Baby Stuart Update - a chunky monkey

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

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Stuart was at the vet's today for his last set of shots and he weighed 21.1 pds (14.5 weeks)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My gosh - Rooney only weighs 21.5 and he is 11 months.  In 5.5 weeks Stuart went from 6.9 to 21.1 - wow that Orijen & Primal is dangerous - lol.  So is this where I double his weight and add 5 or 10 pds?  That would make him around 42-52 pds as an adult.  Yep - I could handle that.

 

 

Taken from our balcony - sun setting over Lake MichiganI thought I'd write an amusing recount of our doodlecation travels and other stories - but unlike Laurie - I'm just not that funny.  Anyhoo - the Rooney, Stuart and I drove round trip 2,645 - to Michigan and back to Flordia in the puppy hauler 2011, our first big road trip, Daddy of course flew between NYC & MI - so I did this alone.  The boys did very well in their car seats and slept much of the time or layed and chewed on a bully stick.  I had that SUV packed to the roof with dog items; ex-pen, softsided crate, toys, food, bowls, on and on, the entire back window was blocked.  I could barely get my one luggage in there.  In each door well I kept poop bags, puppy wipes, treats and their gulpy water bottle.  It was time consuming when I stopped to potty two puppies but we made it work.  Stuart would try to climb out of his seat and into Rooney's at times but hey - I like a good snuggle too.  Having them strapped in really gives you peace of mind while driving and I loved the remote start on my car - I exit the vehicle, hit the remote start which locks the doors and the suv runs with the air conditioning for the boys so that mommy can go potty too.

At the condo the potty training became a bit of a struggle - Stuart thought that as long as we left our front door that it "was time".  Sadly - this just left us in the carpeted hallwall waiting for the elevator, which resulted in a trip to Petsmart for cleaning supplies.  Thank goodness the neighbors never saw.  Stuart is a good boy, sweet and gentle - except to Rooney who will be have to have his ears shaved - Stuart has chewed them into hair mats the size of golf balls.  It was also at the condo that I could really see for the first time how much Stuart sheds - we have dark wood floors.  OMD!!!!!!!!!!!!  I could sweep 3 x day and not keep up - big ol hair puppies were rolling every place.  YUCK.  I love Stuart but the hair is a problem for me.  I might try shaving him into a hairless Chinese Crested puppy (don't laugh - I'm not kidding).  The boys had a great time except for the fireworks right out our balcony - Stuart could have cared less - Rooney & I spent most of that time in the bedroom with the tv on trying to stay calm, funny as thunder doesn't bother him.  Stuart is getting neutered on the 19th and I can't wait to see his weight - he eats like a moose and during the month that I've had him has pooped more than Rooney has in 11 months.  I don't think I can afford the Orijen at this rate and need suggestions on a less costly but good quality food, Karen? 

On the up side, I've decided to spend the summers in MI starting next year - it made me happy to be next to my beloved lake MI, near family & friends.  We are buying a boat slip in the marina by our condo so maybe next year we'll get the Puppy Cruiser 2012.  Anyone know of good boat names that incorporate the doodles?  How bout "What The Dog"?  Send me your idea!

So we've missed the past 2 weeks here (no internet at the condo) and I've missed out on so much!!!  Glad to be back to DK!!!!!  Doodlecation photos are on my page.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Sounds like you and the boys had a great doodlecation.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It sounds like a wonderful trip.  Vacationing at home - not where you live now, but home sounds like the perfect solution.  Welcome back.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nice Jane.   As for shedding, Starlit shed worse than my Labs and Mastiff the first few months we got her.  She was a rescue, came from a mill situation, had giardia, etc.  Similar to Stuarts situation.   She shed massive amounts of hair for 3 months, then completely stopped. 

Stress can cause hair loss.  So wait and see what happens.

Glad you enjoyed your vacation.

[Linda and Murphy]

Wow!  Stuart is gonna be a big boy!  Can't double his weight yet. That's at 4 months.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We did the double your weight thing and added 5 or 10 pounds with Vern too. I wrote it all down, but Vern ate the note and now weighs 90 pounds.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Jane, I am not a betting woman but if I were my guess would be closer to 65-70 lbs. Daisy was 22lbs at 16 weeks, and it was 6 months where I double and added  5-10....at 6 months Daisy weighed 30lbs, she is 65 now.

Guess what, I know you can live with that too, as if you had a choice - LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So, you were right here across the lake from us and didn't drop by? Hmmmph!

You do the double the weight and add 5 lbs when they're 4 months old, kiddo. He's going to be bigger than you think!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jane, it looks like Rooney is going to have a BIG little brother! 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

What a beautiful picture! Glad you had such a good trip you brave girl! Boy that Stuart has gotten around hey?

Adorable.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Isn't that just crazy!  He has grown so fast!  I need to take more video.