Remmie!

We finally got to pick up Remmie this week. We have spent hours and hours over the summer discussing her, planning for her, watching Bichon videos, and eagerly anticipating having her! The pick up date was delayed by a few days, but it finally came. The kids and I drove down to Many, Louisiana in Luke's car since we had blown a tire in the van and are waiting on new tires to come in. We came armed with supplies for a quick parking lot bath for her because of Covid and because her first home was pretty smokey. It was a very quick pick-up, since Cassidy, the main breeder was not feeling well. Her momma was standing out front with Remmie in one hand and the contract in another. We were so happy to have her so quickly! We took her right to Walmart for her parking lot bath and headed home, with 20 minute turns holding her. She was so super sweet and sleepy! We were smitten right away. In the first few days with her, we have most enjoyed:

- fluffly little lamb body

- 100% cuteness

- long soft tongue

- snuggling with her

- carrying her around like a stuffed animal (Lucy)

- the way she hops like a bunny through the yard

- the way she puts both front paws and her whole face in her water dish

- watching her enjoy all of the toys we chose for her

- introducing her to neighbors

- laughing at the "tootsie roll factory"

- seeing her enjoy her crate and "Snuggle Puppy" immediately

- teaching her to "sit" with bits of cheese as reward

We began training as soon as we could. She has done very well with going potty outside and is responding well to the command "go potty" when we take her out! She's had a couple little accidents in the house, but not too bad. I slept in the den with her on the first couple of nights so I could attend to her quickly in the crate, but she is beyond that now - hallelujah! She has been whining at 1am to go out, but then is able to hold it until 7am with very little whining. That has been wonderful since I am the designated night time puppy parent. The hardest elements of having her have been keeping her from squeezing through the fence, which she can do pretty easily, and dealing with biting. We have found she has 4 modes - sleepy/cuddly, curious, playful, and crazy-bitey. None of us enjoy mode 4, and we are learning how to cope with it. She's broken skin on everyone but me, and caused a few tears, too. She's not mean or aggressive, she just wants to play hard with her pack! Apparently she used to drag her sister around by her tail... The breeder suggested we bite her ear, but I don't think any of us are quite ready for that. So for now we are shifting gears and trying not to play as crazy with her, and teaching her she can't bite her new pack.  

In addition to dealing with a new puppy and blowing a tire, the washing machine and air conditioning went out... Busy and expensive week... 

We are so very thankful for this sweet addition to our family, and we are hopeful for many years with sweet Remmie!!