What goes around comes around - Jet and Ben as puppies



When Jet arrived in late 2005 she immediately took to Thorn because Jenny Glen had a German Shepherd at the time - so Thorn was familiar to Jet. She would climb over him and slide down his side... I wish I had a picture of that. Thorn was the sweetest, most gentle dog and he and Jet were great friends (Thorn died on Christmas Day, 2007). Jet is about 8 weeks old here.

So, now, Jet has a puppy... and he is going to be 6 weeks old in two days. Guess what he is doing?

Yes, you guessed right! Ben is climbing over Jet and sliding down her side! I had to catch a picture.

I just love the look of pure joy on his face.

So far, Ben reminds me of Ted, his sire, through and through. This was the first time I saw a glimmer of momma...

First 'group photo' of the gang, a great swim and Ben's first tracking glove!

Ben poses with an old tracking glove he found in the yard!

Today Ben ran with the gang for the first time, supervised. Everyone was very good - but he ended up climbing on Jet to nurse, and that ended it abruptly.



I called them to lie down and we got our first 'group photo.'

First group photo of Caden, River, Ted, Jet and Baby Ben

River is a very powerful swimmer, even at age 11. Caden looks behind as she gains on him!

In the heat of the afternoon, I took River and Caden for a swim. I went swimming yesterday at the local Enmax Wave Pool. It was so fun - so today was their turn. River is a great swimmer even at 11. Caden is not as strong a swimmer being more of a Prairie boy. But he is young and strong. Sorry about River's barking - she is getting quite deaf and I don't think she hears herself, and I need to really yell or do hand signals to her now!

I had to separate them, because Caden would not 'out' the toy when River was hovering, and who could blame him? River got a chance to swim in peace after Caden retrieved for nearly 20 minutes!

Good boy outs his toy

For me the day started out a bit lonely - trying to figure out what to do, and it was so beautiful out! By the time I was finished with my outing with River and Caden, I felt so joyful. Dogs are so amazing and such great company.

This evening, Ben had another runabout outside. The house it TOO SMALL for him now! He found an old glove (not a set-up, honest!) and he claimed it. It was priceless - such a treasure!



I hope these videos make you smile like they made me smile and laugh.

That thing on the floor...

Ben had another full day... but Jet is not happy because she is going to lose her hiding place up on the couch soon...
Today Ben is 35 days old and weighed in at 7 pounds. I can't get over how much he is learning in 35 short days.

 

Ben is learning to prop himself up on his back legs... what a cute face!

Well hello there

Jet's trying to keep the monkey away from Ben!

Haha says Jet... oops, the monkey fell on the floor!

I caught Ben in the laundry room attacking the blue blanket that I usually hang on his crate to block drafts

When Ben wakes up, he goes and rings the bells I hung in his ex pen. Isn't that clever? I think he is training me! Sorry this is dark - it was very 'spur of the moment.'

Impromptu nursing session while Ted, Caden and River look on

Hi Uncle Caden, I like your yellow ball...

All these toys, and today he discovered my slipper

I'll get you out!
I love River and Ted's glowing eyes.

Tired puppy, sleeping close to his daddy - River's eyes still glowing back there...

New Post on Your Tracking Coach - Scent pads

Finally... there is a new post up ... I've been a bit pre-occupied with Ben, but am getting back 'on track' with the coaching blog!

http://yourtrackingcoach.blogspot.com/2011/08/thinking-about-starting-my-puppy-this.html

Visit me over there for tracking advice for beginners!

Ben's first shed - one month old :)

Angie Driscoll, Kinloch Sheepdogs is having a fun photo contest on her Facebook Wall. People are asked to submit pictures of their dogs working sheep (no grips). So of course, I sent this one of little Ben...  Angie is the Webmaster and PR person for the World Trials. She and Kelvin live in Wales and I am proud to call them friends.

Baby Ben's first shed

Oh dear, that's a grip for sure - his mother's son... (this picture did not get submitted, of course)

Learning to come through

Away to me, good boy! (a little tight, but he's just one month old)

"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet..."

 I have been working on the computer (including the post I just added below), and I looked down to see this... it reminds me of the great quote in the title, which is from Edith Wharton.

Ben masters the Play Bow, and Good Momma Jet

Ben has learned to play bow and Jet is starting to play with him like he is a puppy dog. She is a great mom. I took him outside after work today and captured a bunch of pictures. He looks a lot like his dad Ted, and has Ted's very happy nature, which is awesome.

Jet is looking away because she is disgusted with me for telling her to stay!

Ben creeps forward and bows again. Such a stealthy herding dog...

Mini-Ted

Bow to the tuft of grass

Once again, I am saying STAY and Jet is incredulous that I'd say that, ha ha!

New dog run, and Ben's outdoor afternoon

Today was so HOT! I spent most of the day writing, then assembling a new chain link dog run all by myself. I am so proud of how far I got - and my friend Dan Waters is going to come help me with the chain link part using a come-along. The new run will be for Teddy, and Ben will go in with Jet once he is ready to be outside. Not for awhile yet - but I want to be ready for it.

Ben came out today and spent time in the shade in an ex-pen with Jet. The other dogs are accepting him as part of the pack now. It was so nice out today, the air was so warm it reminded me of Hawaii! It made me think - hey, only 5 months until I go back to Maui. Does time fly! Still, nice to get a little bit of summer here, we need it - we have not had much of it this year in Alberta.

Here are today's pics.

This will be Ted's new digs once it's ready

It's too bad I can't fit this beside the house, but I do not want to put it near the right hand side of my yard where it's just too close to the neighbour kids. River and Caden's run is around the corner of the house on the left - in this awesome nook. I love my backyard!

Ben nurses while Caden and River sit in the shade.

River shows Ben her special Giggle Ball. I guess I will need to buy another one for him.

Momma and Baby Ben are wiped out from the hot weather and fresh air! I just cracked up when I saw him flaked out on his back like this. Hilarious. He is getting to be quite a character.

PS..... thanks to Pam Prescott who came to visit Ben last night and brought him the zebra you see above.  He loves it! He is playing with it in the pic below - and Jet is eyeing it up too, haha.

Ben says Writing is Really Hard Work!

It's a beautiful sunny morning, so I brought Ben out onto the deck again, and thought I would work on my book... but of course, he is just so distracting... for some reason he had to go OVER the box of books and not around it! And he is so determined!