Oy Teddy!

Teddy had a very active day yesterday.  He went outside 3 times, and even started walking down the hall of my condo by himself.  This is a HUGE step for my little baby, who, until now would only play inside my unit.

After our last play, I sat down to write my next blog post about his first bath, and I noticed he was acting strange.  He had been sleeping uninterrupted for 3 hours.  I tried to wake him up to have something to eat or drink, and he seemed sedated, and when I sat him up, he wobbled from side to side.  I rushed Teddy immediately to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic.

VEC is an amazing place, and I know this personally as their team of specialists treated my childhood dog Jazzmin, for various things.  She had a dermatologist there, Dr. Waisglass, who helped remove lipomas that are typical to senior Rhodesian Ridgebacks.  She also suffered from Thyroid cancer, and was treaed by an amazing team of internal surgeons, and oncologists, who helped her live beyond the life expectancy of her breed.  They also kept her very comfortable during her final days.

Bringing Teddy to VEC was very emotional for me, as it brought back memories of Jazzmin, but I knew that I was providing him with the best care he could possibly receive.  He was triaged immediately, and kept overnight with IV fluids to keep him hydrated.  Both Adam (who came with me, and helped me through these difficult moments) and myself, were appreciative of Dr. Murthy, Teddy's emergency vet, as he walked us through all of the scenarios, and explained how they arrived at a diagnosis.  He was sensitive to not put Teddy through unnecessary treatments as they would be hard on his tiny body, and also expensive.

We went home at around midnight, and were told that overnight, no news is good news, but we were encouraged that we could call at any time with questions about our precious pup.  At around 6:30 AM I received a call that Teddy was doing fine, and that I would be able to take him home later on in the morning.  He did not even need to stay to see the neuroligist, as his neorlogical symptoms had ended shortly after he was given fluids.

A few of the vet techs came out to say goodbye to Teddy.  Everyone loved his truly calm and loving demeanor.  We still are not sure of exactly what happened, and, although it did not come up on his blood panel, the Dr. Murthy suspects that he had somehow ingested a toxin (even the smallest amount, like a tiny lick, can hurt a puppy this small, with a little immune system).

We left VEC at around 11:30AM, with a perfect pup (embarrassed about his shaved arms), a $750 vet bill (much will be covered by Pet Secure), and many blessings.  Teddy has been spending the rest of the day playing, peeing and pooping (in his Pet Loo, on the lamp base, and on the wall... oy Teddy), and napping.  While we definitely had a big scare, I am proud to report that Teddy is in perfect health, and will not be back at the vet until his next vaccination with Dr. S.

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures. 

Teddy's First Visit to the Vet and Other Adventures

In our contract, The Canadian Kennel Club mandates that Teddy needs to visit the Vet within 2 business days of bringing him home.  Fortunately, I found a lovely Veterinarian, who just opened a new practice, and is taking new puppies.  What is even more fortunate (for me), is that he is open from 9-4 on weekends.  I wish my own doctor had such a flexible schedule!

Being just 1.5 kilometers away, my mother and I decided to walk to the vet.  Teddy however, was NOT keen on walking outside.  The second I put him down on the cold concrete, he started trembling.  Then I realized, not only would this be Teddy’s first visit to the Vet, but it was also:

1. His first steps on concrete
2. His first time being outside in a city
3. His first time seeing cars, buses, and bikes pass by
4. His first time encountering dogs, other than the ones at the breeder
5. His first time meeting people outside of his home

Teddy handled it pretty well considering the world around him was changing.  I tried putting him down on the sidewalk a few times, but he would not walk.  Knowing that many dogs fear the vet, I wanted to make sure that he had a positive experience, so settled on carrying him the whole way there.

The Yonge-Davenport Pet Hospital is a warm and welcoming place.  Dr. Stefanescu and his staff welcomed us at the door, and could not believe how cute sweet Teddy really is.  There was a small greyhound there, and Teddy was not bothered by him at all.  Dr. Stefanescu fed Teddy a treat, and won him over instantly.

Teddy was not intimidated or afraid at all by his exam.  He sat nicely on the counter while Dr. Stefanescu checked his heartbeat, his knees, his weight, and everything else.  I mentioned that he keeps itching, so Dr. Stefanescu checked him out, and noted his dry skin.  He recommended using a moisturizing shampoo, which led to Teddy’s first bath (more to come on that).

Dr. Stefanescu tried to encourage Teddy to follow us down the hall, back to the front door, but no number of treats, or nice words would get him moving.  I booked his next round of shots, and reviewed insurance options.

After our visit was done, and we (unsuccessfully) tried walking Teddy on the street again, and we headed over to Wooftown, a local pet store whos staff are so nice and friendly.  I had previously ordered a pair (set?) of booties there, which turned out to be too big.  They helped us pick out the perfect harness (the smallest one they had), that I like because it pulls him from the chest, not from the neck like a collar, or from the shoulders like most harnesses.  I will review that in a separate post.

Wooftown also had a good selection of moisturizing shampoos, most of them made from naturally occurring ingredients.  While I am not typically overly concerned with making sure my products are free from things I can’t pronounce, I recognize that Teddy is constantly licking his skin, and might end up drinking a lot of the bath water. 

Wooftown helped me select the Tea Tree and Aloe Vera Shampoo from Earthbath Pet.  I liked it because I know personally how soothing Tea Tree and Aloe Vera are on dry, irritated skin.  It also contains Olive Oil as a moisturizer, and is not overly scented, like the lavender shampoo for example.  I will post separately about this shampoo, and our first bath, but this product is AMAZING! Teddy is no longer itching, his coat is SO soft and fluffy (yay olive oil), and his scent is too good to be true.

Teddy was exhausted after our walk (read: his lift) home, and snoozed for a good portion of the afternoon, even through many rounds of visitors.  Hindsight teaches me that I should have kept him playing, because he did not sleep that night. 

After putting Teddy in his crate, he started his super sad, howling cry, which to me sounds somewhere between a baby shrieking, and a bird.  Definitely not a puppy.  It is the most depressing noise in the world, and even though I know that I am supposed to just let him cry, I could not, so I took him out and played for a bit.  The issue is that he never wanted to go back in, so I ended up sleeping on the floor between his crate and Pet Loo.  Great night for him, horrible night for me.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get your puppy to sleep alone in the night?

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures. 

Home Sweet Home

Teddy’s personality changed to be completely outgoing once he took some time to explore his new environment and made new people friends.  His first night at home was very easy.  He was a quiet, shy puppy who followed all of the rules and was perfectly potty trained.  He slept through the night in its entirety.  I obviously bragged about this to all of my friends and family, who assumed I was being a typical mother, boosting his finer qualities, suppressing his wrong doings.  Well, I should not have said anything, because he quickly became a typical crying, peeing, pooing puppy.  Its ok- he is still my angel sent from heaven, and everyone loves him.

Teddy was very timid and afraid of everything when we first pulled into the driveway. With a lot of stuff to carry into the condo, I assumed Teddy would walk alongside us on his leash.  Teddy was so scared and shaking once I put him down, that I was actually very worried about him.  I scooped him up, put him close to my chest, and he calmed down instantly- a tactic that definitely came in handy on our first visit outside, and our first bath (more on that later).

Teddy took a long time to explore his new surroundings.  He was definitely unsure of what to do and where he was when he first walked in the condo.  I should have taken him right to his Pet Loo, because he peed on the floor.  I was not angry, as I should have known better.  He had not gone to the bathroom in 4 hours, was scared, and had no idea where he was.  DUH time to pee.

Before I headed to Spencerville, I left treats around the home in the key areas that I wanted him to explore, in order for him to get accustomed and to condition him to like certain places, namely his crate.  After learning that puppies need their crates covered so that they are dark, I entrusted my cousin Sarah, who is a talented seamstress to make him a glam, custom crate cover- how beautiful is it?! She even made a cover for his bed in there, and a spare one for when it is in the laundry.  His name is embroidered beautifully in gold on his bed covers and door.

I left a trail of kibble towards his water and food bowl, but he did not have much of an appetite for lunch or dinner.  I left some cheese near his crate, a small piece just inside of it so he would go in and explore (he LOVES Kraft singles).  Upon first sniff he loved his crate (to change once he realized he cannot come and go as he pleases).

As I mentioned before, Teddy did have an accident when we first walked in, but, his bathroom area was already set up (he just did not know to go there).  Teddy had been trained for a week or so to only use the bathroom on newspaper. 

It is not in my training plan for him to be using the bathroom inside, so I purchased a product called the Pet Loo which is pretty smart.  It is plastic drawer, filled with some powder similar to litter, and on top, a piece of astroturf.  His solid waste needs to be picked up, but his liquids filter through the grass, into the drawer, and then turn the powder into a solid for simple disposal.

I put newspaper on top of and around the Pet Loo, so that he knows he can only go there.

Timid Teddy was too scared to jump on and off the big scary Pet Loo at first, but now actually enjoys jumping off and doing some tricks.  He goes there for most of his bathroom breaks, but lately, we have been having some issues where he would rather use the floor. 

Teddy LOVES to cuddle.  He follows my right foot everywhere I go, and nuzzles beside me whenever I am still.  If he can reach, he jumps into my lap, or into my arms and just buries himself.   He is honestly the cutest, most heartwarming being, and I genuinely believe that if every nasty world leader or terrorist had a puppy as special as my Teddy, there would be world peace.

Teddy’s first sleep was amazing, and led me to believe that this whole crate training, puppy raising thing would be a piece of cake.  He fell asleep while lying down with me, watching TV, woke up to use the bathroom, and went into his crate at around midnight.  He did not make a sound or wake up until 6:30 the following morning when he ran out of the crate to his Pet Loo.

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures. 

Saturday March 19, 2016 - The Day My Life Changed Forever

It was important for me that my precious puppy were to come from a reputable breeder whos pups have a history of good temperment, and good health.  As such my perfect Teddy was born about 4 hours east from my home, Toronto, in a small town called Spencerville.

Our 12PM pickup time meant that I would be waking up at around 6:30AM to get ready for the most amazing day of my life.  My siblings and parents (who are definitely equally as excited about, and obsessed with Teddy as I am), were not able to come with me for the pick-up.  They had to be on the other side of the province for my brother's iron ring ceremony, which I clearly NEEDED to miss (congrats Kev on becoming an engineer, and I'm sorry).

I arrived on time at a picturesque farm.  I ran out of the car, and met my precious Teddy bear at the door.  I am sure the breeder told me lots of very important things about his care, but I was too distracted to listen.  If I had to do it again, I would probably take notes.  After signing some documents from the Canadian Kennel Club, we were off.

I must admit, once we got organized in the car I started freaking out.  Having only been responsible for myself for the past 27 years, there was suddenly this whole other life I was responsible for.  I looked into his big round teddy bear eyes and started crying.  This just got real.

Perfect angel Teddy slept for the majority of the trip.  He did not let out one cry or whimper.  He just buried his face in my arm.  I brought a small dish of water which ended up coming in handy as he did have quite a bit (good instinct, Carly), and some peanut butter in the world's smallest Kong.  To be honest, he had zero interest in any of the snacks or toys we had.  He was definitely nervous, but automatically latched onto me, and clearly knew I was his new mommy.

As we pulled into my driveway I remember saying "this is actually going to be really easy".  Famous last words...
For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures.