Poppy Sitting
Cabana had a very special day today because we got to Poppy-sit! Poppy is being raised by my puppy group leader, who had a packed schedule today and tonight. So we got to have Poppy for an all-day play date. Have you seen happier-looking dogs? (Although in reality, it's exhaustion--but they do say a tired puppy is a happy puppy!)
I was interested in seeing how Cabana would do with another dog in the house. Let's just say she was VERY VERY VERY excited. I picked Poppy up and brought her home where Cabana was waiting, thinking that I might try to take both Poppy and Cabana for a walk sometime today. I thought I'd let them get used to being with each other, calm down a bit, and then we'd try the walk. Ha! Yeah, right. After letting them "get used to each other" for HOURS, they still NEVER calmed down! (Honestly, these photos are the ONLY few seconds when they weren't thrashing about with each other, when not separated by a barrier.)
Throughout the course of the morning, whenever things threatened to get out of hand, I'd give the dogs a time out. One would go in the crate until things calmed down, or I'd put up the baby gate and keep them on opposite sides.
Finally, I brought out the ex-pen (metal folding gate that can be configured in many ways, sort of like a baby playpen) and put it all the way across the living room. With this set-up, both dogs were able to fall asleep--for about an hour. Then I had to wake them up so I could pick my daughters up at school. After my daughters got home, though, there was too much general commotion in the house for anymore naps before Poppy went home. No doubt, she'll sleep well this evening!!
To top it all off, we bought and decorated our Christmas tree tonight! Cabana was so wiped out that she could barely even participate. Our activities kept her awake, but I know that ordinarily, she'd have been much more excited and curious about all the ornaments, tissue paper, and evergreen aromas. After the tree was all decorated, Cabana could finally get all snug in her bed, while visions of her playdate with Poppy dance in her head!
They look they are having such a great time in the first picture! :) I bet both of them will sleep well tonight!
Oh, that is SO cute. You are so clever in your titles of your posts and in describing. Sleep tight, Cabana.
They look so happy! Sounds like a fun filled, busy day! A tired dog is also a good dog!
Love the pictures!! Despite all efforts to tire Poppy out, she was up and whining in the crate as soon as we hit the door tonight. I think a cat must have been torturing her, as she is not normally a crate whiner.
Poppy is now milling about, attempting to convince John or I that we can take Cabana's place and play with her before bed. Poppy is insane.
She looks absolutely pleased with herself in all the pictures. She was spoiled with the big, fluffy dog beds! No dog beds at our house, cause we had a cat who will do *ahem* naughty things to dog beds (let's just say the cat is lucky we love him with all the times he has been *ahem* naughty).
Thanks so much for taking her today! 12 hours in the crate today would have left me sleepless tonight! Now, we are all tuckered out and can get some sleep!
I will again make my plug for dog day care. :) One day will do the trick...if you think she is tired from one day of play with Poppy where you were able to put them in time out, just think what it will be like when she has the opportunity to play herself silly!!!
Indeed...tired puppies = happy parents.
They look like they had a great time together! What a cute pair they make. I love the picture where they are each on a bed seperated by the x-pen. So cute!
Poppy, HOW could you not be tired? I slept really well myself--I didn't realize how much playing referee can be tiring, too!
Nicole, yes to doggie daycare!! Cabana and I can hardly wait for the fun that will be. It's in the works, but we have a bunch of preliminary steps to take first. I'm going to post about that in the next couple days.
Whenever we watch another puppy in pre-training they usually take a day or two of wild playing (with time out session's when needed) before they "get use to each other" and start to sleep next to each other. :)
This is exactly why i have multiple dogs! They tire each other out leaving me more time, to do stuff inside vs. outside exercising them! LOL