And baby makes three!

[diamondlil]

I've been thinking about adding to the family with another dog, vaguely, for a couple of months. I knew if I did make the plunge I'd want another running dog to fit in with Rosie and Bertie, something about their size. So I've been looking at whippets and whippet type lurchers. Would I buy a puppy or go to a rescue?
Well, I would prefer to offer a home to a rescue, but there's a problem. I work 3 nights a week and live alone. Most rescues here have unrealistic rules stating there must be someone at home at all times or you can't possibly adopt. Those of us with dogs know how well they adapt to a family's routines and being barred from giving a home because you have a job seems over the top to me.
When I got Bertie, my bedlington, he was from a privately ran rescue. I've tried to contact the owner a few times recently and think it's closed down. Even the lurcher rescue that previously offered me a dog that was too big now doesn't home to anyone who has to leave the dog to go to work.
So I was still unsure over whether to go to a breeder. It semed the only way I could get another dog.
Today I was busy getting a background measured up for the turtle tank and talking about the pets to one of the workers. I've known her for about 4 years and she had a pair of my Christmas het corns last year. Well.........she started telling me about having trouble finding a good home for the last of her litter of puppies.... I vaguely remembered her owning a whippet....and so tonight I'm off to collect a little 3/4 whippet 1/4 staffordshire bull terrier puppy boy!
I've got a couple of names in mind but I'll decide when I meet him.
So here's dog number one, Rosie, whippet x bedlington. Dog number two, bertie, working bedlington terrier. Watch this space for dog number three...........

 

[Tavia]

Can't wait to see pictures!
I've been fighting the urge to get another dog for months ...

 

[diamondlil]

Here's Flash!
Rosie and Bertie are a little uncertain of him right now, so just a supervised introduction before bedtime for now

 

[diamondlil]

Flash is 9 weeks old, younger than I'd like but he needed a new home so here we go!

 

[lorlor54]

awwww, too cute!

 

[Tavia]

Very cute! Hope your expanded family merges smoothly!

 

[Zombiegirl]

Oh my goodness he is adorable!!! Congrats on your new addition and thank you for rescuing!!

 

[MotleyMedusa7]

so cute-congrats on your new baby

 

[diamondlil]

Flash slept in a crate next to my bed and woke up just before 6. He's had raw turkey mince for breakfast, a drink of water and a bit of playtime. Rosie was horrified by the early hour and curled up on the sofa but Bertie played nicely. Outside for a potty break and back to bed for Flash.

 

[ratsncorns]

So cute! Puppies are a lot of work but are so much fun and worth it!

 

[diamondlil]

Off to the vets for flash's health check. as there have been cases of Parvo locally my vet gave his first inoculation. (Normally he waits until 12 weeks so the immunity from the dam doesn't affect the 'take' of the vaccine)
So even though Flash was carried inside my jacket that's our first pack walk. Bertie was overjoyed because he absolutely loves going to the vet. Rosie decided she needed a poop in the consulting room.
Home and lunch (turkey mince again) for Flash, Rosie and Bertie have just had their walk with my eldest son and now they are curled up asleep in the front room.

 

[diamondlil]

Lambs heart for Flash's supper last night, a little play session and settled him in the crate in the front room with rosie and bertie on the sofa. So he settled well but at 1 am there were heart-rending yodels. I took him outside for potty but after that he just wouldn't settle so I gave in and took him to bed with me.
(Yep, I know it's a big no-no but I really needed to sleep!)
Bertie has been playing gently with Flash. Retreating up on the furniture but unable to stay away from his new friend for long. Rosie, however, is not taking so well to the new arrival. She's been warning him off away from her constantly, wouldn't let him next to her at all, which is why I crated Flash instead of just shutting him in the kitchen with the bigguns.
Not the long-term solution I want, so this morning I had inspiration. After Flash's breakfast we had a pack walk up and down outside. Bertie and Rosie had to walk slowly so he could keep up. After 15 minutes Rosie showed positive interest, sniffing Flash's bum and actually touching noses with him, for which she got lots of praise. We'll repeat this for every potty break. For Rosie and Bertie's proper walks, Flash will come with us in a shoulder bag

 

[Buzzbee]

Flash is adorable (as are your other two) Bless his little fluffy socks... and spiky collar Good to hear Rosie's starting to behave better towards him too!

 

[diamondlil]

It's hard as a human owner to leave them to sort out their pack order. Obviously Flash is still at the stage where he gets a let off for being so young but over time the dynamics will change. Bertie and Rosie have gone from her being the undisputed boss to challenges from Berts for the crown.

 

[Buzzbee]

We had that with our dogs at one stage - went from 1 dog to 2 puppies and 1 old dog. 1 of the puppies was too chilled to care but the other made his bossiness known once he got old enough to. Very difficult to leave them to it tbh :S

 

[diamondlil]

There have been a couple of hiccups in the puppy's settling in. At first Rosie decided she didn't approve at all and was snapping at him, Bertie was playing nicely. Now she's warmed up and playing with the puppy, Bertie is being mean to both of them. So I was just going to settle the pup in to sleep in the kitchen with them, but that wasn't going to work.
So put the pup in their dog crate and left 'em all in the front room Weds night. Pup settled until 1 am, when unearthly howling prompted me to take him out for a wee and into bed with me so I could sleep. In the morning I found Rosie and Bertie had had a pee-marking competetion in the front room.
So, yesterday I got a smaller crate for the pup, set it up next to the big one and put Bertie and Rosie in the big one overnight, with a throw covering both crates so their smells will get all mixed up. The result was a peaceful night sleep and took 'em all out first thing for a synchronised pee..

 

[Buzzbee]

Ah the joy of teething problems :S It's always going to be a problem at first but brill thinking on your part with the scents
I always see so many dogs being walked at the Lines that I get a bit nostalgic and wish I could have my own

 

[diamondlil]

Seriously, unless they've been left too long because I'm late home from work in the morning, Rosie and Bertie have been housetrained long enough that the joyful and abundent piddling had to be deliberate.
Here's Flash enjoying his first ever raw chicken wing last night and the new sleeping arrangements

 

[diamondlil]

So after Flash's breakfast of steak mince, careful watching of his behaviour and his bottom meant another successful outdoor poop. Then crating for the dogs while I did a shopping run. Had to wake Flash up so we could go out for a walk (with him in a shoulder bag) then home for his lunch.
Rosie has discovered that if she's nice to him she can stay near and hoover up bits he drops, but that actually stealing his food won't be tolerated.
Then outside for playtime and back in their crates for their nap

 

[diamondlil]

Flash soon recovered from getting squished!