Spaying and nursing (me)

Nina had her spay surgery yesterday and I am surprised about how well she's doing. Her cut looks awesome and tiny. I'm really impressed. She got home this morning and was all wiggly when she saw I was there to pick her up. It will be a challenge to keep her exercising to a minimum, though.

post op puppy face

view from my bed

Shaved belly with the tiny surgery cut

shaved belly

Then today I twisted my ankle and feel flat on the floor right in front of her. I was screaming in pain and couldn't get up. She jumped out of her chair right away to come stay by my side, wagging her tail at me and licking me. Never saw her act this way. Was very sweet. <3 my little girl (which is the meaning of her name!).

Beauty

Photo booth

Dog Park

Took Nina to the dog park yesterday and she had the best time. Got back so tired she went straight to her bed, for the first time ever. She usually only goes to her bed after the last bathroom break around 11 or so. This was 7pm. Haha.

We went back today and no luck. Not one doggie there. But we will go back later!

I got Manners!

I guess they give one of these to anyone these days!

Nina completed the Manners 101 course. She learned how to sit, how to lay down, how to touch (her nose in my hand), how to watch (eye contact) and gotten a little better on coming when called.

We still need to work on coming when called, leash walking and she needs to learn about cars. She seems to wanna cross the street when cars are coming by. We will work on these things. Puppy steps!

Happy Valentine's day from Nina and Ozzie!

The not-so-great escape

Today Nina escaped for the first time. She got her leash off the chair it was under and run to the street, mostly sidewalk though. Luckily she could only go as far as the parking lot next door where the Fry Guy (who who has a stand of fried food on the parking lot of the Highland Inn) grabbed her leash. Whew. She did stop and look at me when i called her. But yea, we have a runner!

Reasons why I got the best puppy ever

Nina always pees and poops as soon as I take her out. Usually on cold nights, the last time i take her out before bed and we're not supposed to go for a longer walk, I see her do it and say to her "you're the best puppy ever!"

I am starting to believe she is really the best puppy ever. And here's why:

- Nina went to work with me today at Soapbox Studios. She didn't pee, beg for food or do anything wrong. People loved her there and she is welcome anytime.

- She plays well with all of my friends dogs. And they don't necessarily play well with each other.

Nina and Mish Mish, Sharon's dog

- She understand what "let's go home" means when we're out and she will come. She is not opposed to coming home.

- She also understands "go to your bed", which she will do right away and curl up, as soon as I say it to her.

- She learned how to shake hands on Wednesday and really knows how to do it. Will do it for me with only verbal praise back (and no treats) and to anyone else who asks her, including at the park or when she has many reasons to be distracted.

- She also has been great in the car, she will sit when I ask her to, and wear her seatbelt without complaining.

Nina on the passenger seat with belt on

- She hasn't cried or barked or tried to get out at all when I put her on her crate.

- She hasn't had many accidents later. Only one is the past 10 days (at Amanda's house, oops).

- She has been really good off leash and never goes far from where I am. She has been checking in (and usually running to me when I say touch and touching her nose on my hand) more and more often when we're out at the park and she's playing with other dogs.

- She also understand what "come drink some water" means and will run by my side all the way to the water fountain at the dog park.

- She makes a funny noise every time you hug her.

- Oh, and THAT face!

The best puppy ever and I

Watching TV

Today wasn't my best day as a dog's mom. I just walked Nina a total of 1 hour all day. She played with other dogs maybe a few times for 5 minutes at a time. So in the morning i left her on her crate and she seemed bored, was awake when I got home for lunch. That's why I felt bad for her and decided to leave her out of her crate this afternoon. I figured she didn't have much to destroy.

I got home and she didn't do anything bad. Grabbed an umbrella from the magazine rack and also detached the head pillow from 'her' chair. The leather straps with pressure buttons that holds it together were on the floor. But what really cracked me up is that the remote was on the floor and the TV was on. I guess she wanted to see if there was anything worth watching. :)

Nina, Shake!

Nina learned how to shake tonight.
It only took 10 minutes and maybe 10 cookies.

Crate!

Nina chewing a bone in her crate, note that she is not annoyed by being there! Yay!

Today was the first day I left Nina on the crate while I came to work. She was totally fine in the morning. Had a nice bully stick I gave her and then napped. I got there and she was laid down, relaxed, and happy. Didn't rush out or anything when I opened the door. We went on a nice walk and then relaxed a little and I put her in there again with this bone she loves and left. She didn't get nervous or anything as I closed the crate door. Now she is safer and my house is safer while I'm gone. Success! :)

Pictures taken by Aunt Cacá

Crate, friends and Manners class

Yesterday was a busy day for Nina.

We had a good walk, she waited for me outside of the market like a big girl. Of course she had the 'pig ear' she picked out off a bucket at the pet store. I didn't really have a saying in that purchase.





Then we went to manners class and learned the puppy push ups, which is a lot of sits and downs nonstop. She was good at it and it's fun because it tires them out.


After that we headed to Amanda's house for dinner where she played a lot with Belle and Nara. Nara plays like a puppy and Nina loved it. They were really good together.

And we finally put up the crate, with Brendan's help. She went in but didn't stay in. This morning I gave her a bully stick and she ate it laying down on the crate. She didn't seem to mind it, but she didn't stay there either. Probably sees no point, since she has her chair. I am hoping this weekend I can leave her in the crate some. We may need more bully sticks, though!

Farewell to Ti

After 3 weeks with Nina (and myself, of course) it was time to say goodbye to Ti, my nephew, who went back to Brazil. He was an awesome cousin to Nina and she will miss him very much. Here's their goodbyes... Aw.

Thanks Ti!