4th Christmas - Dec 2010

Oh my, I am such a BAD Mom to have let so much time go by before updating Nicholas' profile - 3 yrs to be exact... In that time, we have moved from Southern California to just outside Eugene, Oregon. Nicholas LOVED his first winter here and playing in the snow.

Unfortunately, the older Nick has gotten the more I am seeing fear issues, in particular, fear bitting. Due to his total lack of socialization during the formative period, he does not trust people at all. He will accept them if they are setting down but once they get up to move, he becomes fearful and tries to bite. Since I took on the responsibility of Nick, it is up to me to keep him safe - his whole life. To that end, I gave up smoking cigarettes this past Aug 1st. My goal is to outlive him - and since I am 65 and he is 4, I have a ways to go, God willing. With the above said, I have to say that Nicholas has NEVER given me any problems whatsoever, and this includes: grooming, nail clipping, etc. He is a total joy to me and I am so very happy to have him in my life. I fear that if I had not taken him, this poor boy would not be alive today..and that would be a terrible shame.

Nicholas LOVES to play ball, not only to chase the ball but to catch the ball on it's first bounce. He is great at bringing it back either inside or outside. He seems to have given up his stuffies in favor of the Cuz ball - the one without feet..LOL He is very smart and we are also working on some obedience commands. Took a bit but he has finally learned the difference between "sit" and "sit-up". We are having a bit of problem with the "down" command but I feel he will get it sooner or later - I need to practice it more with him ;).

Well, that is about it for now.. I sure hope I don't wait another 3 yrs for another update..

1st Christmas

Time has flown by, I have now had Nick for 3 weeks.

A great Christmas for all the guys but particularly Nicholas as this is his first. He got 4 new small stuffies from Santa that he absolutely LOVES. He has taken to carrying them around in him mouth. They all got a special dinner starting Christmas Eve along with a bully stick (those things STINK when they have been chewed on..). Many treats along the way too as well as special hours long trips to the dog park.

These past 3 weeks have been milestones for Nick. He now loves the other dogs at the dog park and loves to play, getting quite investigative too. People skills are slow in coming but I am not rushing him - just exposing him. Took him to a local feed store and he walked around on his lead like no tomorrow, no shyness at all. He has discovered he could RUN.. and boy does he LOVE to do it at the dog park - goes all over the place (never was allow to do that before) - flies like the wind. A week ago he discovered he can bark..LOL and now he is investigating *talking*. He is also learning how to jump. I suspect he will be a jump'n jack flash before too much longer... He is doing very well on leash now, knows his name, and sleeps thru the night with no problems. Nick has gotten quite cocky over the past week and it really shows at the dog park - he is developing ATTITIDE!! Nick is making OK strides in the housebreaking department considering he had no training before I got him.

All in all, I am very happy I got him. I love watching him develop his personality.