Kayla Came to Play

Kayla, the Airedale/poodle mix Faccia's BFF, came over to play to night.. These three dogs were BUDS! Kayla is very active and loves to run so Mason and her got along so well. They met a couple times before but they really bonded tonight. Since Faccia is a Mastiff she gets tired easier so i thought tonight would really get these pups tired..but as I write at 9pm Faccia is antagonizing Mason with her Kong in her mouth to run around and play. "Hey, what's wrong with this picture" I say and "Puppy" keeps coming to me with the look of "What's up with Faccia?, I just want to get pet!" We can't wait to see Kayla again!

Things "Puppy" Mason Likes

Mason loves other dogs. On our walks when he sees another dog he is curious and wants to walk up to them to say hi. He has lots of neighborhood friends, to name a few a big 6 yr old chocolate lab, a 7 month old spaniel mix, a 4 yr old Wheaton terrier, and Faccia shares her best friend Kayla, who is a Airedale/poodle mix, with Mason...

We saw the neighbors cat outside the other day...(this cat lives with 2 dogs) and Mason smelled the cat and did not seem to have any problems with her.

"Puppy Mason" REALLY likes kids and is warming up to people especially if he recognizes them or if they are walking with a dog. He is known to give some unexpected kisses sometimes too!

Mason really like to run around in the yard and play with tennis balls, etc. Steve and I always play outside with the dogs to keep them occupied by throwing/kicking balls around etc.. We had a tennis ball that is slightly larger than a normal size one and it squeaks, Mason loves this ball. We also play "tennis balls" in the den. In this game there are usually a couple of tennis balls around and this game allows the pups to have a ball to themself while we roll others around, it is cute to watch them follow the ball as it is rolling.

Also, Mason loves to chew on hard bones and Kongs. His teeth a sharp so he tried to pick at the rubber Kong ball so we watch him with that. Mason also LOVES to take anything that Faccia is playing with..if Faccia has it...it must be fun! The best part is when the two dogs chew on their hard bones together and lay next to eachother and switch every couple of minutes. It took about two or so weeks to teach them to "share" If you have experience with children you understand the concept of quickly changing the focus of attention. I do it with these dogs all the time.

Mason liked to be combed with the furminator and he likes his ears scratched.

He LOVES HoneyNut Cheerios...but who doesn't??

A Day of Fun and Play for "Puppy" Mason...

I took the day off of work today and Mason and I spent most of the afternoon outside... On a hot day like today, Mason enjoys soaking himself in the kiddy pool... He loves to run around in the yard. He played with the squeaky tennis ball then runs and jumps into the pool and it's fun to watch him play; he is really cute!

We are practicing some commands and Mason really gets it! When the dogs are running in the yard I like to practice calling them into the house...by using the words "let's go inside". We are also practicing his treat word, which is "biscuit".

He ended the night chewing on bones while Faccia was sleeping next to him.

Lots of Little Friends...

Friends, two families, were here for the afternoon and evening and they brought the kids: four kids in total(boys 2, 5, 71/2, and a girl 4). They LOVED "puppy" Mason. Faccia is bigger and more excitable when we get "company" but Mason was so calm, the kids liked that. We think that Mason is learning from Faccia - letting him know that people are ok! Just like Faccia, Mason seems to be a bit stand off-ish with men but really seems to like women and kids. The kids understood that dogs needs to be treated gently. Mason even gave the kids some kisses.

Meeting the "Aunts"..

Mason did very well this afternoon with the dog walker, "Aunt" Michelle. Aunt Michelle had a dog that was very similar in look and temperment to Mason... so she really enjoys him.

Faccia and Mason ran around like lunatics this evening...I never saw Mason run so fast...He actually jumped over Faccia twice because he was running so fast. Faccia was confused!

Tonight Mason met another Aunt..."Aunt" Nancy. She's a friend of ours and Faccia just LOVES her...Mason met her within the first couple of days he was with us while we were out on a walk. Aunt Nancy noticed some difference in Mason from the first time she met him. She gave Mason lots of lovin (petting/kisses) while sitting on the floor in the den...he even gave her a couple of kisses. Aunt Nancy walked Mason around the block while I walked Faccia and he was walking with his tail up and showing Aunt Nancy the way.

Right now, Faccia watches Mason chewing on a bone while Aunt Nancy gives Mason lovin.

So Excited...to see ME

Just a quick note: When I got home from work today...I got lots of tail wagging and kisses from Mason...it was more than usual so I had to mention it... I loved it!

The Garbage Pail Challenge

Those darn garbage pails are always in the streets. They are so blue and big... and Mason rather walk as far away from them as he can. Lately,..he's been walking by them and just paying a little attention to them.. much better.. (Faccia hated those garbage pails too!)

Beach Blanket Mason...

Mason just hanging out on the grass after a dip. I love the fact that he could just "hang" because Faccia never stops, she's always on the guard..

fun in the pool..and running around

Very busy day...Faccia woke us up early to see the "puppy" (like she's been doing alot)

After our morning routine, we spent some time on the front lawn with the neighbor kids and their Dad. (three girls 13, 5, 3) Mason did very well with the three girls. Let all of them pet him. A bit hesitant at first, like usual, but after some time he even walked up to 13 year old for another pet. A little reluctant with the Dad but did allow him to get in a pet or two. Mason was't scared of the 5 year old being a year old. Laughing, running around and then coming up to him giving him a pet...

Hot day...Steve parents came over and spent most of the afternoon with us. We introduced them to Mason with some butter on their hands. Mason gave Steve's mom LOTS of kisses (I know we tricked him, but it worked!)

Mason was off the leash in the backyard today for the first time. As you can see from the picture Faccia shared the "kiddie" pool with Mason. This pool is very small but they had lots of fun cooling off in it together... Mason even put his paws onto the first step of the big pool too.

Out of nowhere, Faccia and Mason start playing in the backyard and running around like crazy...it was a cross between a "hide and seek" and "chase me"...Mason is really fast and Faccia likes being chased! We were so happy to see this...

Needless to say the dogs are very tired tonight...What a great day for Mason and Faccia!

While i'm sitting here writing....Mason is walking around the den following a fly that somehow got into the house....while Faccia has been sleeping on the couch for over a half an hour...How cute!

Active, then Lazy

Had Mason and Faccia outside for a hour or so this morning. It was about 10:30 and it was about 90 degrees already. Mason seemed to be content sitting in the sun with me while I threw the ball for Faccia. Faccia went in the pool but Mason wasn't interested. After everyone was panting we got drink of water. When we went inside both dogs dropped to the floor. While I've been working today they've both been sleeping. We'll go out again when it gets cooler this evening.

Into the Groove

6:30 AM and we're already playing in the den. Mason and Faccia we're running around first thing and they didn't want to stop to go for a walk.

The heat seems to make both dogs lazy and tired. But at lunch Mason went into the kiddie pool.

Nightly chew started. Chew and switch. Chew and switch. I think they'd do this all night until the sun comes up. I wish I could record and put it on the blog so you could hear it.

My new friends

A good morning. We've established a routine with a walk in the morning and Mason and Faccia hanging out while I get ready for work.

Into the kiddie pool because it's hot at lunch. Mason is getting very comfortable with our dog walker, "Aunt" Michelle.

In the evening we got a visit from a co-worker and her two little girls (five and eight). Mason was friendly with them and warmed up after spending time with them.

After they left, we took a walk around the block and Mason pooped for a second time (unusual) at night. When we got back Mason and Faccia started to chew. And switch, chew and switch even though it was 10pm and bedtime..