MY TOP TEN NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS!

10. Stop eating snow.
9. Stop chewing up my toys.
8. No more stealing food from the table.
7. No more stealing Dad's socks and underwear and running
through the house.
6. Learn to walk nicely without the Gentle Leader.
5. Eat my breakfast without waiting for my toast first.
4. Stop trying to get in front seat when riding in car.
3. Stop stealing boots and shoes.
2. Stop hogging the bed at night.

and--------------
The number 1 on my list is:

Stop eating paper - napkins, toilet paper, kleenex, mail, candy
wrappers or whatever else I can find!!!!

Boxer Property Laws

1. If I like it, it is mine.
2. If it is in my mouth, it is mine.
3. If I had it a little while ago, it is mine.
4. If I can take it from you, it is mine.
5. If it is mine, it must never appear to be yours.
6. If it just looks like it is mine, it is mine.
7. If I saw it first, it is mine.
8. If it is edible, it is mine.
9. If you have something and put it down, it is mine.
10. If I chew something up all the pieces are mine.
11. If I get tired of it, it is yours.
12. If I want it back, it is mine.

( http://shop.cafepress.com/boxer)

I'VE BEEN A BAD DOG!

Some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed. My mom was making some little ground round steak burgers to cook and put mushroom gravy on them. She had them all on a platter, two whole pounds of them. Well, when she walked into the kitchen I got my feet on table and ate almost all of them raw. Mom saw what I was doing and boy did I catch it! I spent the rest of the time Mom was cooking in my crate. Oh well, I had a nice nap with a full belly. Guess I better not try that again soon.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I sure like Christmas with lots of pretty paper and things I can get into. Mom and Dad got me a big floppy dog which I have a big time chewing on and throwing around. John, Robin, Sarah and Jonathon brought me a floppy Reindeer with sixteen squeekies, yes, I said sixteen squeekies. I have a big time trying to decide which one to squeek. I wish it was Christmas every day!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!

What a surprise I got when going out to do my business yesterday. Something happened to the grass - it was all white and very cold on my feet. I looked up and something was hitting me in the face and it was wet and cold too. Dad said it is snow - of course, I had to taste it right away and it was sort of like ice cream, but not as good. I got my new coat just in time. I took my muzzle and pushed the snow into a little snowball, and then I ate it! Hmmmm - not too bad so I ate some more. I will have lots of fun when it gets deep. Dad can throw snowballs for me to chase. Life is sure interesting to a puppy!

Christmas Boxer

image courtesy of http://www.cafepress.com/artbyangi

I AM KEEPING WARM - ARE YOU!

How do you guys like my new fur lined coat. It sure did feel good on our walk today. It is 28 degrees and very windy. Mom said I was as warm as a piece of toast (one my favorites to eat) when she took my coat off. It keeps me dry in the rain and snow too. We had a few flakes this morning but it melted right away. I can't wait to play in it.

WOW! WHAT WAS THAT FLASH!

One day I saw my Mom messing around with something shiny in her hands. So, being my usual inquisitive self, I strolled over to see what she was up to. Well, all of a sudden I saw stars flashing. My Mom had taken my picture. I guess it doesn't pay to get too close when you are being nosy. Mom thought it was a good picture. I don't do those things anymore now that I am older. Dad says, yeah, right, Ha HA! Well, I will amend that to say I try not to do those things.

Hey, come on Dad, lets go for a walk!

ANOTHER BORING DAY - WHAT CAN I GET INTO NEXT?

Time for a nap. I am just laying here thinking of what I can get into next. Mom says I am turning into quite a kleptomaniac. I love to steal socks, bras, shorts, and run through the house shaking them. Being chased by Dad is fun too, but he doesn't think so. I love to play in the yard with my ball, and digging holes is the most fun. Trouble just seems to follow me around. I get to walk about 4 blocks a day and sometimes two times a day. I am now eight months old. Dr. Ron, my Vet says I am just a bratty teen ager and will grow out of all the troubles I get into. Mom says it would be nice if that happened tomorrow!

LOOKS LIKE THE BASKET SHRUNK!

Well, now that I have had my morning coffee, I can write my blog. Dad went downstairs to get the clothes for mom from the dryer and left his coffee on the end table. I must say, it was good to the last drop! As you can see, I am still getting into trouble.

I had a big time running through the pile of leaves my dad was raking and grabbing his rake. The best part of my day is taking a nap after my walk. Sometimes I get to walk 3 times a day. Lots to see, like squirrels, crows and leafs blowing which I try to chase.

Getting to be a big Girl!

I am taking a break and cooling off from playing with my ball on rope. It sure is fun, only it keeps flopping around and banging me in the head. Bummer!

I am six months old now and weigh around 45 pounds. I am now only eating two meals a day, plus snacks and anything I can scrounge off my Mom and Dad. I really love popsicles and ice cream.

I love my two walks a day, once in morning with my dad and then in the evening with my Mom. I still keep busy all day getting into things. I really caught it for chewing the corner off of the drapes in the bedroom. It is so hard to stay out of trouble.

TOP TEN THINGS I HAVE BEEN UP TO LATELY!

Riding in the Car!

10. Growing like a weed - 41.5 pounds at 5 1/2 months.
9. Walking one mile two times a day with my dad.
8. Playing in the yard every evening with my rope ball.
7. Digging a hole - this is a no no but so much fun!
6. Chewed the squeaky out of my rubber fish.
5. Jumping on beds or anything else I want to.
4. Napping upside down on my back.
3. Learning to ride in back seat of the car without throwing a barking fit.
2. Getting spayed September 1. This is not fun!

and...............

1. Guarding the house and barking at every little noise. Mom and Dad say I am a good girl. (Most of the time.)

LEARNING TO WALK WITH GENTLE LEADER

My Mom and Dad say I am doing great learning to walk with the Gentle Leader. At first, I balked and didn't want any part of it, but after the first walk I discovered lots of new things, met new people, and decided it wasn't so bad after all. Now when they say "lets go for a walk", I am raring to go and don't even protest the Leader. Some day maybe I won't have to wear it when I get to be a big girl. I even get treats for sitting when we stop and waiting patiently while Dad or Mom is talking to someone.

.

Some Advice to all Puppies Reading my Blog!

As you can see from my picture, this is the proper way to sit on the furniture. I was zooming through the house from the kitchen to the TV room and decided on the last trip to jump up on the sofa beside my Dad. Well, I jumped but something happened, and I bounced up and over the back of the sofa and was hanging on the back of the sofa and down behind it. My dad tried to lift me back up, but I am too big so he pulled the sofa out and my back feet then touched the floor and I could then stroll out from behind the sofa and go about my business. Boy, was I scared though. Dad and Mom had to laugh at me, but you guys out there, take it from me, don't you try that. You can see why trouble is my middle name!

PUPPY MANNERS CLASS -WHAT A BLAST!

Now that I have had all my shots, I can socialize with other puppies. Finnegan, an Australian Shephard, Jackson, A yellow Lab and I were the only ones in class. We played and played and boy did we have fun. Then we all practiced getting on the scale and trying to sit still. (Impossible) Dad took me into an examining room to practice being examined by Dr. Ron. (Old stuff, I been there twice already.) We got a lot of treats by making new friends with the other Moms there. Mom and Dad were proud of me for joining in all the chasing, growling and playing. Next week I have to start learning how to walk "nice" on my leash.

I was so tired and slept most of the way home and curled up on my blankie until bedtime.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY DAYS

Yesterday we went to see Dr. Ron for my shots and checkup. He thinks I am "Precious". I am in fine health, and don't have to have any more shots for year. Yay! I weigh 22.9 pounds and am 14 weeks old. I had a big time with the tech girls and then slept most of the day.

I like to spend part of my time watching the birds in the back yard. I kept putting my feet on the windows to look out and that is a big no-no! So mom and dad gave me a stool and taught me how to put my feet up on it and make myself taller. I quickly figured out how to get up on it and sit down. Sitting on the stool is a lot of fun and now I can see everything going on in the back yard.

Today, we took a drive back to Fort Wayne to see my mom Molly and dad Jake. I was scared at first until I recognized mom Molly and then I kissed her and kissed her and we played and had a big time. Then daddy Jake came out and I kissed and kissed him too and we played but he probably figured, gee one those kids is back again! We had a nice time and I loved on Steve and Alexis and they loved on me. I was so tired I slept all way home and am in bed already and it is only 9:00 PM.

Me and my Best Buddy

This is where you will find me after a nice long playtime every morning. Hanging out with my best buddy and watching TV. I usually sneak a power nap while laying on dad's lap to recharge my batteries for after lunchtime fun. I'm not sure what we'll do when I'm twice as big as I am now.


.

Boxer owner's poem

I always get in the laundry basket after mom gets the clothes out!

BOXER OWNER'S POEM

From the minute your Boxer arrives
Things will never be the same
She'll take over your life completely
But you'll soon be glad that she came.

As a pup she's inclined to be wilful
Defiant and boisterous at play
When she's chewing her lead whilst out walking
You may even rue the day.

But when she reaches 8 or 9
And begins to settle down...!
Oh, by the way did anyone tell you
That Boxers middle name is "Clown".

She'll like to be with you round the house
She's a dog that likes to join in
She'll 'help' you to lay that carpet
With a shuffle, a grunt and a grin!

So if you're thinking of owning a Boxer
I promise you life will never be dull
She'll make you laugh, and she'll make you cry
As she lives her life to the full.

(poem from: Paulees Boxers http://www.pauleesboxers.co.uk/)

I like standing on my toy bin like a billy goat!

.

BIG DAY!

Met lots of interesting new people yesterday. Everyone came to see my Dad for Father's day. I tried to be on my best behavior but as you can see from the picture, it sure is hard to stay out of trouble with so many interesting things to do. Climbing on stools, and climbing on the bottom of my Mom's teacart and even on sofa is lots of fun. Mom didn't think so though. I loved playing with Sarah and rest of the family. I was so tired when they went home, I didn't get in trouble the rest of the day.

.

Gimme some lovin'

I decided I really really like Cathy's husband Ken and
just had to get some hugs and kisses from him today!


.

TOP TEN THINGS I DID THIS WEEK! (and it is only Wednesday)

Trisha - age 3 months, 21 pounds

10. Barked at the vacuum-lots of fun.

9. Remembered Mom's sister.

8. Have gone 3 days with no accident in the house -
Mom says Hooray!

7. I get all excited when I hear car keys jingle - oh boy
we are going for a ride!

6. I am learning to sit and stay. Boy, this is a hard
one to do.

5. I can stand on my toy bin like a goat on the hill.

4. I like to sit in the sunroom and watch the mommy
sparrow feed her babies in the little house under
the eaves.

3. I chased two mallard ducks and the robins out of
my yard.

2. I went to the Vet and got my nails cut - Dr. Ron's
girls called it a pedicure.

and......................

1. I used a footstool under the sunroom table to climb
into the chair across from my Dad who was eating
lunch - boy, was he surprised to see me sitting in
the chair across from him big as a bird!

.

What a day! What a day!

We sure are keeping busy around here. We slept in this morning until 6:30. Boy, was I hungry by then. After taking care of business, and having a nice time checking out all my toys, we decided to go to the pharmacy. I was surprised to find out they give me treats there too, so I have three places I can get treats now. I am getting much better riding in car. I can see out riding in Dad's SUV but not in Mom's car. Today, the plumber came to the house to fix leak and I growled at him, but he talked nice to me and I made up to him - guess he was pretty nice, but I let him know it was my place and I was guarding it. Mom is trying to put a treat on my big paw and tells me to leave it - that is so hard to do because I love my treats but I did for just a little bit so Mom let me eat it. Everyday is a big day for me and I am learning so much, some of it good, and some not so good. Mom says I am so sweet (most of the time) but I like to chew on my Dad. I guess I have to quit doing that now that I am bigger. I am a great sleeper at the end of the day as you can see in the picture.

.

A Lot Happened Today!

Today I went to see Dr. Ron at Magranes Pet Medical Center to get a checkup and another shot. I have grown so much I now weigh 16.2 pounds. I wasn't as nervous this time because I sort of knew what was coming. I got a treat, my eyes checked, some yummy stuff that tasted like bananas, and something squirted up my nose which I hated. But it wasn't so bad because I got a treat for sitting still. All checked out ok and Dr. Ron was impressed with how much I had grown. When I came out of the exam room, the girls (techs) were sitting on the floor waiting for me, to love on me and make over me which I just loved. I sat, laid down, and when they told me to speak, I tried, but before I could speak a big black dog behind me spoke and scared me half to death. Scared my Mom and Dad and the girls too because it was so loud, but everyone laughed but me. After basking in everyone's praise and attention, we went home and I took a big nap.

As you can see from the picture, I guess I can still fit in the box if I sit in it!

.

What Happened?

I used to fit in this box - Mom says I am growing like a weed. I learn so many new things each day that Dad says I am the smartest boxer there is. I can speak for my treats now - sometimes in a tiny voice but sometimes in a big voice, which startles even me! Dad and I were playing in the yard and I spotted something black that popped up in the yard, and of course, I had to investigate. Well, just as I got there to sniff it, water spurted out and I jumped back. It followed me so I started to bark - Dad said that is a sprinkler - boy, no matter where I ran there were sprinklers. I finally ran back to Dad and there was no water there. I laid down in grass and rolled around and when I got up my back was about dry. Dad thought that was pretty neat thing to do. Remember all the fuss I told you about when I had to stay in the crate - well, today I got a new Kong and it had peanut butter in it and was laying in crate. I just walked in big as you please, picked it up and went about my business of licking it clean. I even got up enough nerve to walk in and out with nothing in there. See how brave I am getting.

.

Big Day Today!

This morning was quite an interesting morning. Mom went to store for flowers for the planters on the patio and I stayed with Dad. We had good time and I took long nap. They put me in the crate while they planted flowers and it seemed like forever that I was in there. I cried and I howled and moaned and tried everything I knew but they didn't let me out. Finally, when they were done planting the flowers, Mom let me out and I was so happy. We had a nice time playing outside. I even spent a few minutes in my crate later watching Mom wash dishes. I guess it wasn't so bad as I got some goodies to eat.

We have been working on sitting, down and speaking for treats. I can do the sitting and down very well, but the barking is so hard to learn. I finally worked up a tiny little growl and got a treat. HMMM! Lets try this again - next time I finally got a tiny bark out and Mom was so happy she gave me two treats. Mom wishes every day was as good as this one, but you know, puppies just have to get in trouble, and trouble is my middle name!

.

Some Days are Good - Some Not so Good

Well, yesterday was a good day for me, but not for my Mom and Dad. We had some people come look at our Motorhome and they left me inside by myself. Well, I started to cry, but then figured I might as well make the most of the time alone. Boy, did I have a high old time chewing up and tearing up my potty papers. I scattered them all over the house. Of course, when Mom came in I greeted her with wiggles and kisses hoping she wouldn't notice what I did. You know how innocent I can look when I want to.

Today, I slept most of the day - so tired from all the mischief. Then, I got in trouble again today trying to eat junk which fell off our tree, and picking up rocks and just generally trying to eat or taste everything. I think I better take good nap this afternoon so Mom and Dad can rest up for our playtime tonight.

.

A New Lesson Today

Well today was a milestone for me. Dad and Mom left me for the first time for about 3½ hours! (with a babysitter of course). Cathy came to stay with me while Dad and Mom went to Jonathan’s high school graduation. They kissed me goodbye and said they’d be back soon and to be good for Cathy and out the door they went. I was okay with that for about 10 minutes then realized – hey they weren’t kidding – they did leave and they didn’t come back in a couple on minutes. I went to the door and sat and cried a little then decided well Cathy’s here so I’ll make the best of it. I have someone here that will spoil me all afternoon.

We spent about an hour outside in the yard, walking around on the leash for a little while and then playing with my big blue ball until I got bored with that. Little clumps of grass where Dad had mulched the yard, the fallen petals off the flowers of the snowball bush, and the stones in the landscaping seemed much more entertaining – all a big "NO-NO!" says Mom and Dad. I was starting to get into trouble so Cathy surprised me with a new toy. I was so excited! I played a long time in the yard with it; throwing it, chewing it, barking at it and stalking and pouncing on it. Soon it became too hot for me out there and I went to the door to go inside.

After cooling off with a nice cool drink of water I went to the TV room and I decided to empty out my toy box. One by one out came blankie and all the toys. After everything was in a nice big mess on the floor, I added my new toy on top of the pile and laid there for quite a while and chewed on it. Finally worn out, I was ready for a nap. I sat in front of Cathy, then put my front feet up on the couch. She picked me up, hugged me and put me beside her on the couch and I went to sleep.

I didn’t think I had been asleep that long. When I woke up I went to the door to go out – mission accomplished! Cathy said it was time for dinner! Yay! I was really hungry! After getting my tummy full and going out again, we came back in and I stretched out on the kitchen floor where it was nice and cool and chewed some more on my new toy. It wasn’t long before I heard the garage door go up. Soon Mom and Dad appeared. They did come back! I was so happy to see them and wiggled and wiggled and wiggled.

So today I learned a big lesson. Having a babysitter isn’t so bad and Mom and Dad can go away and leave me for a little while and they come back like they promise!

.

Another busy day!

I am growing so fast and sure giving my Mom and Dad a fine old time keeping up with me. Today I played with my new ball. I barked at the big hairy dog next door, but I made sure I didn't get too close to the fence. As you can see in the pictures, playing ball is very tiring and sometimes I just have to take a break.

I am nine weeks old today!

Tomorrow will be one week I have lived with my new Mom and Dad. Boy, I sure have learned a lot and have a lot more to learn. I can sit when Mom or Dad puts on my leash, I can sit for a treat (no hardhship there) and I come when I am called most of the time. Mom and Dad think I am wonderful to have done so well. Today we went to the Post Office, and then to the Pet Store again. I really enjoyed it this time as I got a new ball about as big as I am and the lady gave me a treat again. When we got home, my Mom and Dad and I played with my new ball. I am so proud of myself when I carry it around.

.

Riddle's Sweetie Pie Trisha

Hi, my name is Trisha. I was born on March 25, 2009 and I weighed just a little over fourteen ounces. I am from a family of 10 boxer puppies and I was born last. My mommy Molly is a brindle like me and my daddy Jake is a flashy fawn color.



On May 20, 2009 I got a new Mom and Dad and took a two hour car ride home and slept all the way. (I was trying to make a good impression the first day). I have grown a lot and seen my new Vet and he said I was definitely a "keeper" so I guess I passed everything. I have learned many new things already, like going to door to go out, playing in my big yard and today I chased some birds, but I am not fast enough to catch them yet. As you can see from the picture - things are going pretty well in my new home.

.