“Good morning Karen,
I am sorry that this email
is long overdue, but our lives have been so busy since we brought our boys
home. I wanted to give you a quick update on Bexar (pronounced BEX-are)
and Mato (pronounced MAH-toe)--sons of Sebewa and Ohapi
Pui.
The last we spoke, I
explained that we were advised by a couple of trainers that our boys
constant fighting and inconsolableness when separated were signs of
littermate syndrome. Since then we have been working with a trainer
who has had much experience with littermates. He has helped us
identify Bexar and Mato's strengths and weaknesses and developed separate
training programs for them. So now, I am happy to say that while
they are not out of the woods, they are doing so much better. They
still fight a lot, but not as extreme and aggressive--it's more like
playful wrestling and they still miss each other when separated, but it is
getting easier for them.
Our trainer has been great,
and you are right in that these dogs take so well to training. In
fact, our trainer has remarked over and over again that he cannot believe
how quickly they have progressed in the past 3-4 weeks that we have been
working together.
The boys have always been
able to walk with leashes--from day 1, which we understand is very unusual
for puppies. Now we are starting to teach them to walk properly by
our side. And our next lesson will be to incorporate the come, sit,
and stay commands with our walks.
I must also add that they
are such adorable puppies, and everywhere we take them they get so much
love and attention. Everyone wants to know their breed and where we
got them. And all feel they are two of the most beautiful dogs
they have seen. In fact, when I took them for their first vet appt a
couple of weeks ago, all of the office staff gathered in the lobby to say
good-bye and see them off.
Speaking of their vet appt,
they were so great. And I was so proud. Mato didn't even
flinch when he got his ddhp shot, and Bexar only gave a slight squirm.
The vet was surprised, but as I explained to him--the boys wrestle around
so much that something piercing their skin is not an unusual feeling!
This week (on their 14 week BDay) we will be taking them for their rabies
and other booster shots.
It is amazing to believe
that they are only 14 weeks. They have really grown so much.
On their 1st vet appt at 12 weeks, Mato weighed in at 21 lbs and Bexar 19
lbs. So in the 4 weeks that we had them, they both gained about 7
lbs. We am anxious to find out their weight on Wed--their next
appt, because it would not surprise us if they were both pushing 30 lbs or
very close to it.
Anyway, that is about all I
have to report right now. I will continue to keep you posted on
their progress. Words cannot express just how much we love these
guys. They are wonderful, adorable, loving puppies, and we look
forward to watching them mature into beautiful, fun-loving dogs!
I am sorry that I haven't
had a chance to send photos. Guess it's that problem with digital
cameras these days. Taking the photos are easy...it's just finding
the time to download them that is hard. I will try to do that soon,
though. As I am sure you are anxious to see how much they have
grown!
Thanks again,
Rowena Mahloch”
__________________________________
“Karen,
We love our boys Bexar and Mato, sons of Sebewa and
Ohapi Pui, so much we can’t imagine our lives without them.
Our lives are a bit more hectic than what we had opted for but I am
so glad we got two puppies. You’re
right, two pups are better than getting just one pup.
They do entertain each other and keep each other company.
It has made training them a bit harder because they hate being
apart from each other, even on opposite sides of the yard.
They are so happy together and enjoy each others company so much,
we often just suit there watching them wrestle and play and burst out in
laughter with all the cute and adorable things that they do.
Both boys were just neutered and we were worried
because a few of our friends told us about post operative difficulties
their own dogs had experienced, ranging from bad reactions to the
anesthesia to being given the “cold shoulder” from their dogs for a
week or more after the surgical procedure.
But Bexar and Mato were amazing!
They were walking and functioning pretty much normal (albeit a bit
groggy) when we picked them up from the vet.
Once we got them both home, they gave kisses as they laid their
tired bodies down on the cold tile floor.
They are always very affectionate with us and every other human
they meet, but it just melted our hearts that they remained caring and
affectionate after their procedure.
We can’t take them anywhere without being the
center of attention. I know
Bexar and Mato have not a person or a dog that they haven’t totally
loved. Of course, not everyone
is a dog person, and our boys get visibly disheartened when someone
doesn’t stop to pet them. It
does not happen very often though. Our
boys are so beautiful that most folks can’t resist them.
There have actually been a few times during our walks when people
driving have stopped their cars in the middle of the road just to get out
and talk with us and pet them.
As you can tell, I can go on and on about our boys.
How great and wonderful their dispositions. .all the smart and cute
things they do and how beautiful they are….But the gist of it is that
Bexar and Mato have enriched our lives in ways we never thought possible!
I’ve enclosed a C-D with several photos…actually
lots…as they are so photogenic.
I hope you enjoy seeing them grow as much as we have.
I will continue to update you periodically.
Thanks so much for breeding such great dogs!!
We are already talking about when we can introduce another NAID
into our family! When we
figure that out, we’ll be sure to let you know.
Sincerely, Tim
and Rowena”
