Please excuse my runny nose...

...but i only EAT tissues...I don't actually use them.

I'm unbelievably adorable anyway. Don't you think?

Ella's first exposure to the New York City streets

Tonight was our very first vet appointment since I brought Ella home! It was a special night for Ella because she was finally exposed to the mean New York City streets! The sirens, the honks, the traffic, the crazy people...and other pups! Well, she wasn't officially "exposed" to other pups as that can't happen until she's 16 weeks old (uggh) and has gotten her rabies shot...but she got to see them at least.

Ella was examined and she appears to be a healthy lil pup with the exception of a little diarrhea. Ella now weighs 11 and three-quarters pounds! That's up from 10 pounds last Saturday! But she's still a lean pretty machine. The doc ok'd her going outside at 12 weeks after she gets her next round of shots, but 'till then we're cooped up inside :-( He sympathized with how hard that is with big pups, but it's for her own protection, so Ella and I will make it work somehow.

While we were at the vet's office, there were some very nice ladies in the reception area who couldn't help but keep telling me how beautiful Ella is. Is it wrong that I love that people think my baby is so adorable? ;-) Anyway, one of the women had a little white Maltese named Charlotte. Charlotte was waiting for her sister to finish up her appointment and was whimpering quite a bit. Ella didn't know what to make of it and just kept staring at her. (Ella was in my arms the whole time while I stood - I wasn't going to let her touch anything - including Charlotte!).

Anyway, Ella was great with the doctor and didn't pitch a fit even once, not even when he stuck the thermometer up her bum (ouch). She gobbled up the couple of Pet Tabs he gave her and was happy to interact with the vet assistant who wandered in. My little girl is so sociable! The vet's office was really interesting. It was quite small (not surprising for NYC) and very open...another little pup came wandering into our room while the doc was examining her...I was like, "OH! We have a visitor!", but doc wasn't even phased. Apparently this is a liberal sort of vet where pups are free to roam! Pretty darn cute...

But, the ordeal was EXHAUSTING to Ella. Meeting people, seeing pups...she even got to see a kitty cat! Poor thing is still so frightened by it. A nice man walking his two pups saw us and couldn't help but give her a pat on the head and tell me how adorable she was. Meanwhile, his pups started barking. Well Ella started shaking in my arms and frankly I was afraid she'd piddle all over my coat! Thank goodness she didn't. Then on our way home, she was spooked by a woman behind us who was talking very loudly and aggressively on her cell phone. And frankly, I was too. What is WRONG with people?? Anyway, she buried her little head in my armpit to protect herself! Pooorrrrr Ella!

So, when she got home, she scarfed down her dinner and then pooped out almost right away which is extremely unusual for her. Poor little baby...I think she enjoyed herself, but it was a very emotional introduction to city living. But Ella's got a ton of spunk and I think she'll really dig the action once she's just a little older and bigger. I can't wait!

Here are some shots of Ella shortly after her arrival home...sweet dreams little one...

I'm too sexy for my giraffe

There’s an interesting research study that showed that people complained significantly less often about the amount of time spent waiting for elevators in the lobby of a building when mirrors were installed in the waiting area. Why? Because it’s amazing how much more quickly time flies when you’re checking out your sweet gorgeous self in the mirror. And we can’t resist giving ourselves a look. Go on, admit it…you know you subtly try to catch a glimpse.

Apparently pups – well, at least Ella – behave according to the same psychological principles.

Here’s a clip of me trying to play fetch with Ella and her giraffe…that is, until she gets distracted by herself in the mirror…

What do you live for?

Some people live to work. Some people live to play. Some people live to love. Some people live to give back.

Know what I live for? Preventing accidents on my rug.

How sad is my life?

Here’s a hilarious example that illustrates perfectly what this ridiculous job looks like live in action…

If puppies could talk...

If dogs could talk, perhaps we would find it as hard to get along with them as we do with people. ~Karel Čapek

Interesting. I wonder how my dialogue with Ella would have gone in this clip.

Me: Ella, NO.
Ella: Did you say something?
Me: Ella, NO!
Ella: Whatevs.
Me: ELLA, NO!!!!!!
Ella: Do I even know you?

Thank goodness Ella's beautiful...

Because she’s certainly not scoring points in the obedience round. Here’s where we’re at folks…the videos speak for themselves.

Feel my pain.

*Repeats to self and breathes deeply …“She’s only 8 weeks old. She’s only 8 weeks old…”*







And here's a close-up of those boots she loves so much. I love them too, but for different reasons...

Sure, but have you ever retrieved a duck?

Any Golden Retriever worth her weight in fur knows how to retrieve a duck.

But bear in mind, this is New York City. We don't have ducks, we have pigeons - LOTS of dirty pigeons. And there is no way I'm letting Ella put one of those in her mouth. So she's going to stick to retrieving stuffed ducks.

There's no shame in that.

Really.

I could lie...but the truth is funnier.

It's such a novice move on my part - turned my back for a second and the roll of paper towels was history. I could lie - tell you that Ella is so smart that I've already trained her to clean up her own messes...but you're not that naive...and if Ella were really that smart, she wouldn't be messing where she ought not be...

Would you believe we were practicing for an upcoming Cottonelle commercial audition? No? hmmpph.

Well, at least SOMEBODY'S sleeping...

Ella is starting to get more comfortable in her new home and has really taken to sleeping on my old pillows. While mostly I'm just envious that she's getting some decent sleep, I'm becoming increasingly entertained by watching her while she dozes. Check out her sleep style below...some people sleep walk...Ella sleep scoots on her back...

The progression in pictures...
Starts off normal and cute...

Starts snuggling back into the couch...

Ella's disappearing act begins...

The frame after this one shows only a blue pillow with audio track of a whining puppy who's stuck under the loveseat.

We survived Day 1

Let's just say, Ella's mom is in desperate need of someone to tuck her in like this right about now:




Ella and I had a long and exhausting day, filled with lots of playing, a little napping (for her, not me), and a whole lot of futile housebreaking attempts. But, as they say, Rome wasn't built in a day...nor was an 8 week old puppy trained to pee pee only on the wee wee pads. I think I at least managed to get Ella to sorta start recognizing her name...I guess that's something. All of my attempted "training" tuckered her out, so I built her a nice little bed made from my old pillows, got her snuggled up with her puppy blankie, and she was out like a light. I'm taking advantage of the down time to post an update here...which means that when I'm done and ready to go to bed, she'll have awakened from her nap and be ready to party again. Once we've mastered potty training, I'm hoping to transfer responsibility of blog posting to Ella so that I can get some sleep.

Anyway, below are a handful of pics from her arrival home today. Ella is 10 pounds and will be 8 weeks old tomorrow! On my way home, the cab driver even asked if he could take a picture of her...my lil pup is so adorable that she has the ability to bring out the softer side of even a New York City cab driver. She's already changing the world. I'm so proud.




Ella's first nap




Ella's first experience with a mirror...

Ankle biting? What ankle biting?

Like I said...it's hard for momma to stay mad when all that scarf chewing is balanced out by this kind of sweetness...




I brought Ella a puppy teething ring to try to get her off my fingers and on to something more appropriate...she likes it...but so far my fingers (and scarf, and coat, and jeans, and hair) are still more appealing.