Paws and Foreheads

When I see Rhyn, I see a big almost-fluffy doggy-bear.  His paws are soft and 'fat', big and fluffy; Zoey's paws where never like this - if they were, it was a very brief time.

He has 'tail feathers' now on his back legs, and longer fur on his tail, with a nice curly-q at the end.

I've lately noticed, as he's now turned 4 months old, the addition of some 'wrinkly' skin on his forehead. So cute.

His last weigh-in, on September 23rd, he weighed 24 pounds.

Rhyn's Wrinkly Forehead

Keeping a Teething Puppy Occupied

A good chew/gnaw bone, like the Red Barn White Bones, which are not messy and don't create cleaning problems for the house, like so many do.

Rhyn absolutely loves his bone, and Zoey gets her own bone, too.  Even as an adult, she still likes to chew on a Red Barn White Bone!

Rhyn and his bone

Rhyn and his bone

I Must Remember Rhyn is a Baby Puppy

I took Rhyn up to the Saint Anthony Park Home this morning, just to say hey to a few people and see if I could get Lisa to play the piano.  I was curious as to Rhyn's reaction to that, and wheelchairs.

Needless to say, he had no reaction.  I swear, this little prince is the most non-reactive puppy - except when a roomful of other puppies are coming down the pike at him.  Ha ha.

On the drive home, I noticed the tell-tale signs of impending vomit ... Rhyn drooling.  Sure enough, about halfway home, Rhyn gave up all he'd eaten this morning from breakfast on.  I love how dogs puke so quietly, not like cats at all.

Luckily I keep two thick blankets in the back so they are easily washed, and nothing landed on the car seat itself.

Anyway.  The drive combined with new experiences is just too much for a little one to take.  He'd thrown up the last (and only) time we'd gone to SAPH, too.  So, that much of a drive is out for Rhyn until he's at least six months old, if not older.  I'm just glad he can make it to puppy class and Pet Supplies Plus without any issues!

Rhyn, 15 weeks old

Too Much Dog Food Causes Loose Bowels

Quite the subject line, no?  After talking about the continued problems with Rhyn having loose bowel movements with my friend Bill at Pet Supplies Plus in Minneapolis, he asked how much food I was feeding him.  Turns out I was feeding him too much, because since I cut back on the food Friday his bowels have been normal!  THANK DOG!  It wasn't the quality of the food, it wasn't Roundworm, it wasn't a secondary infection (although I'm sure the antibiotics didn't hurt at all), it was that I was feeding him too much food. I'll be bringing him a six-pack as a 'thank-you' for sure!!!

On a 'getting along' note:  Yesterday Zoey has finally had enough of Rhyn continuing to pester her after he'd been warned off.  And I guess my 'human' idea that she was 'allowing' him to 'steal' her bone was also very misguided.  Zoey is nothing if not polite, until she's not polite anymore.  Zoey let Rhyn have it twice yesterday, pretty badly - no blood drawn but Rhyn went squealing in terror to the house where Mark and I met him and calmed him down.  It was pretty scary for a little baby puppy, but I'm hoping he's learned his lesson. Don't steal from the big dogs!!!

Rhyn using the big bed as a headrest

Squirrels!

Zoey has taught Rhyn the Way of the Squirrel very well - a milestone today for Rhyn, when he chased a squirrel at the top of the fence down the length of the fence, puppy-barking all the way. He was quite proud of himself.

Rhyn in the Iris Bed

Rhyn's Going to Be Big....

... or is he?  We'll see.

Perfection. Zoey is almost 4 (in November) and Rhyn is 14 weeks today.

I've never had a puppy whose paws seem to get bigger - it's always the rest of the dog growing into the paws.

Something else I've never experienced before, in the canine world: When Rhyn gets angry or physically hurt, his tail fluffs up, just like a cat's.  I've noticed it twice so far, both unfortunately when Zoey's been a little too strong in her correction.

A Great Day

Rhyn is 21 pounds today.

He's on his third batch of Panacur (Roundworm medication); the second day of a 3-dose run.  After this batch, he should be fine; we'll find out on the 20th.

Today Rhyn experienced neighborhood kids bouncing their ball; a lawnmower across the street, husband weed-eating (he wanted to attack it!).  He met the next-door dog and rolled over on his back almost immediately, and then was up trying to entice Kai to play. (Nope, Kai's all grown up).  And!  Zoey and Rhyn played Mattress Tag for a while - Rhyn's not tall enough to get on the bed, and Zoey takes full advantage of that.  Lots of jawing going on, and barking! Rhyn has a very strident bark!

And this photo, taken just a few minutes ago:  The closest Zoey and Rhyn have fallen asleep yet.