I'm a Big Boy Now!

I went to see Dr. Shaw today...she played with me and emptied the treat bowl by coaxing me over to her. I like to hide under things when she is around. It isn't that I don't like her...I like her just fine, but today she was dressed up like a cowgirl and she had two BIG braids that coming forward and kinda freaking me out. The nice thing was that she didn't wear her white lab coat today!

Mom says I am a big boy now...I got my rabies vaccination today - last time I got my 1 year parvo/distemper, so I am done for a bit with the BIG shots...Mom says the next time I am at the vet will be a RUDE awakening. Not sure what that means, but I heard her and Dr. Shaw talking about cutting things off of me! Wow, not too sure I like the sound of that. Oh and I weigh 27 pounds! Dr. Shaw pulled me up into her lap to cuddle me and Mom said that soon she wouldn't be able to do that. Dr. Shaw said, "yep, that is only a few months away." Two big white Newfies came in while I was waiting for my shot and they were as big as horses - Mom said I won't get that big. Geez, I should hope not! I wouldn't fit in Dad's truck even!

Dad is going deer hunting in a little bit. Mom and I were go, but I think she has decided that we are going to stay home.

Oh, Dad just came in and reminded me to tell you about Marcus. He is still taking antibiotics for the tummy infection that he got and eating some canned food with his regular food (that stuff is yummy, I try and steal it!), but he is dancing again in the morning and being his normal self.

Moosey went to see Auntie Kisssty yesterday..she came home in purple and she looked really pretty. Well, I had to take care of that didn't I? Yep, yanked those bows out as quick as I could. Mom said at least she got to see her before I decided to play beautician.


OOooh, I hear someone in the kitchen....


I am Hugh

The stuff I go through....

• So, you may think this is for Halloween, right? Nope. This was Oliver, TGH's superman cape. Mom and Dad have been putting different things on me to get me used to stuff so that I don't just try and rip it off. Mom wants me to carry my own pack in the field and Dad wants me to be versatile. So here I am in "the" cape. I did good with it. I actually took a nap in it and Mom has a picture of that too. I have had a silly looking blue stripped vest on too, but Mom doesn't want to publish pictures so she won't put them on the computer for me. My Auntie Kristy reaaalllly wants to see me in the vest, but I think it will be a private showing.

We have been training again in the mornings...it is sooo cold outside now. I can do all kinds of things, but I am resistant to sit. Mom said it is the easiest command on the planet, but for some reason it just isn't my favorite. I am supposed to sit before I get out of the kennel and I have been being naughty because I just won't do it. Why? Eh, who knows. I'll get it though.

This next month I start a puppy class with Liz Driver. Liz runs Badger Run Rehabilitation Center taking in wild furry & feathered creatures who need help. She fixes them up and sends them on their way back to their natural habitat or if they cannot go home they help her educate people. Liz used to take care of our parrot Bella at the vet's office, but now Liz does Badger Run full time. Mom heard, through Dr. Shaw, that Liz was teaching dogs and she called Liz right away. Mom says she is very gifted with animals and has a no nonsense gentle approach to teaching and she likes that. Dad really likes Liz and thinks he will get some good insight from her. November will be a busy month for me. It should be fun too!

I just finished dinner and I am waiting for Dad to get home. Mom had a furlough day today - I don't really know what that means, but I know that she was home with me. Mom said that snow is coming - I have gotten to see snow once already, but there really wasn't enough to play in. Whooo, cannot wait!


I am Hugh

What doin?

• Moosey coming in for a close up and to say, "Hi!" Moosey is my pal for sure. She is kinda dopey and she acts more like a cat than a dog. Mom says because she was raised with cats and kept in a crate 8 hours a day for a long, long time so she developed some traits that are not very dog like. I think she is cool!

I am Hugh

Lazy Sunday

Mom says it is a lazy Sunday. Marcus still isn't feeling better. Mom decided to sit out in the sun, so there we are leaning against one of the shop doors. Marcus is curled up in her lap and I am guarding. Who you can't see is Miss Moose - she has her position at Mom's feet. The cool concrete feels good mixed with the crisp breeze and the warmth of the sun. Mom says it is perfect.

Dad has his tent spread out on the concrete by the shop to make sure it is really dry before he puts it away. I keep tripping on it. Dad says that I am growing because my coordination is totally off. Dad took me out to the Lost River dog training area this morning. I met a German Shorthair who I thought was going to kill me! I hid behind Dad until the Shorthair decided that we weren't all bad. She was scary. I then met an old lab girl..I liked her. There was nothing scary about her. She just came over and said, "hi, what ya doin?"

I think we are going for another drive later today looking for more birds. Mom usually has a protein shake around 2 and Dad takes her for a drive while she drinks it. It takes a long time to drink one of those things, but Mom says they are yummy. I am all for a drive that is for sure.

I am Hugh

Bummer...

Big "little" brother Marcus was very sick this morning..he has been sticking close to Mom. He has been in her lap all day. Moosey was sick Wednesday & Thursday, but seemed to get well quickly without the need for medical attention, but not Marc. His temperature was 103 and he was dehydrated. Mom & Dad took him to the vet. They gave Marcus sub-q fluids and an injection of antibiotics and sent him home with some pain killers. Mom said that he had a bad smell coming from his mouth that tipped her off along with the fact that he was walking a little hunched over with his tail tucked as tight as he could get it. They are not sure what both Marc and Moose got into - but I know Mom is not happy at all about it. Could have been bird poop or cat poop or something equally gross she said. She is very glad, however, that I didn't get sick too.

Mom bought me a vest to wear around to get used to wearing something and/or carrying something. I don't mind it. She hasn't taken a picture of me because she said it would look like I was playing dress up and that is not the idea. It is blue and white stripes and I look like a sailor. Dad put the vest on me because he knows Mom's intent, but he kind of curled his lip at it. It's soft and I don't care, so I guess that is good.

Mom said that I have been good not bothering Marcus today...probably cuz I know he is sick. I hope he is better soon because we like to play together. He ate all his dinner (he hasn't eaten all day, not even treats!) but he still isn't drinking a lot of water and that makes Mom worry too.

Well, I am off to find Dad. He is putting hunting gear away. Some of it scares me and some of it is kinda cool to climb on.

I am Hugh

Wind in the Chimes

• This is Oliver, TGH. Mom says he was at his wooley best in this picture with a new Christmas toy.

It is a gray, cloudy and windy day today. Mom says that her favorite sound these days is when the wind chime on the back porch sings. She says that on days like this that Oliver, TGH is across the rainbow bridge and all of his playing sends a breeze across the makes the chimes sing. She says she was told this is his way of saying "hello" and to tell us he is having a good time and is safe on the other side. Mom says when it is really windy and the chimes really clang that he has to be playing with Jax and Tessy Too Too to create that much wind. It makes her smile.

It made Mom sad when she realized she didn't have any pictures of Tessy Too Too the Red dog on this computer for me to share with you. Tessy was a rescue and Mom says she wove her way into your heart and was a good teacher.

Mom loaded me up this morning and we went over to Auntie Harry's for coffee, a walk through the cemetary and breakfast when human Grandma got out of church. We then came home and created a dog pile and went to sleep. It was Mom, Moosey on Mom, Marcus on Mom's shoulder and me across Mom's legs. It was great and then we all got too hot! But it was fun while it lasted.

Miss Moose and I have been playing most of the afternoon. She gets rough sometimes and Mom has to say, "hey, hey, hey" to Moose and she settles down for a little bit. Marcus sits on the back of Mom's chair and watches us. I think he probably thinks we are really silly!

Dad called today from the woods. The are working the ground hard. They have seen elk, but not one they want to take or can take. He said he is having a good time.

Well, my food dish calls...

I am Hugh

To the vet today...

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Mom says this picture is perfect! Is it clear? Nope. Is is a blur? Yep. She says I am always in motion that I am a blur. I offered to pose for her, but she seemed to think this picture was just fine.

We went to the vet today. Dr. Tawnia Shaw is awesome. She gave me a shot and I didn't even know it. She used "diversionary tactics," whatever that is, my Mom said. My mom thinks that Tawnia is pretty special. I think she is too, but her white coat freaks me out. She told Mom to bring me back in 3 weeks for just lovin' and kissin' so that she isn't that "nasty lady" in the white coat. Mom thinks that is a pretty good idea. She wants me to like my doctor. I tell you what, I would like her a lot if she would just keep her thermometer to herself! I heard that Oliver, TGH didn't like that part of the exam either. I think I am going to have to figure out how to "clamp it down tight" - if you know what I mean?

Mom thought I might be tired after my "big" shot, but Marc and me we had to take a tour of the back yard and check everything out. Mom says this is me showing good "form." I think it means that I stand well.

We did a little shopping after the vet too...Mom bought me a tag for my collar that says, "I am Hugh." Dad has a new collar for me so that is what it will go on.

Well, I think I have decided that it is time for a nap. Oliver, TGH's bed is looking pretty good right now, plus Mom wants the computer. Hope Dad gets a big elk...hmmm, wonder if I will get some elk puppy chow out of this? I'll have to ask.



I am Hugh

Keeper of the Keys

My human Grandma gave me the coolest toy today...it just might keep me away from my Mom's $130 running shoes..maybe.

You know how babies have a teething keyring? Well, I have one, but it is made for puppies. Mom said I can enjoy it now, but when my permanent teeth come in we have to get rid of the toy. The packaging that Mom read said it was specifically for baby teeth, but not for dogs with their permanent teeth. I like it a lot. When Mom took her shower tonight I got to take it in the bathroom with me. Mom said I wasn't such a whiner about being stuck in the bathroom with her because I had a good toy.

Thanks human Grandma!!

My Dad left for Elk camp today. He will be back next week, but it seems like such a long time away. Dad was telling me this morning that he wished I could go with him. He said it was really tempting to take me with him & to just work on my obedience and retrieving skills at hunting camp, but that he really wants an elk this year. He also said that it is super duper cold where they go and probably not the best place for me right now. Bummer. I cried at the door when he left. Mom hugged me and I kissed her on the nose for hugging me.

I am Hugh

I did good, huh?

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I worked hard today. We went for a long walk and I began learning "heel." There were all kinds of new sounds and smells and stuff. Wow, it was "sensory overload," Mom said, but good for me. There were cars and loud trucks and dogs barking from their yards. At one point Dad said to Mom, "those dogs are outside their fence." Mom said, "that's okay, if you have to you pick Hugh up and I will kick!" Mom said, "what ever it takes to protect the Hughman." It worked out. They were two older black labs and they didn't come out of their yard, but boy did they sound like they wanted to eat me for lunch. I didn't like it much, but Mom just kept up a stream of talking to me. She told me I was a good boy and that I would be fine, hold my head up, stuff like that. She said that I was doing really well. Dad gave me a lot of praise when I got home. This is the time in my life where I am supposed to be exposed to all kinds of different stuff so that I don't freak out about stuff when I am older. Mom says if it is done right with a lot of praise and comfort it will give me confidence.

So what was the one thing that really totally and completely freaked me out today? Dad put the weatherized cover on the bbq and I thought it was going to eat me alive! I mean ALIVE!! Dad coaxed me outside and Mom talked to me and patted the bbq to show me it wouldn't kill me. Whew, I thought I was a goner - give me two mean old labs any day!


I am Hugh

Dad made a bad toss at the apple tree...see we don't see orange very well so I have to use my nose, but I found it!

I am having a hard time with Mom's computer tonight, so I am having to post my pictures separately...Mom says, "sometimes that is just the way it goes!" I am okay with it, just me in more pictures..I know, right?

I am Hugh

I am a Retriever

We worked on blind retrieves tonight with a cap gun! I didn't really notice the cap gun going off. I noticed it when I came back to sit and Mom shot it off behind her back, but I just kinda looked at her like okay, I can do this.

Dad says that I am doing really well and that I use my nose much more than even Oliver, TGH. That has to be good right?

I am Hugh

My Boat

Well, what can I say...not much right? I look just right up here. Gosh, I don't even have a paragraph in my little poodle brain for this one. I just look gooooood!

I am Hugh

The vest

So, this is Dad trying my neoprene vest on me that I will wear next year, maybe. Dad says at the rate I am growing that Oliver, TGH's gear just may be too small for me.












Hmmm, definitely a little big Dad says, but that was to be expected...I am only 3 months old!

I look good though, don't I, I said to my Mom. She agreed. It helps that I got groomed today and I am soft and smell good.

I am Hugh

We went out looking for Elk on a smokey day. Mom says if the picture looks yellow that is because of the haze from the forest fires. Mom says I am like most poodles - I have to find that perfect spot to take care of my business - and I like grass! So Mom was calling me over to her and she says that I look like I am smiling at her as I come to her.

Since Dad has been out of town she and I work on my retrieving skills this morning. She said it was too cold to work outside at 6:30am, so we worked in the long hallway in the house. It was fun, but then I got distracted by Moose and I took off with the buck. The better part of valor was to let me have it Mom told me. I don't know what that means, but we didn't work long in the hallway.

My Dad is home tonight and he already told me to be prepared to work tomorrow. When Dad got home I followed him into the bedroom while he put his stuff away. I got up on the bed just fine, but then I couldn't get off of the bed. There is a bench at the end of the bed to jump on and Dad has even put a smaller step stool next to the bench so I can get on the bed by myself. Well, I just can't get down! I look down, even to the bench, and it freaks me out! It isn't that big of a step from the bed to the first bench, but boy from where I am sitting it looks like Everest. I don't know what Everest is either, but Mom said that I must think it is Everest, so that has to be pretty high, right? So my Dad talked to me to try and coax me down and he said, "when he doesn't want to do something he sure does give a lot of sass!" I think that means I was pretty mouthy about telling him I didn't want to try and jump down. But I did it! I did it on my own after I told him, "no way!!!" Dad came out of the bedroom laughing and shaking his head at Mom. But, hey, I did it!

I am prepared to be pooped tomorrow - Dad might even have part of tomorrow off to get the duck boat ready. He told me that I can try on Oliver, TGH's neoprene vest, just for giggles and a good picture he said.

Happy hunting!

I am Hugh

There is Dad and me and "big" "little" brother Marcus. Dad says that Marcus and I were once the same size (about a month ago) and that now that I have gotten bigger I need to be careful not to hurt Marcus. I think Marcus can take care of himself! Mom calls him the "schooler." He sure does school me hard sometimes when I have gotten out of hand. Dad says he thinks that Marcus is still going to be the leader of the pack - even when I get bigger. He says I may be bigger, but I will be used to Marcus telling me what to do. Moose will always just be Moose - not really the leader of much, but being silly.

Marcus and I had a circle burning race tonight. That Marc he is fast, but not so fast that I couldn't catch him. The thing is he doesn't like to be caught! My Dad has been out of town this week so I haven't done any bird training since Monday morning. Dad likes me to work every morning on my commands. Mom works on the basic stuff with me, but not the bird stuff because she and Dad have different hand commands and they are trying not to confuse me. Thank goodness, because right now it doesn't take much. I am not very coordinated right now either. My legs are growing and well, I seem to end up with my legs going it different directions at times and seem to biff it quite a bit. Mom comforts me and pats me on the head and tells me it will get better quick. I sure hope so.

Have a good night everybody...I am off to play!

I am Hugh

• My Mom says I have a "love button" face..what does that mean? Is that kinda like when she calls Hannah Peanut butter or oops, Mom says Hannah doesn't like the other PB name that she calls her. Hannah is my Dad and Mom's niece. Dad said that was the first thing Hannah asked him,, when he called up to Washington, was how I was..and I have never met her! Cool, huh? I met another niece, her name is Stormy, and well, she rubbed my ears really nice. I about fell off her lap it felt so good. I met her when she was with her Grandpa on her way home when I first got to Oregon.

I have gotten some of my retrieving commands down pretty good so far. I understand "back" and what Dad wants. I even bring him the wings without having to be asked twice. I still can't get that "down" thing. Mom says that I need to figure out "off" in a hurry. See, I am getting bigger and Mom makes a protein shake a couple of times a day and I really like the ice machine and I pretty much have it figured out how to get the fridge to give me my own ice cube. Won't that be cool? Need somethin' cool and I smack that paddle and out comes a ton of ice?? Well, I think it would be nifty, but I don't think my Mom thinks so. She keeps telling me "off!" Party pooper!

I will be a great counter surfer once I am tall enough. I am almost to the point where I can see when I lean against the counters. Dad says I am going to be worse that Oliver, The Great Hunter! Wow! That has got to be good, right?

I heard Dad say that Duck Season opens this Saturday and they are going out, but I am too young to go. He says I don't need a bad experience before I have a good one. Probably the right thing, but boy do I like to go rather than to stay. Next year though, right?

Well, off I go to play with Miss Moose and little Marcus, although Marc has kinda had it with me today. I think I have been bugging him too much. Nah, that couldn't be it?

I am Hugh

The wing

Dad brought me a forest grouse wing! Wow! It is cool. I took off with the whole bird and Dad said, "whoa, whoa, not so fast buddy!" He gave me one of the wings, I look pretty happy, if you ask me!!

My Mom says for folks that think this is icky, well, we are a hunting family. This is how we fill our freezer with food to eat. We don't hunt "just for the heck of it," she says. There is a purpose. I get to be part of that purpose. How cool is that?

I have lots to learn yet. Dad works with me on my commands every day. I have sit and stay down pretty good. I am not too impressed with the command for "down" my Mom says, but I will get it. My favorite part of the morning is when Dad and I work on retrieving. There are all kinds of words he says to me, I don't know them all by heart yet, but Dad says, "we are having a grand time!"

The other picture is me and Mom after a swim. I was super cold and she sat in the sun with me to help me warm up after Dad rubbed me down with a couple of towels. I am not very good at shaking off yet. I kinda just stand there and I get a lot of laughs.

This blog stuff is tiring...I think I will go take a nap.

I am Hugh

Family

This is my Dad picking up me and my brother DJ at the Portland airport on September 2nd. I am on the left. DJ was my bestest pal. We got to fly together so we didn't get scared or lonely. I threw up on DJ and my Mom had to clean him up before his new family arrived. See the wipes on top of the crate. She cleaned him up pretty good. Mom said that DJ was little, compared to me and very sweet.

The first thing I did when my Mom picked me up was give her a kiss. She liked that a lot I think. She said that I must have been giving my first Mommy, Vicki, kisses before I came to Oregon. Vicki didn't want to send me away. She said she loved me lots too, but that she thought I was going to be going to a special home to help heal a heart. I think she meant my Dad. I am working on that really hard. It is good to have a job and I have two. I am a hunter in training and a heart healer too. Awesome!!

I miss my brothers and sisters, especially DJ, but I have little Marcus to run around with and Miss Moose to really play with. My Mom sends my first Mommy pictures of me so that she can see me learn and grow too. She says that is important to her, to share me with Vicki. I like pictures taken of me. Mom says I am a show off. Dad says I am building confidence. I'm just playing!!

I am Hugh

This is my "big" sister Miss Moose. She wasn't very well taken care of where she was born, so Mom and Dad took her in a couple of years ago. She has really bad hip problems from being crated 8 or so hours at a time. She gets all locked up. It is a bummer.

Moose likes to play, sometimes she likes to play too rough with me and Mom and Dad get mad. I guess Moose and Oliver The Great Hunter used to play really hard together. Mom calls it Poodle Gladiators. A lot of crashing going on!

Oliver, TGH, had Tessy Too Too the Red Dog to teach him how to behave, be obediant and how to play. Mom says she was a good teacher. She says that Miss Moose isn't exactly the best roll model, like Tess, but that she is sweet and has a good heart. Moosey listens, but she likes to mess about too much for Mom sometimes.

This is me and Moosey playing on the couch. Doesn't she look meeeeaaann? She loves me though. As Mom says, "her bark is worse than her bite." I know she wouldn't hurt me, well, at least not on purpose. Mom says she doesn't have a mean bone in her body, just playful ones! This is good for me, but my parents have to constantly make sure Moose isn't too rough.

Dad says that I will do better when I am bigger and can out run Moose and all her jumping around doesn't scare me so much. When she freaks me out I go and sit on my Mom or Dad's feet until she calms down. Whew she is a handful! My Dad says that I am a handful too, so I guess that makes us even? I don't know, but I sure do like having her as a big sister.

I am Hugh

The First Swim

• Look at me! I am swimming. When I first looked at the water - well, I thought this might not be too fun. I just put my head down and got my feet going and away I went. Not bad for the first time. My Dad and Mom said that I took to the water really well. Dad said that I have an instinct for putting my head down to the water that even Oliver The Great Hunter didn't have at first. Cool, huh? Oliver is my hero. I never met him, but my Dad talks about him all the time. Oliver and Dad used to hunt together. Oliver passed away about 10 months ago. So I am here to help my Dad nab those birds and give him hugs on the side. The plus is I get to sleep on the big bed just like Oliver did! It is comfy and Mom lets me curl up.

• I have gotten to swim 3 times since coming to Oregon on September 2nd. I will probably only get to swim one more time my Dad says. He says that I cannot swim in water the is colder than 56 degress. Brrr, sounds cold! The weather has already changed here in Oregon. I heard my Dad say this morning that it was "spitting snow." I don't know what that means, but I imagine that I will find out. Mom says they get lots of snow. Not sure what that is either, but it sounds like it could be fun!

• After the last swim it will be about 7 1/2 months before I get to swim again. It sounds like a long time to me, but Mom says it will go quick.

• I am Hugh

I am Hugh. I am the first of 10 puppies born in Ohio on June 27, 2009. I live in Oregon and this is my story.

I was bred to hunt birds. My Dad is teaching me to swim, retrieve, obey commands and have fun doing it!

I hope you will follow along as I learn, make friends and grow.

It should be an adventure! I am Hugh.