A Furry Little Birthday (+ puppy tips & a video)

Come in, come in, and celebrate!  For in our houseling, it's a very special date...

You see, Once Upon a Time (one year ago, on September 1st)...

A wee boy was born, the tiniest of his brothers and sisters.

He had four lovely paws, and gorgeous brownish blond hair.

With pointy ears, and a blackened snout ~

He was beautiful.

Simply Perfect.

(tale about his first day home here)

 

Alas, like in every fairytale, he had a bit of adversity dealt to him in his young age.  His family called him "runt," and they weren't very nice.

However, one sunny autumn day, a girl saw a puppy sign and followed it...

She met the puppy boy, fell in love, took him home and made him her furry child...

The puppy boy also acquired a Daddy...

 

And a big sister, Baby.

 

He loved his sister very much.  Sadly she left us (story here), as many of you know.  And, we can't quite recover, we miss her profoundly...

 

Sister, we miss you so much...  Our hearts can not mend....

Yet, it is the love for Baby, that propels us to play and sing, even if we do it through tears, and puppy sighs.  (Grief is an odd thing.  You can go from singing and dancing, to 5 year old crying in the dirt, in the same second)

The smiley thing is that, if Baby were here, she would be in full celebration mode.  And that, is just how we like to remember her.

See here?

So, Matty and I spend all day together, frolicking and healing, and loving our little lives together...

Creating our own happily ever after.

Like today.

All of Matty's little friends joined us for a very special ~

BIRTHDAY, YAY YAY YAY!!! 

Hoooooray!

Matty (short for Matisse) is 1 year old today!! 

~September 1st, 2010~

Of course, no birthday party is complete without drama, right?

So, the birthday boy locked himself in his garden, proclaiming that he would not be going to his own party if he had to wear a silly bow tie.

Okay said I, we'll take the darn thing off.

So, we did, and he was a happy little rascal.

 

It was a beautiful party, under the canopy...

 

With billowing streamers...

 

We sang happy birthday (okay, I sang happy birthday)...

 

I crushed a bunch of organic doggie biscuits and pushed them into a can of dog food. Then surrounded the plate with real pup cookies sent from Auntie C ;)

Being the polite sort, Matty wasn't sure he should dig in?

 So, I encouraged him...

He liked it! 

He is just so sweet.  Polite, reserved, quirky.

(remember him here? aweeee)

Beloved.

 

He didn't wolf it all down either.  He left half for later ;)

And when he was done, he was ready to run...

 

We made you a video, so you could really be here with us.

Hope you like it ;)

Be Warned: It's wacky.  And fast.

It would have been too boring if it wasn't fast ;)

It makes me giggle madly, everytime I listen to it...

Thank you for coming to our party!!

See you sooooon ;)

ps:  It says "helipcopter" in the video, as a funny furry kid like pronunciation.

 

♥,V

 

 

As for puppy tips (actually, things I have learned on my journey with Matty), simply click below if you'd like to read the long tale... (if you'd like, leave your own tips too)

When we met Matty, Mister Lovee thought something was wrong with him. 

For starters, he grunted like a pig when handled, which his previous owner said was due to eating too much and having a full belly.  This was not true.  He was scared and upset.  That's why he grunted.  He still grunts if forced to do something he doesn't like.

Also, Matty didn't make eye contact when we met him.  He seemed to be in a daze.  (I have since learned that, his eyes glaze over when he is afraid)

The previous owner said we could take him back to her if we didn't like him.

However, the second we put him in the car, we knew he was ours for keeps.

So, here go some lessons I learned, puppy tips if you will....

Note:  I am not a veterinarian, these are just thoughts based upon my experience.  Please call a vet if you have questions or concerns about your pet.

 

1) Matty wouldn't eat hardly at all his first 2 days with us.  So, I started mixing a little bit of warm water in with his dry food, to let it plump up a little.  With that, he began eating.

2) Matty got hiccups every so often, after he ate.  They lasted about 20 minutes.  They didn't hurt him, and they stopped occurring after a few weeks.

3)  Matty didn't bark at all when we first brought him home.  He finally barked and found his voice after living with us for a couple of weeks.  He had to find the courage.

3a)  Matty showed signs of kennel cough shortly after living with us.  Baby caught it too.  They went to the vet, but there was no medicine prescribed.  I made them both doggie chicken soup, and they got better in a few days.

4)  Matty wanted to live behind the toilet when we first got him.  So, we gave him a little rug, and let him hide back there until he felt safe enough around us to come out. (he loved being outside though, and running free)

5)  Matty's grunting turned out to be anger.  He didn't like being held or smothered.

6)  Matty bled a lot when he was teething.  We would find our rolls of toilet paper covered in blood.  The bleeding subsided after about 5-10 days.

7)  Mister lovee built Matty a house under an end table on the porch. He loves his house.  He likes little nooks where he can hide.  It's his thing.

8)  Matty is mean to strangers, he is very protective.  But, he is getting nicer to our friends over time.

9)  When Matty was neutered no one told us about the puppy neosporin and the "yuck" anti-lick ointment, until we went back 2 days after surgery to get him fitted for a collar.  He didn't lick very much, but I was worried.  He got so used to the ointments, that when he saw me coming with them, he would lay down and roll over.  The ointments helped so much, he didn't need the collar at all.

10)  It has taken Matty losing his big sister, and living with us for 11 months, to get him to come out of his shell.  He loves to play, and has shown us that he trusts us.  He finally comes looking for affection.

11) I almost forgot.  Matty made ugly faces and tried to bite if we pushed or pulled him in a way that scared him.  I learned to be extra calm with him, and after about 7 months, it began to subside.  Now he doesn't nip at me at all, even when I force him to do things he doesn't like.  Like, take a bath :)

12)  Matty has never gone to the bathroom in the house.  Lucky us!

If you don't have a vet, you should try finding a vet that you LOVE and trust.  Don't be afraid to call or ask questions. 

I was afraid.

Until I found the perfect place after two tries.  Northwest Medical Clinic.

Oh and...

One important thing is that, Matty has always loved to play, so that showed me that somewhere in him, there was a loving little dog, who just needed encouragement and love.

It took him almost a year to trust us.

 

He finally let someone other than Me or Mister pet him lightly on the head, last month.

My Mom.

One year of love has changed this furry boy's life.

Don't give up if you have a puppy (or any pet) and are frustrated.  Be patient, and give them room to grow.  Discipline is good too, start young.  Matty is excellent at sit, stay, no, bad, good, and up.

He is not good at wearing a leash or going anywhere in the car.  I am still working on it.

I spend countless hours training him in my own way.  When he was little, teaching him how to go up and down our small sets of stairs was an ordeal.  I had to give him little nudges.  After working on it everyday for two weeks he mastered those stairs.

  His personality has not been very easy.  But, I didn't give up, and it shows.  I am loving, but strong.  He doesn't respond to weakness.

  Also, enjoy your furry babies all you can because, your time with them might be too short.

I say this from experience.

If you have any furry children tips to share, feel free to add them in comments.

Remember all furry children are different.  What works for you might not work for me, and vice versa.  Keep an open mind ;) 

Comments

[Misha/DawaiOser]

Hahahaha. Oh dear! It's like the Chipmunks only much better because of the cute girl and gorgeous dog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTY!

[Laraine Atherton]

Happy Birthday Matty.....You are so lucky to have a good mommy. The birthcake looks like something I might try for my 5 shih-tzu's.
By the way, I'm sure your mommy knows a pill is very easy to hide in a folded slice of cheese. Who doesn't like cheese?
Laraine

[Shell]

Happy Birthday, Matty. Even though I'm not a dog, your organic dog cake looked quite yummy.
To me runts or the littles of a litter always turn out to be beautiful and wonderful adult animals.
My cat Mabel, was scrawny and tiny. She grew into the lovely cat I have now.

[jennifer]

Happy birthday, Mattie. What a handsome young man you are and what a fun party. My doggies Rambo and Xena enjoyed it very much, but Sabrina (my kittie) was not impressed;)

[Lynette]

Vanessa, that was the best post I've read for months! Happy Birthday to Matty, indeed! Loved his cake and all the decorations..but mostly I love how much you love him. Like you, we lost a beloved dog, and now have a new girl who needed us badly,(she was a rescue dog). The pain of losing Angel hasn't gotten much better over two years, but little Meeghan has brought so much love and laughter back into our lives. Clearly, Matty has done the same for you, and I'm certain Baby watched the birthday celebrations from doggie heaven!!

Thanks for throwing that wonderful party and for allowing us to stop by! Here's hoping for many, many more!

Lynette

[jeni]

Beans wishes Matty a very puppy happy birthday. With licks, kisses and tail wags all over(and he's a little envious and drooly over that scrumptious cake!

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Happy Birthday to Matty! I think it must have been destiny for me to visit here tonight. Our new puppy has been driving me nuts all night. He just doesn't seem to get that he shouldn't piddle in the house..especially after being outside for the last few hours. Arghhh He is so sweet though. I guess I will just have to be patient.

[rebecca]

Aw, happy birthday, Matty! Such an adorable dog. I understand pet love, we have two kitties. :) Loved the video!

[gillian]

Happy birthday Matisse!!! xoxoxo

[Robin]

Happy Birthday Matty! Summer and I just watched your birthday video. She just loves to hear your voice on the video - she stared at you and actually was trying to give you kisses by licking the computer screen. Summer's 1st birthday was on September 3rd. She let me know in no uncertain terms that your birthday celebration was far more festive than her's this year. So I guess we will be planning early for her 2nd birthday. Please let Vanessa know much we loved the video. xxxxxx robin & summer

[Marianne]

Sorry I am late to the party ! are there any dog treats left? Absolutely adorable post. Happy Birthday.

[Canadian Queen]

lol! I loved the sound of him drinking his water in high speed, and then seeing him take off for some adventure time as soon as he could! "Thanks for the party Mom, I'm outta here!"

[Laura]

Those pictures of your little puppy make my heart sing! So sweet. I dream of having a little pug as soon as I live in place where I will be able to keep him.

[Papillon Bleu]

He!he!he!
You are a funny girl!
X

[Betty]

What a sweet baby Mr. Matty is! Happy Belated Birthday to him! Your video of him is super-cute! I loved the sound of your voice at Minnie Mouse Speed and was especially delighted to hear Matty slurple his water very fast!! Thank you so much for sharing his special day with us!

Hugs to you, Mr. Lovee and Mr. Birthday Puppy!

Betty

[Tiffany Singleton]

Ooooh, just love this post. LOL. I am sending a link to my friends to introduce them to your delightful world. And of course they want to know all about MY "furry" boyfriend! LOL. Matty is such a handsome, lucky guy. xo to you & him :)

[Debra Favreau]

Hi Vanessa, I just want to tell you that I so enjoy your blog, your life, your stories, your pictures, but most of all I love the stories and pictures and videos of your furry children. How lucky for all of you to have found each other. I am a furry creature lover as well. Three cats and 3 dogs total that we have rescued. Thank you for sharing your life with us I feel like we are invisible friends forever! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATTY MATISSE! XOXO Deb

[becky]

That was sooooooooooo adorable.Happy happy Birthday Matty.Kissessss!

[SueAnn]

Happy Birthday Mattie!! Sorry I missed your fabulous party. But it looks like you had a wonderful time. Baby would be proud!!!
And I loved your video!! Such fun and silliness! Perfect!
Hugs
SueAnn