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So far Galen has created 1094 blog entries.

Day 72 — Late Play is Better than No Play

By |2018-12-08T18:19:45-08:00December 4, 2018|dachshunds|

Aurora was kept from her mid-day play routine today because I had to go to a 12:30 meeting. She made do, though. When I got home the sun had already gone past her backyard, but the far outback was still warm and fragrant. Day 72 -- Afternoon Exploration in the Way Back Aurora must chew everything, while Apex is very happy tackling just one of her balls. Because Aurora had a good lunch, we weren't worried about a late dog dinner due to the humans having a date night. When we got home, the adults chowed down quickly [...]

Day 71 — Turning Off the Irrigation

By |2018-12-08T17:06:08-08:00December 3, 2018|dachshunds|

Today Aurora reminded us of another home feature we used to have but which proved incompatible with puppies: a sprinkler system. Day 71 -- Examining the Roots Aurora has consistently (so far) focused on chewing plants and their roots. She's left the plastic bits of sprinklers alone. However, this picture reminds us that previous puppies chewed enough parts to make the system leaking and unreliable. For a while -- a few years, actually -- we dutifully replaced the tubes and connectors gnawed by our beasts. But, we've stopped. I'd like to say we stopped because we became more [...]

Day 70 — Continuing Traditional Gardening

By |2018-12-08T16:52:55-08:00December 2, 2018|dachshunds|

Our backyard planter boxes arrived when our first pack was getting elderly. We were able to grow some flowers and tomatoes without fighting over them with the canines. However, in 2008 SeQueL arrived, and the planters quickly became a favorite playtime destination. Aurora has continued the puppy tradition of wallowing, digging, and generally enjoying the now-falling-apart planters. Day 70 -- Morning Play in the Planter Aurora has also decided that the planter box is also a litter box, at least the center part of it is. Very confusing to us humans, but the whole box is being enjoyed [...]

Day 69 — Five Pounds of Adorableness

By |2018-12-08T16:22:39-08:00December 1, 2018|dachshunds|

Day 69 -- A Weighty Matter It's been a few days since we last reported on the puppy's weight. We actually weighted her on the the 29th (4 pounds, 15 ounces), but didn't want to get anyone excited about an upcoming milestone. We skipped the scales yesterday. Today she weighed in at an even 5 pounds! That's only 1/2 ounce the last two days, but we are not worried. Not only is our measuring impercise (because the item on the scale bounces around a lot!), but it's clear that she's happy and healthy. We are fortunate. And, yes. [...]

Day 68 — Breaking Down Barriers

By |2018-12-08T15:42:40-08:00November 30, 2018|dachshunds|

Our little girl acquired new skills today.  Ones that show great development, but ones which mean more vigilance is needed by the humans! This morning she got up the first step on the stairs!  Good girl!! Then later when I was at the gym and had locked her into the kitchen, she appeared at Geoff's bedside. She figured out how to push open the gate in the kitchen so she could escape into the bedroom. Oh boy! The clearest photo of the day, though, doesn't show Aurora's new skills. If anything, I think we should have a caption contest to [...]

Day 67 — Sharing is Caring!

By |2018-12-06T19:13:03-08:00November 29, 2018|dachshunds|

Jury duty ended for me yesterday. I never got called into the box to affirm that I could leave common sense behind and judge the facts just on what the court told us was the law! I could have done it, of course, but I am glad that I don't have two more weeks during the holiday of showing up to court and then doing work when I got home! For Aurora, the end of jury duty means more play time... and more photos. I can be a bit pickier on what I publish, I guess. Today's play was centered [...]

Day 66 — Aurora on Snake Patrol

By |2018-12-06T18:21:44-08:00November 28, 2018|dachshunds|

We have been able to convince Aurora that Mr. Snake is deserving of her teeth at least as much as our fingers, canine ears, and the baseboard are. She gets very focused. Day 66 -- Taming a Snake Often, out of the frame of most of these photos, there is Apex. Apex will pull, chew, and play tug-of-war with Aurora. But, butch Apex will not steal the toy and has to be constantly reassured that it's okay for her to play with what the puppy is interested in. Apex is truly the Omega Bitch! Day 66 -- [...]

Day 65 — Another Day with a Babysitter

By |2018-12-06T16:51:08-08:00November 27, 2018|dachshunds|

Both yesterday and today, Aurora and the pack were taken care of midday by their friend Tony as I continued to sit in a jury pool at the Hall of Justice from 9 - 4:30. This schedule made for hectic play sessions. Unfortunately, the lack of time also meant that some sub-optimal photographs were still the best ones taken that day. Actually, this one of the evening play session isn't really out of focus as much as it suffers from motion blur! A cavorting puppy needs a quicker shutter speed! Day 65 -- It's Motion Blur Time  

Day 64 — Expanding Her Territory

By |2018-12-06T16:33:57-08:00November 26, 2018|dachshunds|

Aurora's adventure today was deciding that the back yard -- all of it -- is part of her domain. She's been pretty bold for a while about wandering all over the bricks and going back to the lemon tree to sniff and chew. Day 64 -- Exploring the Backyard This evening, Aurora took the path between the bushes and went out to the Outback! Day 64 -- Aurora In the Way Outback Of course I went with her, looked ahead to make sure that there were no evil predators lurking around, and generally did nervous parental [...]

Day 63 — A Day of Activity

By |2018-12-03T19:35:06-08:00November 25, 2018|dachshunds|

Sunday is touted as a day of rest. It isn't for a puppy and her family! Aurora played with the pack and with the humans starting about 6 am. Today's pictures are from the afternoon visit of out-of-town guests. Day 63 -- Allen Meets Aurora Allen and Neil stopped in to greet a somewhat reserved Aurora. They both got down on the floor to make Aurora more comfortable. Day 63 -- Aurora Gets Held Aurora seems to be checking in with me to make sure she has the adorable puppy act down right. Day 63 [...]

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