Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Its been too long
Well this is the 4 week update, they started on puppy food, and you would have thought it was their last meal. They were in a frenzy. Now is also the time I let the kids hold them while sitting down the pups just kind of walk off from them. They are massive for 4 weeks and look like they should be 6 weeks. Anyways here are Rocky and Layla at 4 weeks.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
straight from the mouth
I describe my owning Harley, as being fulfilling, like having another child and best friend rolled into one, the expressions Harley makes are so human like it seems she can understand when i am talking to her. Its a great feeling to know how fiercely loyal she is to my family, and how the unconditional love she feels for us really is. Rocky and Layla are just sweet as can be, and seeing that Layla has a completely different attitude then Rocky is hilarious at times all 3 boxers have completely different personalities and its fun to watch them develop. Now how would you describe owning your boxer babies?
From Willow:
A rollercoaster I never want to get off of..Lol, kinda joking bit serious as well..Being owned by Boxers is a constant source of entertainment, they make me laugh, they make me cry and there are days they make me want to pull my hair out as well..Would I change it? Oh hell no!!! They have kept me company when i've been alone, they have cheered me up when I'm down and listened to me pour my heart(Samson, you were the king of that, rip sweet man). They keep me active and on my toes, but I think the thing that I love the most is the wonderful way they greet me when I come home, unconditional love, now how can one have a bad day after a greeting that nice? Every one has such a distinct personality, Angel is the Queen Bee and lets everyone know it, she is my huntress and reminds me of that fact every time she brings me a "present". Flick, well he is the pacifist, definitely a lover, not a fighter and gets his feelings hurt very easily. Morgan, oh man, he is the clown of the bunch, nothing phases him, give him a ball and he's a happy boy. By far he is the most hardheaded of the group, but such a Momma's Boy..
From 2wildboxers:
Owning a boxer is a gift. They can make me laugh so hard I have tears, and they can make me so mad I see red. Stubborn, loyal, wanting to please, goofy. The puppy stage is hard. People don't realize what hard work having a puppy is. Potty training, crate training, obedience training, never ending. But at the end of the day, when they climb into your lap and want to be loved and love you, it is all so worth it.
From Samsonsaunt:
Having only been a visitor to the Boxer world, I can definitely second what RaShann and my sister said. They are stubborn, loyal, loving, sometimes (o.k. often!) needy, intuitive, nutty, and every other descriptive term known to man. I can go a year without visiting my sister, and her Boxers greet me like a long lost friend. There is nothing like a morning wakeup kiss from a wiggling Boxer...or the sad look they give you when you have something on your plate that they think should be in their bowl!! I had two days with Mr Morgan; driving him down to my sister's house...and I was so unprepared for the exuberance that is a Boxer puppy...and I was terrified that I would 'break' him...kind of like my first experience babysitting a newborn!! Will I have a Boxer in my life someday? Oh, hell yeah!!
From Hailey'smom:
You all explained it so well. it's so hard to even put it into words. My dogs are my life. They are always there for me, they make me SO mad sometimes, lol but at the end of the day i would be lost without them in my bed; hailey under the covers at my feet, and rocky beside me hogging the rest of them. and i would have to second, that being greeted by my babies is the absolute highlight of my day. When i come home from work and see those little wiggling butts at the back door, nubs moving 90 miles a minute and rocky's hilarious "wooo woo woooooo" lmfao. i can't help but smile, no matter how awful my day at work is, i look forward to that most of all. I think my fiancee feels replaced. haha now that we have rocky he gets even less attention from me. I'm more worried about feeding the furbabies playing with them, working with them. etc. Luckily he loves them almost as much as i do
These are some of the best words of owners and enthusiasts I have ever seen, thank you ladies for your heartfelt contributions.
Puppies at 2 weeks
Here are my babies at 2 weeks already grown to twice the size they were.
This is Layla her eyes are wide open and just as pretty as can be, if you look at my puppies at one week post you can compare.
This is Rocky
The main differences of course are the open eyes the heavier weight, but they are now more active, barking and growling, and escaping their safe place.
This is Layla her eyes are wide open and just as pretty as can be, if you look at my puppies at one week post you can compare.
This is Rocky
The main differences of course are the open eyes the heavier weight, but they are now more active, barking and growling, and escaping their safe place.
Friday, November 11, 2011
survey for my readers
I just want to know if i am doing an OK job so far, has my blog been pretty informative, what would you like to see as readers, where can I improve for you?
I am new to blogging, and i hope for more input from you readers out there.
Vaccinate your pups and dogs!!!
Thank you to my commenter Chris on my baby devolpment post for bringing up the subject of this post :)
Vaccinations are an essential part of a puppy's health care plan. Though there is some controversy about the potential risk of vaccines and over-vaccination, most experts agree that certain basic immunizations are essential to keep your puppy from getting sick and prevent the spread of disease. There is controversy with every vaccine whether for humans or pets, but why risk it.
Why Vaccinate Your Puppy?
When puppies are born, their immune systems are not fully developed, so they cannot fight disease. However, during the first few days of a puppy’s life, nursing mothers provide antibody-rich milk called colostrum. These antibodies provide puppies with temporary immunity against illness. While the length of this immunity varies from puppy to puppy, it is generally believed that maternal antibodies are gone after 16 to 20 weeks.
Enter puppy vaccination. Vaccines are designed to trigger immune responses and prevent future infection from diseases. All puppies should be administered certain core vaccines –these provide immunity against the most dangerous and widespread diseases and are considered essential for puppies in most geographical locations. Depending on your location and your puppy's environment, you may want non-core vaccines given as well. Talk to your vet about your puppy’s risk of exposure to these diseases.
How Puppy Vaccinations Work
Puppy vaccines are typically first administered at about six to eight weeks of age, then repeated every three to four weeks until about four months of age. Some of these vaccines might be given together in one injection that is called a combination vaccine. At your puppy's first veterinary exam, your vet will discuss the schedule of vaccinations and other treatments for your puppy, such as deworming and beginning heartworm prevention. Vaccines should never be given to a puppy with a fever or illness - the vaccine will not be effective and could actually make the puppy feel worse. During each subsequent visit, your vet will do a general examination first. The vaccine injection itself is typically not painful. Some puppies seem to feel a little pinch or sting, while others do not react at all. Its just like skin kids getting a vaccination shot, if they cry it still breaks your heart :(
After a vaccine is administered, immunity is not immediate - it takes about five to ten days to become effective. However, puppies that still have maternal antibodies will not be affected by the vaccine. There is no way to be certain if a puppy still has maternal antibodies, hence the reason for boosters. True immunity is uncertain until about four months of age, or until all puppy boosters are completed. Avoid bringing your puppy to dog parks or otherwise exposing your puppy to unknown animals until all vaccinations have been given.
The risk of vaccinations
Just like the flu vaccine or any other medication there are certain risks which are rare but do happen. Vaccine reactions and side effects are typically mild and self-limiting. Signs may include pain and swelling at the injection site, lethargy or fever. Severe allergic reactions are less common, but can be fatal if left untreated. If your puppy develops hives, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing, contact your vet immediately.
Because vaccinations stimulate the immune system, there is a risk for developing an auto-immune disorder. This is very uncommon when you consider the numbers of dogs affected versus all the dogs that are vaccinated. However, auto-immune disorders can be serious and difficult to treat. Illnesses that may occur include blood disorders, neuro-muscular issues and even skin problems.
Despite the potential side effects, most veterinarians and pet experts agree that the benefits outweigh the risk when it comes to puppy vaccines. However, with adult boosters, many vets are embracing protocols that vaccinate less often. Once given annually as a rule, adult vaccinations are now more likely to be recommended every three years.
Puppy vaccination schedule
6-8 weeks Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza
9-11 weeks Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Bordetella
12-14 weeks Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Lyme
Adult boosters While annual boosters are still sometimes given, many vets now recommend only re-vaccinating every three years.
*Recommendation of non-core vaccines depends on your geographical location and your puppy's environment. Talk to your vet about your puppy's potential exposure
Vaccinations are an essential part of a puppy's health care plan. Though there is some controversy about the potential risk of vaccines and over-vaccination, most experts agree that certain basic immunizations are essential to keep your puppy from getting sick and prevent the spread of disease. There is controversy with every vaccine whether for humans or pets, but why risk it.
Why Vaccinate Your Puppy?
When puppies are born, their immune systems are not fully developed, so they cannot fight disease. However, during the first few days of a puppy’s life, nursing mothers provide antibody-rich milk called colostrum. These antibodies provide puppies with temporary immunity against illness. While the length of this immunity varies from puppy to puppy, it is generally believed that maternal antibodies are gone after 16 to 20 weeks.
Enter puppy vaccination. Vaccines are designed to trigger immune responses and prevent future infection from diseases. All puppies should be administered certain core vaccines –these provide immunity against the most dangerous and widespread diseases and are considered essential for puppies in most geographical locations. Depending on your location and your puppy's environment, you may want non-core vaccines given as well. Talk to your vet about your puppy’s risk of exposure to these diseases.
How Puppy Vaccinations Work
Puppy vaccines are typically first administered at about six to eight weeks of age, then repeated every three to four weeks until about four months of age. Some of these vaccines might be given together in one injection that is called a combination vaccine. At your puppy's first veterinary exam, your vet will discuss the schedule of vaccinations and other treatments for your puppy, such as deworming and beginning heartworm prevention. Vaccines should never be given to a puppy with a fever or illness - the vaccine will not be effective and could actually make the puppy feel worse. During each subsequent visit, your vet will do a general examination first. The vaccine injection itself is typically not painful. Some puppies seem to feel a little pinch or sting, while others do not react at all. Its just like skin kids getting a vaccination shot, if they cry it still breaks your heart :(
After a vaccine is administered, immunity is not immediate - it takes about five to ten days to become effective. However, puppies that still have maternal antibodies will not be affected by the vaccine. There is no way to be certain if a puppy still has maternal antibodies, hence the reason for boosters. True immunity is uncertain until about four months of age, or until all puppy boosters are completed. Avoid bringing your puppy to dog parks or otherwise exposing your puppy to unknown animals until all vaccinations have been given.
The risk of vaccinations
Just like the flu vaccine or any other medication there are certain risks which are rare but do happen. Vaccine reactions and side effects are typically mild and self-limiting. Signs may include pain and swelling at the injection site, lethargy or fever. Severe allergic reactions are less common, but can be fatal if left untreated. If your puppy develops hives, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing, contact your vet immediately.
Because vaccinations stimulate the immune system, there is a risk for developing an auto-immune disorder. This is very uncommon when you consider the numbers of dogs affected versus all the dogs that are vaccinated. However, auto-immune disorders can be serious and difficult to treat. Illnesses that may occur include blood disorders, neuro-muscular issues and even skin problems.
Despite the potential side effects, most veterinarians and pet experts agree that the benefits outweigh the risk when it comes to puppy vaccines. However, with adult boosters, many vets are embracing protocols that vaccinate less often. Once given annually as a rule, adult vaccinations are now more likely to be recommended every three years.
Puppy vaccination schedule
6-8 weeks Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza
9-11 weeks Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Bordetella
12-14 weeks Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis Adenovirus, Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Lyme
Adult boosters While annual boosters are still sometimes given, many vets now recommend only re-vaccinating every three years.
*Recommendation of non-core vaccines depends on your geographical location and your puppy's environment. Talk to your vet about your puppy's potential exposure
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