Crate Training 101

Finally! The planets have aligned and we now have a predictable potty training routine for Charlie! After a few weeks of potty "missteps", we have the little guy all figured out. With the addition of a crate that fits him, a baby gate and a new food and water routine, he is responding beautifully. Brian and I look absolute ridiculous walking him through downtown Orlando screaming "Good potty Charlie," and high-fiving each other while we remark about how incredibly smart he is. Needless to say we are very proud of his progress! I am just waiting for one of our neighbors to scream ITS JUST A DOG!!


I think the biggest breakthrough has come from picking up the water bowl. In short, he was drinking what seemed like a gallon of water a day just because it was there. Crate training has really helped too. All the books assure me that he will LOVE his crate one day. It says he will actually go in voluntarily without the promise of food one day. I guess for the time being he will continue to conveniently forget how to walk each time we open the crate door.

Layla is getting more and more used to Charlie each day. I know that it really just comes down to the fact that she did not have the same "puppyhood" Charlie is having. He has all the fun toys, organic doggie food, a quality crate and so on...there is a huge difference and its called a paycheck ha ha! She really is doing well with him. She's a sweetheart!!

On another note, Petsmart has become the new Anthropologie or Macy's (where I used to spend all of my money). Brian and I are frequent visitors as we like to personally test out each toy that Charlie is to receive! Sorry Layla, about the lack of toys but you definitely have him beat in the people food area (he has not caught on to the begging yet!)

This video is hilarious (for me at least)...it answers the question what do you get when you cross a cat, a vacuum and a new puppy? ha ha!

Charlie E. Stamper

Our cat Suki and Queen Bee Layla are less than thrilled to announce an addition to our family. Charlie E. Stamper is our new Golden Retriever puppy!! He was given to us by Brian's parents, Leslie and John. They had made a deal with him upon graduating from Vanderbilt that they would reward him with a puppy of his choice when the time was right. 2 years later...Charlie has joined our family and we are so thrilled. Brian and Leslie drove to Longwood, FL last Monday to choose from a litter of Goldens. They brought Charlie up to school for a visit with his Mommy. It was so much fun to show the kids in my 3rd grade class !! Charlie is by far the best motivator for good behavior with a 9 year old audience!!

Layla is not taking it as well as we had hoped. Every time he sees her, he gets so excited!! He can not help but to run over her! He thinks it is so much fun! So now when he comes anywhere close to her, Layla growls and shows him her clean and odor free teeth (finally took the poor girl in for a cleaning). Charlie is unfazed however by Layla's ferociousness. Just as quickly as he runs away, he comes back for more. We are hoping that they will eventually learn to love and respect one another. Actually we just hope Charlie will learn that it is not worth being bit on the nose and resist the urge to pounce on her.

At the moment, Charlie is at Gradma and Grampa's house learning the ins and outs of potty training and other vital puppy survival skills. We will begin our first set of puppy classes soon but he has already began learning to play fetch and has discovered his love for sticking his head out of the car window.

I can not wait until Charlie grows older. It will be so much fun to run with him and take him to the lake. Golden Retrievers are very good with children so I am so excited to have him as a permanent member of our family!!

Charlie does not stay still long enough to take a picture while he is awake. So when he is asleep, all the cameras come out! Here are a few pics of our new little guy...sleeping.

Taking advantage of Grandma's cool floor!

Yes, I am holding Layla in that position. She will not come within 10 feet of him! Yes, that is my favorite shirt!

He tried to move out from under Brian and fell asleep in the process!

Happy Birthday, Spring Break and Such

Spring Break kicked off with a birthday surprise! Mom, Dad and the girls drove to Orlando for my birthday. It was such a wonderful surprise!! Below are some pics of the beach and my 25th birthday celebration! Brian baked me 2 cakes!! Chrissy also came to visit!

Mom and I at the beach

25th Birthday!!