Farewell to Heartman

Well, we said goodbye to Heartman yesterday. Anne came to pick him up, and he went off in the back of a pickup filled with dogs. He came to us a few weeks ago, the day Sketch died. He helped fill an empty space during a sad time, and he also was a great help in getting Sailor adjusted to his new home.
Heartman was like Mother, Father and big Brother to Sailor. It was truly amazing how patient he was with the puppy following him everywhere he went and nipping and chewing on almost every part of his anatomy. He developed this mock growling sound when he played with the puppy, that sounded like Chewbaca from Star Wars, and at times he would almost put the entire head of the puppy in his mouth, but yet he was ever so gentle.
So sailor is getting adjusted to not having Heartman around, and we think that in a few days he will be over the worst of that adjustment...Guido however is adjusting very quickly. As WHW said yesterday to Anne..."Guido would send you a dozen Roses if he could" Guido didn't like not being the top dog of the house. Heartman was the first Wolfhound that he really couldn't push around...So now things are more to his liking, and Guido and Sailor are developing their own relationship...which is not quite as playful as the one Heartman and Sailor had, but all and all they're doing fine

House Breaking Trials

Well it's been a little more than a week now since we've had Sailor. It's been a busy week for both of us at work, and at home as well. Most of the activity at home revolves around the house breaking of Sailor, and it's progressing rather well...or maybe I should say that Sailor is making good progress in training us. You see, sailor moves and we jump. We've learned that certain behaviors proceed peeing. So when we see those behaviors we react by jumping up from what ever we are doing, including trying to sleep, and escort him rapidly to the back door. Once outside sailor almost always quickly does his duty. He's got that part down very well....getting a little treat helps...in fact some times he comes right over to get the treat while still in the process of doing his duty. The part we're still working on is the part where he lets us know when he needs to go...We know that usually right after he drinks water is a very likely time (and he drinks a Lot of water)...also after he's been actively playing with Heartman, or us...or when he just kind of walks around looking at things... The question you hear between WHW and myself a great deal is "Where's Sailor?" we always get a little nervous when we don't actually see him.

But actually it's going well in spite of a few setbacks. He's really quite a smart dog. You get the impression that he knows what he can and can't do already. He loves to chew almost anything, but he seems to know that it's best to chew the multitude of dog toys and chews in various places..he does try an occasional shoe or piece of furniture, but quits right away with a word or two.

He is really attached to Heartman...he follows him everywhere and constantly harasses him by nipping at his beard or face, or just about anything he can reach. Heartman is so very patient with him...he occasionally growls a little if Sailor goes to far, but nothing too serious. It's going to be hard on Sailor if Heartman has to leave. Although he also seems to like Guido, but Guido isn't nearly as patient with him.

It's been great fun having Sailor with us. It's fun to watch him grow and learn, and the bonding process is beginning with him and us as well....It's also great to know we have him for keeps...and that hopefully that will be for many more years to come.

Sailor is in the House

We brought Sailor home last Sunday, September 30th and it has been quite a week.

Both Guido and Heartman do well with Sailor, but unfortunatley all three of them don't always tolerate being together. Sailor can be left with either dog, but Guido and Heartman continue to find things to disagree about. Heartman attempts to make nice and lick Guido's face, but Guido's not having any of it. I forgot what it is like to house break a puppy. I have been outside every morning between 3 and 4 in my night gown trying to encourage Sailor to do his duty. He now weighs 44.8# and is three months old on Sunday the 7th. I was very relieved to find out that his liver bile test was within normal limits, and both vets love him. He is very sweet and an extremely sensitive boy. You should see his feet, they are gigantic!