Murphy & Fyffer

January 7, 2009

Yes, it is official. The pups are now adults. Course they are not in agreement. They aren't ready to give up their two meals a day or the Puppy food. Murphy weighing in at 20 lbs. for several months has been on adult food with a small mix of puppy food for awhile. Height-wise, he is a larger dog than Fyffer. She is at 16 lbs. and still on Puppy food, much smaller and delicate in body shape.

Besides the obvious, Murphy being a male and favoring the White Westie features and Fyffer a female with dark tri-color, stiff Cairn hair and features, they are also different in other ways. She is stubborn and tries your patience. He is a sweetheart and wouldn't dare cross you. She leads Murph into trouble with escapes into the larger yard leading him into the wettest, messiest areas and avoiding my recalls. Yet inside the house, he is the more vocal with his constant watch for the numerous squirrels and chipmunks outdoors. He becomes quite frustrated with his inability to have access to catch or chase them on a whim. She could care less. Just the act of chasing him or my Sheltie dog is enough incentive for her. He prefers somewhat moistened food, she likes it dry. She notices and watches TV at times, he doesn't. She is into car rides; he tends to avoid it unless carried to the car. Yet in unfamiliar instances or sounds, Murphy is the braver and more aggressive of the two. He gobbles his meals and she eats a kibble at a time, taking a long time and drawing complete attention from the other dogs. She loves to roll and rub indoors and out. Thankfully, he being white has no desire to. Yet they are both into and under whatever outside in their sniffing investigations. They are fanatical in their guarding of my left neighbor's front yard with loud barking and whining as well as my right neighbor's back yard. Living on a lake also adds ducks, geese, deer, hawk, rabbits, crane, and fox into the mix of barkable excuses.

September 24, 2008

Pups are doing great. Got their third Westie hair cut. They are not too thrilled with the clipper noise or having the combing done. But each time they get better and more patient. Fyffer is much more accepting but then her hair is courser. Murphy still has a soft coat. So his hair needs combing everyday. Thirty minutes later you'd never know I bothered. Murphy is still very loving of heights. He always gets up on the back of sofas and chairs. Was up on my outdoor park bench one afternoon. Had to raise the height of the temporary fence in my backyard since they both climbed over. (Have a portion of the yard just for them) The remaining fenced yard is just too large to let them have free run as yet. They have a tendancy to totally ignore my call when they get out in it. They get so caught up in its size and plants and the lake that I cease to exist. Might have to try the chicken bits trick that Victoria Stillwell uses on her dog training TV program

They play well with each other as well as my Sheltie mix, Fergie. Chase and pretend mouth-fighting are the rule of my days. Though several of their puppy toys have been demolished, they still have plenty left to play with, (all over the dinette floor most days).

Though they are content to remain in the kitchen/dinette area during the day, (with frequent outdoor trips), once the sun goes down they demand to be with me on the couch. But there is still the occasional playing on the couch regardless of my body being in the way.

Had a very exciting week that just past. My daughter went on a vacation and I volunteered to keep their pets here with mine. So seven dogs for five days was quite a handfull. Two were dashounds and the other two were Aussies. Course since I raised the Aussies from pups and they lived here for two years, it was like returning home for a visit for them. Thankfully they all got along very well and learned to respect each others space and quirks quickly. Murphy and Fyffer tended to be on their backs alot being submissive to the larger dogs, but only because of their own insecurities not the larger dogs attitude. The pups had visited the Aussie's home several times in the past, so they weren't total strangers which probably helped.

Course their very favorite pasttime is barking. Between my large and low windows and each looking out a different window, nothing is missed. All birds, squirrels, lizards, geese, people, boats, cars, lawnmowers, and YES even the occasional large leaf set them off. And I no longer need an alarm clock. The sunrise leads them into furious face licking to make sure I wake up for their morning run and breakfast. Fortunately I have a king size bed. There is plenty room for everyone though Fyffer tends to lay next to me most of the night.

Well I've gone off long enough. Thanks again.

Fondly, Judi

July 19, 2008

Hi!!!

Sorry it has been so long since I have contacted you. The pups are fine. Growing up in size as well as personality. They are so different yet so close and dependent on each other. Murphy is turning into a true Westie type; broad back, strong limbs and Westie attitude. He has lost a lot of his wheaten hairs and is turning white. The backs of his ears are all that remains of the slight wheaten coloring. He got his first hair trim (Westie style) last week. I was holding out for a class sponsored by our group with professional guidance. But since Murphy was mainly soft-coated, he was always unkempt looking, no matter how often I groomed him. So I braved the fates and decided to buy an Oster Pet hair trimming kit. Now remember that the last time I had Westies you trimmed them with a razored stripper that took many hours. I was instructed by a breeder and dog shower at the time. Well I didn't want to put this angel through that. Since I knew how a Trimmed Westie should look, I just visually trimmed Murphy with a 1/4" attachment on an electric clipper. It isn't perfect. But for his first cut he is darling. It transformed him into a Westie. Whenever I look at him, my heart melts.

With Fyffer's all stiff hair, she remains very neat with close lying hair. All I had to trim on her were her ears and tail, since she was starting to flag. Well her tail is now lighter colored then the rest of her body color. Apparently her hair will continue to lighten as she grows; at least for now. I would love to try trimming her also, but afraid she will wind up looking strange with a light body and darker head and legs. So I'll just monitor her hair length for the next few months before deciding on a trim or not.

They will be neutered next week. I've had some personal medical problems that I needed addressed first. I hate the thought of taking them in and causing them pain but I know it is a must. I will also have the locator chip inserted into them. No matter how conscientious we think we are, they can outsmart us sometimes and escape or run off. It is just a few dollars more if you are already having them under anesthesia. I wish I had investigated this sooner. I would have had my Sheltie-mix dog done also.

Now to the fun part. Murphy and Fyffer are so adorable. They love to play tag with each other, especially around trees and two plants at opposite sides of their restricted outdoor space. They take turns chasing each other and then fall into the stalking mode. Really it is a rest period but we are not supposed to know that. There are only two times that they have gotten out into the rest of the backyard. Both times Murphy has climbed the two foot chicken-wire fence and Fyffer has masterfully located a tiny undetected escape hole to sneak out. They will not attempt to escape unless I am in the opposite area. They respect the boundaries as long as I am in it with them. I only allow them outside with the intention of doing their duty. With the threat of ticks and fleas, I'd rather wait till fall and their proven response to my come command. Being puppies they will come 75% of the time with the promise of a cookie treat. But with an acre of land to investigate and my current physical restrictions, I need their 100% response.

Murphy has followed in his sister's paw steps of liking high spots. When allowed on the couch, he prefers to lie on the back top. Who knows why!!!! Fyffer prefers the opposite end of the couch from the nearest person. But this is only after many minutes of heavy licking and attention from the nearest human. They love my other dog. Attacking her is the fun tactic; one on one end and the other the opposite end. Fyffer has a closer bond with Fergie, yet Murphy is Fergie's favorite. Perhaps because he is male? We shall see if this changes after the surgery. Generally they are inseparable except during naptime and nighttime. Fergie sleeps with me and the pups are restricted by a baby gate in the kitchen.

Though both are heavy lickers, Murphy is more people oriented than Fyffer. Yet when in the kitchen or dinette, it is Fyffer that demands the attention for lap time. So they balance out affection-wise. Fyffer is not, as yet, developing the Westie broad body. She is remaining a bit slimmer shaped. She is about 11 lbs to Murphy's 16 lbs. She is a little shorter and her head is a little smaller. But then males are normally larger than females. But even my female, years ago, shared the broader body characteristic though in a smaller size. So Fyffer is retaining some of the other parent breeds' stature, whatever that may be. They both also love ice cubes. Whenever I go to the refrig I have and audience of beggars with teeth chomping antics. So besides their normal command words they have cookies and cubers in their vocabulary. They love to bark at anyone in my neighbors’ yards and think geese, ducks and deer are there for their barking incentive. I have a section of their outdoor run area in an ivy bed. It is sooo fun to watch them romp through it. They cannot run but bound up and down through it. So comical. Fergie is an avid squirrel and chipmunk watcher and chaser. The pups have no clue as yet. They only respond to Fergie's chasing and/or barks. At times, usually when the most important part of the TV program or when on the phone, it is bark heaven in this house. As some know, if one dog doesn't notice a barkable reason, another does. But I love my dogs so they are allowed their annoyances for a longer period of time than elsewhere. It is amazing how my friends and family who visit balance their preferences for each pup. No one pup is always the favorite or smarter or cuter or friendlier etc. They both have equally loving and adorable characteristics. They notice the spunkiness of Fyffer and the tenderness of Murphy but are drawn to Fyffer's color and Murphy's adoring eyes. Obviously, they are both loved for different reasons.

I am so thankful that all my dogs get along and enjoy each other. They are definitely a family and they allow me to participate in it. What a treasure they are.

Fondly, Judi

April 13, 2008

Hello:

Fyffer and Murphy have been on varied learning experiences, few of them welcomed. Pups are now sporting collars with name tags; not too thrilled about it. They have discovered a world outside of plastic and cage beside vet trips. One day they went to visit their 60 pound Aussie cousins. It was their first outside experience. Their tails and feet never stopped moving even though they were very intimidated. At home their outside trips to poot and pee with Fergie were the best, all running around like idiots enticing each other to do everything but their business. Their noses were covered with pollen. They kept on sneezing but didn't let that stop them from investigating everything both tall and level. Steps held them back approximately four minutes. Favorite is jumping and hiding in lirope to pounce on their passing pal. Course this being loose could only last a few days. Once they became more familiar and less afraid of all the new areas, it was off in different directions with me trying to take pictures and not lose anybody. Calling their names, shouting HEY, clucking, whistling or clapping hands did nothing to draw their attention or get them to come to me. Catching them was only accomplished with Fergie tussling with them so I could make a fast grab for them one at a time. Of course they were usually much faster then I. Needless to say, their rapidly learned evasive maneuvers and squirminess quickly led to the dreaded leashes within a few days. After much yanking and plopping on their part, they have become more respectful of leash restrictions and tend to go in the general direction I do, usually in widely varying side antics. Within a few days they realized that they must wait by the door as I connect their leash clasps. Then it is a big bound out the door.

There is free time with Fergie in the kitchen area several times a day. They have a tendency to overplay leading to over drinking leading to lots of out go, seems like constantly. I've doubled their play area in the barroom away from Fergie. Fortunately they are more often than not responding to their names. Murphy is still especially more people oriented. He'll just wiggle his body so hard when I call him over to me. They and I do love the couch time, involving lots of licks. Snuggle time is the best and surprisingly Fyffer is the first to curl up next to me.

They have both passed the 7 pound mark with Murphy still ahead by 1/2 a pound. Prefer dry or slightly moistened food. Last puppy visit to the vet will be this week with another toenail clipping, not one of their favorite new experiences.

I take way too many pictures of them all. I will try to only send a few.

Sincerely,

Murphy, Fyffer, Fergie and their tired owner.

March 29, 2008

Good Evening,

Well it was the big day for the pups to have full body contact with my fiesty 11 month old Sheltie pup, Fergie. I took out all their toys and brought my Sheltie into the pup's play room. Surprisingly my scrapy and major instigater of rough-housing, Fyffer, was apparently very intimidated by I guess Fergie's size. They all played well for the first half minute, then Fyffer sat on my lap as I sat on the floor while Murphy and Fergie had the best time mouthing and running around. Fyffer tried to play with my clothes but wouldn't leave my lap. Yet as she watched she became more and more excitable as Murphy and Fergie played on, but wouldn't leave my lap even with my encouragement and attempts to get her to interact with them. After 15 minutes or so when she left my lap she wouldn't play. She'd apparently got a little courageous but not enough to play with Fergie. So we will try again tomorrow. I am very pleased that Fergie was as attentive to my cautions as she and Murphy were obviously deep into their puppy play world.

At present she and Murphy are being their normal rowdy selves since I removed Fergie and returned all their toys. I expect that Fyffer has regained her dominate and longlasting energy level. Poor Murphy will be very worn out after his playtime with Fergie and then having to deal with the wound up Fyffer. So this is the latest look into the world of our puppyhood.

Licks and nips from Murphy and Fyffer and of course their cleaner-upper--Judi

March 13, 2008

Good evening:

Murphy and Fyffer are growing by leaps and bounds. Murphy is at 5# and Fyffer is closing in at 4# 9oz. During most of the day and early night hours they prance and play in the glassed-in barroom area. They have almost as many toys as my daughter had as a child. As yet they are still a little too short to see outside with the windows approx. tweleve inches off the floor. But Murphy loves to check out the sun and tops of the trees from his place on the floor. Looks like he is the one that will notice details like the TV, lights, minor movements etc. more so then Fyffer. She is the more energentic and scrappy one. Murphy lays down for his naps before Fyffer but he is just as playful. Love to watch them stalk each other. Just like cats they sneek up on each other and pounch. They are both very loving but Murphy is more people oriented. Since I cannot afford to invest in a super-large crate as you had, I have kept them in the 3x6 foot net baby playpen overnight. Consequently they were in need of more than their usual feet and butt wipes. So they got their first half-baths today (a quick partial bottom dunk into soapy puppy suds followed by a rinse off in the adjacent sink of warm water). They were so brave and dried off fast in the fluffy towel.

My Fergie is learning to be more gentle with them as they lay on my lap several times a day for the social and bonding time. With the excitement and newness of the pups wearing off, Fergie has started to better listen to my warnings of gentleness and no feet and no barking and mouthing. So I no longer feel like a total training failure. Of course once they are in the playpen or barroom then the barking is allowed.

Hope you are finally recovered from the puppy-raising ordeal. And again I thank you for the positive and loving care you both gave to bring these pups to their best health and and social preparedness.

Sincerely,

Judith

March 5, 2008

Good Evening!!!!

My grand-daughter sent me these pictures that she took on Open House day. There's a beautiful shot of Sugar Plum that I know you will enjoy.

Murphy and Fyffer are doing great and gaining weight, the little piglets. They have accepted my sheltie, Fergie as the new adult dog in their life. Fergie thinks the barking game with them is great fun and of course they oblige by giving it all they can muster. Fyffer is definitely the scraper of the two since I brought them home. It is amazing how well these two are similiarily oriented, how balanced in toughness, roughness, energy, interest, sleep patterns, attention needs. Except for color, they are almost mirror images as to gentleness, tenderness, licking, chewing and lap time. They are a great pair and have the best time together. Can't wait til they are bigger so that Fergie can actually play with them without worry of possible injury since Fergie is a 25 pound pup herself and full of energy. Now their interaction is all through a net playpen with a few minutes daily of some highly cautious sniffing while th e pups are on my lap.

Murphy and Fyffer went to the vet on Monday and received their second set of shots a little early as a precaution against any possible lingering germs from all the other dogs and cats that have been in my house in the past couple years. Vet calls me a Controlled Parinoid.

Sorry my delete button (my favorite) just died so I will leave my mess and close for now

Sincerely,

Judith

March 1, 2008

Hello Jeanie and George:

Got back around 3:45 safe and sound. Fyffer was the vocal one the ENTIRE way back. Murphy just laid back and watched Fyffer. We discovered very fast that newspaper in their new playpen was not a good idea. But it was a great toy for them both. So now we are just going with thick plastic and some blankets and towels.

Since I will be at my mother's home all weekend, I won't e-mail you again until Monday after I take them to the vet. Then I'll bring them to my home and they will have a large area on my glassed-in bar room area to play and poot all over. Can't wait for the first night time. They gobbled their food down in 9 seconds flat. Little piglets aren't they. Fergie will meet them in a couple hours. That should be interesting. Will tell all on Monday.

Thanks again a million times. You deserve a good rest. Will send pics as soon as I get a camera and learn to put them on the net.