Esme, 1 week later...

Baby Esme knows how to relax!

It is really hard to believe that Esme has been here a week now; that she is 10-weeks-old now.  Esme is a really nice puppy, but...  we have some issues that are not a welcome sight to the household, even though they are quite normal.

First, after 2 fantastic days sleeping all night, and very few relieving issues, the diarrhea began.  I am hoping it is just the transition to a new home (new water, new bacteria, etc).  No matter what I do, she is the queen of poop at night.  Weirdest thing, it begins at 5pm and then continues into the wee hours of the morning.  She cannot help it.  I have witnessed her dead asleep and then she awakens, whimpers just a second and then the squirty poo is on the floor or in the crate.  This seems to continue hourly (and yes, most of the time I get her outside before the deed).  We are back to a bland diet, but this time will reintroduce food much more slowly.

The second issue was a foreseen one, and is already resolving, but involves L'il M and Esme.  As is very common, little puppies see toddlers/little kids as other puppies.  Poor L'il M has her share of puppy bites on her arms and legs!  Esme does not do this to the "older" people in the house!  To her credit, L'il M never holds it against Esme (even though she SCREAMS when she gets bitten), but always comes right back with a toy so that Esme has something appropriate to bite.  I guess she has seen that replacement of inappropriate biting/chewing with dog toys.  This issue was actually a concern of mine in having a Lab versus a Golden puppy this time.  The Goldens really do have a much softer mouth and less of a need to chew.  But, Esme is getting better about taking advantage of L'il M already.  Now all it takes is a verbal reminder for her to take her play down a notch.

The name Esme has proven harder for me to recall than I thought!  About 40% of the time I call her Emse <M.C.>.  Good grief!

Esme is so cute.  She seems to be a quick learner, and resilient.  We love her puppy breath that does not wash away with the baths this week.  :)  I know the "issues" will resolve in the next few weeks.  I look forward to the guide dog puppy that she will become!

Agility trial with Rudy tomorrow!