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I usually post about Ebony, however today I lost my sister. It was quick, pneumonia and a failing heart.

she cared for me as a baby, she was eight years older. She never forgot to remind me if the two inch scar left on her forearm from my diaper pins. She was my best friend, counselor, second mother to my three boys. I hadn’t seen her since mom’s funeral four years ago..she resided in south Texas, and I in the upper Midwest. We spoke on the phone until one day we didn’t. I didn’t know she was fighting alzheimers. We had a falling out over politics as she had posted some very uncharacteristic statements on social media. I am sure her dementia/alzheimers diagnosis was behind it. But we drifted for a couple years.

three weeks ago I got a call from my very lucid sister. My sister before she became sick. We talked about an hour, getting caught up on everything.

the call ended with many I love you’s ❤️ she became ill, and now she’s gone. What a treasure she was…so absolutely funny. My face would hurt from laughter. I realized yesterday, I have not one negative memory of her…how many people can say that? Love you Patsy Ratsy

How did we go from this to this

well…it was important to get her to the groomer while she was still young. Her coat may be a nightmare in the long run, so wanted her to get in.

Ebony’s coat is a combination of standard poodle (mother) and black lab of some kind (father) . It is so soft it mats, but we have armed ourselves with doodle everything. Combs, doodle brushes, shampoos and conditioner, special doodle stuff that really does help.

So I’ll get over the pointy nose…as her hair will grow. Her DNA was submitted and hopefully we’ll know what dad actually was. Story goes he jumped the fence.

So pray to hair Gods to speed it up. I want my fluffy girl back 😆

How can such an angelic puppy have such a naughty side? 😆 I should have known. It had been many years since I had a puppy of my own. Although I’ve been less strict on her, as an older parent I probably will regret that.

I live on a block full of tremendous neighbors that love dogs. ❤️ Ebony demands her walks by going to the door precisely at nine am, and barks. That’s her walking time. I’m frustrated until I get my hip replacement. Then we’ll be walking everyday as part of my rehab.

I love how she cuddles at night as my wirehaired pointers liked their space. She is different in so many ways except for her high energy. That we’re working on.

Training requires concentration. A good training session helps to reduce the pent up energy, especially in puppies. So that’s where we are. Just got a text a neighbor is coming over to walk her thank God! Have a great day and thank you for reading our blog.

Good morning 🙏

why are you sleeping? Don’t you realize I must go potty, play and have breakfast?

Ebony is 7 months old now, more than doubled in size to 40 lbs. Although she was the runt of the litter, she’s catching up.

Ebony is a ball of energy. My dog friendly neighbors are walking her daily for me until this hip is replaced in 2 months. The other tools we use are flirt poles, (check them out on Amazon) dog ball launcher, lots of hard chew toys..I love Yak chews for her. They’re hard and she still gnawed them down to size…but takes her a week.

I love how smart she is, quick to catch on, and listens for the most part. Puppies are a lot of work, don’t get me wrong. It’s like having a toddler. ” what do you have now?”

the kansas city heart of America Humane Society Www.heartofamericahs.org is an incredible group that has so many adorable pets needing good homes. All breeds, genders, pups and seniors. Their community outreach program is amazing helping those in our community that can’t afford many things such as food, medical spay/neuter, care for both the pet and the owner. Please support them.

ebony hanging out with mom watching sports!

when I rescued German wirehaired pointers for 20 years, I felt equipped to deal with most any breed. I followed a group that does so many amazing things for our community. Food banks, outreach to homeless camps, cruelty investigations..you name it.

a mere three days after Baldwin had passed I saw the plea for a litter of lab/poodle pups needing a foster. I jumped in to volunteer and what an amazing experience that was.

our babies went quickly into new homes. Ours of course stayed. She’s very high energy, although my wires taught me well. A flirt pole provides hours of fun. A ball launcher has been a God send, and the washable cloth doggie diapers from Amazon have been extremely helpful.

Ebony has been leash trained by my neighbor as my hip is getting replaced..until recovery will we be able to do our long journeys.

she’s a blessing in so many ways. ✨️ please foster…

Www.heartofamericahs.org

Ebony has really exceeded our expectations. The easiest and most obedient (well next to Baldwin) puppy. She catches on quickly, knows commands, and inspite of her young four months of age listens.

She will be my last puppy.. I may foster after my hip replacement but ownership is definitely my last. She is a rock for my emotional support after losing Baldwin. That was tough.

There are so many pups and adults needing homes. Please consider fostering for your local shelter or rescue group. 🙏

Www.heartofamericahs.org is a tremendous group here in kansas city. Check them out!

Ebony turned 4 months old this week. She’s gained 10 lbs in 4 weeks. She was so tiny and skinny at 15 lbs when we got her. The sisters being 21 lbs, we started feeding her separately. She’s a grazer, taking all day to finish her food. We supplement with duck jerky as it seems to get her started.

She’s extremely smart as she responds to commands and her recall is very good. She’s an amazing puppy. Potty training is going well.. sleeping without potty pants at night. She still submissively pees when excited, so hopefully she’ll outgrow that. Will make more entries as we progress!

Yes..this is one of her funniest photos. I’ve been so busy training this little girl, I’ve not had a minute to post.

Ebony’s so incredibly smart. I swear she understands what we’re saying . Her mother a standard poodle, and if like human children they get their intelligence from the mother. 😆 not to slam labs (father) by any means, but this is something I haven’t seen in awhile. She’s learning all commands and responding and doesn’t seem to forget. She’s an incredible puppy and I am incredibly lucky.

On the house training….she’s going to the door consistently, stays dry at night. We do put on potty pants inside as she still submissively leaks when excited or worried. But gosh for only 3 weeks tomorrow…she’s come a long way.

What a darling little pup she’s turned out to be. very obedient, easy to read, and something odd is how much she is like Baldwin.

Baldwin was my little shadow. ♥️ He didn’t wish to be with his siblings, but at my feet. Ebony was the same. I saw her play with her siblings, however she preferred to be with her humans.

We’ve set boundaries with her puppy pen in the great room, where she can rest and still be part of the activities. Her favorite is her stuffed kong and frozen chews as she’s teething.

so puppy training has begun and I’m so happy I have such a cooperative pupil.

There she is. .this is the photo that exposes her personality. While dogs and puppies take time to adjust, setting boundaries is key.

Ebony has learned she has her boundary when in the house. As we’re outside in the gardens most of the day, when we come inside she has her large puppy pen in the great room. Lots of chews, toys, dog bed and her food and water. She’s a grazer taking one piece of kibble at a time. So far…she’s eating.

These puppies are scary smart. A foster posted her 3 month old, Ebony’s sibling, doing a a sit, then to a down stay…Ebony can do a sit. They’re very focused. As I can concentrate now on just Ebony I am very excited to see hiw it goes!