We have owned Leonbergers for quite some time now and just recently brought our newest Leo puppy into the home, making this our 3rd. This started a brand new search for all the new best puppy toys for giant breeds - and more! Whether you are a previous owner, or are new to giant breeds, you undoubtably know their needs are very different from other dogs. These guys grow so quickly and toys, bedding, leashes, bowls, etc are expensive! You want things that are going to last at least a few months. But that is so hard to do when you bring your adorable 20 lb 8 week old pup home and in less than 2 months they more than double in size. Yes, it is completely normal to have a giant breed weigh in at 40 pounds at 15/16 weeks! So, after careful research and using these items in our home, here is what is Peyton (our newest pup) tested and approved for the first few months and beyond. Best Puppy Toys for Giant Breeds (The following are affiliate links) Everyone knows that dogs love Bully Sticks. We have purchased the Cadet Brand from Costco for years based on numerous breeder recommendations. They are basically doggy crack. But did you know what a huge choking risk they are? ...
Getting Rid Of Kiara
I tried. I really tried. But I just can't keep Kiara. It's me. Not her. Even if she does steal my yogurt cups. She swears she doesn't but I think we can all see what is happening here... But that really isn't why. It's just that Kiara does not suit her. Yes, I am renaming her. What did you think I was talking about? We tried calling her that for 4 weeks. I never liked the name but the kids really wanted it. I was at an event the other night for Goose Island Beer and we were painting this... And I made the comment "SOPHIE! I don't know why I didn't think of that for Kiara. It's perfect" But of course....too late. Which I don't think was the point at all of the PR event but hey, now they have a good story. I came home and oddly enough Bob was talking about Kiara and made the off the wall comment that he really didn't like her name. I casually said "You know? I thought the same thing today and actually found the perfect name." He agreed! I thought we must be crazy. We asked the boys who so wanted the name Kiara and BOTH of them said they liked Sophie for her much better. "It just fits her mom. Change it" they said. So we tested calling her by Kiara and ...
Meet Kiara: Our Leonberger Puppy
The newest member of our family, the much anticipated Leonberger puppy, arrived Monday safe, sound and happy into Denver International Airport via Delta's Pet First program. We anxiously awaited her plane's arrival and I was ready with water and her puppy formula and picked out a place for her to go to the bathroom as soon as she landed. I figured she would be stressed. She wasn't at all. She hopped out of the crate enough to say "I'm HERE!" Her kennel was packed by her breeder with a soft rug, a fresh meat bone, her favorite toy and her next vaccines safely ice packed to the top. Karen, her breeder, waited with her until the last second possible and I was there waiting on the other end. It worked out beautifully. For anyone considering using this route for transporting your furbabies, I would suggest you look into either freezing a block of water or securing the water dish to the crate with something because that is the one thing that came loose. Luckily it was a short(ish) flight since we don't know where it came off. It took us almost 4 days to come up with a name. But we finally settled on Kiara. Officially registered as Irresistible Princess Kiara of Serengeti. For those ...
Confirming the Rumors, We ARE Expecting
As many of you know we lost a dear member of our family a bit ago. Nala passed way too young and too quickly and it will take a very long time for the six of us (including Floyd and Emma here because they miss her just as much) to heal. But we are thrilled to be sharing some good news! We are expecting a new 18 pound-ish baby any day now. Our new baby is just 8 weeks old and will be joining our family next Monday if all goes right with Denver's wacky weather. Leonberger pups from reputable breeders (members of the LCA)are hard to come by. There just aren't that many born a year. So we feel very privileged to have Karen Zedeker of Leos of Serengeti entrust Pink Girl to us. If you are looking for a Leo pup, we have had a stellar experience with her so far. Leo's have many health issues so if you are interested in one that is just one of many reasons to make sure you purchase one from a LCA breeder. Please, please, please don't fall into a puppy mill trap. People advertising lots of litters are very suspect. Reputable breeders only have one or two a year depending on how many females they have. If you aren't sure, leave me a message and I will help you do some ...
Poor Mama
This could be a wordless Wednesday but I had to comment. Nope, this isn't my baby girl Nala. But this Leonberger new mama set the record for number of surviving pups in a litter-19!!!Get this poor woman some dog flavored xanax please.... ...