Life with a Toddler. . .I Mean Puppy!

Come to my house at any given hour and you will find a floor full of toys!!!  Norman (Ascott) LOVES his toys.  He doesn't have a favorite. . .he LOVES them all. . .well maybe the squeaky toys are his favorite!  Once he finds the squeaker, he just keeps squeaking!  All I know is that he plays hard and then it's nap time. . .Repeat!

So, we got through our first holiday!  I had 14 guests and Norman (Ascott) did AWESOME!  I'm always very watchful to see how my fosters do with my grandson, because he is only 4 1/2 yrs old. Norman was great!!!! No jumping, no aggression, mostly just interested in Noah's toys.  I heard this a lot during the day "Grandma, Noman has my sword", "Grandma, Noman took my Lego", etc.  That being said, I still had a house full of people, and Norman did really well with all of the chaos going on around him. He's really taken a lead from my other 2 dogs, which has really been so helpful for me and him.

After Thanksgiving was over, it was time to get our Christmas tree!  Was I nervous about a tree and a puppy in the same room?  YES!  Does he like the water in the tree stand?  YES!  Does he leave my tree alone?  YES!!!  Thank God!  The first couple of days, I kept thinking I'm going to walk into the living room and see the tree laying on the ground!!  If not Norman, then one of the cats!  Knock on wood. . .so far so good!!!!!

Norman is doing really well in the potty training department.  He's got the routine down pretty good. He goes out, does his thing, comes in, sits and waits for his treat.  He still has an occasional accident, but we're getting there!!!

He's also enjoying his walks, but once he sees the house. . .he can't wait to get inside!  It's so funny how they know their own houses.

I'm not sure if it's because Norman is a puppy, but I've never had a foster who loves his food and water the way that this guy does.  I know that before he got to my house he was fed in the morning and then again at dinner, but at my house, I keep the water and food down all day because my dogs pick at it when they're hungry and that's it.  I keep water out all day too because I also have cats and they drink it all of the time!  I'm sure that once Norman's furever family finds him, they can decide what works best!

All in all, things are going great! He's just such a good, sweet boy who loves to be loved!

Family Portrait: Maddie, Norman (Ascott) and Gizmo

Showing off his flexibility!

I paid $4 to get this picture of the 4 dogs!  Yes 4, far right is tiny little Ally!

My mornings after everyone has gone potty, ran around and I sit down with my coffee

This is literally how Maddie and Norman nap!!

Lounging Party of 3!

Posing pretty

Blue eyed side view

Just looking cute!

Yes. . .one more picture!

Adorable from behind as well!

He's sleeping with his head tucked under that pillow. . .so adorable!

We've Got Ourselves a Puppy!

And what a puppy he is!  His name is ASCOTT . . .we call him Norman for short.  Norman is a 4 1/2 month old Basset Hound (mix).  I don't usually bring home puppies, because. . .well. . .they're puppies!  I'm so glad we did.  He's an amazing pup. . .such a sweet disposition. He has giant paws, one brown eye and one beautiful light blue eye, soft thick ears and the most luxurious fur I've ever felt.  Petting him is actually addicting and comforting!  He's also really low key, which I personally like in a pet!

The first thing I learned about Norman was that because he lived at a home with a fenced in yard, he had never been on a leash. . .that became apparent when I took him outside to go potty before bringing him home.  He walked a few steps and then stopped dead in his tracks and refused to budge!  Since then, I've taken Norman on several walks and he does really well.  He walks right next to me, no pulling. . .just enjoying the great outdoors.

Speaking of the great outdoors, I was anxious to see how he would react to the snow.  He's never seen it or been in it, so it was pretty entertaining to watch him this morning!  It didn't seem to bother him a bit.  I put a sweater on him and took him for a short walk this morning and he seemed to like it, but on the way back he kept trying to run up everyone's driveway.  Finally we got to my driveway and he (we) started sprinting to get back into the house!  I guess he was getting chilly!!

I brought Norman home Tuesday and have been working really hard on his potty training and he's doing great.  Yes, he still has accidents now and again, but he also goes potty every time I put him out!  So that is VERY encouraging.  It helps that I have Maddie and Giz (my dogs) here to show him the ropes!  He also responds very well to the word "no".  He hears us say no and immediately stops!  Again, he impresses me!

He's a baby, so he likes to chew!  He LOVES squeaky toys and the dental bones and pigs ears. . .!  It helps prevent the occasional chewing of something like a shoe or newspaper!!

He's been a really good boy at bedtime too!  Norman, Maddie and Giz all get crated and all go to bed and get up at the same time.  I put him out one last time before bed, and then off to bed he goes.  Again, having the two older dogs has really helped to teach him whats what!

Did I mention that he gets along well with others?  Well he does.  I also have 4 cats and he isn't bothered by them in the least and like wise. . .he doesn't bother them either.  One of my cats, Binx, actually likes to play with him.  He's a baby too!  They like to chase each other around the house in a friendly game tag!

I know I'm a broken record when it comes to my foster pups, but they're all so amazing I can't help but to sing their praises.  I just love them all and Norman is no exception. . .he's a lover and snuggler and a real keeper!!! Someone is going to be very lucky when they bring this sweet boy home!

Ascott. . . He's one beautiful boy!  Look at those eyes!

Hangin' with the Gizmo and Maddie

Chillin' with Kathryn

That's a BIG paw!

Yum

Norman's (Ascott) first day at our house

He's a handsome boy!!

We both got pretty wet while I gave Norman (Ascott) his shower!!

Is that a smile?

He found the toy basket right away!

Look how nice he sits on my lap!!  LOVE him!! xo

xo

Outside in his snowman sweater!

Spring Has Sprung For Noell!

Finally some weather Noell can relate to!!  She came from Alabama, so she doesn't know what the heck ALL of this white stuff is ~ she only knows it's been to cold for her tiny little feet!  But as the thermometer climbs and the snow melts. . .Noell is SO excited to finally get back outside!!

As I've mentioned before, she has been using the potty pads FAITHFULLY all winter, because I couldn't get her to go out into the frigid cold and snow.  And when I say faithfully. . .I mean she has NEVER had an accident in my house. . .EVER!  It's been awesome.  So now that it's getting nicer out, we are in the process of moving potty time to the outside, with the other dogs.  Because Noell is so smart, I'm sure she will have this mastered in a day or two.  I'm guessing that once she figures out she can go potty outside again, moving into fall and winter won't be such an ordeal.  She will adjust to the temps as they come and figure it out.

Yesterday, we took Noell on her first leash walk!  She loved it!  I wasn't sure how she'd do, as the cold and snow have limited our activities with her, so she hasn't had much experience with a leash.  I put a jacket on her and off we went.  Kathryn was actually walking her, but she kept looking back at me to make sure I was watching (?)  It was just so cute!

Over the course of Noell's stay with us, she has really relaxed and come into her own!  She's finally realized that she's not a stray anymore and that she is safe.  She still likes to stay close when I'm working in my home office, but doesn't feel the need to shadow me anymore.  Now that I think about it. . . she does actually hang out on the living room couch once in awhile with Maddie and Giz for an afternoon nap!!

She is still a snuggler!  And she doesn't discriminate!  At night, when we're all home and watching something on TV, she'll snuggle with anyone and everyone!  And if you don't want her on your lap, she's happy to snuggle up next to you!  But when I'm in the recliner. . .she's so little that sometimes she sneaks next to me, and falls asleep in the crack between the arm and the seat cushion and blends in because she's so dark!

Noell is definitely not a fan of getting a bath.  She sucks it up, but. . .  The good thing is, that because she's so little, it only takes a couple of minutes in the sink!  I only towel dry (in lieu of blow drying) her because she's dries pretty quick. She does like to get brushed though.

She's such an awesome little peanut.  So tiny and SO much personality!  In fact, every morning when I let her out of her kennel, she runs out, and then dances around on her back legs while she does this bark.  But's it not "bark" bark, it's more like a "hi mom, good morning mom, look at me mom, thanks for letting me out mom" kind of bark!  I love it. . .very entertaining!

Attempting a "Noell is so pretty" photo shoot!

Ok. . .lets try to get some shots outside!

Helping Abby clear the crumbs off of her plate!

Did you just get a bath?

Pretty Noell xo

Just looking cute!

This one is just funny because she is such a little nugget inside that seemingly large (yet tiny) jacket!

So precious

Come on. . .it's ok?

WooHoo!!!  This is fun!

Lookin' good Noell

Maddie and Giz wondering how it is that they are inside and Noell is OUTSIDE???

Sorry. . .I didn't mean to wake you guys up!

Noell venturing out into the snow!

Just cute seeing the two of them sleep together in the cupcake bed.

Huh?  What am I doing out here?

Everyone loves to hang out with the mama!!

The first of MANY walks!

Noell Update

She is an AWESOME little peanut!  I just want to eat her up!!!  I have to say that Noell's perfect day would be to sit in your lap ALL DAY LONG!!

Noell is doing GREAT on her potty mat!!!  I haven't made her go outside since the first day's freezing paws disaster!  Every time I send my other dogs out, she comes running and then stops on her mat. She doesn't always "go" when they "go", but she uses the mat when she needs too!  I am hopeful that the family that adopts her is ok with this Plan B potty arrangement.  The mats are very inexpensive and come in a package of 8 or 10 (I'm not exactly sure) and cost $5.99 at Petco.  I'm sure she will learn to go outside once it warms up. . .she's pretty smart!  But for now, this is working perfectly!

Noell and little kids. . .she is good with them in that she shows no aggression and uses her manners, but she really doesn't have a lot of interest in them.  She also isn't a fan of loud noise.  I learned that when my grandson (4yr) was over on Friday and he was showing me how he had learned to whistle! Noah's whistle = high pitched scream!  On Saturday, my daughter had a b-day sleepover and Noell did enjoy the attention of the older kids (13yr).

All in all. . .everything Noell is everything good!!

Noell 4lbs - JJ 14lbs.  (I let Noell eat her wet food on the counter so Maddie and  Gizmo don't eat it all first!)

Noell and Gizmo (8.5lbs)!  Noell is little, but never intimidated!!

This is Noell on the way home from getting micro chipped!  I babied her the rest of the day! xo

Teeny Tiny Princess Noell

OMG. . .there are no words for this sweet, adorable, tiny little dog!!!  She's a magnet!!  She LOVES to be held and snuggled!

Now when I say Noell is tiny, I mean 3.5 / 4 lbs tiny.  There's no meat on her, which I assume is why she is always shivering!  So I am doing my best to fatten her up a bit by giving her wet food twice a day.  My other dogs are a little jealous to say the least, so I do let them lick the spoon!

So what I'm about to tell you is a first for me!  When I brought Noell home, I showed her all of the important places she needs to know about, i.e., food and outside!  Now thank God I brought her home in a sweater (size xxsm), because she is always shivering.  The first day we were ok because there was no snow, but when the snow appeared. . .she was pretty much done with going outside!  When I did put her out, she literally pranced around because her little feet were so cold and then she just laid down on her side (on the sweater she was wearing) to keep her feet from being so cold!  Needless to say, I had to come up with a Plan B, and quick!!!!  It was either going to be booties or a diaper.  Then I friend of mine, who also fosters, told me about some pads I could put out.  They're like the pads used in hospital beds!  So I went to the pet store, bought booties and pads, hoping the booties would work.  I put the rubber booties on her front paws and then tried to get them on her back paws, but honestly. . .her paws are so tiny, I was afraid I would hurt her.  Anyway, I let her walk around with just the front ones on, and it was pretty pathetic. . .more prancing! Long story, short(er). . .we're using the pads and having GREAT SUCCESS!!!!!

The beauty of this tiny precious pooch is that she is low maintenance!  Noell just wants to be with you!  I would even suggest you consider a Doddlebug Dog Carrier for her.  It's like a baby carrier that you strap on, but for little dogs! I say that, because she follows me wherever I go and she likes to be wrapped up and warm.  When she sits on my lap, I always cover her up with my robe or a little blanket and she is good to go!!!

Noell has been around all of my pets (2 dogs & 4 cats and 1 kitten) and she gets along with ALL of them! No chasing, no barking, no growling. . .she's an angel!  Yesterday she hung out with a 4 year old, and was a perfect lady around her.  She does whimper just a little when I put her in her crate to go to bed, but it's very short lived.  She is an awesome little pup to say the very least!  I'm guessing she will be VERY happy once it gets warm out again!!

Noell 

Fast asleep!

Cute as a button!

Telling secrets with Maddie

Meeting her new housemates

Pretty tiny in Jay's big arms!

Finally. . .someone uses the new doggy pillow!

Yes. . .that's a ruler to show her tiny size!

Hi

Cuteness!

Noell and Giz's tiny hinnies!

Tiny Noell and my GIANT Clay Mathews!  

Puppy Posse

Snuggling with Sawyer while she does her homework!