Sophie-ism's

I've been wanting to spend time writing down funny or interesting stories about Sophie, before she gets too big. These will be random, but hopefully entertaining.

Sophie loves to be outside. She has started to bark at dogs or people if she can't go and meet them. She is learning how to fix her leash if it is caught underneath her. She has not yet learned to stay away from Skipper while he pees or poops... she has almost gotten dirty more than once! She also does not know to stay away from other dog's poop. She has almost walked on it before. Yuck! Sophie loves to pick things up, and chew them. She will chew anything from leaves to rocks, to trash. If she grabs something with her mouth as we are walking, she will prance as she carries it. If she is jumping down from a wall, she hasn't yet figured out how to land on her feet; she will typically land on her head and back feet. Sophie gives kisses, but also likes to bite ears, noses and fingers. One day, she fell asleep with my finger still in her mouth. When she sleeps, she is so tired, that I can move her legs around and she doesn't wake up. When she is tired, Sophie digs to try and make her bed more comfortable. However, her bed can be on my stomach, legs, or doggie beds.

Skipper nudges Sophie to try and get her to play. When he is tired, he jumps up on the couch. Sophie puts her front paws on the couch, but isn't big enough to join him. Sophie and Skipper will play tug-and-war with different toys. I've watched Skipper go after a toy Sophie is playing with, just because she has it. Sophie plays fetch with any toy. But it is super cute to watch with her little tennis balls. We're still working on the release part of fetch. I tied a rope toy to the leg of the coffee table. Sophie will chew and pull on the toy. It helps to keep her self-entertained. Sophie has a very strong jaw - we can pick up a toy she has in her mouth, and she will continue to hold on to the toy, in the air.

Sophie wants to eat Skipper's food, and Skipper wants to eat Sophie's food. For the first week we had Sophie, I mixed their food together, and they ate out of the same bowl. But then the vet told me that Skipper gained a pound, so that ended that idea. They now each have their own bowl, and they only eat if Kelby or I are watching them. Skipper is eating so much food since Sophie has been here. I wonder if it is because he doesn't want Sophie to get it. We've taken Sophie to different events, in order to expose her to lots of people and situations. My goal is for her to become a therapy dog once she is old enough (she has to be over a year to take the tests). So for now, she is getting lots of socialization. Skipper is never happy when he watches us leave without him.

Sophie is small enough that when Skipper is standing, she can walk underneath him. I made Sophie a small fleece jacket. It is super cute. I'll make more as she keeps growing. Unfortunately, Sophie has stinky farts. I mean, clear the room, or hold your nose stinky. We've tried having her eat slower, and not giving her rawhide bones for now. Hopefully this improves shortly! We are working on commands. Sometimes she does 'sit', unless she is distracted. We have started having her learn 'down' and 'stay.' Also, I don't want her to jump up on people, so we will be working on that.

Pictures will come later!