Happy Birthday Hooligan!
Hooligan on Katherine's carpet
Today we want to wish a very happy birthday to our first baby, Hooligan. Today she turns three. We got Hooligan for Christy’s birthday when she was only 7 weeks old. What a cute puppy she was. She still is a beautiful dog.
We actually did go to obedience training for 6 weeks, but mom and dad were not too disciplined in Hooligan’s training. She is a great dog when it is just the two of us at home. She has settled down a lot actually. Her main problem is when a visitor comes over so most people think she is really wild. She is just too excited and jumps all over the poor visitor.
Some people (Nana to be specific) were very worried about how Hooligan would react to having a baby around the house. I did everything I could to prepare her. I set up the nursery as early as possible so that she would get used to the room and all the new smells. I bought a CD called “Preparing Fido” that plays different baby sounds.
I don’t know that Hooligan knew quite what to think of Katherine at first. She did not like the crying but she got used to it. If Katherine was really crying, she would ring the bell to go outside and escape it all (we did train her well to ring a bell on the back door knob to let us know she wanted out.) It seems that Hooligan always wants to go outside right after I have sat down to nurse Katherine. I usually ignore her, but I have been known to get up, continue nursing, and open the door to let the dog out.
Now Hooligan really loves Katherine. She has welcomed her into our pack. If Katherine is fussing, she lets me know. When Hooligan makes her rounds at night, she goes into Katherine’s room to check on her. Her favorite place to sit and chew her bone is the soft carpet in Katherine’s room. She loves it when the entire family takes a walk together, especially if that walk is at White Rock Lake.
They don’t really play together yet. Katherine is not quite ready for that. Hooligan loves to lick Katherine if we give her the chance though. Katherine loves to watch Hooligan too.
So, dear puppy, happy birthday. I am sorry that we forgot it was today until 11pm tonight. I guess that is what happens when you have a baby.