The first 24 hours

Welcome to our blog!

This blog will document life with the newest addition to Lauren & Greg's family: two Golden Retriever puppies named Jackson and Lance. The boys were born on December 2nd, 2010 and were 8 1/2 weeks old when we picked them up yesterday. Jackson is darker and weighs just over 11 lbs. Lance is lighter and we predict that he will be a giant. He weighs 13 lbs.

The car ride home was interesting- both boys seemed terrified and curious at the same time. Jackson settled down pretty quickly and rested against my leg. Lance just didn't know what was going on or what to do, and had his tail between his legs the whole time. He whined a little bit too, but that stopped when we got home.

The boys arrived to our home and we quickly took them on a little tour of the yard. They had no idea how to walk on a leash and kept trying to bite it. We tried to get them to 'go potty' but they were so excited to play in the snow, they didn't go. After a half hour of playing with them outside, we took them in to feed them. They were little piggies- the food was gone in about a minute! We took them out again to potty, and again, no success. But of course, as soon as we took them in, the pee started flowing. I lost count of how many times I cleaned up pee that first day. Jackson also pooped on the floor. Both pooped and peed outside the other times that we took them out.

We had some visitors- Mom and Joe (and Brady) and Kelly, Matt and Max. Brady wanted nothing to do with them- but of course, the boys jumped all over him! The boys got lots of attention and play-time that first day, and were pooped by bed time.

Since we are crate-training them, we put them in their crate (with lots of toys) and left some classical music playing. We could hear them barking and whining for a little while, but they eventually got quiet and settled down. Greg got up to let them out to pee in the middle of the night and came back to bed. When I woke up, a little before 6, I let them out to pee again. I quickly got ready and came down to make coffe and play with them a little before I had to leave for work. I let them roam within the confines of the kitchen while I got my stuff ready for week, and in that time, both pooped on the floor. I tried to stop them, but those little guys are quick! Lesson learned- make sure they poop first thing in the morning! Also- it would be a lot easier if we had a fence (and could climb up/down stairs)!

It was hard to leave them today- I can't wait to get home from work and play with them more. Luckily, since Greg works from home he can let them out often and play with them when he has some down time. We have their puppy check-up at the vet tonight, which I am excited for. We are going to Kingbrook Vet, upon the recommendation of some very good friends. It will be great to learn some helpful information (and ask LOTS of questions)!

The first photo is Lance and the second is Jackson. The last photo is me playing with both boys in the kitchen.