Welcome Phoenix!

Meet the newest member of our family! This if Phoenix, the Great Dane-Pit Bull Mix. He is 6 months old, and about the mellowest puppy we have ever met. He entered our lives on Saturday, August 17th. Max, the neighbor puggle (see other blog) was waiting to greet him when he arrived and they played for 2 hours straight that night, and over an hour the next day!

He is very attached to "his people" and sticks close by when we are outside. He was fully potty trained when we got him, and we put him in the laundry room on his bed with no problems for his first night. We have left him out during the day and he does great! No chewing, accidents, or other destruction. No major barking yet either. Just a few "ruffs" when someone comes to the door, but then he calms down.

He loves to play with the horses, although we are not sure yet if he realizes that they CAN hurt him, though they don't. It didn't take him very long to figure out that horse poop is his favorite treat. He sneaks into the horse paddocks when he thinks they aren't looking to find nice fresh ones.

Phoenix is VERY stubborn and, with those Great Dane eyes, always looks like he is glaring at you when you ask him to do something he doesn't want to do. He does pretty good on the leash though, and has proven that, despite the stubborn-ness, is trainable.

He has a rough first week though. He ran into SOMETHING (not difficult since he is pretty awkward and clumsy) and had a HUGE bump on his head. So, we took him to the vet to check it out, and get his vaccinations. In the process we learned that he also had an upper-respiratory infection. So, he is on puppy pain pills, antibiotics, and to top it all off, had to swallow 3 nasty wormer pills. For the most part he is taking it in good spirits, and doesn't appear to be upset with us, as he is still very much a cuddle bug.