First Birthday

Today, is Lambert's first birthday. It is hard to believe that he is 1 year old. He also shares his birthday with his papa. Lambert received some gifts today (I know you are shocked). He got a butcher bone (actually he got 6 but they went in the freezer), a toy tire, and a harness to match his collar.

Some would say that he is a very spoiled puppy but I say he is loved to the extreme. I want to love him as much as he loves me.

Now, we haven't had him a full year yet. We picked him up on June 22nd. Through the training of this puppy it has felt like years on some days.

Every day I thank GOD for bringing him into my life. He has shown me unconditional love and for that I am grateful.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAMBERT!!!!!

Kennel Cough

They say you learn from your mistakes. When it comes to my dog I try to know before I do.

Recently, Lambert started doggy day care. Before he could go I was informed that he needs to have the Boardatela vaccine which aides in the prevention of Kennel Cough.

The lady that I take him to told me that I could get the vaccine from his vet or from her. So, to save time for myself and not questioning her I decided that I would just get it at the daycare.

I dropped Lambert off last Monday where he was all day.

Wednesday, Lambert came down with a mild cough/gag that would make him throw up. I first thought he was just playing too hard. Thursday, I took him to see his cousin. We took them for a long walk. The rest of the week he had this cough/gag and it was started to worry me.

This Monday my sister called and said that her dog was coughing/gaging. She was going to call the vet (we use the same vet so I told her to call me with the news).
She called me back and reported that Toby possibly had Kennel cough and will need to be seen. I then called the vet and explained the above information and I thought they were going to choke me over the phone. I was informed that it is not legal for the kennel to disburse medication to another persons dog without a vet license. In New York a pet owner can vaccinate their own pets with the exception of the rabies vaccine but someone else can not do it.

Lambert was given the nasal application of the vaccine and apparently they have found that giving a pet the nasal application gives them more visual side effects than the shot.

Longer story short: Lambert ended up having kennel cough. The vet said that with him getting the nasal application and being around other dogs that had kennel cough in one day gave him a double dose and now he will need to take it easy for a week. If he gets worse to give them a call and they will give him an antibiotic.

Like I said, I like to know before I do with my dog and I definitely learned my lesson. Lambert did not go to doggy daycare this week. If anyone knows how to keep a chocolate tornado calm let me know. It has been a trying week.

Lambert Update

It has been a while since I posted a blog about Lambert so here is an update:
Lambert has been doing really well on the eating front. He went to the vet recently and the vet said he could stand to lose his love handles. Labs will have hip problems if they grow too fast and over feeding them will definately not help.

So she said we could feed him 1/2 cup less each meal and with the weather warming up he will get more exercise. Lambert is doing really well with eating less and he is starting to look thinner. We also have been setting up play dates with his cousin and they play hard when they are together. Things are really going well for us. All seems to be calm.

Updates later

Update on eating

Update on eating: I took Lambert to a park to play to see how he would be (would he play or not). He did, he ran and ran and chased the ball all over. We played for a good hour. When we got home it was time for dinner. Would he eat or not? The food that I had prepared this morning was hard and gross. So I threw that away, washed his dishes out and prepared him some new food. This time I put a little milk in with the food. I told him to go into his crate and I put the food in with him. The food was gone within one half hour. I am not sure if it was because it had milk on it or because he was really really hungry. At any rate, I am please lab mommy. I am pleased that he ate. I was getting really worried about him. I know what they say "a dog won't starve itself, it will eat when its hungry". I am just really happy at this point. We will see what tomorrow morning holds. Look for more updates.
Lamberts Mom

Is he spolied?

So, for this past month Lambert has been very picky about eating his puppy food. It started with him not wanting to eat out of his dog dish holder or wanting us to be in the room when he eats. I asked a friend who is also a lab breeder/owner. I told her that he will eat in his crate so she said to put him in there. Now, he is tipping his dog dish over and spilling the food out of the crate. Friday, I left his food in his crate and went to work hoping he would eat it during the day. He did but was not hungry for this second feeding at 5:30. So Saturday I did not feed him his morning meal hoping that he would be hungry at his 5:30 feeding. 5:30 came and I gave him his food and water and he drank his water right down but shunned his food. So then I added a watered down gravy mix to the food thinking he would eat it right down. He did eat it but not exactly with the starving attitude I wanted. So my question now is what do I do? Does he need to go the vet? Am I being paranoid? Any comments would help.
Tanya

Here in this house

Here in this house...
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.

~by Laura Cathleen Patterson

A Dog's Prayer

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness that the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilage of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food, that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great master see fit to deprive me of my health and sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

By: Beth Norman Harris