Small Jobs

Murphy is in charge of the small jobs around the house. Mainly these include subtle reminders for me to do things I should be doing automatically.

1. He reminds me to pick up my shoes (by bringing them out to the living room when I leave them on the floor in the bedroom)
2. He reminds me to fold the blanket and put it on the back of the couch (by dragging it thru the house)
3. He reminds me to empty the recycle bin (by shredding the newspaper and ads that I have stuffed in there)

Today, he was also decided he needed to help me change the kitty litter. He had to wrangle to litter box lid. Apparently it was trying to escape.

Training Update

Murphy's training is going well. We started a clicker puppy class 2 weeks ago, and so far he has gotten pretty good at 'sit', 'down', and 'kennel'. I used a clicker off and on with Hannah, she was super smart and picked up on things immediately. Murphy seems to be quick, but not quite that quick. It was pretty cool though to see him thinking, I could really tell the moment he 'got it' and realized what I wanted him to do when I asked him to 'lie down'.

Sophie was also helping last night, and by 'helping' I mean lying on the book so that I wasn't able to read it. What I really think she is trying to say is 'maybe if he never learns anything, she'll send him back'.

Speaking of training, I've decided to sign up for another "Team in Training" event. It was a tough decision between the century bike ride (Tour de Poway) and a half marathon (Nike Women's Half). The century had a lower fundraising amount ($975 for alumni) and since it was local there would be no travel, but Nike has a lower requirement for training (since its only a half marathon) and there are hot firemen in tuxedo's at the finish line handing out Tiffany finisher medals.

In the end, Nike won out. The race is October 18th. Tracy, Mike and 'The new Kennedy' as Jen calls Tiny Dancer, have already promised to be there to cheer me on. Sheesh...the kids not even born and he/she already has an event on his/her social calendar!

Our first session is May 16th...which I will be missing for T's baby shower. Guess I'm off to a good start. ;-)

So, on that note...let the training (and fundraising!) begin!!

14 Week Measurements

I found a website that has growth information for Great Danes.

HEIGHT & WEIGHT DATA FOR DANES (http://www.chromadane.com/ht&wt.htm)

When reading the below, remember that all pups follow their own guide, and grow at their own rate--other guides (listed below chart), are better for knowing what is "right" than just ht/wt data.

That said, Here is a general guide:

Birth weight: 1-2 lbs

Week 1: 2-3 lbs

Week 2: 3-5 lbs

Week 3: 4-7 lbs

Week 4: 5-8 lbs

Week 6: 10-20 lbs

Month 2: 15-30 lbs (13-17")

Month 3: 30-45 lbs (17-22")

Month 4: 50-65 lbs (21-25")

Month 5: 65-85 lbs (25-30")

Month 6: 70-100 lbs (27-32")

Month 7: 75-110 lbs (27-33")

Month 8: 80-115 lbs. (27-34")

Month 9: 85-120 lbs. (28-34")

One year: 90-135 lbs (28-36")

Full grown: 100-190 lbs (28-38")

For males: 140-170 lbs. & 33-36" is typical.

For females: 110-140 lbs. & 30-33" is typical

Its inspired me to try and keep track of his weight and height (at the shoulders) as he grows. I'll be taking pictures every once in a while in the same location (or at least as often as he'll sit still for me!), hopefully similar poses so you can get a good idea of how he's changing.

14 weeks, 38 lbs, 21.5"

Egg Muffins

This has nothing to do with Murphy but I found this great recipe and just wanted to share. Super easy make ahead breakfast. I LOVE breakfast, but often run out of time in the morning. These were delicious!

EGG "MUFFINS"(makes 12)

10-12 eggs
2 T fat free half and half
1-2 tsp. Seasonings (I used Salt, Pepper & some Garlic Salt)
1 1/2- 2 cups diced meat: canadian bacon, ham, cooked turkey sausage or cooked veggie sausage
1 1/2- 2 cups grated low fat cheese (I like sharp cheddar or feta)
Optional, but highly recommended, 3 green onions diced small.

Preheat oven to 375.

Use regular or silicone muffin pan, 12 muffin size. If using silicone pan, spray with nonstick spray. If using regular muffin pan, put two paper liners into each slot, then spray liner with nonstick spray. In the bottom of the muffin cups layer diced meat, cheese and green onions.

You want the muffin cups to be 3/4 full of 'stuff', with just enough room to pour a little egg around the other ingredients.

Beat eggs well with the half and half (you could use milk).

Pour egg into each muffin cup until it is full to the brim, nearly overflowing.

Bake 25-30 minutes until muffins have risen above the rim of the muffin cups and are slightly browned and set.

These freeze well.

Videos of Murphy

Here are two silly videos showing how much of a goof Murphy can be.

Its an Ice Cube!

A new toy (courtesy of Jen & Mike!)

Pool Party

Sunday afternoon was a lazy day spent at Jen & Mike's by the pool. They are my wonderful friends who volunteered to dog sit Murphy while I am in Vermont for a week in June, and we wanted to get the dogs all together to meet before that week. (Plus Jen & Mike hadn't even met the new addition yet!)

Kona became the big boss immediately, barking and yipping at Murphy whenever he did something Kona didn't agree with (which at first was pretty much everything!). Soon Murphy realized this noise was nothing more than noise and he began loping around the yard, running and playing. He had a great time egging on Lucy and Kona...running back to the "Safe Zone" when things got too outta hand.

Murphy eventually ended up in the pool. The "Shamu Shelf" was the perfect depth, and he was immediately comfortable. He got a little too confident though and took one step too many and ended up going for a swim! In the end, Kona and Murphy became great friends...in the way doggies become great friends, by gnawing and pulling on each other's cheeks.
It was a fun day, especially since Murphy was pooped and slept for the rest of the afternoon!
This last photo is courtesy of Jen and a fun website called "Picnik". Check it out. (http://www.picnik.com/)

The Family Tree

I was able to contact with the breeder the young couple bought Murphy from. Melanie had told me about some videos of Murphy's litter that were posted on YouTube, so I did a search and found them and just used the link to contact the breeder. Pretty simple stuff.

Her name is Paula and she lives in MA. She was kind enough to send me pictures of both Murphy's Mom & Dad, as well as some very cute baby pics of Murphy!

Murphy's dad is named King Tao. A beautiful black male, weighing in at a measly 180 lbs! His mom is a more petitie Harlequin at just 130lbs. I dont know Mom's name.

Paula also sent me some of Murphy's baby pictures. I think these are from when he was about 1-2 weeks old, and again at about 4 weeks.