An Update and a Happy Almost Birthday - Peaches & Bailey

Remember this post - Yes, We Had Puppies. . . from last Fall when I was making a difficult decision to revisit my intake policy on puppies?
Those two little darling puppies are now about to turn 1 year old.  They came together for a visit this week and what a day they had! Peaches will be turning one year old in a day or so while Bailey is still a month away from his birthday in July.
Did they remember their past meeting?  Oh, who knows? Did they get on alright? Oh man did they ever!

We also had little Suzy Q and Countess River visiting that day. What a bunch of fun they had. Peaches started off a little shy but was being very polite meeting the senior girls. 

Peaches - "Hi, do I know you?"

After an uneventful individual meeting of Lady May and the other girls, we headed out doors to wait for young Squire Bailey to arrive.

River- "Okay I think we'll accept you little girl. You pass our inspection."

Peaches remained subdued and allowed the girls to completely check her out. When they were done an invitation to play was given and happily accepted.  So polite.

River- "Are you Ready?"
Peaches- "You bet!"

Before Bailey arrived Peaches already had plenty of time to feel confident in playing with Countess River. Suzy Q can be a bit bossy at times but Peaches knew how to avoid her and handled herself just fine.

 When Bailey arrived he was his perfect young gentleman self and gave Peaches time to feel comfortable with him before he set upon an invitation to 'go wild'.  He showed Peaches he was most interested in the sprinkler and Peaches seemed even more comfortable.

Not long after, the invitation to play was given and the three new friends were zooming around the yards having the time of their lives. Zooming and dashing around is the kind of play Peaches wanted this day and both Bailey and River were happy to oblige.

Time to take the lead off Peaches and let her go!

and go she did!
Their body structure has definitely grown and they have a years worth of experiences behind them now. Their happy disposition and ability to enjoy a morning of romping and playing together was sure fun to watch. I'm really looking forward to future visits with these two.

 Here's a little reminder of one year ago - Yes, We Had Puppies. . .

 And this day June 13th 2023

 Happy almost birthday you two!

We get cookies right?

Did they remember their past meeting?  Oh, who knows? Did they get on alright? You bet they did!

Welcome Little Nugget

 She may be small but she sure has personality plus. Welcome to our extended pack little Miss Nugget.

This 6 year old, is 10 lbs of the sweetest little golden nugget by far. She definitely suits her name. Nugget is a 'people dog' and not at all interested in becoming somebody's best zoom buddy.
At her Meet 'n Greet Nugget was calm, very polite and respectful of Lady May. It happened that our energetic Sir Henry was visiting that day.
He's big and he's loud and he's so full of "I NEED to meet you." They met in the living-room while I held Henry at a distance from Nugget, and mom kept Nugget on lead.
Nugget's reply was "Please hold him tight. I'm nervous!"  No worries little girl. This is not the day you will officially meet Sir Henry.  Henry had a sore paw and all play was restricted. Another day for that.

Outside Nugget immediately found a ball, but of course it was not a very good size for her little mouth. That didn't stop her, she went right into fetch mode.  Even though it was a bit of a struggle for her, she was determined to play ball.  I brought out the 'small dog toy bin and she sifted through several toys right away.

Her favourite toy that day turned out to be the little stuffie that our Countess River likes to play with. It's an older little squeakie, stuffie chicken leg. 

Nugget - "Hey! Something sure smells good in here"

It's one of the toys that hasn't yet been ripped and chewed. For some reason this little toy has made it through many play days and remained in tact. Good choice little Nugget. Let's play!

Nugget offers a polite invitation to play. Lady May chooses to decline.

Nugget is still working on her recall skills, so when she visits without her mom she'll be on a long safety lead. I have been told she's not very fond of a lead so we'll be practising some leash skills. Mom has some days already planned to have this little Nugget stay with us and her safety is of the upmost concern for me.
Now to find a day we can have a 4 hour visit. . .
Welcome to our home little Nugget. We'll be seeing you soon.

Welcome Miss Ellie

Ellie is a 21 mon. old GSD with a happy disposition.  She’s ready to meet new playmates. Her mom and dad brought her for a Meet ‘n Greet this week. They first contacted Royal K9 Korner last Fall, and have been waiting until Ellie was spayed and there was an open day to visit us.
Thank you for being patient, I’m happy we finally had an opening.
During her M&G Ellie was respectful of Lady May, she said a very polite hello and acknowledged Lady May’s, “Leave me alone, please.”
Suzy Q also requested the same, "No playing with me today please"even though Ellie was politely asking. Don’t fret Miss Ellie, there will be plenty of buddies for you to play with in the near future.

Lady May - "Please just leave me alone okay?"
Ellie- "Okay, I can do that."

Ellie has visited other daycare places in the past and is comfortable with meeting new friends. I can't wait to introduce her to a few of our regulars.
We're looking at a playday in the next few days with the bouncy boy Bailey.

Where's all the good balls?

Ellie came for her free 4 hour visit yesterday. She was calm when dad dropped her off and headed straight for the toy bin.  Ellie's favourite game is ball! Good choice Miss Ellie I have a lot! It's a good thing too, because if you ask Ellie the rules to her ball game, she will say, "You throw the ball to me and I will run for it, find it, grab it, then drop it on the way back to you, while you throw another one. Or I will catch it and run. Then you throw another okay?" Not fetch, but definitely a fun game, (for Ellie)

I have to learn to throw the ball before Ellie can jump for it.
She'll intervene before I throw any distance every time, unless I play the game better.

The weather was hot so the game didn't last long, (happily for me) Once I knew her rules I was ready to try a few other games. Like maybe . . . Tug? Oh boy I need to be strong so I sat on the bench while Ellie tried with all her might to drag me off. If I could stop laughing I'm sure I would have won sooner. Instead, in order to win I must admit I cheated a bit.  I simply pulled my end nearer the sprinkler and once Ellie realized she was getting wet, she dropped her end. Yay! I win! lol
Ellie says, "Next time I'll win." She grabbed the tug toy and ran off with it.  

"Come on Lady. what are you waiting for! Am I too fast for ya?"

Okay new game, Chase me.Well, I know full well I can not win that game. So I introduced another game. 'Come" An easy win for me when I have a cookies pouch on my hip. Ellie is enrolled in a training program and doing very well. She has also excellent recall so my goal for this game was really to familiarize her with my voice. I need newcomers to understand the requirements when they hear certain words and when they see my specific behaviours.  "Watch me" was great for the afternoon games we played. We played search for balls and squeakies in various areas of the yard. Under hedges, in corners, under 'Cora' and on the porch etc. Ellie listens for my voice and watches my movements for cues. She's a very good girl and we had a perfect day to get to know each other.

Ellie - "I'm sure the lady said there was a ball in here"

 As usual with new comers Ellie was required to wear her harness until I knew she was comfortable enough to respond to my requests. It wasn't long before it was off. Good thing, because I'm sure it was hot to wear.  We took time to lay quietly in the shade. Ellie tried to close her eyes a few times but was distracted by the birds. So instead she laid perfectly still and watched them above her while she rested.

Ellie - "There must be a way to get them from here!"

The 4 hours went by fast and after 3 1/2  hours Ellie was ready to find a cozy place to nap until home time. She made sure she had her current favourite ball with her. She tried out both living-room crates and finally settled on the porch using the mat as a pillow.
*Note to self - this girl is another pillow lover so have one handy in case of a sleep over for her.

Tired but not quite cozy enough to sleep

Fast asleep, cozy enough for today. Rest well Miss Ellie. Your mom will be here soon.

I thoroughly enjoyed our special day together and believe Ellie did too. We'll be figuring out some days for introductions to a few others so she'll have some doggy buddies and not just boring ole me.
We'll see you soon Ellie. Thank you for choosing Royal K9 Korner.