Wordless Wednesday

[photo description: Marco at the park in front of some flowers in bloom holding a toy]

Yes, I Talk to my Dog

I get looks a the time out on the street and in buildings, classrooms, the office, etc. Why? Because I talk to my puppy. Not just "Good boy/girl!" when they've done something good. I actually hold conversations with my puppy. Obviously, their end of the conversation is all imaginary but I do say my part of the conversation out loud. Especially when I'm walking with them. It gets pretty boring, so having a conversation, even with a puppy, takes away some of the boredom.

So, this was the conversation that Marco and I had yesterday. Keep in mind, Aberdeen gets very blustery in the winter months.

Me: Marco, leave!
Marco: Yes Erin, those are leaves! Aren't the so cool when the blow in the wind like that?
Me: No Marco. I mean that you need to leave them alone and let them go about their business ok?
Marco: Oh, ok...But Erin?
Me: Yes Marco?
Marco: I REALLY don't want to.

I'm hoping that other raisers out there understand because otherwise I'd feel crazy.

Feeling Puppy-less

I've only been back in Aberdeen for three and a half weeks and I'm already going through puppy withdrawals. I'm so ready to have a puppy of my own again. It feels like it's been so long! Freya is still the only puppy who I have raised from start to finish and I kind of really want another one. Haha! It's an addiction.

Luckily, Marco Polo is coming for a short visit tomorrow evening. I think he's still a tad too young to handle a full week during term time, so we're easing him into the University Student life slowly. He'll be going to work with me Thursday and Friday and then hopefully he'll be ready for University by March.

My Weekend with Marco

Because I'm a University student who also has a part time job, taking on a baby puppy would be difficult. That's why I'm so thankful for my "co-raisers" who bring me a pup whenever I feel the need for one. Last weekend I got to have Marco for the first time while they took Quinn to Edinburgh for one last big trip before he goes IFT. 

Let me just say, Marco is a pretty awesome puppy. Between him and Dulcie, I've had PPPs (that's practically perfect puppies for those of you who don't know) twice in a row now. Marco was nine and a half weeks old last weekend and he slept completely through the night and then went back to sleep for another hour after his breakfast. Seriously, from ten in the evening to seven in the morning. I was so lucky!

And, while he had a few accidents he didn't have as many as I was expecting. He got that if he showed me he had to pee and waited a minute for me to get the leash then he'd get to go outside to our courtyard and get a ton of praise and love. 

My favorite bit about him is that he's one cuddle bug. He's play and play and play and then he'd look at me. He'd properly stare at me for a while then come sit by me and look up as if to say, "I'm tired, can I sleep in your lap?" And because I'm a sucker...I let him. Shhh. Don't tell anyone. 

I don't really know what else to say about Marco except that I'm excited to get to know him more over the next couple of months. So far, he's a great puppy. 

Enjoy his cuteness! ENJOY...

Marco (yellow lab/golden cross) chews on a stuffed bunny

Marco cuddling up with me on the floor while I work on the PWAP facebook and web pages

One morning, he decided he would rather sleep in my lap...I let him.

Marco sitting like a good boy in the living room

Marco chewing on his teething keys.

Marco and the stuffed bunny.

Oh, one hilarious story I've got to tell you about is when we went to the grocery store. I carried him to the grocery store and then carried him through the grocery store. All in all, we were in the store for about 5 minutes as I grabbed a box of cereal or carton of non-dairy based milk...I don't quite remember. And we walked down the pet aisle and the little thief stole a stuffed toy from one of the shelves. Well, at the point I was committed to buying it for him right?

M is for... (for real this time)

MARCO!!!!

Marco's "birth certificate" 

Marco's profile. Handsome boy.

Me and Marco.

Marco wouldn't stop moving, so the best I could do is a blurry picture.

Marco arrived in Aberdeen yesterday, but I just got a chance to meet him today. Let me tell you, the pictures don't do this little guy justice at all! He's super cute. In fact, I think it's safe to say that he's super duper cute. Haha! Love at very first lick.

I don't know when I'll get a chance to have him. We wanna give him a week or two to settle into Aberdeen at his "primary" home and then Quinn is going away early December, so I'll probably want to take Quinn before I take Marco just so I can see him again. 

Marco is a yellow lab / golden retriever cross. He looks like he's going to be a little fluffier than Frankie or Quinn, but still isn't coated. And, this is the first time I know ALL of his siblings here in the UK.