New Name - Mabel

 

Eric has taken over sleeping in the livingroom with Mabel, locked in.  Up a few times a night.  I keep looking for other solutions but he seems ok with the current shenanigans.

The name Dolly just doesn't suit her.  Dolly illicits the idea of sweet and delicate.  This is the last thing she is.

Our girl has no concerns with rain, plows through brush like she's on lush lawn, she digs, lays in puddles and picks up everything.  She zooms and zigzags.  She runs full tilt into walls, people and furniture.  She can climb.  It took her two days to master up and down stairs.  

She is wild, determined and a complete goof with her funny pounces and ears flapping.  

All of that said.

With much debate we have all agreed and chosen to name her Mabel. 

 Kai can say it.

It is a Disney name!

Mabel is a main character in Hoppers.

We went to Victoria on Sunday to pick up parts for Oscar.  We stopped in to see Shannon and Ken.

Mabel ran in like she owned their place.

And showered Shannon in kisses.

Progress!!!

We made it 30 seconds before Mabel just couldn't control herself and pounced.

She traveled great in the car.  We stopped at a Dollartree for a little harness that she should outgrow in a week or two.  I sent Eric in and told him he could pick the color.  Neon green was a questionable choice.  Lol.  It oddly looks cute on her and he was telling me it's reflective.  I don't anticipate being out walking in the dark.

Toys everywhere.

Donut.

Her captive audience.

Spam.

Carrot.

Meeting Poppy.  She was predictably too much for Poppy who requested rescue.  Sasha is still holding her own.  Coco is still trying to ger her point across.  Both Sasha and Coco seem happy, like their usual selves.

Mabel actually stuck in Gramma's earring.

Then kisses of course.

Fei trying to get her into her crate for a nap.

Mable didn't want the crate.

Much better Fei.

Nap time.

Just can't quite get comfortable.

Almost.

Ah, even better.

Maybe this?

Getting there.

Just a couple more seconds to power up for the next round of complete chaos.

Don't all pretty girls like just laying in the dirt?

Digging like a pro.

Hiding. You can't see me.

Well, life as we knew it is over.

This creature is all encompassing.

In case some of you are thinking that you too might like to have a big puppy, we don't actually advise it.

We're not regretting decisions yet but we are tired.  

Evening update.

Luk texted me to say he found Mabel on the 3rd stair up.  Sigh.  Three days before needing to use the gates. 

Dolly

 

Dolly.

Born Aug 7/2026

Did you all forget to remind me what it's really like to live with a big puppy?

It's been 17 years.  Clearly I forgot.  I feel a bit shell shocked.

Good lord.  What have we done?!

She is NOT a Chihuahua.

She is adorable, wiggling, sweet, menacing, whirling, twirling, pouncing, barking, biting, and AWAKE.

She hoovers.  Zoomies.  She carries things around.  Drags things.  Chews things.  All things are currently in  danger.  Crocs are her favorite.  I'm definitely concerned about all of our shoes.

I would describe her as relentless.

I call bull on the 18 to 20 hour estimation of sleeping hours for an 11 week puppy.  

We're all tired.  She made it very clear that she wasn't inclined to sleep or be in the crate.  It was very, very loud here last night.

I was telling Eric it didn't feel ok to let her cry.  He insisted that we all let her cry it out.  At one point I got up to go to the bathroom and he demanded to know where I was going.  Guess who cracked first. Yup.  Eric.  I heard Jia ask Fei where Dad was, Fei told her sleeping in the living room with the puppy.  Jia grabbed her blanket and went down saying "if puppy sleeps in the living room, I'm sleeping in the living room".  I grinned and then got a few hours.

Eric did a run today.  I woke him up early, like 5:30.  He reported she was out to pee at 3:30.  I took her out again, we hung out and played with Eric until he left.  Then I slept on the couch with her from 7 until 10:30.  

The worst is over.  I hope.  She has decided the sleeping spot is my couch and some progress was made with her going in and out of the crate willingly today.  No accidents.  She goes every time we go out and she has peed and pooped on the pee pad. 

Overall, it's a lot.  She is a LOT.  And that is why puppies are built soooo cute.  Lol.  

Yesterday.

Luk took pictures.

It was fun having the kids on board.  Kai was genuinely thrilled.

She hovered 2 rocks, a stick, some paper and a dandelion before we got her to the car.  I'm happy to report on day two I didn't witness her eat anything other than food.

Once in the car she was desperate to get to the boys.

She was raised in a family.  Kids, dogs and cats.

First pee break on the way home.  She went right away.  

We were so proud.  She handled being in the car like a pro.

We stopped to see Lili at work.  She showed her sister off to her co-workers.  

Kai's turn.  That cheeky, oh so pleased look on his face stayed the whole way.  These two are going to be close.

Sassy 1st.  Sniffed bum then put her paw on her and smelled her face.  No issues.

Coco had opinions.  We have some work to do.  They mill around ok.  Every once in a while Dolly tries to play and Coco isn't ready. 

We set up a pen to keep her away from the Chihuahuas and cats.  This didn't work long.  She climbed right up and out.  We got about six hours of control. Lol.

She plays with toys but keeps losing them under things.  Luk is her hero digging them out.  

Up stairs is ok, down is scary.

Fei was home last night and got some cuddles.  She was up this morning and took over so I could get some things done.  Luk took a turn following her around so I could clean the kitchen.

A mid day nap.  The best 10 to 15 minutes of the day.

Wearing Finn's raincoat.

A wee 2 minute snooze with Sassy.

Fei got her to lay in the crate for a whole minute.

We had friends over.  Dolly snoozed under their feet.  And nibbled toes.

9pm, time to end the day.  Dolly and Sassy are crashed.  Together and touching.  Awe.  Wee Coco is on the little bed.  Making sure her point is clear.  I do believe she will come around eventually.

Oh, Oliver and Walter, zero concern.  They just looked at her and walked on by.  Esmei, not quite so enthralled.  Dolly has no interest in the cats.

Clunk.

Yes, she did fall out of bed and sleep through it.  

Coco, in the little bed, in silent protest.

Good night ya'll.

Wish us luck.

I just spent a half hour chasing the land shark.  She gets quite wild when she is tired.  She finally went in her kennel and flopped.  Oh, and, on the last pee break she found a pine cone, and carried it to the door, we let her play with it and when I insisted she come in the house I couldn't find it on the porch so I assume she ate it.  I spoke too soon about her only eating food today.

We all need some sleep.