Injury Update

Teddy is fully recovered.

In fact, he made three trips to the dog park this past weekend (only two of which were in the presence of other dogs). He even took a tumble while running next to another dog on Monday, completing a full front somersault. He popped back up uninjured, though.

This is what he typically looks like for the next few hours after a dog park visit:

Honestly?

The positions that this guy finds comfortable are... impressive?

Teddy's gift from Grandma Thomas

Teddy's nose was in the box before it was fully open. I think it's safe to say that he loves his Sizzlin' Bacon Jerky Treats.















The purple bow is still up for debate.

Post Valentine's Day Pop Quiz

Watch the following video with sound, and answer one simple question:

Which one of the following choices is making this sound?

(a) an 85 year old, asthmatic man
(b) a tornado
(c) a completely healthy 5 month old puppy
(d) a chainsaw



If you answered (c), then you are correct. It was this guy:

Teddy is extremely curious, but still a wimp...

Teddy's first snow

Teddy's new fashion statement

On consecutive night's walks, Teddy let his pent up puppy energy get the best of him (not being able to go to the dog park has been rough on him), and started jumping around on the leash. These side to side movements ultimately ended up in him tweaking his leg injury and whimpering in pain. It's like a dagger in my heart every time I have to hear him in pain.

So after re-aggravating his injury on Saturday and Sunday night, we decided to take Teddy back to the vet's office and get his leg looked at again. The vet confirmed the original opinion that nothing seems to be broken, but how do you make a puppy understand that he can't run around without risking further injury?

Well, you don't. You do this:



















This is Teddy's new couture; a soft wrap to help stabilize the leg and keep him from tweaking his injury (which is more than likely an ankle sprain of sorts) for the next few days.

I like to tell Teddy that it's his QB wristband, and he's got to keep making the correct play calls.












Or it's the puppy version of the Save Darfur wristbands.











No matter what I say... he seems to be comfortable with it. So we're happy.

Injury Report

The Tedster is currently hobbled.

Yesterday evening, as Teddy was running through the dog park, he was blind sided and rolled over by a big, 80 pound, black lab, running perpendicular to him. The lab was so focused on the ball that he was chasing, that he didn't see Teddy; and Teddy didn't anticipate him. It was completely accidental.

I turned just in time to see Teddy limping back towards me; his front left leg in obvious pain. I checked him out to see if he could just shake it off, but it was apparent that he had hurt it beyond that point.

I put him back on his leash, and slowly took him out of the park. He was favoring that leg heavily, but still in high spirits as he tried to play with a few other dogs on the way out. While I was closing the gate to the park, he sat patiently waiting with his front left paw held up in the air, hanging loosely.

I immediately took him to the vet, who checked him out and said nothing seemed to be broken. Teddy didn't whine or whimper once as Dr. Turoff flexed his joints and gently checked his entire leg for painful areas.

Dr. Turoff told me to keep an eye on it over the next couple of days, and if it doesn't get better, to bring Teddy back in for x-rays. I almost started bawling on the walk home, watching Teddy try to maneuver his way down the sidewalk. To his credit, he walked all the way home, even trying to run at points.

I'm hopeful that it's just a sprain or muscle bruise, but it still pains me to see him limping. He's such a good boy.

I'm sure he'll be back rare form in time for the epic Teddy-Moose Brawl of 2008 on February 23.

Guess who gets a gold star for the morning...

Not this guy... but nice shirt.

He's actually giving it to Teddy for not having an "accident" in his crate this morning. Good job, Teddy!

He's an educated pup

Teddy's turn-ons: Reading

Torture — Day One

Today is the first of many days to come... and it's hard.

Today is the first day that Annie and I have to leave Teddy in his crate while we go to work.

I am currently counting down the hours until lunch, which is when I'll go home and let him out for some exercise.

tick, tick, tick, tick...

Size Check

Paws and ears... we think he's got some growing to do:

Teddy Arrives

First off, we need to thank Linda and Jeanette from Posh Pets Rescue.  They were great throughout the entire adoption process, and it was obvious to me and Annie that they really do care about the welfare of the animals that they foster.

Jeanette brought Teddy over around 2:45PM yesterday, and Teddy started to explore his new home.  We walked him around the grounds, and he sniffed everything.

Jeanette spent about a half an hour or so inspecting Teddy's new digs, and decided that we were worthy parents.  A little bit of paperwork later, Teddy was ours.

Teddy immediately declared our bed to be his.  We indulged him for a while... he's too cute not to.  He is now politely asked to get "off the bed" when he jumps up.  He's got a home bigger than a studio apartment all to himself.



















He had two little accidents in the apartment (one on the hardwood, and one on the rug), but that was our fault for not immediately getting him outside when he started walking around.  He hasn't had one since.

Originally our plan was to keep him in the apartment all night, in order to get him acclimated to us and his new home.  We changed that plan after we watched his excitement during our numerous walks.  We had to take him to the dog park in order to tire him out some.

Teddy loved the dog park.  Soon he was running around, tackling anything on four legs.  Romper, a 9 month old pup, quickly became Teddy's good friend (AKA, wrestling buddy).















After about 30-45 minutes at the park, we dragged Teddy away.  The half mile walk home was memorable.  Little did we know, Teddy was so tired that he did not want to walk.  Halfway home, on Henry Street, Teddy started trying to duck into every business front door, thinking it was home.  He tried to stop walking and started to whine a little, just wanting to be home and

What could we do?  Well... this:















Teddy spent the rest of the evening sleeping.

Oh...  and most of the morning.  He slept through the night beautifully.  I got up around 7:15 this morning to take him for a walk (he took care of ALL of his business on the walk... he's a good boy), and he's been sleeping on either my or Annie's lap ever since.

Welcome to Teddy's Excellent Adventure.