Teddy Travels: Palm Springs

Teddy joined me on a recent trip to visit my grandparents in Palm Springs, California, which is a 4.5 hour flight from our home in Toronto.

This was our second trip on a plane together.  The first, I documented in this How-To guide.  I must admit, this trip was much easier, and Teddy did not seem to mind the plane ride as much.  Palm Springs is an amazing, dog-friendly city, and I highly recommend visiting with your pup.

We flew Air Canada, on one of the busiest travel days of the year (the first day of March Break).  I was not able to check in online, so had to arrive even an hour earlier (6:15AM) to check in for my flight.  If I had followed the rules (your dog must be in their carrier at all times), this would have been problematic for Teddy, but, I let him walk through the airport on his leash.  Several families stopped us to say hello.

Teddy in the Lounge

I think that because it was so early in the morning, the flight/airport experience was even easier.  He typically would be sleeping at that time, so it was not a big deal for him to be in his carrier.  I first put him in while I went to eat breakfast in the Maple Leaf Lounge.  Here, I fed him a bit of kibble and water, but was apprehensive to give him too much as I did not want him to need to go to the bathroom on the plane.

The flight itself was uneventful.  Teddy stayed under the seat, even when I opened the carrier.  he just slept there the entire time without making a sound.  I did not need to resort to giving him his Bully Stick or Frozen Peanut Butter Kong.

Teddy on Board!

The Palm Springs airport is puppy heaven.  Aside from the gates themselves, the airport is outside.  You head down an escalator to arrive at a giant grassy area marked for dogs, where they can roam.  Teddy peed for what seemed like 10 minutes!

Where to Stay:
We stayed at my grandparents house while we were in Palm Springs.  We bought Teddy a super cute bed, and some toys ahead of time from Target, and he felt right at home!  There are many hotels in the Palm Springs area that welcome pets, just be sure to tell them ahead of time.  My top 3 picks would be:

1. Le Parker Meridien - I often visit this hotel to have brunch at their restaurant Norma's, which is on a beautiful patio (dogs allowed, of course!).  The hotel grounds are gorgeous and it features every amenity you could want or need.
2. The Westin Mission Hills - This hotel is on the same property as my grandparents house, and I have stayed here before.  It features large villas, many pools, a world class tennis court, and championship level golf courses.  They provide beds and bowls for your pups.
3. The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage - This is a newer hotel, perched high in the mountains.  It is absolutely beautiful, and would serve as a wonderful quiet retreat.

Teddy on the golf course at Mission Hills

Teddy spent his days running on the golf course (see the video below, he loved it), tanning by the pool, but the best part, is that dogs are allowed EVERYWHERE.

Where to Eat:

Teddy enjoyed a burger at In-N-Out

Palm Springs is known for its wild brunch scene.  I however, spend most of my days outside, either by the pool, shopping, or playing tennis.  There is simply not enough time for brunch.  Here are some of my favorites, that love your dog too:

1. Workshop Kitchen - With a beautiful dog friendly patio, this place is great for brunch or dinner.  We shared a bunch of dishes with our group of 5.  Teddy had his own bowl of water, but the drinks were amazing too.
2. Sherman's Deli - A Palm Springs classic, this is the first place we always go to on our way home from the airport.  The meals are huge, the food is comforting, and the place is loud and friendly.  Teddy was comfortable lounging on their patio while we enjoyed our lunch.
3.  Norma's - Norma's serves indulgent comfort food on a BEAUTIFUL patio.  What could be wrong?
4. Cheeky's - The menu here changes often, so you never get bored.  The food is farm to table, and the patio is lively and fun.  They serve an amazing breakfast and dinner.
5. Chi Chi - At the Avalon hotel, this place serves good food, at a good price, with a beautiful patio for you and your dog. 

Dorky hat at Petco

Nothing like a trip to Target!

Sun Safety Everyone

On the flight home, Teddy slept in his Sleepy Pod, which I left unzipped so he could rest his head on my feet.  Without thinking, when I went to the washroom, he followed me! I did not realize until I walked back to my seat and saw him sitting on a stranger's lap.  WOOPS!

Hello? Remember Me?

Back on the plane

I would rate our trip to Palm Springs a 10/10

Is there anywhere you like to travel with your dog? I would love to hear about it!

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.

How-To Bathe Your Puppy

As the weather warms up, Teddy is coming back from the park muddier and muddier!

Usually baths are something I leave to the groomer (he goes monthly), but I can't let a muddy puppy live in my house!

When I first got Teddy, I had no idea how to bathe him.  He was so tiny, that I used a mixing bowl! You can check that out in this video.  He was so small and freezing, I swear he was shivering for hours afterwards.

one muddy pup in a tub

Now that he is bigger, I bathe him in the bathtub.  I tried the kitchen sink, but he just runs out, all over the counter making a huge mess.

Here is a step by step guide on how to bathe your puppy:

1. Fill a bathtub with warm water
2. Have a bowl ready beside you, for rinsing
3. Wet your puppy, either in the tub, or using your bowl
4. Lather them in your favorite shampoo.  We have been using Earthbath Eucalyptus and Pepperment since Teddy was a baby.  It was reccomended for his dry, itchy skin, and it stopped his itches right away.  We recently received an amazing shampoo from Aesop as a gift, and can't wait to try it when this bottle is finished!
5. Rinse using your bowl
6. Reward the puppy with a treat so they love bath time.

Sounds easy, right? Not so fast.

Puppies get confused by loud sounds, and Teddy freaked out the first time I tried to blow dry him.  I figured I would let the groomer do the blow outs, and let him dry naturally after towel drying.  The first bath he had, I made the mistake of leaving the bathroom door open, and he ran around like a maniac! He jumped on and off the couch, trying to dry himself off on my bed, the blinds, the carpet, ANYTHING.

I learned my lesson, and leave him confined to the bathroom until he dries off a bit.  I let him shake off, and cuddle him in a towel too.

After bath-time is over, you will finally notice your tub filled with mud - let the cleaning begin!

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.

New Puppy Checklist

Remember this little guy? It is hard to believe I brought him home almost a year ago!

My good friends are about to bring home their first puppy on April 8.  I made them a checklist of everything they need to buy and consider before he comes home.

I can't wait for Teddy to have a new best friend, and am so excited for my friends to embark on this journey!

The following are a list of things you will want to buy before he comes home:

1. Crate:  I chose one that is collapsible and foldable.  It makes travelling and staying over at places such as a cottage, much easier.  Teddy uses the  MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate
2. Crate liner: This small bed comes in the same dimensions as the crate that you choose, and provides comfort to the little pup.  One warning though, don't put it in until he realizes his crate is his home and stops having accidents (or you will be washing it a lot).
3. Lots of Blankets:  Use these to line the crate, and also to let him know which spaces are his spaces.  I got a pile of blankets from the pet section at Dollarama, washed them often, especially in the beginning, and they have held up well!
4. Food and water bowls, and mat
5. Small bed
6. Toys: Get one of each type; pull rope, stuffed toys, kong, and Nylabone.  Teddy prefers the stuffed type, but a lot of dogs destroy them.  Make sure you don't leave him unattended with the toys in the beginning, just in case he rips them.  You don't want him choking!
7. Pee Pads: Most puppies come trained to pee on paper, and from there you train them to pee outside.  I trained teddy to wait by the door when he needs to pee, and left one by the door in the beginning in case he had an accident.  Teddy used them for a couple of weeks before I took them away.  These ones from Amazon are great value
8. Training Treats: Teddy loves freeze dried liver, specifically Benny Bullys.
9. Teething Toy: Teddy has a couple of these - This one is the cutest.  In the shape of a pig, you soak it in water, and then freeze it! The cool ice provides relief on his teething gums.
10. Food: Your breeder will tell you what he eats.
11. Collar:  I do not walk Teddy using his collar.  It is moreso a fashion statement, and a place to hang his ID tag, and Rabies Vaccination tag.
12. Leash: Dogs should walk on a 6ft leash.  What it looks like is up to you!  Retractable leashes are a big no, as you can lose control of the dog. Dont forget poop bags!
13. Odor Remover: He will pee a lot, and he will pee everywhere!! I really like the Woolite Pet Stain and Odor Remover
14. Harness: It is best for your dog's leash to be attached to a harness.  They teach them not to pull while they walk, and I would not want to walk my pup by something attached to his neck.  There are a variety of different harnesses, but these are the ones I like:
1. K9 Explorer by Coastal Pet Products - This is the one Teddy learned to walk with.  The arms slide through, and it clips on the back.  I like it because there is minimal fabric, which leads to less matting and a nicer coat.
2. Puppia Dog Soft Harness - Teddy has a nice camouflaged one.  I like the different patterns and colors that they come in.  It is made of a soft mesh material.  It slips over their head, then wraps and clips around the body.  I bought it purely because it is cute, but he uses it often, and walks nicely in it.
3. Buddy Belt - This harness is more expensive than the other 2.  It is made in Canada, of synthetic leather.  I have been considering getting one for Teddy.  It does the same work as the previous 2, at 3 times the cost!

In addition to these products, there are different services and arrangements you should start to consider before picking up your pup:

1. Vet: My vet is Dr. Vlad Stefanescu at the Yonge-Davenport Pet Hospital.  He has great hours and the nicest staff!  You need to take your pup to the vet within the first 48 hours of bringing them home.  He will check out his general health, and work with you on a vaccination schedule.
2. Insurance: Most insurance companies are a rip off.  The one I use, is actually not so bad, and I have already earned back my money's worth in emergency visits  (definitely not a good thing, but it shows its value).  I Pay $150 a month, and get back 80% of all visits and medication back, including regular scheduled visits, and vaccines.  There is a one time annual deductible of $100, versus most companies there is a deductible per ailment! I am on the highest plan at Petsecure, and highly recommend it!
3. Groomer: It really is a matter of preference, but I quite enjoy Dogee Spa on Avenue Road.  They keep Teddy all day, at no extra fee.
4. Trainer: Most experienced dog owners would agree that puppy school is a waste of time.  Investing that time and money into a good trainer is a much better option.  Troy Tappin at the Family Dog Learning Centre is an amazing trainer.  He basically trained me! I credit Teddy's excellent behavior to him.  Message me, and I will send you his number privately.
5. Dog Walking: Mila at Paw Theory, is Teddy's second favorite person (next to me).  As a baby, she visited him 3 times a day, took him out to go to the bathroom, fed him, and did some training.  As he grew up, he moved to 2 walks a day.  After he had all of his vaccines, he did 1 group walk per day, and 1 puppy visit, and now he does one big group walk per day.  Mila takes Teddy to a dog park or trail.  He loves it, and is completely exhausted for the rest of the day!

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.

We Came here to PAWTAY: A Puppy's 1st Birthday Party

Two Weeks ago we celebrated Teddy's first birthday! 

My little furry party ANIMAL was turning one, and I could not let the day pass without a fantastic celebration!

I invited most of his friends for a celebration at Teddy's palace.  We served salad and pizza for the humans, and a special dog cake by Trixie's Kitchen for the pups.  Teddy walked around proudly in his birthday crown, and could not get enough cake.

It was a fun celebration, and Teddy received tons of new toys and treats as gifts.  We could not be more thankful of our family and friends who came to party!

How to throw a birthday party for your pup:

1. Invite all of their friends: I used Paperless Post
2. Order a cake, or special treats for the pups: Wooftown has a great supply of specialty treats, and I ordered Teddy's delicious Trixie's Kitchen cake from them.  We got the smallest size, and there were still lots of leftovers.
3. Gather all of the supplies you need - I got mine from Party City:
• A special party hat for the birthday pup
• Party hats for the guests
• Plastic table cloths to protect your floor from doggies fighting over cake
• A few water bowls for the dogs
• Cutlery, plates, and cups for the humans
4. Order your favorite Pizza for the humans

Putting together Teddy's party was pretty easy, and it was a lot of fun.  How do you celebrate your dog's birthday?

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 for the Holidays? How to Travel with your Dog

I have received a few emails regarding Teddy's first flight, as seen on Instagram.  With the holidays coming up, people are working on their plans to visit family and friends, and don't want to leave their puppies behind!

A couple of months ago, I took Teddy with me on a short flight to visit my grandparents.  I did a ton of research ahead of time, planned what to bring, and still learned a lot along the way.

Please don't leave me behind!

Preparing for your first (or any flight) is just as important as the flight itself.  I will provide you with a list of things you should bring on board, and pack in your luggage, and then walk you through Teddy's experience.

Before You Book Your Ticket

Before I booked my ticket, I called my airline, Air Canada, and reviewed their pet policy with them. They only allow a certain number of pets in the cabin at any time, and they need to know (and charge you, in advance).  Right after you book your ticket, you need to get in touch with their reservations team and let them know that you plan on bringing a pet.  You need to tell them at this time the dimensions of your carrier, and the weight and breed of your pet.  Once this is done, you are booked and ready to go!  

You will not be able to check in online, as an agent needs to verify the information you provided at check-in.  They are supposed to weigh your pup in the carrier, and do a visual check to make sure they are comfortable in there, and that they have room to stand up and turn around.  

If you are travelling within Canada, you do not need any certificates from your vet, but the US and international destinations have different rules.  You should consult their customs offices before you go.

Choosing a Pet Carrier

Choosing a pet carrier for Teddy was a difficult decision.  They really range in price and quality, but I was looking for something that would double as a safe way to transport him in the car.  There is really only 1 pet carrier that serves this function, and is also crash-safety tested: The Sleepy Pod.  

Only here for the treats

There are a few different models of this carrier.  The one that I think would serve me better day-to-day, the Original Sleepy Pod, was not an option, as it is too big for the airplane.  I like it because it can stay buckled into the car, just like a child's car seat, and the top part zips off to turn it into a bed, when away from home.  They do make a miniature version, but Teddy is too big for it.

I Love Teddy's Sleepy Pod Air, and he doesn't hate it either.  He sleeps in it on long drives to the cottage, so was not too shocked when he went in at the airport.  I was sure to leave it open in the house for him to explore in the days leading up to the trip, and even hid a treat in there.  I could not find him the night before we left, and after looking under every chair, couch, and bed, found him snoozing in his Sleepy Pod.

Packing List

Your dog carrier is considered a piece of hand luggage, so you will lose the personal item you are used to.  It is important to have some key items accessible at all times, so, I recommend bringing on board a tote back or backpack, filled with essentials for you, and your puppy.

I packed the following on-board in Teddy's tote:

1. 2 Top Paw Travel Bowls from Petsmart - one for food, and one for water
• These come in a variety of sizes and colors
• They have a carabiner on them which is very  handy, as I kept them clipped onto Teddy's Sleepy Pod
• For use not only in transit, but at your destination as well
2. 1 Gulpy from Global Pet Foods
• It is a system, where a water bottle is essentially attached to a bowl.  You just squeeze the bottle, and water drips into the bowl part for your puppy to drink.
• This is great for when you are on the go.  I often bring it on long walks, but in the airport, when you can't really set up your water bowl and have your dog roam around, it is a great mechanism for them to just sit up and have something to drink.
3. Lots of treats - whatever they like
• Because Teddy is still unsure whether or not he actually likes his carrier, I like to reward him every time he goes in.
4. 1 Kong
• Along with bones, Kongs, filled with cheese or peanut butter, are always great for long periods of puppy distraction.  For this particular trip, I packed Teddy's Kong with peanut butter, and froze it overnight to make getting all of the peanut butter even more difficult.
• I gave him his Kong once we were in our seats on the plane and he started crying to come out.  It tied him over until takeoff, when he got distracted by all of the loud noises and vibrations.
5. Teddy's Favorite Toy- Pizza by Zippy Paws
• If you follow Teddy on Instagram, you will see that he likes to bring his pizza everywhere, and will not let anyone take it from him.  I couldn't think of anything more comforting to him on-board the flight.
6. Pee Pads - I tried to get Teddy to pee on one just before we boarded, but he does not actually know what to do with these, as he was never trained to use them.  He really just tilted his head to the side, thinking "wait, you want me to PEE INSIDE".
7. A few portions of food - You never know if your baggage will be lost, or your flight will be delayed.  I kept some food with me on board, just in case.
8. Leash and roll of poop bags

   

   Teddy's Gulpy and bowls clip right onto the SleepyPod

The items in Teddy's tote covered most of what we needed for our long weekend away, but, there are still some things that were needed in my suitcase:

1.  Teddy's Crate, and Crate Bed - Midwest Icrate
• One of the reasons why I chose Teddy's crate is because it is collapsible.  When it is folded up, it fits on the bottom of a medium sized suit case, and does not take up much space.  For car trips, it comes with a handle.
• Teddy is used to being crated when he is home alone.  He even stays in there when the door is open, and waits for me to tell him it OK for him to come out.
• We stayed with my aunt, and I did not feel comfortable with him roaming around the house when we went to dog-unfriendly places.  Most pet-friendly hotels still require pets to be contained when you are not with them in the room, so that, for example, cleaning staff can do their jobs.  The Icrate is perfect for travelling.
2. Pet blanket - I get mine at Dollarama
• Teddy thinks that everyone's couch is his couch, and even if he is allowed on other people's furniture, I like to protect it with one of his blankets.
3. Pet towel
• Messes happen, and sometimes it rains.  I wanted to be prepared with something to wipe Teddy down in case he got messy. If I was staying at a hotel, I would plan to use one of their towels, but, I wanted to be more prepared for my aunt's house!
4. More food - Just because

The Experience

I gave Teddy a bit of food and water right before we called the taxi, hoping that he would need to go to the bathroom right when we got to the airport, and then not again until arrival.  This was a success, and we did not have any accidents.  Yay!

Teddy in the Lounge

I researched the pet policies at Pearson Airport before heading out, and learned that there IS a dog relief area, it is just outside of security, versus inside of the terminal, which would actually be helpful.  According to their website, pets are not allowed outside of their carriers inside of the terminal, but, this would prove to be difficult, as I did not want Teddy confined for such a long period of time.

I carried him into the terminal for check in, and the agent did not ask to see him, or his carrier.  I took him out, and let him walk on his leash to security.  I put all of his stuff through the X-Ray, and walked through carrying him.  According to policy, the pets are supposed to go right back into their carriers, but no-one said anything to me, so I let him walk on his leash.

Teddy was very calm in the terminal, and people were stopping to pet him.  No one seemed to mind that he was not in his carrier.  

Teddy in the Terminal

I checked into the Maple Leaf Lounge, but Teddy was very restless in his carrier.  I gave him some dinner there while I ate, and then tried to sneak him on my lap.  They said he absolutely had to be inside of his carrier there, so decided to find somewhere else in the terminal to hang out.  

We found an empty gate, and I set up a pee pad for him in case he wanted to go.  We waited there until just before our flight was scheduled to board.  I tried to be discreet and hide Teddy under one of the chairs, but he decided lounging on the chair was more comfortable.

The airport in Winnipeg proved to be even more relaxed than Pearson. We were very delayed on the way home, and Teddy took the opportunity to make himself right at home.  I set up his food and water, he lounged in his Sleepy Pod, and ran around with some kids.

Teddy's Setup in the Winnipeg Airport

When it was time to board the plane, I encouraged Teddy to go back into his Sleepy Pod with some treats.  He gladly obliged, turned around a few times, and settled in.  He was totally fine until the engines of the plane started to make noises, and then he started crying.  I gave him his Kong, which kept him occupied for a little bit, but then the screaming started again just after take off.

It is normal for a dog to become distressed in a situation they have never been in before, especially when there are so many new sounds and feelings.  Teddy started panting as the plane was taking off, so I tried cooling him off by unzipping the carrier a little and feeding him water with his Gulpy.  It worked a bit.

Teddy was still upset after takeoff, so I asked the flight attendant for some ice cubes, and put them in one of his bowls.  I read online before the trip that chewing ice will both stop their panting, and help their ears.  Teddy seemed to really like the ice.

Air Canada's policy is that the pet needs to stay in their carrier for the duration of the flight, but, some flight attendants are a little more relaxed.  I brought Teddy's Sleepy Pod onto my lap and unzipped it a bit, letting his head poke out.  he was then relaxed and fell asleep on my shoulder.

On the flight home, Teddy was completely fine, with a little whimper every now and then.  I think he knew what was going on, so was less stressed out about it.  I know that his experience flying will get better each time we travel together.  His first flight was uncharted territory, with lots of new noises, so I understand why he was scared.

Good luck on your first flight with your puppy! Let me know how it goes, and if you learn any new tricks for getting them to stay calm and happy.

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. 

Happy Holidays!

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...
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