A month already?????

Wow!  On June 28th, Spencer will have been with us for a month.  I don't know where the time went. It has been incredible to have a large, awkward four-legged creature bounding through the house.  Spencer has added a whole new dimension to our home, that's for sure!


So, here's to recap the goings-on during the first month...

• he's a Houdini - proved that the second day 
• he loves being around people and can sound very mournful if you are out of his sight for too long
• he prances and smiles when he is out for his walk, freaking the passer-bys out
• he's actually a sleek, shiny black colour (the baby fur has left the building... now floating around the back, perhaps lining a nest or two)
• he LOVES marshmallows AND (can't forget this one) his wombat who essentially is his playmate, chew toy, cuddle buddy and pillow all wrapped up and disguised as an animal.
• he can shake both paws... and will give it freely if he thinks it will get him a treat or two!
• he can "spin" for treats as well
• he roos and smiles at the same time
• he actually barks!
• he is trying really hard to win Plio over... so far, a few swats, a couple of scratches and a few play swipes...
• he compliments the chef after he eats by coming over and burping and then walking away
• he leans when he is driving in the car... like a surfer or snowboarder does through a turn
• he enjoys the beach and thinks rocks are his playmates
• he can clear the room with his quiet-but-deadly ones!
• he went on his first vacation to Pugwash and charmed everyone he met in town 

During his first month with us, Spencer celebrated his 2nd birthday on June 12th.  He received some gourmet dog treats and lots of love.  We took him to the dog wash and gave him his first bath, which he wasn't too keen on, but was tolerant until the dryer came out!  He also got to run free a couple of times when he went off-leashing at a local dog park.  Check it out:

One of our favourite things he does is cockroach when he's sleeping... his tongue will also hang out from time to time.

Settling In

Spencer has now been here 6 days and he is getting settled into a day in the life of our world.  He is still a bit shy(and slightly stubborn), but he is romping around more and showing more personality.  


Yesterday, he was hanging out in the classroom while I was tutoring.  He discovered Mac's orange hockey ball and went wild, jumping up and down and wanting me to play with him.  It was so fun to watch and keep him going!  


Spencer also comes alive when he hears us filling up his dish with food.  He runs up and down the stairs (carpeted) and hops around waiting for us to put it down.  He reluctantly stays until we say "Okay."  


He's also tried to gnaw the legs on one of our occasional tables.  We will forever have "Spencer" marks to remind us of his first few days.  (Better than having to steam clean the living room carpet to rid the spots after he decided to leave a couple of presents for us when he got out our crate!)


Overall, he is fitting in and tolerating us quite well.  I am sure he wonders why we don't relax more and mellow out as he, himself, flakes out his whole body on his blanket and snoozes hard most the day.  We are trying to get his stamina up so we can take him hiking,  thus any longer walks  than around the block at the moment tires him out completely. 

Spencer Arrives!

 Ok.  Today (Friday - its now past midnight Saturday morning) I woke up to the tinkling of Plio's cat collar. (This is nothing unusual).  I went to pat her, as she usually sleeps on my bed curled by my legs.  Not today, though!  She had made herself cozy in the kennel.  At least we know she thought it is a sweet spot.  A wonderful way to begin a long-awaited day.

We went to GPAC late afternoon to pick up and bring Spencer to his forever-home, as they say.  He was eager.  He "smiled" as he left the crate. When we got outside he rolled over onto his back and wanted us to rub his belly.  He was patient as we put on his cool collar and took off his other one.  He's so docile! 

Our 50 minute ride home was pretty uneventful.  I sat in the back, as he was a little unsure about the whole car thing.  For the most part, he laid on the seat.  It was so funny to see him extend his head and put it on the arm rest and stare at Chad.  Often, it was upside down, too!  Once in awhile he would get up, share his doggie breath as he looked out the window, watching the world go by.

He took to the house fairly well.  Its quite comical to see Chad and I help Spencer up the stairs.  He is still working on it.  He found his bed right away and made himself at home.  He is so laid back, that even a bolting cat only made him open his eyes, then he returned to sleeping.  

It already feels like he has been here forever.  Welcome to the family, Spencer!

A Greyt New Adventure

Awaiting Spencer

We are awaiting the arrival of our new family member, Spencer (aka Nitro Grinner).  He is presently recuperating from being fixed and is resting comfortably at the kennel.  We will be picking him up Thursday or Friday of this week.

We spent most of the weekend at the kennel playing with him and walking him.  He is so lovable and I am confident he'll adjust quite easily to all of us. 

The preparations are almost complete.  I finished the dog beds last week, just in case we could bring him home on the weekend.  

Everyone in the family had to make sure the beds were comfy enough for our new arrival.  Between the kids, hubby and Plio, the beds have been well-tested.

Plio LOVES the beds.  She thinks they are hers.  It will be interesting to see how she reacts to Spencer laying on them!

Our greyt pals, Fargo and Kali, also tried the beds out when they visited us this past weekend.  Not only are the beds cat approved, they are dog approved! They are even Abby approved as she used it as a mattress to sleep on while having a sleepover in the family room.  Hopefully, Spencer will like it as much.