Here we go again

 

Oh, brother.  We don't have a name for him yet, but "Kai" is the strong front runner at this point.  We picked up Kai on Labor Day from the same breeder who gave us Keo in February 2010.  At 10 weeks old, Kai weighed in at 1.67 lbs.

Kai's personality is very sweet.  When he's startled or unsure of the situation, he'll sit down and observe, or if he's really unsure, he'll park himself between my feet and sit down.  I guess he knows who will protect him if something bad happens.  He's showing really strong signs of bonding to me already that I find I don't need much of a leash on Kai when I take him outside to go potty. He'll do his business and will follow me when he's finished.  Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten the hang of sitting at the front door and waiting to be invited inside yet, but he's young and we'll continue to work on it.  Kai also walks really well on a leash, but gets a little carried away when big brother Keo tries to talk charge of the pack walk.

Keo has had good days and not-so good days this week.  There are times when both dogs have played extremely well together, but more often than not, Keo is showing Kai exactly where the newest dog belongs in the pack order (i.e the bottom).  It was nerve-wracking to watch them play at first, especially since Kai would yelp or cry the first couple of times Keo pushed him around.  Now, they play with each other - a lot of play biting (by Kai) and dominating (by Keo) - but I still have to intervene when it gets a little too rough for my comfort level.  Keo has also started exhibiting guarding behavior, primarily of items that are food treats or things he's not supposed to have.  He has snarled and snapped at both Toby and me several times over the past several weeks, well before Kai entered our lives.  He's definitely going through his terrible twos (he's turning two in December!).  Whatever possessed me into thinking that getting a new puppy right now would be a GREAT idea??  So now we have the joys of potty training Kai, teaching him manners, and reinforcing good manners for Keo.  In the meantime, the Dog Whisperer is set to record on the DVR every Friday.  I wonder if Cesar Milan would travel up north?

Some highlights from this past week included Kai doing the following:

• Learning to climb stairs on Wednesday, after watching Keo run up a set of stairs at Meadowbrook Pond.
• Learning to go down stairs on Friday, mostly successfully, but oftentimes just falling after the first step.
• Sounding like a howler monkey or a parrot when he cries in the afternoon.  It's pathetic and endearing, but he only does it when we're not around.
• potty training is going really well!!

Norma Guerrero LaCara, May 17, 1935 - August 5, 2011

A week ago, my Aunt Norma passed away at her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.  She was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in late March and was given a prognosis of 6-8 weeks.  According to Wikipedia, glioblastoma has the worst prognosis of any central nervous system malignancy, despite the many modes of treatment.  And, while the general prognosis is poor, with a median survival rate of approximately 14 months, Norma exceeded her prognosis by over two months.  


In the time between her diagnosis and death, several songs and prayers have provided solace and comfort to me.  One song, in particular, I listened to often and sang to my Aunt in her last days with us.  It's called "Lord of all hopefulness" by Jan Struther


Lord of All Hopefulness
lyrics: Jan Struther, 1901-1953

Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy,
Whose trust, ever childlike, no cares can destroy,
Be there at our waking, and give us, we pray,
Your bliss in our hearts, Lord, at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness, Lord of all faith,
Whose strong hands were skilled at the plane and the lathe,
Be there at our labors, and give us, we pray,
Your strength in our hearts, Lord at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness, Lord of all grace,
Your hands swift to welcome, your arms to embrace,
Be there at our homing, and give us, we pray,
Your love in our hearts, Lord, at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness, Lord of all calm,
Whose voice is contentment, whose presence is balm,
Be there at our sleeping, and give us, we pray,
Your peace in our hearts, Lord, at the end of the day.


One of my Aunt's last gifts to us was bringing our family back together after years of separation, and I'll forever be grateful to her for that.  I love you and miss you, Auntie Norma.  Rest in eternal peace.