Gus Writes Home to Mom & Dad

Gus dictated the following letter home today. His parents asked that he do his best to stay in touch....

Hello, everyone!

Just wanted to let you know how I am doing in my new home! I have SOOO much news to tell you!

First, and really important, today I figured out how to go DOWN the steps! Wow! That was scary at first, and I really kinda just slid down each step on my belly. But after a few practice sessions, I figured it out and it's really not that scary at all.

These human folks are really nice and are taking great care of me. They feed me regularly, take me outside to go potty, play with me and have been showing me off to the neighbors! Today I met the family across the street and got to play with them for about 20 minutes!

Last weekend, they took me to a dog park - that was really neat! They were really cautious with who they would let come see me, and I walked on a leash for the first time too! I was really pooped after that and took a nice long nap.

This big white fluffy dog called Max is really a big fat pussycat underneath. He growled at me at first, but I went right up and licked him on the nose and I think he was shocked because he stopped growling right away! Now we are learning how to play together, which is also lots of fun!

I also met The Vet. And the entire Vet staff - as soon as we walked in their office, the ladies behind the desk 'ohh'd and 'awwww'd and grabbed me from the Humans and showed me to everyone in the office! They loved my eyes and markings and said I was the prettiest puppy they had ever seen. Then the lady Vet gave me a shot! That was sneaky. I will keep a better eye on her next time! I weighed in at 4.1 pounds, and they said everything about me looked great. Well, of course it did! I come from good stock!'

So, don't worry about me too much. While I miss you all, I really like it here and can't wait for all the new adventures that await me! Oh, and I have learned that my name is Gus!

So….Love, Gus!

Max The Fierce

We got Max a new rope toy, so he would not feel left out. This was the action scene out on the deck....

NEW TOY!! ARRRRRRR!!!!

Uh. Step off, little one.

DADDY!

Shoo! MY TOY!

MY! TOY!!!

If I can't see you you are not there.....

Excuse me, but you are touching my toy. MY TOY!

Not my toy.....

Gus Updates

Well! What a week! I am pleased to report that Gus is adjusting very well (and quickly!) to his new surroundings.

He has learned how to go up steps! Today, he made it half-way up the main stairs before having to take a break. There sure are alot of steps in this house! And he has not learned the down part yet.

His crate training is also going very well. The key seems to be making sure he does not perceive his crate as punishment. Joe and I have been spending A LOT of time getting him to feel it is his safe and secure place where he can rest and relax. And it seems to be paying off:He hardly whines, too. He goes to bed around 10:30, sleeps till about 3:00 am, then after a quick trip outside, goes back to sleep (or quietly rests in his crate) until 6:00 or so. Very little fuss!

2 things stick out: 1. He eats or tries to chew EVERYTHING! Welcome to puppy-hood. 2. He is stubborn! He finds a leaf on the ground, you take it away, he makes a bee-line to find it the minute you set him down again. Even from across the yard.

He and Max are getting along pretty well too. They are close to actually playing!
I think it won't be long before they are good friends.

Joe and I are thrilled to have him as part of our family :)

Hello. My Name Is....

Gus! And I am the newest member to the family. Jeff, Joe and Max have made me feel pretty welcome!
A nice house....
Toyz!
This white fluffy thing that keeps sniffing me.....
And a great back yard!

Ahhhhh...puppy dog heaven!

Is it Friday Yet...?

Tuesdays are becoming really hectic days and I can't wait to come home and give a great big hug to my sweetheart :)

This weekend, we came across some moles in the back yard. This is not good! So we put Max on Mole Patrol, to hep him earn his keep around here.

When I got home, we went out back to survey the estate and make sure all was clear. We are pleased to report no mole sightings.

We did find this little critter though, enjoying his little plant world:
Interesting how the bugs we find out here are not nearly as weird as the ones we kept finding in Maryland.

After Mole Patrol, Max resumed his regular duties with Squirrel Patrol....
He also has Bunny Patrol and Small Child Patrol. He's quite busy these days.

He has no idea how much his little world will change in a week! Hee hee....

Uptown Art Fair

Today, we went to the Uptown Art Fair. It's been a few years since we last went, and now that we are back in Minneapolis, it was on our list of things to do this summer.

There are always some very fun and interesting exhibits there. This is a great example:
And even funnier:I think this one would look good in our kitchen:
One of the most amazing booths was the one with wax figures. They were so life-like!
Eerie! Finally, more along hte quirky and fun side was this thing:
Joe and I both thought the exhibits and artists were as creative as ever, though some of the prices were way up there!