I am my poodle's mother

bliss!

Happy Mother's Day.
Mother's day is not just for mothers of children.

There are many ways to "mother" someone, many ways to take care of...
I have helped raise nieces and nephews, children of my friends, and myself.

Yes I have had to re-parent myself with kindness after a less than kind childhood.

At the moment I am parenting a poodle puppy.

 He seems to be a bit like a toddler at the moment. Everything goes in his mouth and he wants to do it himself even though he isn't big enough (to do stairs, get fed, jump in the car etc) He has opinions and a temper. And he takes naps

He only weighs 12 lbs and is quite thin according to the Vet even tho this angle gives him a tummy

My goal is to have a well adjusted adult poodle who obeys me (the rules) because he wants to, not out of fear. I was parented by fear. I was well behaved which was all they wanted but I was left fearful with little self esteem.

Better to teach than punish.
Better to show a pup what you want, and present motivation to voluntarily follow the rules.

but...

Fatigue takes it's toll in payment of patience.

There are times you break. You've been pushed beyond perfection and go on automatic and just demand the rules be followed.

He is learning that the noise I make in the back of my throat, and uh uh,  mean stop it. He is learning he can trust me to always say no to certain behaviors. He knows I love him.

look at that wild look in his eye... Fun-loving Poodle boy!

 He tests me but knows I love him.

Sometimes for safety (power cords for example, or running into the street) one might sound harsh, or loud, or even gasp! say NO! So do Mommy-dogs.

I must not only watch the baby to protect him from eating rocks and dirt, but teach him how to get along.

Hi Momma!! Want to play??? teehee

Our goal is to raise a well adjusted adult that knows societal rules and enjoys society and friends. A dog who is enjoyed by society as well.

Just as with children you must teach them not to hurt anyone even accidentally.
My baby-Milo  has been on earth less than three months and is learning lessons  quickly. My goal is to learn them happily and voluntarily so he's happy to be good. He is teaching me as well.

He will be gentle as he grows, not a brute who demands his way. We've all known humans who are demanding. To get there he may be frustrated at times, and feel I'm unfair. He is learning how to cope with disappointment and "NO" while learning what toys are better to teethe on.
Milo trusts me to be consistent, to protect and offer good things. He understands when I am not perfect just as I understand when he makes mistakes because we are less about perfection and more about understanding. We both forgive and forget. And move on toward the goal of being happy and peaceful and exploring the world....

so much to see, hear, taste, and learn!!!

Together

I hope that he is raised to want to be good ...not to be afraid to be bad.

I am aware of differences in raising a puppy from a human...
But there are similarities.

It's not easy to be a good mother but it's a worthy goal.

This dog-mom rap video is from my friend Bonnie  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-rap-for-dog-moms_
Enjoy! Happy Mother's Day to all who mother 

Leaves of green

Continuing on with the Rainbow Scrap challenge this year at http://superscrappy
the color of the month is green.
My scrap bin of green is so full of all shades and tones and variations of greens...

 When I want to do this month's block, EPP applique leaves I have many choices. Every fabric I choose for a leaf takes it out of the mix for future projects so I have to decide if that fabric will look best in a leaf shape or saved for another time.

I made 16 this time, stitching while the baby napped at my feet.

I tried them on different backgrounds and in different arrangements... compare the impact of them here...

 Background tone makes a difference doesn't it? These are both saturated browns

three different brown backgrounds... and you can note the difference when photographed more than with the eye.
(That brightly colored one may transition to another group when it's all said and done)

Note all the patterns and tones in the leaves. It's my belief more is better, excess is never enough, use it all, all tones can mix together like it does in nature. 
These look like a scientist's study of leaves to me...

 I really like the three-d aspect to these, and because they are on paper and have "body" I can play with them...

And isn't that what it's all about??
linking to among others
http://www.sewcanshe.com/
oh Scrap Sundays 
 slow stitching Sundays

I LIke #36

Welcome to this week's list of likes!

***I Like  Sunny Skies. I really like sunshine. I grew up in Florida so I work on solar batteries. When we moved to Maryland I had no idea it would rain days on end, and when it wasn't raining it would be overcast, cloudy, and so hot and humid. Ah for a tropical breeze!
Which brings me back to the current sunny cool weather.

I LIKE it!

***I like this tutorial on how to make an accordion bag and hope to make one soon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PD7CiM1tO4

***I Like fresh ripe strawberries that are "in" right now.

 I wash and slice them, place in a bowl with a tiny bit of white sugar and they create a lovely saucy accompaniment to cake.

***I Like this book Dying to Wake Up  by Rajiv Parti, MD

He was living an automatic life of a successful doctor, wealthy, married with kids, focused on his power and money when a life threatening illness made him take notice of his own near death experience. He heard from many patients about their NDE's but he blew them off, as people do who only believe in what they can touch. Think about this, you believe in air but you can't touch it. You believe in radio waves but you can't see them. His story is fascinating. He also underwent subsequent therapy with Dr Brian Weiss which is exactly what I wish I could do.

*** I Like Diane P in Texas. I don't have a photo but she looks like an Angel.
She is a dog trainer who has also raised 13 Poodle Puppies. She has been an enormous help to me with this challenging pup. I know I'm not supposed to compare them but this one is very different from Cole as a puppy. I have the scars to prove it.

I am thankful for the help and guidance of friends like Diane, Eliza and Monika, and my spirit guides,
but, really y'all,  if I EVER mention getting a puppy again, shake me like a dog shakes a toy!


Check out these fine folks who likely have more available brain cells with which to write!
1.http://littlepenguinquilts
2http://imworkingonaproject
3.http://3poodlesandanana
4.maryinpeoriahandmade.blogspot.com
5.https://canadianneedlenana.blogspot.com/
6, craftscaviescontras
7. http://forestpoodles.blogspot.com/
8. http://hillsidequilter12.blogspot.com/
9. http://100sweets.blogspot.com/ 
10. http://daybyday

respite for the Momma

 Ah, Respite from puppy teeth!

Snuggling under Auntie Z's blankie after a rainy potty break

 Laying at Momma's feet after the zoomies of dinner time

 Trusting Daddy to keep him safe 

Finding safety in Momma's legs after hearing a loud noise in the kitchen


We enjoy the moments of rest Milo gives us.
They are so cute when they're sleeping... it's because you aren't being chewed on.
Milo is 10 weeks old today. 

Now what to make?? Scraps and scrap-loving poodles

 More than a year ago I won a box of scraps. They seemed to be most of a line of fabric and enough to make a big bed quilt so I just pushed them under a table and forgot them.

 Recently I opened the full box of scraps, and washed them resulting in a need to sort them into pattern and color to find out what I have to work with...

 so I sorted the colors and styles into piles all over the family room...

 And  got out the ironing board

I'll Help with that Mama!

 I began pressing the strips and sorting them. I realized there are about 22 different colors and patterns!!

Most of a fabric line probably! They are in differnt length strips by the whole width of fabric. Some are 6 inches down to about 1 and a half inches, different yardage according to color as well.

"Here, let me organize them!"

He loves fabric at 9 weeks old! Loves to suck on it at least

I figure I have the equivalent of about 20 ++ yards of fabric here, in different size strips and amounts. About 21 different pattern/ colors. Want to see?

I have about the equivalent of about 4 1/2 yds of the brown words fabirc, next most is the orange peel design at about 3 yards, then you see three shades of birds, three shades of paisley, another white words

Two shades of tree/birds, four shades of leaves

Lots of these which I do not like at all.
I wonder how they will look cut up, with the pattern they could look interesting.

Anyway it fills a tall container with approx 22 yards in varying strip size.

My challenge now is to choose a pattern that interests me and use as much of it as possible to make a bed quilt. I would like to combine several blocks, some large scale as I have many pieces 12" X 5" some 6" strips and many two and a half inch strips.

I like variety. These are all from the same fabric line and all go together. What shall I make? Whee!

Sometimes too much choice makes it harder....

Working around a 9 week old active standard poodle puppy who also likes fabric and has opinions and wants to "do it myself!" gives me a degree of difficulty rating of 10 !

linking to several parties including
http://www.quiltfabrication.com/
Esther's blog Wednesdays 
Let's be social Wednesdays 

I Like #35 poodles iris sleep

Welcome to another I like post!
There is a lot to like this week but I am having trouble with blogger this morning so this may be short

I Like Iris. These were given me years ago by a friend when she thinned hers. They never thrived until this year. Shrug? Sure are a gorgeous color.

Aren't these a rich color? The shape and deep violet blue with almost golden/orange pistils. I got this plant years ago too at a historic house in Annapolis, when they sold native plants.
Obviously neglect is working for me this year!

I Like sleep. Uninterrupted sleep. If you read this post on Milo, you'll understand a new puppy has a very small bladder. I stay up late as possible (after midnight) and take him out, and Daddy gets up at 5:30 to let him out again. We had a few 2 AM calls but now seem to be settling into a routine.

Milo has a smaller crate in the bedroom so he's with us but not on the bed. Soon enough he'll be in a big boy bed of his own by ours and we'll all fall into a sleepy time routine. When I left the breeder I took one of the puppies toys so he had a scent of his siblings to sleep. I also place my clothes from that day by the crate so it reminds him we're nearby.

I like using Face Time! Eliza at forest poodles encouraged and led me through how to do it, and getting the ipad made it quite easy. We are keeping in touch. This week I expanded my horizons to include time with Monika and Mary as well. Mary and I shared our latest art projects and it was almost like being there!

It's like living in an episode of the Jetsons!

I Like getting surprise gifts in the mailbox!

My friend Pat in NY sent the cutest fabrics as a thank you for a cowl I knitted her over the winter. Awe shucks you didn't have to do that but I'm glad you did... Don't you love it when someone really listens to your likes and chooses gifts based on that? So sweet. Cows! tulips! Oh the State of Florida fabric is really special. I grew up in Tampa, being a beach babe hence my love of palm trees and flamingos!!

Milo Likes all the special gifts Eliza sent in a puppy preparedness package!

His family room bed has a soft blanke with fox pictures, his squirrel toy which is as big as he is has the absolutely best ears to chew and he's making use of the poop bags. Mommy is using the journal to note his progress. I'm loving the beautiful poodle kitchen towels as well!! Thanks Auntie Z

Milo likes meeting people... he's met several neighbors who admired him and Miss Bonnie even brought him a chew toy on her first visit yesterday. He loved her! So did Cole.

I like having a poodle to love. It has changed my outlook. I hear myself laughing out loud and that hasn't happened in a long time. It is true about the heart expanding with love.
My lesson from him this week is to see the world with fresh eyes, and all the joy there is in it. 

Please enjoy this video of
Milo Bags a Duck ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktZ5-S_IBgM)

you can watch it full size by going to youtube link above as well.


Please enjoy visiting these bloggers who also wrote an I Like post this week. As always you're invited to do that too, just let me know and I'll include you in my list! We're keeping it positive!
1.http://littlepenguinquilts
2http://imworkingonaproject
3.http://3poodlesandanana
4.maryinpeoriahandmade.blogspot.com
5.https://canadianneedlenana.blogspot.com/
6, craftscaviescontras
7.http://forestpoodles
8.https://tunaquilts  9.

linking to among others on the links page
http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/
saturdays-critters-

Welcome Baby Milo ! There's a new poodle in town!

 

It's a boy !! A 12 lb, 8 week old baby came to live with us!
We are again, a wee family of three! 

what's that?!

Oh my! 
I forgot what having a puppy means... constant surveillance. Constant laughter! Lots of snuggles and surprises. 
Milo has been with us since Sunday and already knows the house, his yard, his bed, toys,  almost potty trained (just lacking self control) and quickly learning stairs and sit.  For kibble.

 Milo here... wowie! everything is different! I think I'm going to like this place. I like Mama and Daddy, I like my yard and my bed. 
I don't much like the kennel, after all I'm a big boy now not a baby! The other day Mama left me in the kennel while she took a walk. 

I let her know it was definitely not okay with me! I cried and cried until she finally found her way home after a hundred hours! Then I licked her all over so I would remember her taste if she ever got lost again! 
 editor's note: I was gone about 20 minutes. I'm WAY too sleepy to walk for longer!

So Milo was in a large litter and apparently had to fight for food. He wasn't the largest pup so he missed a few meals and now is very insecure about food.  I have been calling him then expecting him to sit for hand fed  kibble to keep him calm when seeing food. He mostly can eat in a more calm way now but this is going to be a process. 

Milo here
 Look at the storm drain! Mama said Cole loved to sniff storm drains. 

Who doesn't?
There is a lot to do here! Lots of action!

 LeeAnna:  He is adjusting to city life and a harness. He has his fave places to do business and has ventured off the yard today. Brave boy! 
He sounds like a herd of Buffalo when he runs through the house. He drinks water loudly. He barks to go outside to pee. I'm relieved he is different from Cole but you know I am thinking about my Cole a lot these days. 

A friend of mine asked if getting another dog helps you heal from loss. 

Well, the short answer is I think so. 
I have not laughed much since Cole left and Milo makes me laugh each day.

 He takes my complete concentration (I'm writing this because Daddy has him at the moment) He is someone to love and share love with, someone to take care of, and quite a personality to discover. 
I sure hope you enjoy hearing the stories he'll tell. He's already saving them up for later! 
Milo's Mischief
Milo's Milestones
Milo's meanderings

Enjoy this video of his third day with us! 

 if it doesn't play on your devise try the youtube link...Milo's third day

Linking to these sites as well as others on my links page

 blogpaws doggie bloghop Wednesdays   
create-with-joy pets