Deer Kisses for Juno

Here is an update on Juno (formerly Cherry of Willow‘s goup), and some amazing photos…

Juno is doing great; she’s getting to be a big girl. She’s 31 lbs, as of last Friday, and growing quickly. She is outgrowing her crate, and we’ve graduated her to sleeping on a dog bed (just last night). We still keep her penned in with fences during the night, but she likes her bigger bed and she continues to be a great and quiet little sleeper.

Juno and deerYou were quite correct in telling us that she was an active girl, because she is certainly so! She likes being outside, so she spends a good part of the day in the backyard chewing sticks, rolling large stones (which she likes to push around with her head—very cute), and digging holes. Her new favorite activity is chasing tinkerbell. She goes absolutely crazy chasing the flashlight beams—she can do that for about 90 straight minutes. When we go outside in the evening, she looks for the flashlight beam. Of course, we’ve discovered that this makes picking up her poop in the evening a bit of a challenge when she’s with us. She loves the game so much that she can spend the next half hour after we’re done playing still looking for tinkerbell. Along the same line, she also enjoys chasing shadows (and her tail).

Juno is a very smart girl; we’ve discovered that she learns tricks (and how the world works) very quickly. She is curious but very easy to train. Sometimes she gets a little nippy when she’s out of control, so we’re finding ways to calm her down or we take her out somewhere where she can run full out. We can tell that she is trying her best not to bite, but we can tell that it is so hard for her—still, she is much, much better about not nipping, and it is getting better each day. Her adult teeth are coming in, so she’s definitely in the teething stage. Her house training is pretty good; she’s using the bell at the door to let us know when she needs go out. She has an occasional accident when she is so excited that she forgets to let us know she needs to go or if she gets mad at us. We’ve adapted to both situations by taking her outside, and so far that has been a good solution.

She is a very lovable and wiggly little girl, and she has made lots of friends in the neighborhood. She’s hangs out with the neighbor’s dog fairly often, and she met a couple of other dogs in the neighborhood—all of which have extended invitations for playtime.

Juno and deerWe took her up to a cabin in Wisconsin, and she met a fawn. The fawn is provisioned, so it hangs around on the property looking for food. We (including Juno) discovered that the deer is quite friendly, and, as you will see, is not afraid of dogs. In fact, once Juno figured out that the deer was Ok, she played with her for three days. Juno and the deer liked to play chase—mostly Juno attempted to get the deer to chase her. On the open grass, Juno very quickly discovered that the deer can run her down easily, so Juno resorted to diversion tactics—running around bushes, under chairs, around us, etc. Every morning, Juno would go out and look for her deer buddy. I’ve enclosed a couple pictures, and I will be sending you a CD with pictures and movies.
-S

Juno update a photos

An update on Juno (formerly Cherry) thanks for the kind words!!

Juno sitting prettyJuno is a great little puppy! She is doing very well and adjusting quickly to her new home. She is extremely friendly and has enjoyed all the new people she has met in the last week. After the first night, she has not cried or protested sleeping in her crate, and she now seems to enjoy sleeping and napping in there. We can’t believe how easy she has been. We even left her at home crated alone for about and hour and she was just fine when we came back—although I’m not sure she even realized that we were gone. Her potty training is going better than anticipated, and she has not had an accident since Saturday (she only had two accidents in the house—on the day she came home and the next day). We’ve now established a good schedule for Juno, which seems to be doing the trick (and she also sits by the door when she wants to go out). She’s learned to sit and come, and we are working on down and walking on a leash; Juno is a smart little girl and very willing to please.

Juno snoozingJuno really loves the backyard, so we hang out with her a lot during the day when she’s not sleeping. She is full of beans during the day, and she enjoys gardening (chewing up the plants and fertilizing the soil), geology (picking up rocks), travel (through some gaps in our fence to our neighbor’s yard, which we promptly fixed), snorkeling/diving (for toys in her pool), sports (chasing her balls and toys), slalom (frenetic zooming around the yard darting in and out around and through the plants), and hosting parties (playtime with the dog next door). When she’s not outdoors, she likes lots of cuddles, belly rubs, training, sleeping, playing, and hanging out with us watching animals on TV. Juno is the cutest and sweetest little bundle of joy, and we are having a great time trying to keep up with her!

Juno sleeping after playWe cannot imagine what it was like for you to raise the litter yourself—you are amazing! You have also done a terrific job with the litter– we can tell by our very happy, well-socialized pup. Thanks for being a terrific foster mom and raising such a good little puppy; it has made it so much easier for us and Juno!

August 13, 2009 • Tags: , , , , • Posted in: puppy update, story update • No Comments

Cherry is now Juno

Another update; this one on Juno (formerly known as Cherry):

Juno (Cherry) is adjusting beautifully to her new home. She loves her new crate, thanks to the quilt that you gave to us– thanks! She took a nap in her crate after long afternoon. So far she has not had an accident inside the house, and she has even let us know that she needed to go potty (it may have been a coincidence, but we’d like to think that she’s smart)! She is a rambunctious little pup– full of beans! She definitely loves her squeaky toys and balls. She is such a friendly little thing– simply adorable!

August 9, 2009 • Tags: , , • Posted in: puppy update • 2 Comments

Meet puppy Apple

AppleApple is a spunky, happy, energetic girl, born to a mama who looks to be part Golden Retriever/Labrador mixed with a setter or hound. Her mama, Willow is also up for adoption and is a mellow, playful, cuddly and patient dog. Her pups really take after her. Apple is nearly indistinguishable from her sister, Cherry, except Apple’s paw pads are completely black. She has a short, yellow coat and really looks a lot like a yellow Lab. Apple is nearly house trained, having had the luxury of spending lots of time outside. She has had her first set of puppy shots, has been microchipped, and is on flea and heartworm preventative.

Meet puppy Cherry

CherryCherry is an energetic and playful girl born to a mama who looks to be part Golden Retriever/Labrador mixed with a setter or hound. Her mama, Willow is also up for adoption and is a mellow, playful, cuddly and patient dog. Her pups really take after her. Cherry is almost indistinguishable from her sister, Apple, except Cherry has little “cherry” dots on her paw pads. She has a short, yellow coat and really looks a lot like a yellow Lab. Cherry is nearly house trained, having had the luxury of spending lots of time outside. She has had her first set of puppy shots, has been microchipped, and is on flea and heartworm preventative.