Ping's Journey

The DWB 2012 Calendar is now available for purchase !!!

2011-12-02T17:16:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

The official DWB 2012 Calendar is now available for purchase.

Thanks to everyone who contributed - and hopefully we can sell a few :)

Click HERE to purchase - it will make a great Christmas gift :)

Thanks,

Brooke

2 DAYS TO GO........

2011-11-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

JUST A REMINDER ABOUT THE CARD EXCHANGE AND THE CALENDAR. YOU ONLY HAVE 2 SAYS LEFT TO PARTICIPATE. WE NEED MORE CALENDAR ENTRIES - I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME "OLD" DWB FACES IN THERE. C'MON, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A WORK OF ART - AND JUST BECAUSE YOU SUBMIT A PHOTO, DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO BUY THE CALENDAR - SO SEND ME A PHOTO (USING THE LINK BELOW), AND JOIN THE CARD EXCHANGE AS WELL WHILST YOU ARE AT IT - IT'S ALWAYS LOTS OF FUN :)

Hi everyone !

I am very excited to announce that we are now accepting submissions for both the DWB V2 Calendar - and also the 2011 Holiday Card Exchange.

Please go HERE for all the information that you require. (SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE) or Click on the two graphic links to the RIGHT of this post.

Closing date for both is - November 15th. The card exchange master list will be distributed shortly after that, and the calendar will be available for sale in early December, if you would like to purchase a copy.

Please note - for the card exchange you can email your cards to others on the list, send them via post, or do a mixture of both. There is no rules - just getting into the holiday spirit is all that's required :)

Please note - part 2 - as always, any physical addresses, or email addresses received, will not be used for any other purpose other than for the Card Exchange and the Calender. We respect your privacy - and we expect anyone who participates to do the same.

Please note - part 3 - You must be a CURRENT member of DWB V2 to participate. Please sign up HERE if you are not a member, or are only a member of the original DWB.

These two events have always been a highlight of being a DWB member - and we can't wait to participate again this year.

Thanks,

Brooke

Reminder - only one week to go !!!!

2011-11-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

JUST A REMINDER ABOUT THE CARD EXCHANGE AND THE CALENDAR. YOU ONLY HAVE 1 WEEK LEFT TO PARTICIPATE. WE NEED MORE CALENDAR ENTRIES - I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME "OLD" DWB FACES IN THERE, GOODNESS WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOT ANY HUSKY SUBMISSIONS !!!! C'MON, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A WORK OF ART - AND JUST BECAUSE YOU SUBMIT A PHOTO, DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO BUY THE CALENDAR - SO SEND ME A PHOTO (USING THE LINK BELOW), AND JOIN THE CARD EXCHANGE AS WELL WHILST YOU ARE AT IT - IT'S ALWAYS LOTS OF FUN :)

Hi everyone !

I am very excited to announce that we are now accepting submissions for both the DWB V2 Calendar - and also the 2011 Holiday Card Exchange.

Please go HERE for all the information that you require. (SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE) or Click on the two graphic links to the RIGHT of this post.

Please note - part 3 - You must be a CURRENT member of DWB V2 to participate. Please sign up HERE if you are not a member, or are only a member of the original DWB.

These two events have always been a highlight of being a DWB member - and we can't wait to participate again this year.

Thanks,

Brooke

Happy 1st Birthday Ping !

2011-11-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Just like Benson before her - Ping came to us at another of the saddest times in our life. We had just lost Opy - Greg and I (and Benson) were devestated.

From the moment we bought her home, we knew she was "different". She had a huge personality at 8 weeks old - and it has only grown larger over the past 12 months ! We knew that she was not going to be like any of the other pups that had owned us - she had attitude, with a huge big capital "A" !!!

Her and Benson were inseperable since the day we bought her home - and they still are 12 months down the track. I know she annoys the crap out of him at times - but that is what being a little sister is all about, right ?? LOL.

Her destructiveness has been legendary - once again, we have never had to deal with that before, but her absolute sweetness overshadows any bad thing that she does. She really is the sweetest pup that I have ever known.

I am always conflicted by the term "heart" dog - and how there is, supposedly, always one for a person. I look at Ping sometimes and I know that I would do anything for her - but it is the same with Benson, and Opy and Charlie as well. I don't love her more than I love the other 3 - but maybe I just "get" her better ???

Whatever....it really doesn't matter.

What does matter is that she came to live with us - and, as challenging as she can sometimes be, we wouldn't swap her for anything. She makes me smile every single day with her antics - even just watching her sleep makes me happy.

Happy 1st Birthday our sweet, baby girl - Ping, Pingaling, Pingy, Munchy, Pingle, Princess, P-P, Pingpong - and all the other silly names that we love to call you. You have made our family complete again - and we love you so very much.

Ping, Greg and Benson - the day she came home

Ping and Benson - Inseperable from Day 1

It's hard to be cranky at her when she is so damn cute !

Still inseperable !

Ping's birthday cake - it is meant to be the number "1" - LOL !

I love you mummy !

Peek-a-boo !

She doesn't smile much - but when she does, it makes me smile as well !

Back to being "gruff" :)

Happy puppers !

Big head Benson and Pin head Ping :)

Ping concentrating on her cake really hard !

Benson just had to be in the photo as well !

Where did my cake go ?

Ahhhh - there it is - note how well I am sitting and waiting !

Nom Nom Nom !

Birthday Piggy - which lasted all of 5 minutes before he had leg amputations and destuffing :(

I am NOT sharing with Benson !!

Go Ping Go !

2011-10-25T01:45:00.000-07:00

Run with the wind - our dear friend, Claudette Hudson......

2011-10-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone –

If you are interested in helping us honour our dear friend, Claudette Hudson – please email either myself - brooke(at)gruffpuppy(dot)(com)(dot)(au) or Maryann - izzarelli(at)(gmail)(dot)(com) for further details. Remove "the bits" from the email address - of course :)

We want to help Floyd give her the send off that she so very much deserves !!!!

Thanks,

Brooke

The DWB V2 Card Exchange and Calendar is now open for submissions !

2011-10-18T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone !

I am very excited to announce that we are now accepting submissions for both the DWB V2 Calendar - and also the 2011 Holiday Card Exchange.

Please go HERE for all the information that you require.

Please note - part 3 - You must be a CURRENT member of DWB V2 to participate. Please sign up HERE if you are not a member, or are only a member of the original DWB.

These two events have always been a highlight of being a DWB member - and we can't wait to participate again this year.

Thanks,

Brooke

Eating Bubbles

2011-09-22T20:18:00.001-07:00

Deconstruction

2011-09-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

As many of you know - I am away for work.....alot.

One of the things that I love - is that Greg has set up camera's in a couple of the dog areas, so at any time I can check in on them.

Most days - they sleep, have a play, wander in and out - nothing too exciting.

Until today !

I checked in this afternoon and saw complete carnage - and not a dog in sight !

I txted Greg to warn him - and I tried (as I always do) to "shelter" Pingy from the fallout. I was convinced that even though I was pretty sure that she would have been the instigator - Benson would have joined in as the accomplice.

Greg reviewed the video footage - and, well............you can see for yourself.........Benson was not involved at all :( Click on each one to view - they are long, so you might want to fast forward through.

She doesn't even stop to admire her handiwork - she just goes straight to the other lounge and starts on that. Oh....and then as a final touch.....she wee's on the dog bed !

Norti Pingaling :(

Exciting Announcement - DogsWithBlogs is BACK

2011-08-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

Okay.....so it may not be as exciting as Michael Jordan's famous "I'm Back" press release, but for all you doggie lovers out there, I think it is pretty darn exciting !!!

Yes folks - DogsWithBlogs is back !!!! But it is now Version 2.

It is WAY different to the original DWB - times (and technology) has changed over the past 6 years since DWB began, so Greg has been able to do a lot of things differently.

Go check it out - add your blog, look around - read the "ABOUT" to see why we decided to have another go.

Let's make the site bigger and better than the original !!!

Since this is Ping's blog - here are some picture's :)

Brooke

Ping seems to like the new house

2011-07-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

We are currently "between houses" - and it sucks !

Since we picked up the keys last Friday, we have been going back and forth, carting carloads of stuff - thankfully the removalists will be taking care of all the big stuff this coming Saturday.

We have also been taking the pups with us - just to get them used of the new place. So far - they seem to love it ! All Benson wants to do is play with his Jolly Ball - and Ping just runs around like an idiot :)

Here is an example - love the "token tail bite" of Benson at the end :)

She is also very helpful when it comes to the gardening -

We can't wait til it's all over and we are settled in the new place - hopefully by August 8th.

Brooke

Some pic's from Benson's Birthday celebration...

2011-06-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Benson - I am pretty sure he had a great day :)

New Jolly Ball - very exciting !

This is a popular toy !

Waiting for cake !

Looks pretty tasty !

Waiting ever so patiently !

Hurry up mum !

Can't wait any longer !

Mmmmm - tastes good !

Nearly all gone !

Licking the floor clean !

The aftermath of tooooooo much cake !!!!!!

Brooke

Benson's 2nd Birthday - a post from all of us.

2011-06-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

All puppies are special, we all know that !

Benson, however, is “super special”. He turns 2 today – and I am taking the time to write a little about why Benson is so “super special”.

As many of you know, Benson came to us at a very difficult time. Charlie had just passed away, and we did not know how we were going to live without him.

Charlie was Greg’s “special boy” – I have never known a bond as strong as those two had. The last 2 years of Charlie’s life were very challenging for all of us – he had his pacemaker fitted when he was 12.5, and we had some very testing times with it until we got everything “just right”. We knew our time with him was limited – and we enjoyed every moment that we had him. Greg was away when Charlie crossed the Bridge – it was the second hardest thing that I have ever had to do – the first hardest thing was telling Greg that he was gone.

I was mortified the following day when Greg said he wanted to get another pup – and his name would be “Benson”. I couldn’t fathom it ! I was sitting there trying to pick out an urn for Charlie’s ashes – and Greg was talking about getting another dog ! I was not at all pleased.

It took me about a week to realise two things –

Our family was incomplete with just the three of us – we had always been a “family of four”.
Greg’s depression was slipping into a very dark place after Charlie’s passing – I didn’t know how else to bring him back to us.

I told Greg he could do the research and find us a pup. Now, I usually do all that sort of “stuff” – so I thought it would test his resolve, and if he really truly wanted us to have another pup – he would make it happen.

Less than a week later – we had an appointment to see a Lab puppy about an hour and a half’s drive away from us. There was no promises with this puppy – as he was the best of the litter, and was being held back until he was 12weeks old to see if he was going to be kept for the show ring. But, we could go and meet him, and if it was decided not to show him – then he would be ours – but we would have to wait for another month until a final decision was made.

So, off we went. When we got there and were led to the “puppy compound”, we were told how rambunctious this pup was and that we would pick him straight away. As we approached the puppy area, 4 or 5 pups came waddling towards us – and the puppy who would become Benson was right in amongst it. We went in to the area and picked up the puppy and said “hello”. He was beautiful, and very “rolly-polly”. We set him down to run around again with his litter mates whilst we talked to the breeder – and the strangest thing happened, that halted conversation in mid sentence – the puppy went and sat next to Greg, and just sat there – quietly. The breeders were astounded, as this puppy was the most active in the litter – and here he was, just sitting next to Greg, and he would not move. The breeder then referred to him as “Big Ben” and we just couldn’t believe it – as Greg has already picked out the name of “Benson” for him.

We had told the breeder our story – and I knew in my heart that it had affected them, but we still didn’t want to get our hopes up. They told us that they were thinking that “Big Ben” was the best pup they had ever bred, and they had high hopes for him in the show ring.

We went and met “Benson” on the Saturday – on the Tuesday the breeder called us and told us he was ours J

Bringing Benson home to Opy was a huge risk – I truly don’t think we really thought it through that much, and probably best that we didn’t as it may not have happened. Benson was an 8 week old puppy – Opy was a 12 year old, unsocialised, grumpy old girl. There were some tense times over the next two weeks – but they soon become friends, and Opy treated Benson like her son.

In the 12 years that we had had Opy prior to Benson’s arrival – we had heard her bark once in that time. Imagine our surprise when she “found her voice” ! Opy and Charlie were like and old married couple – they never played together, but just comfortably existed together. There was only 13months between them – but they never engaged in “bitey face” or really interacted much with each other at all.

So, here we were – Benson and Opy – and they were playing together ! Greg and I could not believe it. Our old gruffy girl and her “little boy” were playing with toys together, biting each other’s tails, playing bitey face etc – it was surreal to us ! It got so physical that Opy had to go on arthritis tablets ! She had gone from sleeping 23.5 hrs a day – to playing and interacting with this puppy we had bought home – it was amazing.

Benson also seemed to know that Opy had limitations. He was always gentle with her – and even when he was bigger than her, he always let her roll him on his back and he would take the submissive role. We were so proud of the way he was with her.

Looking back at this time – Benson had a lot of pressure on him. Whilst he wasn’t a “replacement” for Charlie – he certainly had big paws to fill, and he had a huge responsibility on his shoulders. We, wrongly, expected so much from him – but he handled it all with ease and we started to refer to him with a term that we never thought we would use again – our “special boy”.

When Opy passed away, Benson was distraught. She was all he had ever known, and – sadly – he seemed to “grow up” overnight. He went from being a “playful puppy” to being a frightened, confused old dog. It broke our hearts.

We knew we had to act fast – and this time, it was me who bought up the “we need another puppy” line of talk. Opy passed away on Dec 23^rd, and Ping came to live with us on Dec 31^st.

It took Benson some adjustment with Ping – but right from the day we bought her home, we knew they would become best friends. When they started to play together – just like with Opy because he recognised that she was old – he was gentle with Ping because she was so little. Even when she was hanging off his neck with her sharp puppy teeth – he never once retaliated. Once again, we were so proud of our “special boy”. It amazed us that Benson seemed to have the comprehension with both Opy and Ping that they were older/younger than him and he adjusted his play intensity to suit.

As much as we love Ping to pieces, if we had of bought her home to Opy instead of Benson – it would have been an absolute disaster ! Benson just knew that Opy was old, and he played with her accordingly.

The patience that Benson has for Ping is remarkable. He is starting to play with her rougher now that she is bigger – but he never snaps at her. It is not in his nature. For Greg and I, it is so wonderful to see that he is starting to get some of his “puppy-dom” back – he is starting to act more like a 2 year old puppy, than the older dog that he became when Opy passed away.

Benson has been through so much in his two years. Whilst unintentional, and unfair – he had so much expectation resting with him when we bought him home – but it has never phased him – and he has made us so very proud of him. He is such a good, special boy.

I don’t care that we have gone “over the top” for his birthday this year – he deserves it. Not only is he “daddy’s special boy” – he is also mummy’s – and we love him with all our hearts.

He could have been a “grand champion” in the show ring – his breeder’s have already confirmed that upon seeing him develop – but even they agree, his life is better with us, and he will always be our Grand Champion.

Happy Birthday to our very special boy, Benson. Thank you for coming to live with us – and helping us heal from one of the saddest times in our lives. We love you more than words can ever express and you have given us one of the greatest gifts we could ever hope for – joy and happiness.

Love mummy, daddy – and Princess Pingle !

xoxo

Charlie and Opy

Greg and "Big Ben" - the day we met him

Opy and Benson

Benson and Ping

"Saviour Benson" - our very special boy.

Cheeseyburger Friday for Joe Stains

2011-06-03T19:01:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Joe Stains left us for the Rainbow Bridge this week. Joe (and Tanner !) were part of the really early DWB community - and we loved him as if he was one of our own. We were so sad to hear of his passing - and we hope that he is enjoying all the cheeseyburgers he can stomach up at the Bridge. I am sure Charlie and Opy are helping him get his fill :)

To honour our good buddy's passing - we participated in 'Cheeseburger Friday for Joe Stains". I cheated alittle and made homemade burgers, for Benson and Ping as they seem to have "delicate" tummies.

So, here are the pics -

Gathering the necessary foodables -

Cooking the patties

Assembling the burgers

Ta-da ! Finished product !

Where's my cheeseyburger mum ? Says Benson (Mum says - don't laugh at her fringe, there was an "incident")

Here they come !

Waiting patiently

Still waiting patiently !

C'mon MUM !!!!!!

Down the hatch it goes !

I can't wait any longer - say's Ping !

Nom Nom Nom !

Soooooo tasty !

Yummy !

Benson had already finished his !

Just the crumbs left !

All gone !

We love you Joe Stains ! Thinking of your mum and dad - and even the Doofus :) Run free buddy - you will be missed so much.

Brooke, Greg, Benson, Ping, Angel Charlie & Angel Opy

Desexing day - 6.5months, 23kgs

2011-05-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

We took Ping to get de-sexed yesterday.

It was left a little longer than what we would have liked due to the fact that Dr Nick was waiting for her bottom canine teeth to reach full growth so he could ascertain if she needed surgery on these as well - we wanted to get it all done at the same time.

I think I have mentioned before that Ping has quite a severe overbite, and had to have her teeth filed down in surgery about a week after we bought her home, because her bottom canine teeth were growing into the roof of her mouth ? Anyway, we always knew that there was every chance that she would have to have the second surgery when her adult canine's came through - but it could be alot trickier due to the nerve running all the way to the end of the tooth - file the tooth, expose the nerve = not good.

As it happens - for once - things went in our favour ! Ping has "short" canine teeth on the bottom - and they were only marginally pressing into the roof of her mouth. Dr Nick was able to file the tips off them (at the right angle, of course) - without affecting the nerves - and now she will have no more teeth issues. Yay !!! This was great news !

Her desexing went well - no complications. We also had some additional blood work done to make sure all her "stuff" (kidneys, liver etc etc) was all as it should be - and everything came back perfect. A huge relief for us !

She was pretty miserable when I picked her up last night, and when we got her home - but as the night progressed, she was pretty much back to her mischievious self in no time ! I even caught her trying to engage Benson in a round of bitey face at one point ! The challenge now is to keep her quiet - yeah right !!!! She loves to jump - on everything ! Hard to stop her - but we have to try as I would hate for her to break her stitches or something.

It was a huge relief to get her home last night - I had a real uneasy feeling leading up to her surgery, so I am so glad it all went well.

We sure love our little Pingaling :)

Brooke

Where are you taking me mummy ? (On the way to Dr Nick')

Benson got a big bone all to himself to keep him occupied whilst Ping was gone - he gets awfully concerned when we take her away - I think he remembers that we did that with Opy and she never came home :( He loved his big bone - and enjoyed the day at home with me.

On the way home with Pingaling - she fell asleep in the car.

She spent most of the night curled up hogging the bed - and that was just fine with me :)

Re-Arranging the Fur-niture....

2011-05-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Extreme Bitey Face

2011-05-08T01:02:00.001-07:00

Benson and Ping had a good bitey face session over the weekend, check out the footage on Benson's bloggy -

Www.bensonjpuppypaws.blogspot.com

Brooke

22 weeks - 18kg's

2011-04-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I last updated Ping's blog !

She is nearly 6 months old now, and weighs in at 18kg's. When we first got Ping we didn't think she was going to be a "big" Lab - thought she was going to be "dainty, and petite". Have seriously reassessed that - whilst I don't think that she will be as big as Benson - I think she will definately be bigger than we thought she would be.

Ping has been diagnosed with "chronic ear infections", which look like they will trouble her for her lifespan. Just another thing to add to the list of grievances that I have with her "breeder". So, not only does she have a severe overbite (that will require a second surgery in a few weeks), has some deafness, and now has ear infections that will plague her for the rest of her life ! Don't get me started on her "breeder" - those of you who are friends with me on Facebook are well aware of the issues that I have, so I won't keep going on about it. We wouldn't swap her for the world, but the "breeder" was dishonest and unethical. Okay.....off my "soapbox" now.

Here are some more pics -

She still loves to curl up with Benson.

This is me laying along the lounge with Ping and Benson asleep on top of me - their heads are pretty much on my chest and Benson's tail is at my feet. Combined weight of nearly 60kg's on top of me - fun times :)

Our very special friend Suzy Sheltie sent Benson and Ping these cool tags to go on their collars. Suzy was concerned that now they are getting bigger - we may have a hard time telling them apart :)

I have started walking them both together - it wasn't very successful with this style of lead. My shoulder is still feeling the effects of nearly being pulled out of the socket !

Bit of "kissy action" happening on the couch :)

Almost as long as Benson

Waiting to see Dr Nick to get her ear's sorted out - she looks pretty sad :(

The new lead and coupler that I bought to walk them - it is really good. The lead has some stretch in it - so my arm doesn't get pulled out of the socket !

Once again - sleeping on top of me, pretty cute.

Benson's head is huge compared to Ping's - he likes to use hers as a "head rest" :)

How could anyone not love her ?

She is still really trying our patience. She is very different to Charlie, Opy and Benson - she has no fear and is just constantly pushing the boundaries. We are going to look to start some training with her once she is 6 months old - also looking at some behavioural therapy as she still toilets inside when it is raining/has been raining/or looks like it will rain - and it is getting really frustrating !

Brooke

18 weeks and 16.5kg's (36.3pounds)

2011-03-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

It's quiet - far too quiet !!

Ping and Benson have gone for a "spa day" today - baths and nails. It will be interesting to see how Ping goes as she really isn't a fan of water, and she hasn't experienced a hydrobath yet. She has only had two baths in her life - one when we picked her up by the breeder, and one in our shower upstairs - which she really didn't enjoy. I hope she behaves herself !

It is still two hours to go until we can pick them up - and the house is awfully quiet. I don't like it at all ! We even ate some chips downstairs - that never happens when you have labradors ! I can't wait to go pick them up.

Big news from last post is that Greg and I have decided that they are both allowed up on the couch now. It has always been off limits previously, but in a moment of weakness - we relented and boy, they didn't need to be told twice ! Benson will still lay on his bed or the floor - but does enjoy coming up for a snuggle, but Ping - well, let's just say if she didn't have to put her feeties on the floor ever again - she wouldn't :) Still trying to decide if we have done the right thing or not - it does get mighty crowded up there with all four of us !

Here are some more pics from the last month - she is getting B-I-G !

Big Boy Benson - very happy to be on the couch !

I was recently sick and I had two wonderful nurses looking after me :)

We are innocent of all charges mummy !

Is that Daddy home ?

Slee-ping !

Greg and Ping - daddy's girl

First photo after being granted permission to come up on the couch

Still likes to snuggle with Benson

She is adorable when she is asleep !

We weren't doin' nuffin' - promise !

Brooke

Nearly 14 weeks - where has our puppy gone ?

2011-02-25T20:13:00.000-08:00

I went away for 3 days this week - when I returned, I was convinced that someone had stolen Ping and replaced her with this gangly, half grown adult dog :( Where did my sweet little puppy Pingaling go ? And how could it have happened in just 3 days ?

Other changes that happened whilst I was away -

* She has stopped trying to eat Benson, well - not as much as she was.
* She hasn't had an "accident" inside for 4 days - this is a HUGE thing. Just pray it doesn't start raining again and we go back to "square one".
* She has become much more affectionate.
* Even though she has hearing problems, she is responding more to her name.
* Is starting to give more kisses than trying to bite your face off.
* Her head is starting to grow and catch up to her body - thank DoG, we thought that not only was she going to have an overbite, and hearing problems, but she was going to have this shrunken head on this huge body as well !
* One thing that didn't change - she is still as fiesty as ever :)

Our girl is growing up ! And we love her to pieces :)

She still loves to snuggle with Benson

She has decided that Greg's modelling desk is a great place to sleep whilst Greg is building his models :)

I wish I hadn't had the flash turned on for this pic - it would have been a beauty !

Not a care in the world !

Two heads are always better than one when it comes to finding "tasties" in the garden :)

The difference is head sizes is astonishing !

I really freaked out when Greg sent me this pic whilst I was away. Couldn't believe that it was almost a "carbon copy" of the one with Charlie & Opy.

See, someone stole our puppy when I was away - where did puppy Ping go ?

Brooke

13 weeks and counting...

2011-02-13T20:49:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I last posted - we have had a few things going on.

Ping is doing great - she is now 13 weeks old, and has been living with us for nearly 6 weeks. I couldn't believe it was only 6 weeks - it seems like forever !

She is a real sweetheart - but definately has a strong willed streak. If she doesn't want to do something, she won't - pure and simple. Her toilet training was going well, but we have had alot of rain lately, and she just flatly refuses to go out on the grass when it is raining - or even when the grass is wet. So, she was going inside - now that the sun has come back out - it's hard to remind her that she needs to go outside when she needs to go. Feels like we are back to "square one" with her.

We had to take Benson to the Vet because Ping had "massacred" his neck. When they are playing bitey face she latches on to him and just about swings off the ground - he doesn't care - and we didn't realise how bad his "boo boo" was (the fur on his neck is really thick) until the whole area started weeping. Felt really bad when our Vet shaved his neck and we could see what she had done :( We have an antiseptic spray now that is also bitter, so that is helping.

She is getting bigger - almost 11kg's now. Our Vet is pleased with her progress, but is pretty certain she will have to have another operation on her overbite when her adult teeth start to come through. We have also found out that she has some deafness - she can not hear the lower range of sounds or talking, only the higher ones. Not a huge deal, but just something we need to be aware of.

She keeps us on our toes - that's for sure !

This is her "I am not going out in the rain" look !

Do our bum's look big in this ? hehe

What ????!!!!!

She sleeps in odd places !

Sprung ! They are not allowed up on our couch !

Benson's "boo boo" - courtesy of Ping !

Back to that couch thing - as you can see, they listened to me !!!

Brooke

She is growing !

2011-01-26T22:01:00.000-08:00

Not only is she getting bigger in size - she is also getting bigger in attitude !

She has such a personality on her - and she is constantly testing us. If she doesn't want to do something - good luck getting her to do it !

She is Benson's constant shadow - they both love each other to pieces, but I think sometimes Benson need's a break from her. He is so so good with her, very patient and loving - but she never leaves his side, always has to be touching him - and now realises her teefies are really good for hanging off his jowls ! He has a couple of nasty sores on either side of his mouth where she just won't leave him alone - he is so good natured that he won't do anything about it, so Greg and I are trying to correct her when we catch her.

Out of the three dogs that we have had - Charlie, Opy & Benson - she is going to be the biggest challenge for us !

Regardless - we love her so much and wouldn't swap her...............................(well, maybe..... :)

Brooke

Why "Ping" ?

2011-01-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

So, I have had a few people ask the question of where the name "Ping" came from.

About 6 months ago, Greg had a vivid dream - Opy had passed away, and we had another female lab puppy - yellow this time - and her name was Ping. Her and Benson were playing and were best friends.

So, there you have it - kind of bittersweet that we have ended up fulfilling that dream. However, we did have another name in consideration when we first went to see Ping - we had also picked "Hope". When we first saw Ping and the "ratbag" that she was/is - Greg and I looked at eachother and said "she is definately a Ping".

Apparantly, Ping translated from the Chines language, means "Peaceful". Hahahahahahahahaha - yeah, right !

Here are some more photo's - pardon the quality, these are all camera phone photo's, but you can see how much she has grown in a week.

Ping comes home

2011-01-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

I wasn't sure whether I was going to start a blog for Ping or not - I have been posting most of her pictures on Facebook. Finally decided that not everyone is on Facebook - so here we are. This blog will be more of a photo blog than anything.

Ping came home to live with us on Dec 31st, 2010. She is helping heal our hearts after Opy passed away. Benson loves her - and so do we. We are hoping she will bring our family some much needed joy in 2011.

She is fitting into our family really well, and we love her dearly already.

Please check back from time to time and see what mischief she and Benson have been up to :)

Brooke

Ping's Journey

The DWB 2012 Calendar is now available for purchase !!!

2 DAYS TO GO........

Reminder - only one week to go !!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Ping !

Go Ping Go !

Run with the wind - our dear friend, Claudette Hudson......

The DWB V2 Card Exchange and Calendar is now open for submissions !

Eating Bubbles

Deconstruction

Exciting Announcement - **DogsWithBlogs is BACK**

Ping seems to like the new house

Some pic's from Benson's Birthday celebration...

Benson's 2nd Birthday - a post from all of us.

Cheeseyburger Friday for Joe Stains

Desexing day - 6.5months, 23kgs

Re-Arranging the Fur-niture....

Extreme Bitey Face

22 weeks - 18kg's

18 weeks and 16.5kg's (36.3pounds)

Nearly 14 weeks - where has our puppy gone ?

13 weeks and counting...

She is growing !

Why "Ping" ?

Ping comes home

Exciting Announcement - DogsWithBlogs is BACK