Echo's eating has gotten ridiculous. He won't touch it most of the time. We talked to the breeder and she rest assured us that it's normal with the breed and his sister had to be "retrained" to eat. For the last few days he won't touch it unless we put some liver treats mixed in, or like this morning, make a peanut butter "gravy" and mix it in the food. I don't think that's helping though... if the food DOESN'T have that extra goodness, he definitely doesn't touch it.
Anyway, one of the suggestions she had for us that she used for his sister was to feed him in his crate and don't let him out until he was done. OK, I though. Sounds reasonable. We put him in, and he just laid down beside the bowl and every once in a while whimpered at us. I put in some extra goodies to help him start and he'd pick through the food looking for them.... This went on for a while. 2.5 hours, to be exact! We finally let him out at 11pm as he finished almost all of it. Most of the time, he seemed to be content laying in there, rather than pining to be out with us? I happened to be on the phone with the breeder at the time as she had called for something else. So I let him out, and brought his bowl downstairs to it's normal spot. Well, didn't the little stinker finish the rest of his food!
I hope he returns to normal soon, as the slow-down at feeding time was nice, but this is crazy!
I did the peanut butter gravy mixture for him this morning, and he finished it all, no problem. I'm sure he's now expecting something "special" for every mealtime, though.
We also took him to our new backyard neighbour's place on Monday night for a visit. They have a 2 year old Labradoodle, Denby, that seemed to be pretty big from our back windows. She's not - Echo TOWERS over her! lol They said the same thing, Echo didn't look so BIG from back here!
We it turns out that this dog is NOT spayed... which is not good news for us and Echo. That was the reason for the breeder calling us because I had posted something about this to the website. Given some of his recent behaviour changes at the dog park and now with an intact female dog behind us, she thought it might be a good time to get him fixed, and to do it now before he becomes a problem. It's pretty close to the suggested time anyway (12-14 months), and she was pretty certain that it wouldn't affect his structure or "look" much as most of his growing is done now. When they met, I had him on leash, and he pulled so hard to get at her that he broke apart the snaps on his collar - 1 minute later he was trying to mount her... and had a pretty good grip! If that had happened on the streets, who knows what could have happened? They haven't spayed her because they had intended to have her as a breeding dog, but they've since changed their mind about it. They seem really nice, and it'll be fun (once Echo and her are fixed) for our dogs to play together.
Echo is 11 months old on Easter Monday and 150+ lbs!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Echo is Huge
Alright, before I start, yes I know Great Danes are big dogs (even though we're used to his size and every other dog looks puny to us now). Echo is a week shy of 11 months old. I brought him into work with me on the weekend while I did a server and database migration. He's pretty good as he, for the most part, just lays there and falls asleep beside my desk.
I took the opportunity to put him on the skid scale here to see how much he weighs. The last weight we got was a while ago at the Vet's when he was there to get his eye checked out (it was red and pussy and looked infected, but cleared up in three days with some drops). He was 130 lbs then. We thought he was about 140, maybe 145? Well we were wrong. He's topping out at 150 lbs right now! But he still doesn't LOOK 150 lbs!!
Every once in a while we'll look at him and think... WOW, you're a big boy!! I was talking to the breeder about a week ago and told her that he was about 140 lbs, and thought that he seems to be done growing height-wise, but should fill out some more -- at least we hope! She corrected me saying that Danes can grow until 2 or 3 years old, and is definitely not done growing. He's about 36" now at the shoulder! There was a male Dane (Fawn) at the park the other week, who was almost exactly a year older than Echo and Echo looked bigger....
She said that that breeding produced some fantastic dogs, who are all pretty big compared to others. Echo has two siblings who are doing the show circuit, and they are both winning best of breed, and best puppy, often competing against each other in the finals, so that should tell you how nice and successful his family is. We still get a lot of comments on how gorgeous he is, even if he's at the park with foamy slobber all over his face.
As far as feeding goes, he's done a complete reversal. He now takes 10 minutes to eat, at least, instead of diving his face into the bowl spilling it out all over the place, choking it down, and finishing in 30 seconds flat. He's really a different dog in that department, and it's kind of nice, but hard to believe if you ever saw him feed as a puppy. The breeder said that it's typical at about 10 months for Danes to just "settle" when it comes to food. Some are picky eaters as puppies, then reverse as adults. Most others like Echo are the opposite.
I wish he'd learn to drink with less mess, though. It's quite disgusting as the whole kitchen floor is wet with drippings. He'll take a huge drink and proceed to walk all over the house with water dripping everywhere -- yuck!
I think we're going to clean and scotch guard the carpets this summer because of him...
I took the opportunity to put him on the skid scale here to see how much he weighs. The last weight we got was a while ago at the Vet's when he was there to get his eye checked out (it was red and pussy and looked infected, but cleared up in three days with some drops). He was 130 lbs then. We thought he was about 140, maybe 145? Well we were wrong. He's topping out at 150 lbs right now! But he still doesn't LOOK 150 lbs!!
Every once in a while we'll look at him and think... WOW, you're a big boy!! I was talking to the breeder about a week ago and told her that he was about 140 lbs, and thought that he seems to be done growing height-wise, but should fill out some more -- at least we hope! She corrected me saying that Danes can grow until 2 or 3 years old, and is definitely not done growing. He's about 36" now at the shoulder! There was a male Dane (Fawn) at the park the other week, who was almost exactly a year older than Echo and Echo looked bigger....
She said that that breeding produced some fantastic dogs, who are all pretty big compared to others. Echo has two siblings who are doing the show circuit, and they are both winning best of breed, and best puppy, often competing against each other in the finals, so that should tell you how nice and successful his family is. We still get a lot of comments on how gorgeous he is, even if he's at the park with foamy slobber all over his face.
As far as feeding goes, he's done a complete reversal. He now takes 10 minutes to eat, at least, instead of diving his face into the bowl spilling it out all over the place, choking it down, and finishing in 30 seconds flat. He's really a different dog in that department, and it's kind of nice, but hard to believe if you ever saw him feed as a puppy. The breeder said that it's typical at about 10 months for Danes to just "settle" when it comes to food. Some are picky eaters as puppies, then reverse as adults. Most others like Echo are the opposite.
I wish he'd learn to drink with less mess, though. It's quite disgusting as the whole kitchen floor is wet with drippings. He'll take a huge drink and proceed to walk all over the house with water dripping everywhere -- yuck!
I think we're going to clean and scotch guard the carpets this summer because of him...
Chris and Carey
Monday after a late volleyball schedule, we decided to head out to the "usual" place for drinks and snacks with our friends Chris and Carey - Carey came out to watch because she was due to "pop" any day now. We normally don't go out after if we have a late schedule, because we're not done volleyball until close to 11pm and it just kills us the next morning.... well we decided to anyway because we were all hungry, and didn't get home until about 1:15 am. Monday, both Marnie and I dragged our butts through the day and decided that we were going to get to bed early. 10pm! Yes, that's early for us. We're usually dragging to bed over-tired after 11. I don't know why we do that?
So anyway, we DID manage to get to bed and asleep before 10:30 only to be woken up at 10:50 by the phone! My first thought was Marn's family is calling for something... when ISN'T it them? ;) We didn't recognize the number, although it seemed faintly familiar, so decided to leave it for the machine.... of course it would have bugged us all night to not know who called, so we checked the message. It was Chris from his cell phone telling us that they were at the hospital and that it looked like there was going to be a little kid born soon!!
We couldn't believe it and were so excited for them. She had just saw the doctor on Monday afternoon, and he was really confident that the kid was not coming at LEAST for another week, he told them. We called right back, but he had already turned his phone off. Marn being determined to get a hold of them called the hospital and left a message for him to call us back (they didn't have a phone in the room). Marn wanted to get up and head to the hospital, and we would have, but Chris, who called back in about 15 minutes, asked the nurses who told him that we wouldn't be able to get in... we later learned that we would have been fine as her Mom and sister went (Carey didn't have a 2nd person named to come in). Anyway, we couldn't sleep (for a while anyway) because we were sort of waiting for a call about the kid being born, but instructed Chris to call WHENEVER it happened. So Wednesday was a really tired day again. We got the call at about 6am. Chris sounded So happy to tell us that they have a little Girl, born at 3am who promptly screamed for 3 hours straight. They weren't sure of the name yet, and everyone was healthy. So, we up early to head to the hospital before work to see them and bring some breakfast - I forgot to bring my camera... so no pics.
Cora Smith was born just after 3 am Wednesday, March 28 weighing in at 7 lbs 5 oz, with a full head of hair and screaming for the first 3 hours of her life! lol
I think they were a little bit shocked, not only because the doctor told them no worries for another week only 12 hours earlier, but also because of the screaming for 3 hours straight. She has since settled down a bit, but still screams for a while when she's unwrapped for a diaper change. When we saw them Wednesday after work, she was asleep the whole time, sans a diaper change, and looking better. Cute!
As for predictions, I was correct in both date and sex! On the weekend, I told them Wednesday was the day, and since the beginning I thought Girl. Marn thought Friday, and Boy. Chris though April 16.... (I think he was just praying for more time). LOL
We will likely go and see them tonight as they're due to bring her home this morning some time (may have already) - they are looking forward to getting home. And I can't imagine how tired they are. After the late night Monday, then Tuesday all day (we found out later that the contractions started early afternoon - and they didn't call us! ;-) ), and literally all night, and basically all day Wednesday. Chris said he just crashed on the couch on Wednesday afternoon for a few hours, completely out of it, not waking up while doctors and nurses came in to see Carey and the baby and checking on things. I'm sure that'll be his last good nap for a while... hehe
So anyway, we DID manage to get to bed and asleep before 10:30 only to be woken up at 10:50 by the phone! My first thought was Marn's family is calling for something... when ISN'T it them? ;) We didn't recognize the number, although it seemed faintly familiar, so decided to leave it for the machine.... of course it would have bugged us all night to not know who called, so we checked the message. It was Chris from his cell phone telling us that they were at the hospital and that it looked like there was going to be a little kid born soon!!
We couldn't believe it and were so excited for them. She had just saw the doctor on Monday afternoon, and he was really confident that the kid was not coming at LEAST for another week, he told them. We called right back, but he had already turned his phone off. Marn being determined to get a hold of them called the hospital and left a message for him to call us back (they didn't have a phone in the room). Marn wanted to get up and head to the hospital, and we would have, but Chris, who called back in about 15 minutes, asked the nurses who told him that we wouldn't be able to get in... we later learned that we would have been fine as her Mom and sister went (Carey didn't have a 2nd person named to come in). Anyway, we couldn't sleep (for a while anyway) because we were sort of waiting for a call about the kid being born, but instructed Chris to call WHENEVER it happened. So Wednesday was a really tired day again. We got the call at about 6am. Chris sounded So happy to tell us that they have a little Girl, born at 3am who promptly screamed for 3 hours straight. They weren't sure of the name yet, and everyone was healthy. So, we up early to head to the hospital before work to see them and bring some breakfast - I forgot to bring my camera... so no pics.
Cora Smith was born just after 3 am Wednesday, March 28 weighing in at 7 lbs 5 oz, with a full head of hair and screaming for the first 3 hours of her life! lol
I think they were a little bit shocked, not only because the doctor told them no worries for another week only 12 hours earlier, but also because of the screaming for 3 hours straight. She has since settled down a bit, but still screams for a while when she's unwrapped for a diaper change. When we saw them Wednesday after work, she was asleep the whole time, sans a diaper change, and looking better. Cute!
As for predictions, I was correct in both date and sex! On the weekend, I told them Wednesday was the day, and since the beginning I thought Girl. Marn thought Friday, and Boy. Chris though April 16.... (I think he was just praying for more time). LOL
We will likely go and see them tonight as they're due to bring her home this morning some time (may have already) - they are looking forward to getting home. And I can't imagine how tired they are. After the late night Monday, then Tuesday all day (we found out later that the contractions started early afternoon - and they didn't call us! ;-) ), and literally all night, and basically all day Wednesday. Chris said he just crashed on the couch on Wednesday afternoon for a few hours, completely out of it, not waking up while doctors and nurses came in to see Carey and the baby and checking on things. I'm sure that'll be his last good nap for a while... hehe
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
echo portraits
Marnie, last weekend, borrowed out brother in law's camera, a Canon Rebel XT to take a few updated shots of Echo (Similar model to what we're saving Air Miles for). She mostly wanted them to print and bring in to work to show her clients and co-workers. She gets bugged daily about seeing photos of him, so thought that would be a fun thing to do. They turned out pretty nice! We still get a lot of compliments on how good he looks from people when we're out and about, or at the dog park.
You can get an idea of the colour on the walls from these, although, it's a little tough to see the "green" in the pic below. That's the colour on 3 walls, where the red is on the one opposite the TV with 2 rows of "travel" pictures.
Every day he's getting calmer and better at listening to us which is nice to see. We really notice it when he's been exercised compared to when he hasn't been. It's like night and day, really. When he isn't, he constantly bugs you to play with him bringing his toys right into your lap, or face, or foot, or hand. When he is, he lays there looking so cute and content. I'm sure that's with any dog, though.
He has started to "hump" a lot in the last 2 weeks, though. Since the dog park 2 weekend's ago, there was one male dog there that 3 or 4 others were trying to mount, and just wouldn't leave it alone. So Echo tried to get in there too - he was the only one not neutered, and it's not something that we wanted him to "learn". Echo has definitely changed since that day, as it seems to be on his mind a lot as late. Other Dantry owners have assured me that if he tries it with us (and most of the time, if he does it with other male dogs), it's a dominance thing and not "sexual", that he's simply forgotten his place in the pecking order. If it's us, we have to communicate that he's not to do that, which we have, and it has improved in the last few days.
We also don't let him try it with other dogs, even if their owners don't mind.
You can get an idea of the colour on the walls from these, although, it's a little tough to see the "green" in the pic below. That's the colour on 3 walls, where the red is on the one opposite the TV with 2 rows of "travel" pictures.
Every day he's getting calmer and better at listening to us which is nice to see. We really notice it when he's been exercised compared to when he hasn't been. It's like night and day, really. When he isn't, he constantly bugs you to play with him bringing his toys right into your lap, or face, or foot, or hand. When he is, he lays there looking so cute and content. I'm sure that's with any dog, though.
He has started to "hump" a lot in the last 2 weeks, though. Since the dog park 2 weekend's ago, there was one male dog there that 3 or 4 others were trying to mount, and just wouldn't leave it alone. So Echo tried to get in there too - he was the only one not neutered, and it's not something that we wanted him to "learn". Echo has definitely changed since that day, as it seems to be on his mind a lot as late. Other Dantry owners have assured me that if he tries it with us (and most of the time, if he does it with other male dogs), it's a dominance thing and not "sexual", that he's simply forgotten his place in the pecking order. If it's us, we have to communicate that he's not to do that, which we have, and it has improved in the last few days.
We also don't let him try it with other dogs, even if their owners don't mind.
Friday, March 02, 2007
no pics yet...
I know I said I was going to post some pictures of the "new" living room last weekend, and I was ready to, but... Echo made a complete mess of it with bits of his chew toys. We bought him a "tough" fire hose and a big rope to chew on since he loves to chew and rip things up so much. Yeah, the hose lasted about 2 days before making an unbelievable mess. Red thread and black rubber hose everywhere. And then mixed in with that, chunks of red, white and green thread from the thick rope. Plus our computer table is a mess as I'm still transfering data from the old one over (having a tough time trying to decide what to keep from it), so it's still sitting on top of the table, most of the time with the side panel off.
We were just too tired to clean up the room and make it "worthy" of pictures! Maybe this weekend, though.
We're heading to London tonight for a surprise b-day party and Marn's parents are coming over to keep Echo company for the night. We're staying the night at my groomsman, Rob's house. We haven't even seen his new place yet and he's been there for over a year! So that'll be nice to catch up. He's been bugging me to apply for a position at his work, Intermediate Systems Admin - every time one comes up, he tells me about it. But I can't see myself commuting to London every day, even though the office is on the north-east corner of London (closer). It'd be an hour drive each way on back roads, and the winters would be brutal and even slower. It'd be a nice reason to "upgrade" to a 4WD FJ Cruiser, though! ;)
We were just too tired to clean up the room and make it "worthy" of pictures! Maybe this weekend, though.
We're heading to London tonight for a surprise b-day party and Marn's parents are coming over to keep Echo company for the night. We're staying the night at my groomsman, Rob's house. We haven't even seen his new place yet and he's been there for over a year! So that'll be nice to catch up. He's been bugging me to apply for a position at his work, Intermediate Systems Admin - every time one comes up, he tells me about it. But I can't see myself commuting to London every day, even though the office is on the north-east corner of London (closer). It'd be an hour drive each way on back roads, and the winters would be brutal and even slower. It'd be a nice reason to "upgrade" to a 4WD FJ Cruiser, though! ;)
Friday, February 23, 2007
Good times
Kidlet Visit
Both Maddie and Parker came to stay with us last week while their Mom and Dad partied it up on a cruise ship, and when Grandma couldn't keep them Friday and Saturday. We were really excited to have them and see their reaction to Echo. They hadn't seen him since the last time they were here, way back in late July. Echo was about the same size as Mariner at the time -- so small! They actually came for dinner on the first Sunday they were in town with Grandma and got to meet Echo then.
Madison was so cute - she couldn't stop laughing at the size of him and trying to hug him. Echo of course didn't know what was going on, as most kids run from him, or in Braeden's case, cry. But there's Maddie going right up to his face and grabbing him. He stood there licking her face giving it a nice wash and she didn't care. It just sparked more laughter. It was so funny. He'd try and run away or turn and knock her around, but she just kept going at him. Parker on the other hand was a little taken aback at the size of this dog. At first he didn't want anything to do with him, and Marnie held him while Echo settled down a bit. It didn't take long, though, and Parker wanted in on the action too. Seeing how much fun his sister was having, he didn't want to miss out! We had to keep a close watch on Echo, not because he was going to be aggressive or anything like that, but because he's used to playing with us. He paws us and pushes his head into us when he plays and when he did that with the kids, he'd knock them flying. Also, he's not very aware of his body yet. When he turns, he swings his butt around and anything in it's path will go for a ride. Also, he tends to step on feet - or hands if they're on the ground - and he's friggin' heavy. Then there's little parker standing there with his hands straight up and still not as tall as Echo when he stands next to him. On the ground, Echo could easily stand on him, or worse, try and sit or lay down and partly have Parker's arm or leg under him. It's a good thing Danes are fairly gentle... well, maybe when they get older.
When we had them on our own the following weekend, the time went by really fast. We had them at the dog park in the morning and then back to our house to watch a movie and play, and before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head to the airport to meet Adrienne and Dennis. A tell tale sign that we don't have kids is we forgot to "force" them to go to the bathroom before we left.... it was a good thing that Parker was asleep 5 minutes into the whole because when he got in the terminal, he stopped dead in his tracks - even after seeing his Mom! - held his legs closed and clutched down below. "I have to go pee!" with the biggest concerned look on his face. This was the look of, "Mom can wait! I have to go NOW". So I grabbed him and ran to the bathroom. His reunion with Mom and Dad would have to wait! lol
Adrienne and Dennis picked up 2 bottles of Guavaberry Liqueur for us to help replenish the stock back home - and just in time as I think we only have enough for one blender's worth! mmmm Guavaberry Colada's. Can't wait 'til summer!
Anyway, it was so fun to have them here. We wish we could see them more often, or at least had a little more time with them here. Marnie and I weren't sure if it was "good practice" to have them, or "good birth control". ;)
Room Update
Our living room above the garage is still not done. We worked on it a lot a few weeks ago, and then went into a hiatus after the Superbowl. Well, last night Marnie decided, "this is crazy" so started hanging the picture frames that we wanted in two rows above the couch. They look great, and it's one more step closer to finally being finished. I still have to finish painting. Yes, I know.... "STILL". I did the rest of the cutting-in earlier this week around the upstairs, then tonight and tomorrow, we're going to finish the rest. Then I can post pictures! The room looks great and seems so large since moving the crate out! We both love it and it's now our favourite room in the house. Pictures WILL be posted this weekend!
Echo Update
He's 135 lbs and almost 35 inches tall at the shoulder - we hope he's done in that department. He's been sleeping in our room more often now because he's been behaving a little better. We also tend to let him sleep in our room when we haven't been around much (when we have volleyball evenings) or haven't taken him out to run around (guilt?). He still has a fetish with Kleenex which is very frustrating as he grabs it and tries to quickly swallow it as soon as we notice that he has it... It's like, we look over, he looks at us and pauses.... when we make a move towards him, he makes a mad dash to chew and swallow as fast as he can, even if it means choking on it. uughh! Frustrating!
Both Maddie and Parker came to stay with us last week while their Mom and Dad partied it up on a cruise ship, and when Grandma couldn't keep them Friday and Saturday. We were really excited to have them and see their reaction to Echo. They hadn't seen him since the last time they were here, way back in late July. Echo was about the same size as Mariner at the time -- so small! They actually came for dinner on the first Sunday they were in town with Grandma and got to meet Echo then.
Madison was so cute - she couldn't stop laughing at the size of him and trying to hug him. Echo of course didn't know what was going on, as most kids run from him, or in Braeden's case, cry. But there's Maddie going right up to his face and grabbing him. He stood there licking her face giving it a nice wash and she didn't care. It just sparked more laughter. It was so funny. He'd try and run away or turn and knock her around, but she just kept going at him. Parker on the other hand was a little taken aback at the size of this dog. At first he didn't want anything to do with him, and Marnie held him while Echo settled down a bit. It didn't take long, though, and Parker wanted in on the action too. Seeing how much fun his sister was having, he didn't want to miss out! We had to keep a close watch on Echo, not because he was going to be aggressive or anything like that, but because he's used to playing with us. He paws us and pushes his head into us when he plays and when he did that with the kids, he'd knock them flying. Also, he's not very aware of his body yet. When he turns, he swings his butt around and anything in it's path will go for a ride. Also, he tends to step on feet - or hands if they're on the ground - and he's friggin' heavy. Then there's little parker standing there with his hands straight up and still not as tall as Echo when he stands next to him. On the ground, Echo could easily stand on him, or worse, try and sit or lay down and partly have Parker's arm or leg under him. It's a good thing Danes are fairly gentle... well, maybe when they get older.
When we had them on our own the following weekend, the time went by really fast. We had them at the dog park in the morning and then back to our house to watch a movie and play, and before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head to the airport to meet Adrienne and Dennis. A tell tale sign that we don't have kids is we forgot to "force" them to go to the bathroom before we left.... it was a good thing that Parker was asleep 5 minutes into the whole because when he got in the terminal, he stopped dead in his tracks - even after seeing his Mom! - held his legs closed and clutched down below. "I have to go pee!" with the biggest concerned look on his face. This was the look of, "Mom can wait! I have to go NOW". So I grabbed him and ran to the bathroom. His reunion with Mom and Dad would have to wait! lol
Adrienne and Dennis picked up 2 bottles of Guavaberry Liqueur for us to help replenish the stock back home - and just in time as I think we only have enough for one blender's worth! mmmm Guavaberry Colada's. Can't wait 'til summer!
Anyway, it was so fun to have them here. We wish we could see them more often, or at least had a little more time with them here. Marnie and I weren't sure if it was "good practice" to have them, or "good birth control". ;)
Room Update
Our living room above the garage is still not done. We worked on it a lot a few weeks ago, and then went into a hiatus after the Superbowl. Well, last night Marnie decided, "this is crazy" so started hanging the picture frames that we wanted in two rows above the couch. They look great, and it's one more step closer to finally being finished. I still have to finish painting. Yes, I know.... "STILL". I did the rest of the cutting-in earlier this week around the upstairs, then tonight and tomorrow, we're going to finish the rest. Then I can post pictures! The room looks great and seems so large since moving the crate out! We both love it and it's now our favourite room in the house. Pictures WILL be posted this weekend!
Echo Update
He's 135 lbs and almost 35 inches tall at the shoulder - we hope he's done in that department. He's been sleeping in our room more often now because he's been behaving a little better. We also tend to let him sleep in our room when we haven't been around much (when we have volleyball evenings) or haven't taken him out to run around (guilt?). He still has a fetish with Kleenex which is very frustrating as he grabs it and tries to quickly swallow it as soon as we notice that he has it... It's like, we look over, he looks at us and pauses.... when we make a move towards him, he makes a mad dash to chew and swallow as fast as he can, even if it means choking on it. uughh! Frustrating!
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