vet visit woes

On Thursday Phil, Charlie and I went to the vet for another puppy checkup. We had a couple concerns and a couple questions but it turns our little Charlie wasn't feeling so well. She has a yeast infection in both of her ears. The vet told us that this is very common in puppies with floppy ears and can occur after baths - which we just did (see: puppy bath time). 

She also has Demodex - this is a small mite that attacks puppies hair follicles. This means that our puppy is losing some of her hair (insert overemotional crying emoticon here). In order to diagnose Demodex, the vet had to take some skin scrapings to see it under the microscope. She described it like when you fall on concrete and skin your knee. 

I hate that. Charlie did too.

We have a pretty intense calendar outlining all of the medications that she's on, when she takes them and dosages.

Good thing Phil can ready my handwriting!

So far she's been great with letting us shoot medication in her mouth and ears (sounds pleasant, huh?). We're just ready for our puppy to feel 100% again!

Puppy School; Week One - Three

Every Monday for 7 weeks, we bring our pup to puppy school. I swear, it's more for Phil and I than it is for Charlie but she loves it and it tuckers her right out (bonus!).

WEEK ONE

The first 10 minutes are for playing on the obstacle course. Week 1, Charlie wanted nothing to do with a few of the obstacles but after we loured her with treats, she was game to try anything. After the 10 minutes she was jumping over, climbing and go through the tubes. It was so much fun to watch her learn in such a short period of time.

During class were doing a sit 'drill' and Charlie was getting a little nippy. When the instructor asked how it was going we brought it up and she asked if she could teach Charlie something in front of the class - Um, yes please! She held a treat in her hand and only rewarded it to her once she sat and waited nicely. It's to teach them that they'll only receive the treat once they back off. Once again, Charlie picked up on this right away! Phil and I now can have anything in our hands and she will smell and then sit and wait nicely until we give it to her. So crazy!

sitting pretty for the camera (and a treat!)

WEEK TWO

Week two's class was as much fun as the first! It took Charlie 2.5 minutes to remember where she was and how much fun she was going to have! She ran through the obstacles like she was queen of puppy school! She loves all dogs and all humans!

In this class we worked on laying down from the sit that we practiced last week. We have already been working on this but the way the instructor had us lure the puppy to the lay position was genius - I guess that's why they let her teach the class! Charlie was a champ!

Then we talked about little hands and feeding pups. It's no secret that Phil and I hope to be parents someday so this is especially important to us. We have worked a lot with Charlie to make sure that she doesn't get too protective of her food and her space. When she eats we will futz with her bowl, her ears, everything... to be honest, she doesn't care what we're doing as long as she is eating! The one tip that we will take away from this is that the first time a 'little hand' feeds her to make it be something really good; a hot dog, piece of cheese, etc.

practicing laying down. 

WEEK THREE

Week three was similar to the first two. We started with the obstacle course and greeting friends. Charlie was so daring she would run through the tubes without seeing Phil or I on the other end. I seriously can't believe how much braver and how much she's learned. Her best friends in class are Sunny (a beautiful yellow lab) and Eddie (a little yorkie).

This week we worked on the 'stay' command from the lay position. We have worked on this one a little bit at home but she did great at school. She laid so long that when we gave the command 'break', she kept laying. We'll have to work on that.

The other exercise was 'ready'. This is to train the dog to tune out other distractions around them and focus on their humans for the command that will follow. As always, it's treat based! Colleen used Charlie as the example and she picked up on it right away in class - at home is a different story. We are continuing to work on this one at home before we go back to class.

In short - we're so proud of her so far. It's been a blast to watch her learn so quickly and interact with other pups. 

Until next time.. 

Our Wknd

This weekend was about as uneventful as you can get! Friday night I did some reading an fell asleep early - and when I say early, I mean early! My cuddle buddy was there - like always. Phil and I have noticed that if I'm winding down for the night with a blanket, so is Charlie. It's amazing. 

Saturday Charlie and I packed up and went over to my mom's to go for a walk with B and Bella. We traipsed through the path and Charlie did everything Bella did - smelled the same smells, took the same paths, etc. It was super cute. After our walk I ran to Starbucks for a tea and figured I would let Charlie share in my favorite indulgence as well. What is in a puppchino you may ask .. whip cream in the bottom of a cup. But honestly, who really cares what it is because it entertained this puppy for way longer than it should have!

patiently waiting

stuck

long rest after walk + coffee

Sunday morning went went for a family walk through the neighborhood and enjoyed the 30+ degree day once again (side note: i fear these days are limited - winter will be back, she always is.) 

We watched football, rested, drank tea and went to bed early. 

thanks to mark & holly for the delicious tea!!

As always, sorry about the excess amount of pictures of my puppy - I literally can't get enough.

Have a great week!

Loving Lately

Happy, Friday! Here's what things I'm loving this week.

1 - Going for walks when it's not -30. Enough said here.


2 - Field Report. 

A lovely folksy band out of WI released their sophomore album (Marigolden) not long ago. The Current featured this as their Album of the Week last week (you can read the review here). As the review says, this is an album that begs to be listened to in the winter when the world is cold and gray - so naturally it's a perfect listen in January - March in MN. This song, Decision Day, is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

3 - Birchbox. 

I have been doing Birchbox for about a year - I get so excited around the 12th of every month because I know my lot of goodies is about to arrive. My favorite sample from this box is this amazing SPF 35+ CC cream from Supergoop. It has a perfect amount of coverage and still giving the SPF coverage that everyone needs, everyday (even in the winter!)

4 - Puppy bath time. 

Cue the ahhhhhh. We gave Charlie her first bath the other night and she was a mix bag of emotions from 'get me the heck out of here' to 'what's that smelly stuff you're putting on me?!'. We had no major issues and she smells like a dream!

Cheers to the wknd, folks!

Currently Listening To...

I got to thinking on my drive home last night that I like really non-uniform music. What does that mean exactly? Well, I'm not a country music listener, hip hop listener, or americana listener - I like all music. Yep, you read that right. ALL music. 

Phil thinks I listen to 'weird' music but honestly I like music that makes me feel good and evokes an emotion. That's what music is all about. People say it all the time - maybe in jest, maybe it's cliche - but, music is my religion.

Without further ado, here's my 'currently listening' to playlist on spotify.

1.  Ghost - Jeremy Messersmith

2.  Another Story - The Head & The Heart

3.  You Did it to Yourself - Black Diet

4.  Lazaretto - Jack White

5. XO - John Mayer

6.  Let's be Still - The Head & The Heart

7.  Bubblin' - Jeremy Messersmith

8.  Kathleen - Catfish and the Bottlemen

9.  Sweet Amarillo - Old Crow Medicine Show

10.  The Devil is all Around - Shovels & Rope

11. Kansas City - The New Basement Tapes

12.  Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson (ft. Bruno Mars)

13.  Jackie and Wilson - Hozier

14.  Decision Day - Field Report

15. Waitress Song - First Aid Kit

16.  Wherever is your Heart - Brandi Carlile

17. Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

18.  Homesick - Catfish and the Bottlemen

Our Wknd

We had a pretty relaxing weekend in the Mahal house. 

On Saturday morning we did our coffee, news and pup playtime routine. We are still trying to push Charlie further and further toward sleeping through the night - we're almost there. Right now she'll wake up and get a little restless and then chew on a toy until one of us lets her out of her crate. Such a good puppy!

After our pup-baby was down for her mid-morning nap, we got a little brunch with Parker & Tyler before the little one made is way back to Collegeville. Brunch always consists of a bloody and/or mimosa and since we were at Lucky's, crack popcorn.

We shopped at Costco, went for a walk and enjoyed the 30 degree weather which obviously feels amazing after the week that we had!

queen of the neighborhood

Sunday was all about cuddling, red wine + the golden globes; three of my favorite things.

It's Monday so we're back in the weekday grind and prepping for puppy school tonight. I will try to snap some pics but usually I'm too busy oohh-ing and ahh-ing at the cuteness.

Make it great - cheers.

Loving Lately

Here's what things I'm loving lately:

1. My Madewell Transport Tote. 

Phil got me this bag for my birthday and I'm obsessed. I may soon be following up with the monnogrammed key fob, wallet and anything else that they'll let me monogram.

2. My puppy (duh)

3.  Essie Tuck it in my Tux nailpolish. It's the perfect pinkish//white.

4.  Pom Moscow Mules

Our NYE party included a drink contest and the Mahals contributed this delicious little number.

3 oz Pom Juice

2 oz Tito's Vodka

Juice from 1/2 lime

12 oz Ginger Beer

Poegranate seeds for garnish

Lemon & Lime for garnish

Have a good weekend, kids.

Cheers!