our son was jumping up and down with GREAT excitement and our daughter (8) she burst into tears... immediately... and looked at me and said, "they are tears of joy mom, they are!"

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that confirmed it for me even more... i know the kids have wanted a dog soooooo bad but the look on their faces said it all for me.

we all got into the car and went to pick up our new pup!

so... here's our new little addition. she's a bernese mountain dog cross with malamute. 8 weeks old.

oh and her name... annabella jasmine tou tou ;)

http://www.timelessspirit.com/images/dog/annabella.jpg

http://www.timelessspirit.com/images/dog/anna.jpg

and her first ride in the wheelbarrow!

http://www.timelessspirit.com/images/dog/weee.jpg

Awwww Aleesha she is ADORABLE! Gotta love that puppy smell. :) I'm sure she will bring years of love, happiness, and smiles to you and your family!

awwwww cute pupppy!!!! congrats!!!!!

Oh Aleesha she's gorgeous and what a lovely mix of two great breeds. When she's a bit bigger you should get her a proper pulling harness (one made specifically for working dogs - a racing harness is for light, fast work, a freight harness is for heavier, slower pulls). They actually make a puppy harness as well if you're interested.

Both of those breeds love, love, LOVE to work under harness and have a "job" to do. Burmese Mountain Dogs are considered a draft breed that also herds and guards and with her Mal blood, she'll be a natural worker. Hauling groceries, gardening wagons, pulling the kid's around in sleds....that's heaven for those breed types. We had a lab/husky cross years ago and she adored working under harness (we used a freight harness as she was doing mostly slow, steady work not racing).

Congrats on the new lovely baby!

thanks everyone!

jo,

i already have a pull-harness for her. a friend gifted me one a few years ago... although i never knew why i kept it as i didn't have a dog LOL but i did, and know i have the dog to go with the harness :)

i just put her down for the night into her crate. she howled and barked and carried on for about 10 minutes and now she's quietly sleeping. i am all for crate training... and i know within a couple of days she'll be loving her 'den'. :)

:hug: we are all so thrilled with her! :hug:

Wow when you get a dog, you go big! Everyone at my work (grooming) loooves bernese mountain dogs. They're awesome, always well behaved. Best of luck with her, she's gorgeous. :)

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

i am all for crate training... and i know within a couple of days she'll be loving her 'den'. :)

:hug: we are all so thrilled with her! :hug:

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I agree with you on crate training. It's nice now that my dogs are a little older now, and you don't have to fight them into a crate when you need to take them some where. But when my little cousins come over when I baby sit them, and the dogs have had enough excitement for the time being, they know that they have their own 'safe place' to go to when they need to relax, lol.

thanks april. one of my friend's breeds berners... has for years and my hubby has always wanted one... so when we found out she was 1/2 berner... we were hooked :P

her frame seems to me to be more malamute... but our vet will tell us for sure. she's scheduled for her first shots monday at 11:15. i called them on the way home with our new pup... they don't work weekends... so i'm happy to wait a few days. we just aren't taking her to the park till she gets her shots, so her exercise will have to be kept to our own yard till then.

this dog really is a dream come true for my hubby and kids... they are all so happy. i'm a bit overwhelmed as i know the training is up to me... and housetraining is hard work... but i'm hopeful it'll go smoothly *fingers crossed*

Well the big dog breeds like that are much easier to housetrain than the toy breeds.. that's for sure. Crate training does wonders too.

when we had gemini... border collie cross with husky... he trained with no effort at all. honestly, he pretty much trained himself. i'm very hopeful she does the same.

no accidents in the house so far today, so that pleases me greatly. we have had her outside most of the day though (since we got home) playing with her and letting her get to know us.

*accepting quick 'n easy housetraining vibes*

OH Aleesha that puppy is soooo adorable:) I do not want or will not get a dog but if I did I would definitely have one big and burley and sooooo adorable just like her:D

oh i so did not want, nor did i feel i would ever get a dog...

so i hear ya lisa!

Awww She is 100% adorable. Congratulations. Puppies are so much fun and lots of work lol. I can almost picture your kids too, they sound so sweet.

A word of advice, from someone who has just gone through the puppy potty training. The Healthy Habitat stuff used to clean cages works wonders on carpets for potty stains and smells. The enzymes in that stuff eat it right up and I have had no problems. I live in an apartment too. That stuff is way cheaper than the stuff made specifcally for dogs.

Congrats and have fun with her, she is a little cutie. Love her name too.
Kristy

Congrats on the new puppy!!:D The breeds behind her say you will have a very devoted family dog. As said before they love to work. With love and attention she will be a wonderful friend and guardian. She is absolutely adorable !!

I love pic 3.:)

Awwww, she is so cute! Keep us updated as she grows. Here's good vibes comin your way that she house trains as easily as Gemini.

One little bit of advice considering her breed(s). I'd go with a face halter for her rather than the traditional neck collar (you could still have one of those for her tags though of course). Northern breeds tend to instinctively pull against any pressure on their neck area and have a LOT of muscle structure there as I'm sure Bernese do as well. She'll likely be a big girl and you want her under easy control and not yanking your shoulder off. I'm a big fan of the halters and have seen for myself how nicely you can walk a dog on them (even though half your neighbours will assume it's a muzzle which of course it is not).

OMG she is CUTE! :aww: can i puppy sit? (ok, it might be a little far... :P) best of luck with her and you had better keep us updated with pics as she grows up!

What a great looking mix!

:aww: she is adorable! :hug:

That bottom pic is too cute! :)

Congrats! :carrot:

Awww, she's adorable! Berners are one of my dream dogs! I adore them!

I'm also a crate training advocate - and it sounds like you are well on your way (not giving in to the crying - since they learn that they can "train" you to let them out when they cry if you give in).

Diamond was crate trained, and we had two nights of crying as a puppy, but as heartbreaking as it was, we didn't let her out when crying.

Now she adores her crate! I do think that crate training builds a better relationship with the owner and dog, because you're not setting the dog up to fail. You can go out and not worry when you get home what sort of mischief they've gotten into while you were gone.

I know Diamond would have been one of those dogs with separation anxiety if she had not been crate trained, she's very soft and easily distressed. Crate training kept her calm.

She "graduated" from her crate at about 2 years old and we never crate her any longer, but it's always there for her to use when she wants, since she considers it her den now. She's also very good about sharing it now when we have doggy guests (the Canine Assistants), who have to be crated at night.

Oh my goodness she is just the cutest thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I think every stable family with kids need a dog :rolleyes: I think you made a great choice!

Congrats!!! (Does she have puppy breath) ?????????? The BEST smell in the whole WORLD! :oops:

Gosh how could you NOT bring that adorable face home?
Congrats on the new puppy, she's lovely! :D

Adorable puppy. I hope you know that that's gonna grow up to be a BIG dog. Hope you're ready for it. She'll probably get up to 80+ lbs.

jo, i too am a huge fan of halties... so she'll definitely have one of those!

and... alas... we were a failure last night with the crate. she cried... howled, barked carried on from 11 till 4am when - completely exhausted i just couldn't take it anymore. i got no sleep. so we went outside and peed... came in and i *gulp* brought her into bed with me and she decided that she needed to use my pillow as a body pillow LOL well that didn't go over too well... but finally she settled down in my hubby's spot on the bed (as he was at work) and we slept together all night long. she jumped off the bed (ever so NOT gracefully) at 6am and i took her outside where she poo'd and pee'd and i made all the excited squeals i could muster being so exhausted (i even dreamed no one would give me coffee all night long only to discover - in my dream - that i was next door to a timmies!!!) - i brought her back into bed and she slept till 9am with me.

so... question... can i crate train her for when we are out but sleep with her at night or is that not possible?

heeeelllpppppp :please:

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

jo, i too am a huge fan of halties... so she'll definitely have one of those!

and... alas... we were a failure last night with the crate. she cried... howled, barked carried on from 11 till 4am when - completely exhausted i just couldn't take it anymore. i got no sleep. so we went outside and peed... came in and i *gulp* brought her into bed with me and she decided that she needed to use my pillow as a body pillow LOL well that didn't go over too well... but finally she settled down in my hubby's spot on the bed (as he was at work) and we slept together all night long. she jumped off the bed (ever so NOT gracefully) at 6am and i took her outside where she poo'd and pee'd and i made all the excited squeals i could muster being so exhausted (i even dreamed no one would give me coffee all night long only to discover - in my dream - that i was next door to a timmies!!!) - i brought her back into bed and she slept till 9am with me.
so... question... can i crate train her for when we are out but sleep with her at night or is that not possible?

heeeelllpppppp :please:

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I don't see a problem with that, we used Zoey's crate only for a calm down time. She would get so riled up and it would overwhelm her and the kids. So they would sit and watch a movie and Zoey would go and take a puppy nap in her crate. She did very well. We were always in her sight while she was in her crate. We don't use it while we are done though, she is so great in the house I don't worry about her at all. With two tots in the house EVERYTHING is baby and puppy proof.

Zoey doesn't sleep with us at night though, she used to but she gets to crazy in the bed lol. So she has a huge dog bed at the foot of the bed with lots bones to chew. Then in the morning when Shaun gets up for work she jumps up and sleep with me.

kristy, i know she'll be a big dog... my friend breeds pure bred berners... and has 14 in the house... so i know how big they'll be :) berners are a favourite breed for us and an absolute dream come true!

heehee i responded to your first post without the editing. :P

i've always crated a dog completely or not at all... never 1/2 way.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

kristy, i know she'll be a big dog... my friend breeds pure bred berners... and has 14 in the house... so i know how big they'll be :) berners are a favourite breed for us and an absolute dream come true!

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Well I'm not Kristy, but I'm glad you do know how big she'll be. I thought you would have done your research or at least knew what you were getting into. It's just that so many people go out and get the cutest little puppy, not realizing that one day it'll be a giant dog.

I real happy for you and your new pet. I'm sure she's in the best home she could ever have gone to.

Very cute puppy!! Congrats!

Nice pick Aleesha, she is adorable! My wife was in the same boat as you for a while - No dog! But now she loves our new addition more than me. You better enjoy the super cute-ness of her while you can, I can't believe how big our Mesa (Akita/Chow/Boxer mix) has gotten in three short months. Crate training = :sweeet: After I'm done with training sessions with her, she goes into her crate and plops down hoping for extra treats :D , as well as choosing to sleep there over almost anywhere else. Have fun!!

-Evan

sorry rick :P

thanks jamie!

evan, i'm so hoping she gets used to her crate, as i really want to have her crate trained. regardless, she will be crated when we are out. no matter what.

that is one good looking puppy.

oh i soooo have to agree with you on that one!

We crate trained a lab pup years ago hon but she did sleep in her own dog box in our room at night. Now that was a trip trying to get her to stay in there instead of standing by the bed whining to get in with us but eventually she sorted it out (hid some dog cookies in her bed and like most labs she was lead by her tummy LOL). We mostly used the crate during the day for housebreaking and when we needed a break from puppy or puppy from us as well as when we went out without her. Just remember she needs to be in there lots so she won't equate it with only you leaving her alone or she'll really hate the crate.

oh good point jo... i'll make sure the crate is used when we are home as well!!! (i do plan on trying to use it again tonight though... as i would like her to love her 'den')

Like I said earlier, don't give into the cries if you want to crate train her to be in there quietly. She has to learn that she can only come out of the crate when she's quiet. The first two nights are the worst - if you can make it through that, you should be fine.


We used to chuck treats in the back of the crate and used the command "load" for Diamond - she thought it was a fine game. The command for the Canine Assistants is "kennel" and Diamond has learned that one by watching them.

Hehe.. count on a puppy to wear you out. It's like having a human baby when they're puppies.. 'cept they can get into more trouble. ;)

i was saying today... "hey with a baby i can breastfeed it and assist it to sleep... and i'm not nursing this little sharp toothed critter!!!!!" :rofl:

okay robin... i will be strong. i will be strong. i will be strong. i will be strong... i will i will i will.

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

oh i so did not want, nor did i feel i would ever get a dog...

so i hear ya lisa!

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Aleesha, I gotta say you have one lucky daughter. You get rid of most of your "yucky" spiders and pick up a puppy! :eek: Not just any puppy, but a burnese!?!? :eek:

any chance you'd want to adopt me as well? :P

sure ben! i've always loved the name ben and i'd love to have a son by that name (rather than a daughter) LOL

you wouldn't believe how many people ask me to adopt them... they find my attitude to pets "sure you can have that" "sure we'll get one" "of course you can take home a kitty" - so open and they wish they could be like me. i tell them... you can. just say YES!

and then be responsible... learn about them, give them A+ care and always do your best to provide for them.

actually i put that in the wrong order.

learn about them, say yes, provide A+ care. :)

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

sure ben! i've always loved the name ben and i'd love to have a son by that name (rather than a daughter) LOL

you wouldn't believe how many people ask me to adopt them... they find my attitude to pets "sure you can have that" "sure we'll get one" "of course you can take home a kitty" - so open and they wish they could be like me. i tell them... you can. just say YES!

and then be responsible... learn about them, give them A+ care and always do your best to provide for them.

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Sweetness! I'm already potty-trained (for the most part):pee::ohmygod:

Yea... I've always been that "animal kid". The one that when my friends neglected their pet iguana or turtle or snake or most anything a young kid would have, my mom would be the first person their mom's called b/c I knew more about the animals then they did. lol. It's amazing what growing up watching only animal planet and discovery channel instead of cartoons will do to ya... :tombstone:tears: Now you got me missin the crocodile hunter again... darn you

ahhhhhhhhh :hug: i'm sorry ben... come home and i'll give you some timmies cookies (as i don't bake) - i know i know... you wanted a mama that baked but hey, i can't be 'everything' to 'everyone' so i choose pets over baking :giggle:

Gah!!! :O

I want OUT! If it's not homemade I REQUIRE Otis Spunkmeyer cookies!!! LOL

Minus this one technicality, which is a big one i'll admit :zerb:, seems to me you got the "mother" part covered very well. But that pup of your's is gonna be quite the (worthwhile) handful so I won't tie up any more of your time (asides from the bp.net assaults lol).

oh sure... drop me the night before mother's day simply cause i bake the wrong cookies *sobbing*

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Originally Posted by recycling goddess

oh sure... drop me the night before mother's day simply cause i bake the wrong cookies *sobbing*

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wow you just reminded me of one of my friend's mom's. she openly admits her son was the product of the wrong kind of brownies...:hungry::rolleye2:

I guess I need to start last minute searching for a plane ticket to "meditating in the garden" to give ya a big ole hug on mothers day! :petting::hug:

I'm late getting on the bandwagon, but congratulations on the new baby! Two great breeds went into her, and I'm sure she'll have a wonderful home.

thanks jess!

ben, you don't need a plane ticket to get to "meditating in the garden" just a little zen!

here she is! updated shots of our sweet little pup!

she loooves her toys and this one especially LOL

http://www.timelessspirit.com/images/dog/toy.jpg

and, we just discovered she looooooves popsicles!

http://www.timelessspirit.com/images/dog/popsicle.jpg

her ears are growing daily... i swear. they are soooo cute!