dachshunds | Dangerous Common Sense

Day 69 — Five Pounds of Adorableness

By Galen|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. [...]

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Day 68 — Breaking Down Barriers

By Galen|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 [...]

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Day 67 — Sharing is Caring!

By Galen|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 [...]

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Day 66 — Aurora on Snake Patrol

By Galen|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 -- [...]

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Day 65 — Another Day with a Babysitter

By Galen|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

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Day 64 — Expanding Her Territory

By Galen|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 [...]

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Day 63 — A Day of Activity

By Galen|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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Day 62 — Home Life

By Galen|2018-12-01T14:58:32-08:00November 24, 2018|dachshunds|

After yesterday's visits and excitement, this Saturday was a low-key, at-home affair. The camera didn't get taken out until almost dinner time. I recorded Aurora's source of chronic puzzlement: how to operate the stairs! Day 62 -- Contemplating the Stairs AGAIN Then I asked Geoffrey to pose with Aurora, because it had been a while. Geoffrey did his best to make me wonder if he was a fit parent! Day 62 -- Only a Slightly Demonic Look

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Day 61 — Maintaining Traditions and Meeting MORE People

By Galen|2018-12-01T14:37:07-08:00November 23, 2018|dachshunds|

After the big Thanksgiving dinner for the humans, we all weighed ourselves this morning. In Aurora's case -- and only in her case! -- heavier is better. Today she was 4 pounds 6 ounces. That's five ounces more than the last time we weighed her five days ago. Good girl! The pack stayed together and decompressed most of the day. By "decompress" I mean run, chase, chew, and snarl for an hour or so followed by complete collapse for several hours; repeat! Aurora's newest discovery is how to walk up the side of the decomposing planter box and join generations [...]

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Day 60 — Early Childhood Training

By Galen|2018-12-01T11:10:07-08:00November 22, 2018|dachshunds|

There are a few things puppies have to learn at an early age. Aurora isn't housetrained and cannot do any tricks, but we have taught her some behaviors for social and safety reasons. Puppies need to be held stomach up, getting cradled. This reinforces that the humans are the pack alphas... we get to have access to the soft spots. Puppies need to open their mouths wide when we say ,"Awwww!" This means if they put something dangerous in their mouths we can get it out without a struggle. Day 60 - Say "Awww!" Humans need to repeatedly [...]

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