Buoy & Garbo - Newfoundland Dogs - Our Story

Much Time Has Passed

2011-09-13T09:07:00.002-05:00

Hello Devoted Readers,

So much time has passed that you must be wondering what has been going on with us, well .... where do I start?

My brother "Buoy" and I are now fully grown and will be 4 years of age in December 2011, albeit we are still somewhat immature, especially if we can get away with it and look cute in the process :)

We have just returned from an amazing vacation in which our masters took us some 1,800 miles to the East Coast and we got to experience "THE BEACH" for the first time. We spent the whole month hanging out with warm temperatures in the day and cool evenings, lots of sand and sea gull chasing along the shore... more about that in a moment!!

We also survived an Earthquake and Hurricane Irene... and boy where our Masters stressed about that event.

But enough about boring reading.... lets post photos !!!!!

Some cute posses!!!

2008-10-06T17:42:00.003-05:00

How big is Buoy or How small is my car !!!

2008-10-06T17:37:00.002-05:00

Got Updates !!!!

2008-10-06T17:02:00.004-05:00

So the other day ... a friend of mine asks if there where any new photos of you and the puppies.... so they could see how much they grew.

I gave the super duper camera to my wife and said ..."take some photos of the dogs and I" ........OK... here we go!!!

PERFECT FRAMED SHOT OF ME>>>>

OUR DOGS>>>

PROFESSIONAL EFFECTS>>> (push enough buttons, twist the lens, change the aperture, increase the focal setting ... all at once and TAA DAA)

NOW A MORE MODEST CAMERA>>>>

Ok .. jokes aside I will post a few decent shots for your enjoyment.

3 NEW POSTS IN ONE DAY.... Its a miracle !!!!

2008-07-28T12:17:00.002-05:00

Yes folks... its true ..... this post and 2 below are new !!!!!

And for those that don't enjoy my stories and only want to see photos.... here they are.... many and many and many!!!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/SAFTICH

Ok.. I just set it up and there are only 181 in one album, but it is a start and more will come!!!

Does anyone remember the 60's & 70's???

2008-07-28T11:32:00.008-05:00

Well... you needed 3 things:

A hat to pass them around...
A supply of sugar cubes...
An eye dropper...

Upon ingesting the sugar cube one would find a subject to look at and then after awhile your imagination would take over... and the subject would melt and deform right before your eyes..... observe:-

THE SUBJECT:

REMEMBER, ONLY ONE CUBE OR THINGS CAN GET SCARY!!!

After a long hiatus ……. WE’RE BACK !!!!

2008-07-28T10:02:00.004-05:00

OK... so first things first.....

The reason for hiatus is basically a simple one..."TIME"

Allow me to expand on this... everyone has been super busy...

Master Jenn and Master James have been working at their REAL jobs
Master James has been using the camera for other "very serious pursuits" more on that later !!!
We have been growing and growing and growing (ad infinitum)
It takes hours to load photos on this stupid blog site
Master Jenn and Master James have been working at their SECOND jobs - puppy proofing the house !!
Last but not least ... Master James has been spending all his time answering and dealing with peoples complaints about not seeing more posting.

So .. lets talk about point 5 !!!

If anyone out there is thinking of getting a Newfie, please take this into consideration.

The seven foot rule ... anything and I mean anything that is below seven feet gets eaten, licked or drooled on.
Dear reader... lets stop a moment in time and lets ponder on this one !!! Hmmmmmmm, stop reading and look away from your computer and look around your own house/room and lets find things that need to be moved to be in line with this new 7 ft rule:

Flowers and their vases
Electrical cables and wiring
Ornate Bowls
All paper products
Lounges and cushions
Packets of cigarettes
Hard things, soft things, furry things, spiky things, light things, heavy things.... basically any things!!!

In essence it is the same rule all convertible car owners deal with.... if you leave it there... be prepared to lose it !!!!

But there is good news.... the puppies have not learned to piggy back each other otherwise it would be the 10 ft rule!!

Now I can hear you thinking... hmmmm it does not seem like such a big deal !!!
Well let now take this rule outside:

All plants are eaten
All bits of wood, bark, tree limbs, rocks, stones are all removed and repositioned were you don't want them to be.. usually in the door way
The Pool... arrggg The Bloody Pool... well there is a disaster every time they go outside(ohh and did I mention that it takes a minimum of 2 large beach towels to dry off one puppy and wait... did I also mention the amount of loads that go into the washing machine)
Not to mention more dog hair in the skimmer basket than leaf matter.

By now you get the picture, but wait theres more !!! Now times what you have understood by the factor of 2, because its not one puppy that causes grief but both of them, simultaneously.

So in closing, its not that the puppies are bad, its TIME that is bad.
Time does not come back, Time does not stop, nor does it pause and unfortunately it does not speed up either... we have 2 puppies for the next two years!

YI HAA !!!
Black Mountain Bear Sighting in Texas - no wait its Garbo demonstrating her bark eating ability and reinforcing the new 7 ft rule.

WEIGHT and WAIT

2008-05-21T09:56:00.004-05:00

Both pronounced the same ... in either case all of you have had to "weight" for the latest puppy update on their "wait" ... or is that vise versa?

So with out further adieu.....

Week	Buoy	Garbo
4th March	31	24
19th March	38.4	31.4
25th March	39.6	32.6
1st April	43.4	36
8th April	46.8	40
15th April	53	45.4
22nd April	56.8	47.8
29th April	Missed	Missed
6th May	59	49
13th May	61.8	53.6

Introduction to WATER !!! Part 3 of 3

2008-05-09T14:28:00.007-05:00

Hi All,

Masters' James & Jenn have been very busy the last few weeks. Of course we are still adorable as ever.

In fact our Masters' love us soooo much, they decided to join the Texas State Park, so that we could experience new and wonderful things.... such as the Guadalupe River.

I know it is hard to believe, but they get up very early on Saturday morning (a day renowned for sleeping in till 1pm and then searching for a place that would offer breakfast at 3pm), pack the Outback with 20 or so towels, water , camera's, leashes, treats, spare cloths etc etc (you would think we are going away on a weeks vacation) and drive up the road to the park.

Well, it was absolutely beautiful and not many humans to distract us from our primary objective.... The River !!!

Here we learned that we can slowly go deeper and deeper into the water and swim, also how to do a U-Turn and swim back to our masters when called.

All in all we had a perfect morning and slept throughout the whole day.

What is a River ??

It's Wet, Gooey and Fun

This is how one paddles and floats...

What to do when Called...

Some positive reenforcement...

Released out again...

Mastering the "swim to me when called"

Sent out Deeper and Deeper

OK.... even you the reader are understanding the repetitiveness of this training technique...

Now... its just goof off time... yeah !!!

No guesses where we are going tomorrow morning !!!!!..... I guess there will be a part 4 after all.

Introduction to WATER !!! Part 2 of 3

2008-04-24T14:35:00.007-05:00

After several hours of playing with our new toy...... and being completely wet... I asked master James if we could play with his similar toy... excepts its much bigger and better.....

He said maybe later on... its now time to rest and dry off a little ...

Of course this means "Photo Op", the cuter I look, the more photos get snapped!!!

Introduction to WATER !!! Part 1 of 3

2008-04-24T13:25:00.009-05:00

Masters James & Jenn went and bought for us our very own pool (ok... it aboveground, plastic and probably the best $12 dollar investment from Walmart)

Regardless, it is the best toy they have bought for us yet!!!!!

Of course my brother, who personality leads him to be the leader and the most fearless amongst us, was the indeed the first to jump in.....

Once I noticed how much fun he was having by himself........

I too decided to follow his lead....

In fact... our new toy is so much fun.... everybody wants to play with us in the pool.......

So.... what happens next ?????

His gentle soul remains amongst us...

2008-04-14T09:20:00.000-05:00

Bailey 1995 - 2008

It is with great regret and with the deepest condolences in which I announce Bailey's passing, due to medical reasons.

He has been with my masters for over 13 years, and every day was a moment of joy and some kind of adventure... but always the same enthusiastic greeting every single evening!!!

A visitor arrives...

2008-04-10T09:50:00.007-05:00

(sound) _________ Nock Nock !!
(male voice) _____ Who's there?
(female voice) ____ It's your mother-in-law!!
(male voice) _____ Oh, OK, hang on..... just a minute...
(male voice) _____ "RELEASE THE HOUNDS" !!!
(sound) _________ Two large breeds barking and scampering closer
(female voice) ____ AAAHHHHHH!!!!
(sound) _________ Camera - Click, Click, Click, Click

(male voice) _____RELEASE !!!

EDITORS NOTE: No dogs or any animals for that matter where unfairly treated or harmed in any way during the making of this short Broadway adaptation "The In-laws".
Unfortunately several stunt double where needed to play the part of the Mother-in-law, after hospitalization they have since recovered very well from the constant puppy love fest!!!

Hello everyone

2008-04-08T11:26:00.003-05:00

I am really sorry for not having the time to sit at my office and write down our most recent adventures ... unfortunately we have been sooooo busy with all sorts of puppy activities. Plus Master James has been mumbling something about Taxes and how this year they don't want to apply for another extension.

Anyways, over the next couple of days I will tell you all about the following:

Grandma's special visit
KPT Classes
Introduction to water, and.......
More visits to the place where white coat humans prod, poke and fuss all over us.

AND YES..... before more complaints are received... MANY, MANY PHOTOS !!!

In the mean time.... just relax with the magic liquid amber:-

Garbo.

PS>> I forgot some new photos

2008-03-25T10:47:00.004-05:00

The "Crouching Tiger" move ...

Captures "Hidden Dragon"

Master James got a new BBQ, I am guarding it (secretly wishing for scraps)

Next door neighbors bring 3yr Old, 15 lbs Maltese to visit

ENOUGH ... Put the bloody Nikon away !!!

Can't you see we have had a full day of activities, and just want to sleep?

We Are Still Puppies!!!!

2008-03-25T09:53:00.003-05:00

Yes, it is true ... "We Are Still Puppies"!!!!

The problem lately is that, as my brother and I keep growing, more and more people forget that we are only 13 weeks old.

Today being Tuesday, like every Tuesday, we get weighed by master James to see our growth for that week... well the results are in. Mind you I think something is not right with this weigh in.. but we where both picked up twice and carried over to this object Master James stepped on twice. Well time will tell.

Week	Buoy	Garbo
4th March	31	24
19th March	38.4	31.4
25th March	39.6	32.6

The Lee's are coming, The Lee's are coming !!!!

2008-03-16T16:11:00.007-05:00

Well.... this week has been super hectic !!!

I do apologize for falling behind with my postings :(

I have never seen Master James in full cleaning mode !!! Even though, every time we got outside we make sure to stick our paws and wallow in the muddy water (they have a leaking automatic water sprinkler and he keeps threatening to fix it). Just to see if we can make him madder and more stressed.

So, Master James tells me that their very best friends are coming to spend a week with them from DC, and sure enough they arrive .... WOW .... its a family of 6 !!! We get attention every 5 minutes, even though sometimes we just want to be left alone and sleep.

Anyways ... I thought I would copy the MasterCard Advertisement Concept.... here goes:

YOUR BEST FRIENDS ARRIVE FROM OUT OF TOWN WITH THEIR OWN MENAGERIE:

THEY SETTLE IN AND TAKE OVER:

YOUR 11 WEEK PUPPY WEIGHS MORE THAN THEIR 6 YEAR OLD SON..... PRICELESS !!!!

You made them strong.... we'll make them Army Strong!!!!

2008-03-11T09:38:00.004-05:00

Ok... we have all heard and been bombarded with the "Go Army" TV advertising campaign!!!

One thing those ads don't tell you ... is what snipers wear ...... a "Ghillie Suit", my brother and I decided to make our own version.

Now remember folks, different terrains require different types of suits.. here is an example:

Unfortunately, we live by a pool surrounded by Texas Oak, and thus our camouflage needs to be in line with the specific surroundings.... please note these "paw made", high quality and completely customized ghillie suits my brother and I constructed:-

Daylight Saving - Nobody told us !!!

2008-03-11T09:19:00.004-05:00

Hi Ya'll,

(yep, we are born and bred Texan's, and proud of it, of course we have no political affiliation yet)

Talk about grumpy, sleep deprived Masters.... I mean its not our fault that last Sunday we where sent 1 hour to bed earlier and also the minor detail that every half hour one of us had to go potties, I guess we could not get our timing right...... anyways...... needless to say both our masters got close to zero sleep.

YEAH !!!! Puppies Rule !!!!

But then again... we are so darn adorable.......

Its Cloudy, Cold 59 degrees and Masters are off to Rob Cary Training Class Orientation

2008-03-06T12:16:00.005-06:00

So, its the perfect day to sleep and sleep and more sleep.

I wanted to share with you some pictures of my family, especially my daddy he is 1.77 lbs.

Here is my daddy "Greatbasin Boggi Bear"

This is mommy Great Basin Monroe

If you would like to see us as newly born there are some photos:

I, Garbo, am Puppy No. 5 (and if you compare me to the others you will see I am the only one "up and at'm by week 3)

As for my brother, Buoy, well he is Puppy No. 2 and not much has changed ... he still is very slow and sleepy.

By the way, my masters are so silly, when they came to visit the breeder, and after seen my Dad at 1.77 ... they asked if they could double check if he would fit in their car!!!!

The other car is a two seater convertible , so one of us will always call "shotgun" and I think the competition will start to see who can have the longest drool attached whilst speeding down the freeway!!!! LOL .... I guess that is why other cars have windshield wipers!!!

I heard down the grape vine that Rob Cary in San Antonio has another 2 dogs signed up for the K.P.T and basic class.... wait till they see us... (compared to Chihuahua's) we might just end up with only us to in the class... LOL.

I am sure Master James and Jenn will tell us all about it after tonight.

By the way.. we have learned our names and the word "come"... but we only do it because of the ensuing treat and the adoration we get

Complaints received so soon and only after 27 visitors

2008-03-05T09:33:00.005-06:00

I have spent the best part of this morning addressing numerous complaints, and I am not happy!!! Growl.....

It appears that certain readers want to see more puppy photos, so I woke up Master James and said that we need a photo shoot.. PRONTO !!!

Puppies, Camera, Lights and Action !!!

Wait ... What do you mean Annie Leibowitz is currently unavailable ?? Then get a suitable replacement like Elliott Erwitt, James Nachtwey, Ray McSavaney, Sally Mann, Jill Freedman or if Steve McCurry can take the famous blue eyed girl for Nat Geo, he can take our shot also.

They all have other engagements? Rubbish !!! You want something done... do it yourself......

Woof Woof....Master James.. get the camera and lets gooooo... don't you realize your losing light !!!

Buoy looking majestic

He looks like a baby newfie

Profile...

Money shot

Me... the editor

No, I'm not ready... still waiting patiently for hair stylist and makeup!

Someone will grow up BIG and Strong

Ahh.. all this work is making me tired, maybe tomorrow we will get better light!

Introducing the White Ghost

2008-03-04T12:04:00.006-06:00

In his prime at the Rehoboth Be ach:

Well like all good responsible bloggers and serious journalists, I went straight to the source and asked the Male Human with the limited vocabulary, (Master James) about this White Ghost.

Rather eloquently and very articulately his response was (considering all I hear from him is No, No, No) that the White Ghost has a name "Bailey" and he is a 13 year old Samoyed, who has been there beloved companion for all these years. The in joke is that he is now called Mr. Burns (from the Simpsons) as he is very old, frail, arthritic, with failing vision and also diabetic, who has had ALC operation on his back legs and yes rather grumpy when dealing with annoying little puppies.

But for all these aliments, he is still a young pup at heart, with an amazing persistent penchant for life. Bailey and his masters still play fetch every day, albeit not at a great distance and nor at high speeds.

Master James also requested that I include some photos of Bailey, from Past to Present:

Potomac River

Cloisters NYC

NYC in Winter and Summer

Todays photo in San Antonio

I guess that explains everything... he's a Nu Yawker and thus the attitude !!

Danger, Danger, Will Robinson

2008-03-02T11:37:00.002-06:00

As part of our exploration process, I have notice that living here is like living in a maze, some pocket doors slide open and others close behind us, and then all of a sudden our path is blocked by what appears to be baby gates??

I got the feeling we where not alone...

In fact I was right !!! There is another here amongst us ... BIG WHITE GHOST, but he seems grumpy, slow and old.

I was telling my brother this (but he is not too bright) and then right in front of us, we saw him...... so we did want any normal puppies would do ... we ran as fast as we could towards the White Ghost and introduced our self by jumping, nipping and general puppy behavior.

Well suffice it to say, this was not a good idea in retrospect, because my little brother was a little too annoying and got nipped by the White Ghost, all I heard was a growl followed by my brothers yelp and then the running steps of my masters.

Before I knew it... I was placed in our crate, the White Ghost was quadrant off and my brother driven off at high speeds (again).

When he came back, he told me that he was taken to some emergency location where other humans fussed all over him and gave him tablets to eat.
All this for a little 1/8' cut on his eye lid.... man these master panic at anything!!!!

Jackpot Baby !!!!

2008-03-01T10:30:00.000-06:00

Ok, so here we are at this new location, we now call it Home.

Buoy and I, are starting to explore our new surrounding and better understand these two humans.

Here are some of our first photos:

See.. I do look adorable!

my brother "Buoy" out cold

just us two keeping each other company

We arrived at our new home

2008-02-28T12:02:00.004-06:00

Hello readers, my name is Garbo and I am the little cute female.... and this is my memory !!!

Having been first visited at the tender age of 4 weeks by two strange humans that seemed to be GaGa over the young male with all intentions of purchasing him and taking him away from our litter, at first I was a little concerned, so I did what comes naturally...

I made a bee line to the female human, eyes wide open,tongue out and waging my tail as hard as I could.... Success... I had a bite, all of a sudden I was too cute for school, and after a period of adulation from the sweet female human, I hear for the first time a new sound.... the word "no" !

I guess the male human has a limited vocabulary because it was repeated "ad infinitum" no, no, No, NO, NOO, NOOO !!!!! At this point my attention span gave way and I was off doing other things, but I have a vague recollection of the two humans first in a hearty discussion, followed by negotiations and finally compromises.

Well, before long... I was scooped up in the arms of the female human and taken toward to male human with a limited vocabulary and heard the following words uttered "... look Garbo... say goodbye to the man that rejected you !!!"

WOW, this human knows how to get what she wants, without having to wiggle her tail.

Suffice it to say... the humans came for 1 male, but ended up paying for 2 deposits!!

Again my attention span gave way.... but I saw him again 4 weeks later and before I knew it, my brother and I are speeding away from everything we know and our safe home in Houston.
So we decide to show our displeasure by whinnying a lot.

As big vehicles whizz past, as if they where standing still, I hear the male human on the phone saying "listen... no police officer in the State of Texas is going to give me a speeding ticket, I have precious cargo, for once I have a legitimate get out of jail card... I have cute puppies in the back"

Suffice it to say, 4 hours later we are at a totally new location.... I wonder what is install for us next?This is us at our first meeting with the humans