Shakti XOXO

Another fun week of mayhem and mischief.  This little girl has a crazy way of tugging at my heart strings and frustrating me more than any being in quite some time.  85% sweetheart 15% devil child.  

 

Shakti is shifting who I am.  I find myself worried about her, hating that I have to be away from her for hours throughout the day and feeling guilty when I have other obligations going on. 

 It is wonderful that she has so many friends.  Thinking her social life may be better than mine.  Here she is playing nicely with one of her best friends

 Oh my Shakti.  You are getting so big!!! Not even 5mos yet.  Honestly, I have a little fear about her behavior.  We work on it daily, but sometimes I feel like I am getting nowhere.  How do I give her the love that she needs and deserves, but also make sure that she is learning appropriate behavior? Some days I feel that we are buddies and others that she hates me

 It's a good thing I didn't plant those or I would probably be pretty ticked. 

 This was my attempt to train her to stay off the couch.  Obviously, it did not go super well. 

Another fun week.  XOXO Shakti.  Don't worry baby girl we are going to be a great team.

Shakti Baby



Northern Arizona summers mean gorgeous weather, sunny days, fresh mountain air and lots of time outside.  We have been enjoying romping around in the woods together and some nice backyard time

Both her and her cousin have the same idea here.  Lets get outside and play! Good girl not jumping up. 
                                         
  Being a puppy is hard work.  There's a lot of socializing, chasing, and remembering what you can and cannot do.   Sometimes you just have to chillax.

 

We went to the neighbors to play Corn Hole.  Shakti's position grab the bags from the Corn Hole board and run them around the yard.  Thanks for inviting us over.  Had a lot of fun.  I'm sure Shakti and Oaky will be good friends. 

 

If anyone has suggestions for leash training let me know.  I've been using the information given to me by a trainer.  Honestly, I want her to be awesome on the leash.  Whether out for a hike, on a bike ride or a jog I want her to behave appropriately not pulling and staying by my or whoever's side. 

 



Puppy Lovin

She loves her big bad wolf toy!

Another week of fun!! This little girl met a couple of friends.  Oaky her buddy next door and a coworkers dog Maya.  She even managed to jump the fence to go play.  Oops sorry, thanks for letting her hang out.  And yes Oaky I agree she can be a pain in the rear.  Promise she will learn.  Find it interesting that even though she is bigger than the others she still takes the submissive role as the younger dog.

Got our third set of puppy shots and her rabies vaccine. We are now officially old enough to register with the county.  Shakti is now weighing in at a solid 27.7lbs.  getting big quick.

And of course fun times with cousin Kingston.  Good girl not jumping on him

Happy May Day!

Happy first May day Shakti.  Usually associated with beautiful weather, blooming flowers, and the beginning of a beautiful summer season.  Not this year.  Yup it is snowing in Arizona.  

 

 Checking out the snow. Now if only I could train you to wipe your feet.

But that is the least of our worries.  Sorry Shakti, but no more ruling the roost while I am at work.  It just isn't going well.  I can't have you trashing the place any more.  Honestly, I am not sure the best thing to do for proper training.  Leave crated and let out during the day for play and bathroom under mine and puppy sitters supervision.  Or keep in yard for the day without access to come inside. 

 

 Congratulations little graduate.  We have passed puppy Kindergarten.  There is a little break until the next course.  During that time we are going to continue our studies.  We are working on Come, Stay, Wait, and Leash Walking. Lets be top of our class next session.

And of course not biting, not jumping, or chewing on what is not ours. 

 

 

Yes the dog dish did turn up.  She had managed to drop it behind the back of the couch.  Which means she was climbing on the sofa when she is not allowed to. 



Puppy Life

 

This week we are working on learning to walk on the leash.  And no we don't have any photos because well it is not going good at all.  The trainer did say to be patient. That it would be the hardest skill for her to learn.  Of course I want it to happen quickly so we can enjoy nice walks together as the weather gets warmer.  

 

 Enjoying a nice sunny afternoon with one of her puppy sitters.  Lucky to have so many friends. 

 Shakti having fun with her cousin.  These two are great together.  Love that she is learning appropriate play with kids and adults.

 Ok, seriously dog where is your other dish?   Last seen around 3pm.  Hopefully will reappear tomorrow. 

Another fun week.   Shakti and I are sending well wishes to her brother who recently fractured his femur. 

The basic rules

Our first rule here is "Don't be an Asshole"  basically that just encompasses everything.  IE don't chew up anything that is not for you to chew on, Don't jump on people, Don't bite people, Don't bark at people.  Sure it may seem like well what is there to do then? But I promise it's not all about the don'ts there is a lot of fun happening.  Some Do's are.  Do enjoy running around and lying in the sun.  Do get excited when you see rain.  Do work up the nerve to jump in the puddle, Do explore, Do love getting your belly rubbed.  It's not that I am trying to be mean.  It is just that I am determined for you to be an awesome dog and you already are.  Just getting  even better and better and you know what they say you can only get by on your looks for so long

 

Rule number two is just an extension of Rule 1 and that is "Cut the Crap" Meaning there are a lot fun things to do stop without constantly breaking rule number 1.  And let me say we are getting so much better.  Everyday you amaze me with how much you are learning.  Here are a few shots enjoying life

Enjoying a fun day with cousin Biscuit. 

This week we continue to play the name game, practice the come command, we are now practicing, sit, down in rapid sequence and we are also working on stand and heel where she stays just slightly behind me. 

 



pitty puppy face.  She saying to all her friends "come visit me"

 

Shakti!...The first three months

Forget the first three months.  The first few weeks started off with a Bang!  Surviving a house fire, being rescued by local emergency crews.  Sitting on an ambulance, and getting oxygen, loosing her only sister to a tragic accident.  I knew this little being was going to be a dynamic force that needed a name to suit her.  A name that showed off her power.  Her life force. After much thought and deliberation and trying several names out Shakti is what stuck.(others that were considered-Scarlett, Sexy, and Stella to name a few) Yes all S-for her Aunt Sara, taking into consideration the rules about puppy naming from the countless youtube videos I watched, and the fact that it just felt right 

 

 

Shakti- "In Hinduism, Shakti meaning "power" or "empowerment," is the primordial cosmic energy and represents the dynamic forces that are thought to move through the entire universe. Shakti is the concept, or personification, of divine feminine creative power, sometimes referred to as 'The Great Divine Mother' in Hinduism." (thanks Wikipedia)

 

And how can you argue with that.  Yes more please.  Lets bring this into our lives baby girl. 

Part Boxer/Part heeler/Part Catahula/Part Black Mouth Cur/ 100% cute 100% stubborn.  She knows her name, sit, stay, come, and down (lying all the way down) when she chooses to.

 

 The decision to get a dog did not come easily.  I pondered it for weeks.  Seriously, not sure what I was so worried about.   Am I perfect.  G-d no.  Am I doing my best to learn all I can and provide her exercise, socialization and teaching her to become a great dog- well Yes.  I'm not convinced she likes me all the time.  In fact she looks at me like what a dork, or seriously what are you thinking at least once a day.  But she hasn't dug her self a tunnel to freedom or run off while we are romping through the woods so I figure that must mean that my approach at puppy raising while not perfect is also working at least some of the time

 

Help please with the biting.   Yes, I have tried many things. I get that she is a puppy.  But my ankle bone is not appropriate chew toy.  You have perfectly good bones and toys that you are allowed to chew on.  No you will not win this battle with persistence.







Being carried out by Emergency services. 

 Always up for making new friends. Both of the human persuasion and K9.   Here she is playing tug of war with one of her first friends.

 Snuggling up with family.  It's great being loved by so many

 Thanks Yukon for coming over to play and helping her learn how to play with the big dogs. Have a feeling you will be one of the few dog friends that will always be bigger than her.

 Here with one of her bestest friends. Her cousin Kingston.  These two are adorable together.  We are working on the not jumping up and playing appropriately. 

 Ok one of these two is going over in a matter of seconds. 

 Playing with  cousin Biscuit. 

 Ok yes, we attempted to get some 3mos pictures.  It wasn't easy.  And no they did not come out that great.  Got to be quick with the camera this girl does not stay still for long.

 I love the Angel patch on her chest.  Just a confirmation that her name is perfect. She wears it on her chest

Love you baby girl.