Weekly Pictures

8 Weeks

9 Weeks

10 Weeks

11 Weeks

12 Weeks

13 1/2 Weeks

13 1/2 Weeks

14 Weeks

15 Weeks

16 Weeks

17 Weeks

First Beach Trip

At the Beach!

Jake and I took Zaire to the beach for her first time! 

We walked close to the water and when a wave came close, Zaire quickly ran away from the water, not liking that she got her paws wet. :-) 

We had a nice long walk and met a few other friendly dogs. 

Our trip was a success!

Papa Jake & Zaire

The view from the cliff

Another view

Mama & Zaire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Bath - October 29th

Zaire's second bath was more successful than the first! I enlisted the help of my boyfriend. I got in the bath with Zaire to hold and comfort her while he poured the water and rinsed her.

Zaire freaked out again with the water, but I was able to hold her and make her feel safe. She calmed down a little, but still doesn't like the water.

This time we were able to get her clean and rinsed properly!  

Here's hoping Bath #3 will be better. 

Tip - 4 hands is better than 2 when giving a puppy a bath! 

Zaire's First Bath - October 1st

Wet Puppy!

My first attempt in trying to give Zaire her first bath was unsuccessful. The bath tub stopper wouldn't close, so the tub wouldn't hold any water for a bath.

As soon as I turned on the water to get Zaire wet, she freaked out. I managed to get a little shampoo on her and rinse it off. She was not happy with mom and decided that since I made her get wet, she was going to make sure I was soaked. 

Zaire had more fun drying off and playing in the towels.

Playing in the towels!

Month 1 Recap

 I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since I've brought home this little bundle of cuteness. Time is flying by and even though I take pictures almost on a daily basis, I've realized it's not enough. I have to capture every moment, because before I know it, February 2013 will be here and my baby girl will be moving on to advance training.

Here's Zaire at 11 weeks old!

 

Before I brought puppy home, I had imagined that I would blog at least weekly to track her progress and post pictures of her growing. Week 1 came and went... as did the next 3 weeks. Now I'm thinking monthly updates sound much better.

It's been a fun first month and I've learned so much about Zaire. She is one smart puppy! 

The past few weeks I have been teaching her her Name, Sit, Down, Wait, Kennel, Release, Hurry, Let's Go, Don't/No, Drop, Here, Dress, and how to walk down stairs. 

~ Month 1 Recap ~

Zaire accepted her crate on the first day. She sleeps through the entire night (except when she had diarrhea for a week, then she would bark and let me know she had to go).

Dog hair is a new accessory to my clothing. 

 

I now know what it feels like to be a mother. I worry when puppy isn't drinking enough water or has a tiny red bump on her tummy, or wonder why she's scratching her ear.

Too many treats and kibble can cause an upset stomach and keep you up all night. 

Zaire is very food motivated! She knows how to Sit very well. 

When we are outside walking, she'll occasionally be stubborn and plop her butt down and won't budge. That is, until you show her a treat. ;-)

 

Getting ready to go anywhere requires planning to make sure I have everything I could possibly need while we are out.

I have to allow plenty of time to load the car with puppy and her stuff before we leave. 

I used to arrive early to places and now I'm always a few minutes behind because puppy sometimes doesn't stick to the schedule. 

 

Zaire have a new best friend named Jiva and they have play dates almost twice a week. 

This weekend puppy gets her first bath. Stay tuned for bath pictures and we'll see you next month! 

 

Stubborn puppy won't come down the stairs!

September 29, 2011 - 13 Weeks old!

 

 

 

Family

Zaire (on the left), mama China, and her brother and sisters feeding!

Baby Zaire!

Mama China from PADS!

Welcome Home Zaire

On August 30, 2011, I brought home a chubby little 15lb puppy named Zaire. 

Zaire was born in Canada on June 30, 2011 to PADS China and Camden II. 

She is so adorable and that cute little wrinkly puppy face is to die for. I fell in love with her instantly! And you will too when you meet her. 

I will be raising Zaire for the next 16-18 months as a Puppy Raiser for Canine Companions for Independence. Raising a puppy and watching them grow is such an adventure and at times, a circus!

I'll be posting updates and pictures along the way so you can follow her thru this amazing journey on becoming a future Canine Companion.