GREETINGS FROM A SUNNY SOUTH AFRICA!
Hello there everyone!
I hope you all had a really happy weekend! We did!
Our weather here in Johannesburg, SA is glorious at the moment. Today's maximum temperature for example, is 25 degrees centigrade = 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Wouldn't you agree, that is totally blissfull!
Good weather means time in the garden and this weekend I set about starting my goal of converting my garden into a truly 'dog-happy' one.
Over the past three months of Toby's presence, I have noted 'where' the dogs like to explore and so I have created a number of organised pathways amongst all the foliage.
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I'm by no means a landscape master, but I do enjoy my garden and do my best.
All the dogs are delighted with the result, so hopefully, the plants "I" love will have some protection from canine exploits.
Toby's progress is slowly taking shape. His weight gain is rapid and he now sends the scale reading up to 14.3Kgs ...he LOVES his food!
Sadly, he's no longer so easy to pick up. Nevertheless, we both enjoy the endless cuddles.
The puppy class on Saturday was fun again. I really love the setting - somewhat rural, lots of open space, numerous professional assistants and many, interesting things for our pups to be exposed to.
The commands which Toby has mastered already are :
"Sit!", "Down", "Paw", "Come"
Obviously one has to continuously reinforce these commands and introduce new ones as you progress.
We are currently working on:
"Stay" and "Leave it" and "Stand".
"Stay" and "Leave it" and "Stand".
Saturday's class again offered the three obstacle courses as well as 'crate accustomisation' and 'vet table accustomisation'.
We received guidelines about 'chewing', 'digging' and numerous other topics and the pups were given an opportunity to freely socialise with other pups. Toby is still a 'laid back, chilled-out' doggie who is more people focussed than dog focussed.
When we got home from the class, Toby went swimming!
Later "Aunt Tam" allowed him to enjoy her "chewie"...
In the evening, he helped 'rescue' a little bird by showing me where it had fallen. The poor little thing had got trapped in the long foliage where Toby is sitting...
He still LOVES the cool floor tiles...
...and his walks...
All in all....I am delighted with my pup!!!
---xXx---
A BIG THANK YOU!!!
I would like to say a special thank you to all my readers who sent 'Nadine' special comments of support and love after the sad loss of her 'Apples'. (Yesterday's post) The 'power of the paw' is truly amazing and I am very grateful to all who contributed!
'Nadine' has put up a special memorial website in honour of 'Apples'. If you would like to light a candle for her, please click
---xXx---
IN 'GENERAL NEWS':
*Our shops are also slowly filling up with Christmas offerings and I've heard the first smatterings of Christmas jingle.
* We had another armed robbery in our neighbourhood on Thursday last week. Although the domestic worker was tied up, thanks to the alertness of neighbours, the suspects were apprehended. Both the domestic worker and the toddler are unhurt. As a community, we remain very crime conscious.
* My girls were home for the weekend although most of their time was spent behind their books in preparation for their university exams etc.
* I am back to piano practicing after a long absence, so I once again have music in my home.
* Afternoon thundershowers have left our city with beautiful green foliage. There are splashes of purple everywhere displaying the annual wonderous spectacle of Jacaranda trees.
Wishing all our readers a wonderful week and may the 'power of the paw' surround all those who are struggling in one way or another.
Lotsaluv
37 comments:
Hi Maxmom
Good idea with the garden, wow he is growing up, the puppy class looks a good one to.
I have left a comment for Nadine, you are right about the bigger picture of blogging and the people who read but don't comment.
To all of you have a good week
Jan and of course George xxx
Oh you just had to include that labrapup in the photos, didn't you. Should have heard the SQUEEEE here.
Slobbers,
Mango
Toby is so cute! We wish you a wonderful week, too. Please stay safe!
Sam
He gets cuter by the day !
Gosh Toby - you are growing up so quickly! As far as your Mom making paths for you & Aunt Tam - tell her not to worry - you'll make your own "highways" - similar to my Neeli.
You are so adorable Toby.
Woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples
Dear Caryl,
Another amazing post from you ! Your garden is beautiful and so is your sweet puppy Toby. Can't help but I'd like to cuddle him ^^
Hugs from Alsace.
Martine
Toby continues to grow into a beautiful (handsome) adult Golden.
His color is beautiful and his wanting to please must surely make you proud.
Sheila & Bob
We are especially loving the obedience classes and noting how they compare to what we've seen here in the US. Yours are much more comprehensive.
Toby, it is so much fun to see you swimming and it looks like 'trieving, too! Go, go, go!
We had no doubt he would measure up - he was destined to be a great pup:) We think he is going to be a big boy but a good one too.
Mom would love to play the piano again, but her hands get so sore, probably not in the cards:(
Have lots of fun with that pup.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Maxmom,
Toby sure is growing fast! And it looks like he is having tons of fun!
We had our first snowfall in the valley here, so we appreciate reading about your warmth over there.
We hope all those robberies stop in your area, well everywhere actually. We are glad no one was hurt and the criminals were caught.
Getting accustomed to the vet table is such a good idea! I know Toby has a blast at class. I like the idea of having a garden place for the dogs so that maybe the plants you love will be spared! Great Idea.
I'm glad that you are back at the piano, sometimes it can be a good friend.
I see Tam's fur is growing back...
Toby will alwyas be your lap dog!
I have a photo of one of "lost" goldens on my blog today.
Dusty was a special pup!
xoxo
~K
OMD, Toby gets cuter and more handsome every post. We enjoy watching him grow up and his adventures. Love what you said about him being laid-back and people focused. What a perfect Golden boy.
Happy Monday to you all,
KT and Lady
Toby is just growing so much! The first stage of being a little tiny puppy sure goes away fast! Toby looks so great next to his Aunt Tam...they look like a team. Thanks for the link to Nadine's sweet doggie Apples. Have a wonderful week!! Lots of love, Holly and mom
Toby what a big boy. Gardening, landscaping, swimming, what next. You sure are having beautiful weather
Benny & Lily
Gosh Toby your puppy class sounds load of fun. And you are clearly a most advanced pupil. All that, and your lovely garden and even a swimming pool. Well Gail says that a swimming pool is a nice thing to have, if you have the climate for it (we don't, obviously). Personally I am not too keen on water.
But are you really that over 14 kg already? Well I guess you are a bigger breed than me. I wonder how much you will weigh when you are full size?
Have a fun week my friend.
Toodle pip!
Bertie.
How quickly Toby is growing and how well e is doing. I love seeing all his adventures and could look at his little face all day. Just adorable.. Hugs GJ x
My gosh he is getting so big! Time goes by so fast when they are little. Enjoy!
Kisses,
Emma Rose
Hi Toby!
Another great weekend in school. You are growing up to be a fine young pup and we can see Max smiling as he watches your every move. Stay by Aunt Tammy and King Toffee are you are surely in good company. Maxdog Mom is the best source of guidance, wisdom and most especially love and we are so happy you are with her.
Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max
What cuuuuute puppies (but we know who the cuuutest of all is wink wink!)- looks like a wonderful class! You've done a masterful job at puppy-proofing your garden - I'm impressed, because Avalon figures out how to get into everything, no matter how I try to create boundaries! Great job! So sorry to hear about the crime - it must be awful to constantly be on guard - I'm glad they were apprehended. And love hearing about your getting back to piano - I love listening on the videos! Toby is just so smart and adorable - you are doing a wonderful job teaching him how to be a polite pup! Also, we missed the post about Apples and our hearts go out to her family - a wonderful story about how they rescued her.
Big Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie and Avalon
Such wonderful photos of this beautiful pup. He seems to be doing so very well with his training. And he is gettin more handsome everyday. What a great companion he is.
Hugs and Wags, Mistaya
PS We light a "candle" for Apples.
Great pictures as always. I can't believe little Toby has grown! Before long, he'll be full grown.
I haven't noticed any Christmas decorations in the stores or heard any music yet but yesterday I drove by a local motel that already had up Christmas lights!
Sorry to hear about the burglery in your neighborhood. Hopefully since the perpetrators were caught, it'll be the last of them.
OMD Caryl I cannot believe how FAST Toby is growing. In the picture of Toby on your lap, his paw is the size of your hand!
It is wonderful to see him grow into such a big boy! The pics of you both together show that your heart is truly happy!
We left a comment for Nadine too! You are such a good blogger. If I could write as well as you do I would be thrilled. When you write I can see exactly what you are talking about in my minds eye. Thanks for the diversion!
Give Toby, Tam and the King a big hug for Tessa and me too!
Blu and Tessa
Hi Maxmom! We got so behind, we just saw the previous post about Apples. We are so sorry and are sending out lots of purrs and prayers for her family.
And wow, Toby is getting so big so quick! It is hard to believe he has been there for 3 months already! And it is great that he is learning so well in his classes - he is a smart boy for sure!
I'll be curious to learn about whether your garden path plan works! I may have to try something similar next year when we get the back yard fenced in.
Khousin Harley has diskhovered the wonders of stikhks and leaves and even rokhks -
He says he'd love to zoom with Toby!
Thanks fur all the updates from your world -
We like that temp but preFUR it doesn't go MUCH higher!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and The Golden Khousins
Toby, that first photo of you under the big green leaf is too precious! You are so photogenic and have the cutest expressions!
I am so impressed by how well you are doing in your training. Keep it up! And how fun to get a swim after a hard day of training!
Suka
p.s. It does not matter how big you get, sitting in the lap of your human is still the best!
There will come a day
when I won't fit in your lap.
But its not the way
that I would choose.
If only I could,
I think
I would shrink myself
so always I would fit.
But since I am destined
to grow
and become strong,
just look into my eyes
and as I gaze at you
you will know what
my heart is saying
just come
and
sit by my side
because
I love you
Maxmom
love
tweedles
That cute Toby is growing by leaps and bounds! The days of being able to pick up a pup can be so short... When ours are little, I pick them up all the time, knowing how brief the time will be.
Your puppy classes sound ideal. Toby will be a super well-adjusted dog with how well you are training him!
Your garden idea is great! We did something a little similar. K loved to dig as a pup so we got her a big pile of chips that she was allowed to dig - similar to you making paths through your plants for your pups!
You're growing up so fast, Toby! You're already beginning to move from "cute" to "handsome"!
Hi Toby - you are growing quick!!! We have been away from bloggin' for a while, but are back now. We will be stayin' in touch!!
Friends from Canada
Hello Caryl and Toby! I saw your post on Monday and at the time wasn't able to leave a comment. I remembered today and wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you! When I first saw this post, and saw it again today, I am so taken by how quickly Toby is growing and how big his feet are--Toby, you've still got more growing to do to catch up with those paws! :-)
Take care, and I do hope you've had a good week!! It's fall here, but unseasonably warm for October.
Your weather sounds so very delightful! Your post just warms my heart in cold Utah!
You are a handsome boy, Toby! Fank you for sharin your trainin day wif us. It sure looks like fun!
I also love what your Mom has done for you in the garden!
Stay safe, Sweet Boy!
wif love from the Luke
MaxMom,
Toby is gettin' so big! I wishes I had a puppy class like his when I was younger, it sure looks like fun.
Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
Toby is growing into a beautiful dog, just as we knew he would. We love his enthusiasm and sense of fun ~ that we see in the pics. he is adorable.
MAXMOM!!! Did you notice in the picture of Tammy and Toby, Tobys look and his little mouth??? Looks just like Maxs did when he was a puppy! I noticed it because its the same lips that Joey had at that age! And I just want to kiss his lips!!!! LOL Did you see it????? Im dying to know!!!! (((HUgs))) Valerie
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