We were shopping for a Wii....and this is what we got!

**mommy4ever** · 11-21-2007, 03:55 PM

I didn't plan on it so soon

Dh was looking at a Wii for the kids. But everywhere was sold out. This is what we got!

And I have 2 girls that really wanted a dog, well all 4 kids did, but 2 begged and begged and begged some more. The elder of the 2 ingratiated herself to all the fellow campers at our seasonal site so she could walk their dogs. She's only 8 but very good with animals. So dh and I discussed and decided that once the youngest started school, and I closed the dayhome we'd get a puppy(next fall) when I'd have time to train the new baby.

So I started asking about various breeds and mixes trying to find a good mix for the kids and us. I came accross an ad for a 2 yo, housetrained, great with kids dog, and a very sweet face. I showed dh and he said we can't pass it up, I called and went to meet her. After she calmed down, she responded to basic commands.

She does jump up, but dh says that is a dog thing and since she's only 2, we could work with it so I bought her. No one was spending time with her, she was alone all day, then the lady was building a direct marketing business adn away 3 or 4 evenings.

The first night Lexi was so excited, my kids had eyes like saucers. All 5(4 kids and 1 dog) were very excited, the kids barely slept that night. 24 hours later, it was like she's been with us forever, that she was meant to be with our family. The kids could lay on the floor, and she knew it wasn't time to romp and jump on them, she went and sought out a chew toy and stretch out beside them. The 4 yo fell asleep on the couch yesterday, and I reluctantly left them unattended, and the dog had weasled her way up on the couch and was now snuggled beside her. We decided that we're ok with her on the couch, we discussed before.

So we're working on day 3. Today, I bought her a few things. She loves her doggy treats, but they are pricey and unnessary calories with little value, so I thought I'd try to trick her. I bought a different flavor of her kibble, and mixed it up with some of her remaining treats, and I got another type of training treats. I chopped the treats up small, and mixed them up with mostly kibble. Initially her nose was too smart, but I put it all into the resealable treat bag, and then she was game. So now her 'treats' is her kibble.

I decided today it was time to let dd4 give her treats. So dd4 and I talked, that she couldn't just give her treats, she had to tell Lexi to do "tricks", and she had to speak kinda loud(firm). Initially, Lexi tried to jump on her and take it. I told her no firmly, and told dd to say it too. Lexi stopped jumping, but was licking furiously..lol. I told dd to tell her to sit. Initially, Lexi didn't listen. So I told her sit, she did, and I told dd to give her the treat, tell her 'good girl' and pat her head. Which she did, she opened her little hand, and offered the treat. I told Lexi gently, and she gingerly took it from her hand. Then I gave dd another treat and told her to tell Lexi to do a trick loud. She told her sit, and Lexi sat, then dd offer the treat and told good girl. Lexi will listen to her to sit, laydown and roll over. I'm teaching her dance, but dd is too little. She is also starting crawl and beg. I refuse to teach her speak. But I was very pleased that she listened to dd. This will also teach Lexi, that the little girl is above her, that she is to respect her. And all her "treats" were just kibble..lol

this is dd getting her to laydown.

They are fast friends(I love this picture..lol)

While i don't trust her completely yet, Lexi seems to be very mild mannered. She's bright, she asks to go out. She's affectionate with out being in your face big time. So we're really enjoying her. I forgot how much I enjoyed having a pet. And it's so nice to skip the baby stage. fI have her trained not to enter my studio, she lays outside blocking hte doorway, but she's not in it. I'm so pleased with her so far. While she needs work with the jumping and on the leash, she's a real sweetie and a great addition to our family.

**Darlene** · 11-21-2007, 04:20 PM

Aww, I wish you many happy years together. Looks like you really lucked out. Thanks for sharing!

**DAAC3DEC** · 11-21-2007, 04:29 PM

sooooooo cute, adorable---though definately not a Wii..hahhaha

**Katybird** · 11-21-2007, 05:26 PM

She is precious. Your kiddos will love having her. When they are grown and looking back at their childhoods, they would never have remembered the fun they had with a Wii but I bet they will have lots of happy memories of playing with Lexie. Like the commercial says "Wii $250, the love of a furbaby~Priceless

"

**ilovechocolate** · 11-21-2007, 05:43 PM

Sounds like a perfect match for everyone!!

She is adorable!

**FrugalMomof3** · 11-21-2007, 07:40 PM

She's adorable and she looks like my dog Murphy

They are great friends and companions, soon she will follow you everywhere

**Ceashels** · 11-21-2007, 10:05 PM

Congratulations! What a great interactive "toy" with batteries that recharge after a brief nap!

**baxjul** · 11-22-2007, 11:58 AM

How adorable!!!

**miss_thrifty** · 11-22-2007, 12:51 PM

I love the breed of dog. She so sweet. Many happy years together.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 11-23-2007, 03:30 AM

Many dogs like carrots and will eat them for treats/snacks. These won't add calories and are good for her!

What IS her mix? I am just curious and you didn't say.

Is she spayed? If not, get her done before she comes into season. My bitch is in season right now and believe me, you do NOT want to deal with the mess and the aggravation.

What brand of food are you feeding? In this case, the cheapest is NOT the best. High quality food initially costs mer, but you feed less and there aren't so many fillers. Also, the better the food, the smaller the amount of waste (better food=less poop)!

Until you are ABSOLUTELY certain that she will be fine with the kids, do NOT leave them together unattended. They may not realize not to do something (pull her ears, etc. that might cause her to snap if she has sore ears for example) and a problem might arise.

Is she crate trained? If not, you may want to do this. Dogs are denning animals and like small enclosed areas. They are not like us, who tend to think of an enclosed area as "jail". Also, this would be a safe spot to leave her while you're gone.

Congrats on the new pupper!