Who Needs Store Bought Toys?

My new favorite thing to play with is plastic liter bottles. I love the little water bottles but these are even more fun! I can make a lot of noise! It's too hard to hold onto themso I  am chasing it all over the room. Fun!

Note from mom: noise isn't the word for it.  It is crazy loud racket! 

Most Kissable Face

Who couldn't love a face like this?

Note from Mom: I can not believe how fast this little guy is growing and changing. He is 4 months old now. It is hard to tell how much he is grown but when I look back at videos and pictures I can certainly see a big difference. He is much taller. We measured last night and he is 15 inches tall at the withers now. I wish I had measured him when we first got him. 

Life Is A Bowl of ...

Mom says I eat like I am afraid my food is going to run away from me. She bought me this cool bowl and now I have to work at my food. I used to be able to eat my food in under a minute and sometimes that made me kinda sick - so now it takes me a longgggggg time to eat. 

Note from Mom: These are the neatest dog bowls. There are several different styles - they certainly slow him down. It is called a Slo-Bowl. They are normally $19.99 at PetCo but they were on sale for $14.99. The mat and other bowl are a different brand but the same color AND on clearance.  Yea!

My Memorial Weekend

A 3 day weekend with my mom and dad. Yea! We had so much fun. I love the smells coming out of the grill. My 2 big human brothers came over and had hot dogs and hamburgers. (No one gave me a single bite. :()

My mom bought me 4 new collars at Old Navy. I got a new bowl and mat set and more new toys at Pet Co. We played frisbee, ball and I even got in the pool with my new life jacket for a few minutes. 

We went to the dog park again and this time it was much more fun. I had lots of little dogs to play with. Two chi's really liked me. One lady didn't want her dog playing with me at first. She thought I was a Pit Bull puppy. After she learned I am a bulldog, she decided her dog could play. He and I had the most fun of all. I am glad his mom changed her mind. He was a yorkie mix. 

I discovered the sandbox at the park. That is so much fun!! My mom got a video. I was running and throwing up sand like crazy! It made me super hyper. My mom had to flush my eyes out when we got home because they got so red. I didn't know I was supposed to shut my eyes. How can I see where I am playing if I do that? It got on my tongue, too, but that didn't bother me. Later when we got home and I fell asleep in mom's lap, she said I snored really heavy. She thinks it messed my sinuses up, too. I guess we have to be more careful when we play in the sand. 


Note from Mom: Old Navy had their dog collars for $1.99! We bought 4. Brad says "he only has one neck". Ha! But since he isn't wearing clothing like my yorkie did, he can have different collars.
 I didn't think about him getting sand in his eyes or mouth. He never even sniffed at the sand when we were there the other 2 times. This time he saw one of the chi's playing in it so he had to see what he was doing. Once he put a paw in - it was on. He ran and jumped, dug holes - he had a blast. I have the cutest video. Here is a picture.

Water from the dog park fountain sure tastes good after a sandy tongue!

Oh, I'm Cool Like That

Am I a cool sitter or what?

Mom says I am in an awkward stage. My feet and legs are growing so fast and my body hasn't quite caught up and she thinks I sit funny. I think I look pretty cool.


Note from Mom: When he sits like this and just looks at me, I melt. Especially if he cocks his head to the side. I have got to get a picture of him doing that. 

Bad To The Bone

Oh. My. Goodness.
This are the bestest chew chews in the whole wide puppy world. I can keep myself so busy chewing and that makes my mom really happy because she can relax while I chew. She won't let me have it without her right there with me, tho. I bit one end off and she took it away from me. :-(


Note from Mom: I have a feeling I may need to invest in these things. 

My First Dog Park Visit

 I made new friends at the Dog Park!! There is this one girl, she is a Bichon - and she is really cute, but she didn't like the way I played at first. She was a little timid, but she came around. She is quite a bit older than me, though, so guess she was too sophisticated to play rough. Her mom guarded her like crazy, she must have thought I was going to hurt her, but I promise I didn't.
The other little guy was nice. We are about the same size but he is fully grown. His mom says he is a "rescue". 

I can't wait to get big enough to go in the big dog park. Right now mom says I have to stay in the little dog park because I don't listen to her well enough. 

Note from Mom: The little dog side is small enough that he can't get too far away from me and so far there have only been a couple of dogs when we go. The bigger dog side is huge and there are always a lot of dogs there.  On this particular day there were Boxers, Pit Mix, Great Danes and even a Bull Terrier. There were quite a few that were no bigger than Opie, but they were older. I think we need obedience training before attempting to go to the bigger side.

Catching Some ZZZ's

Catching some Z's.


Note from Mom: Seriously. He was playing like crazy and then just fell out just like this and stayed like this for almost 15 minutes. He cracks us up!

Talk To The Paw, Y'all!

Want to see my paw? It is huge! I am 14 weeks old. 

I love:
* my toys
*to eat
*to run
*attention
*belly rubs
*Petsmart
*Chasing my tail
*learning commands
*chew chews
*peanut butter
*treats
*my mom
*my dad
*children
*other dogs
*dog park
*sleeping

I don't love
*being in the crate
*being on a leash
*having to sit still
*coming into the house if I am playing outside
*going outside if I am playing in the house
*getting scolded for play biting
*baths
*being brushed
*being told NO!

Note from Mom: I think his most favorite thing in the world (besides chewing) is belly rubs. 

I Have Ancestors!

My mom traced my bloodline in the registry of the National Kennel Club and she found lots of my family. They are all BIG! No wonder I am such a big boy. 

I wish there were pictures of my parents - Cleopatra and Conan. Maybe some day their people will put them into the registry. Mom is going to put mine in when I get grown up.


Note from Mom: When I received Opie's pedigree in the mail it listed all of these grandparents on the papers so it was easy to locate them in the registry. I was so excited to see actual pictures. Some have bloodlines up to 7 generations listed - several who look just like Opie. He has both Johnson type and Scott type in his bloodline.

Heaven. I'm In Heaven

Ahhh this is the life. Mom stayed home with me today and after we played and worked on our manners I was ready to conk out and I found the best place. Right in mom's lap!

Dad set me up with something new to play with this weekend. I get a real workout!
I have a good life!

Note from mom: we had a good weekend. Opie loves his new hanging rope. We also took a trip to Petsmart and bought new toys, treats and visited the Pet Hotel to get all the prices for everything from Doggy Day Camp to Overnight Stays. We can't wait for Puppy Orientation June 3rd and he has 2 free days of Doggy Day Camp that came with the puppy kit we bought.

The Puppy Kit sales for $19.99 and more than pays for itself several times over. We buy Royal Canin for Bulldogs which is $22 per bag and there is a $15 coupon for dogfood. You get 2 doggy day camp sessions, a free puppy spa bath, a free puppy orientation - plus numerous coupons for toys, products, etc. 

Not Really Me

My mom says she can't take me to work with her so she keeps this little mini me on her desk. 
I can't really see much resemblance, but if it makes her happy...

Note from Mom: Actually this is an English Bulldog by Webkinz - but it is still a cute reminder of my Opie. I have been on a mission to get as many bulldog stuffies as I can find. So far I have 3 on the way from e-bay besides this one. I would love to have a life size American Bulldog stuffie. I am also looking for tee shirts but so far haven't found any that I really like. You can find English Bulldog things everywhere - American Bulldog - not so much. :-(

WHOL-LY COW!

Mom found this great chew that I just love. I have been chewing on the same one for 3 days now and I haven't made a dent in it. It is a natural beef shin bone with cheese flavoring. They help control tartar and keep will help keep my gums healthy as my baby teeth come out and my big teeth come in.

Note from Mom: It is made by Vo-Toys and made in the USA. They cost around $6 but I got these at an outlet so I only paid $3. He literally does not even have a tooth mark in it yet. He has gnawed on that thing like crazy and still fully intact. Keeps him busy and I don't feel like it can harm him letting him have it in his crate. It is quite large so no danger of him getting it hung up in his mouth at this point. I am sure as he grows he will eventually do major damage to it.

Belly Rubs!

My very favorite thing - - - BELLY RUBS!!!!

And when I get them my leg just goes crazy. My mom says "belly rub, belly rub, belly rub"
 I am learning to lay down and roll over so I can get a really good one!

Note from mom: He is so funny - his leg really looks like it is going so fast. It didn't take long at all to get him to just throw himself down and roll over and he is ready for that belly rub.

Bull Headed

Mom says she had a "What Have We Done?" moment - this morning. I woke up at 4:15 because I heard dad up, but no one came in to see me even tho I tried to tell them I needed to go out. Mom got up at 5:15 and when she came in to get me to go outside to potty - she didn't notice that I had already wet on my towel. So when we went outside I didn't have to go any more. She figured that out after standing outside in the wet grass waiting on me. Then when we we back inside to play I didn't want to play her games, I wanted to do my own thing. I didn't want to sit, lay down or anything else. I didn't even want to go to her when she called me. I wanted to explore! Everything looked more fun than my own toys. Mom finally just took me back outside and let me explore out there until I did finally potty again and then when we went back inside she put me to bed while she got ready for work.  I was very quiet and calm then and when she came back after getting ready and took me out again I was back to being my sweet little self again. She loves me. :-)

Note from Mom: OMGosh - yes! He isn't quite telling the whole story. He was pitiful! Being very defiant, bull headed and just acting so hyper! I guess he got himself totally worked up after wetting in his crate on the towel. I know we are going to have our moments of being temperamental and testing his boundaries. Even so, after 1 full week with us, he is still doing amazingly well. I shouldn't complain. Yes, I do love him. :-)

Clicker Training

My mom bought a clicker! I like it! I like the sound it makes! Just something about that little click that when I do something she likes sometimes I get a tiny treat, sometimes I get a belly rub and sometimes she just tells me how great I am. I am getting a lot better at understanding some of the things she wants me to do. 
We work on "come", "down" and now we have added "sit". This morning I did all 3 without the clicker or a treat other than mom's praise. I think I like that best of all.

Note from Mom: Lord, please get us out of this "biting" stage quickly! Seems like I am constantly saying "no bite". Last night while playing in my lap with a toy, he  bit me on the top of the leg by accident. No more lap play while playing with a toy! He didn't break the skin but it sure did smart!
He is still only 3 months old so I know we have a good ways to go.

Here Comes the Rain

Uh oh! I have seen the rain but now I've seen the Big Rain!! This morning mom was a little worried because it was raining super hard but she remembered she had puppy pads and hoped I hadn't forgotten how to use them. Guess what? I remembered!! She put them right by the door and I went right away. She was very happy.

So now we know when it raining too big to go outside - we  have a plan.

Note from mom: when I woke up to the sound of very heavy rain this morning I thought we would be in for it. I wasn't looking forward to standing in the rain with an umbrella and cleaning up a wet dog. His previous people gave us a whole bag of puppy pads. He went right away. So we are hanging out in my sewing/craft room which was originally a sunroom. I can have my coffee and watch him play. 

Growing Growing Growing

Mom says I look like I grew over night. She wants me to slow down but I can't help myself. 
We are getting our morning routine down. Mom gets up at 5:30 and lets me run and play in the backyard while she sits and drinks her coffee. We play ball - she kicks it and I chase it. When mom is satisfied with me pottying we get to go into the music/computer room (that is where my bedroom is) and I get to lay on my pillows and get down to business on my giant chew chew while she has her 2nd cup of coffee and plays on her computer. When she has to get ready for work I go back in my kennel, but before she leaves for work we go out one more time. Then I am ready for my nap and wait for her to come home at 11 and we get a whole hour to be together. 

Note from Mom: I don't want to brag too loudly - he is doing better than I could have even hoped. When I told the vet techs where we are right now on everything they were very impressed. I know we HAVE to have him on a good routine before he gets bigger and bigger and bigger!

My First Doctor Visit

Today I went to the vet at Petsmart to have a full puppy check up. That was NO fun. I was not a happy pup. They stuck me with needles and poked me and put things - well, I don't want to talk about it. I like Amber and Leah - the vet techs. They were both super nice and even gave me treats. They wanted to take my picture so mom said she wanted one of all 3 of us. Aren't they pretty?

My mom was pretty happy so I guess everything is ok. It looks like I will be going again soon to have a little snipping surgery. At least I will be asleep for that! I am going to get to go to Doggy Day Camp as soon as I finish my shots. That looks like fun! I get to go for 2 free days! 

They trimmed my nails today, too. Every one that saw me wanted to talk to me. I really like the little kids. I wanted to play with every dog I saw, I didn't care if they were big or little. Mom says it is really good that I am socialized and so friendly to everyone. Dr. Vet says I need to wait for my next round of shots in 3 weeks before I can go to the Dog Park. Dad wanted to go this week. I guess we have to wait. 


*Note from Mom - we talked about Opie's diet, his weight and his upcoming neutering. He is eating Royal Canin for Bulldogs which he seems to love. He weighs 18 pounds. I asked the vet how big did she think he would get and she said he could be anywhere from 55 - 90 pounds judging by his paws. (I am pretty sure I could have guessed that)

3 Days Later...

and I am still here! I guess mom and dad are committed to me now. I hope so, I am sure committed to them! I am happy happy happy that it is Saturday and my mom and dad are both home ALL day. Mom has been working with me on "come" and "down". Sometimes I listen really good and sometimes I just see too many other things I need to check out. 
They are going to buy me a bigger ball today! I know I have a big mouth and all my toys are going to have to be big big big! Just like me!

It has been 3 whole days since I moved  to my new home. I think I have done fantastic. We are getting down to a routine now. I think when I go to my obedience training and learn more what is expected - it will be even better.

I have my first appointment for my shots tomorrow. Yike! I hope they don't hurt as much as my 6 week shots! I didn't like those. I heard mom talk about all kinds of shot things and even a surgery or something. Not sure what that was about!

I love my crunch toy and I can sure wipe out a plastic water bottle fast! I just love the sound they make. 

I am very photogenic, don't you think?

*note for mom...I think we are totally in puppy love now. This morning we worked on a couple of commands. He really is a smart little guy. We bought him some bacon flavor rawhide chews and he can devour one in 10 minutes flat! We may have to get a large chew bone that is safe for him. I don't take my eyes of of him while he chews on a rawhide. I have a fear of him choking. 

It's A Big Dog's World

I don't think my mom and dad had any idea what it was going to be like to have a big boy like me in the house. I have certainly shaken things up. I want to play play play and they want me to sit and stay and fetch. Things like that. I like the fetch thing. I can do that pretty good. That is pretty fun. They bought me a big rope and we have the best time with it. I am so tired afterwards, I can't wait to take a nap!
Not so much with the sit and stay, tho. I don't see the fun in that. I had never been on a leash before so that was a new experience, too. Mom bought a pretty purple nylon collar and leash, but I guess she is taking it back. She and dad went to the store today and came back with a chain leash!! and training collar! Yikes! I think they mean business. I guess I was dragging my feet a little too much or something. Maybe it was the laying down in the grass when she wanted me to walk by her side, I don't know.
 I really don't like baths either. I had a little mess up in my crate and had to be sprayed down in the bathtub and I really wanted to jump out but mom held on pretty tight. She didn't get too wet.

We had fun playing outside most of the evening. I used up a lot of energy and I was so ready for bed and really did sleep good all night long.

 :-)

*Note from Mom: I think the training chain/leash will make a world of difference. My head is still in a little dog's world - I am having to rethink everything. When I had a little 5 pounder I could do cute-sy - with Opie - I have to think practical and smart. He wasn't so bad in the bath - it was really just a spray-down. He had an accident in his crate and I had all his toys in his crate - which I have since learned is a no no. I also had a big nice soft pad in the crate - now I know I should have been using towels - easier to take up and wash until he is completely trained. We are learning as we go.
It is going to take time, patience and a lot of energy. His crate is huge but has the dividers that grow with him. This morning we spent an hour outside before I had to get ready for work. I usually play on the computer and drink my coffee. My husband put up a canopy on our deck and I can just have my coffee out there with my iPad and let him wear himself out before I leave for work. I go home every day at 11 and he will have an hour of play again. We are getting a good routine going.

My First Night

It went great! I was quiet as a mouse all night long! I think mom and dad were very impressed. Of course we are in the honeymoon phase - so I might have to show them the "real" me every now and then. Keep them on their toes, you know!

I kept my new little bedroom clean all night long. I went to potty first thing when mom got up and then she fed me a delicious meal and then we went outside IN THE RAIN to potty again. But I did it!!

Mom says I smell like a wet dog now instead of her sweet little puppy. 

Mom took this picture of me this morning. I think she was trying to catch me throwing my toys up in the air but it was more interesting to stop and look at her then play. 

*Note from Mom -  I learned that he was not quiet as a mouse - Brad says he heard him about midnight crying like crazy but he just ignored him and he went back to sleep. This morning, potty training did go well, but I took him out one last time before leaving for work and all he wanted to do was play and lay down in the wet grass. I am sure when I go home at 11 for lunch he will be ready to get down to business when we go out!

A New Home, A New Family

Today I was adopted! I have a new mommy and daddy!

...but first let me introduce myself! My "new" name is Opie Slaid Graves. You can call me Opie.

I was born February 8th, 2014. Gosh, I almost made it to Valentine's Day. Oh well. ♥
I am NKC registered and I am told my first parents bought me from a reputable breeder thinking they would be in a house by the time I was ready to go live with them.  It just didn't work out.

My first baby pictures:

 When I first met my new parents - I was pretty excited! I knew right away that we were going to be a happy family. I heard about all the kids in the family - 4 girls and 2 boys - and I can't wait to meet all of them. They all live in other states so it might be a little while. I just know we are going to get along great. Oh, one of them will be coming this summer. I am going to get lots of hugs and kisses, I bet.

I made my first trip to Petsmart tonight. I got a huge crate with dividers, a nice puppy pillow, purple collar and leash, 4 new toys and some really yummy dog food. Mom says it is specially formulated for my breed. It taste great. I think I saw some treats in there, too. We had so much fun shopping and everyone kept saying how cute I am.

I am ready for my first night to sleep on my comfy pillow in my nice new crate. 

Good night! 

*Note from Mom - I was shocked to see how big he is already when we picked him up. The first baby picture was taken 2 weeks ago (according to the previous parent) and he looks like he has almost doubled that size. At 17 pounds and stocky build he is like carrying a bag of bricks! He is so quiet and still when you hold him, another surprise. I have never seen a puppy so laid back but then when he is ready to play - it's on! He likes to toss the toys in the air and he loves leaves. He will pick one up in the back yard and play with it just like it is a ball. I think his favorite toy so far is the one that you put a plastic water ball in and it crunches. I am excited to see how well he will be doing by this time next week.

His original name was Jax and we just didn't think it fit him. Opie seems to fit perfectly. He is named for Opie on The Andy Griffith Show - Slaid is my husband's mothers maiden name and of course Graves is our last name.