Boon has found his tail.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Boon of Progress
In every way, Boon is growing - physically, mentally, as well as in maturity, listening and obedience:
In 5 weeks, Boon has gone from 26 lbs. to around 35 lbs. He is a vigorous chewer...and has begun to lose his puppy teeth. We have given Boon a variety of chew toys with differing textures. So far, he seems content with his own toys...if a shoe or other off-limit item seems to take his fancy, he is easily diverted by one of his own chew treasures.
When we take our daily walks, Boon has become more discerning about what he picks up with his mouth...he still enjoys grass and rocks, but his main focus is sticks. The size and shape matters little...it is all about the taste of wood and bark. Boon regularly trots about with curiosity...but if he has a stick in his mouth, he prances.
Boon obeys the commands SIT, STAY and DOWN (lie down). At feeding time, he has learned to wait patiently while his bowl is filled...he will SIT and STAY until we tell him it is OK to come to his bowl and eat. The hardest command for Boon is COME...he has made great strides, but is still working to perfect a consistent obedience to that dreaded COME word.
Boon's physical growth, while I wish it was not so swift, is in proper balance with the advancement of his maturity and obedience...this boon companion is making beautiful progress.
In 5 weeks, Boon has gone from 26 lbs. to around 35 lbs. He is a vigorous chewer...and has begun to lose his puppy teeth. We have given Boon a variety of chew toys with differing textures. So far, he seems content with his own toys...if a shoe or other off-limit item seems to take his fancy, he is easily diverted by one of his own chew treasures.
When we take our daily walks, Boon has become more discerning about what he picks up with his mouth...he still enjoys grass and rocks, but his main focus is sticks. The size and shape matters little...it is all about the taste of wood and bark. Boon regularly trots about with curiosity...but if he has a stick in his mouth, he prances.
Boon obeys the commands SIT, STAY and DOWN (lie down). At feeding time, he has learned to wait patiently while his bowl is filled...he will SIT and STAY until we tell him it is OK to come to his bowl and eat. The hardest command for Boon is COME...he has made great strides, but is still working to perfect a consistent obedience to that dreaded COME word.
Boon's physical growth, while I wish it was not so swift, is in proper balance with the advancement of his maturity and obedience...this boon companion is making beautiful progress.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Playing Catch with Boon
One of Boon's favorite things is his ball. He is always up for a good game of catch. It has been a lot of fun to watch him develop in his ball playing skills. After three weeks of play and practice, he catches the ball more frequently...and has even learned to ready himself for a good catch. He backs up and sits (most of the time)...waiting with anticipation for the ball to be thrown. It is all about the ball...his eyes stay riveted on this prize...whether a successful catch is made or not, he is happiest when the ball is once again in his mouth. He does not yet understand the part about releasing the ball for another catch...he prefers to chew on his prize for awhile.
I just love watching him back up...
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Curiosities of Boon
Everyday, Boon and I go for several long walks together. Boon is interested in everything around him...there are so many things to smell and chase...and taste! Almost anything he sees, he wants to pick up with his mouth...he tries to eat rocks, sticks, leaves, dead worms, sticker balls, pinecones, plastic bags...the list goes on and on. It is the funniest thing to see him carry sticks that are two times his size or passionately crunch on rocks...really, anything he does, he does with passion...he is filled with curiosity and wonder.
Not only does Boon love to pick up things with his mouth...he loves water. When I turn on the faucet in the kitchen, he will sit there and just watch the water flow...when I fill his bowl with water, he is filled with excitement, sometimes tripping over his feet in sheer joy...if I go near the refrigerator, he sits there, hoping that I will give him a piece of ice.
Early this week, it was pretty rainy here in GA. As Boon and I took our trips outside on those rainy days, Boon found great delight in all the puddles of water...he wanted to drink water from EVERY puddle! I was ready to get inside...and he was licking up water from each step of our front porch. We have not been near a lake or big body of water yet, but I am pretty sure that Boon would take one look at a lake and jump in without any hesitation.
Watching Boon's zest for life has been a real treat for me. Without speaking a word, his passion rubs off on me...and I, too, begin to see my everyday happenings with a new wonder...with a spark of curiosity. It is so true that we never know what a day will hold...I believe the Lord wants to daily fill our lives with delight, not only with His presence but also with the beauty that He has created...I hope Boon never loses his fascination for everything around him...I look forward to our next romp...I am sure it will be filled with wonder and delight.
Not only does Boon love to pick up things with his mouth...he loves water. When I turn on the faucet in the kitchen, he will sit there and just watch the water flow...when I fill his bowl with water, he is filled with excitement, sometimes tripping over his feet in sheer joy...if I go near the refrigerator, he sits there, hoping that I will give him a piece of ice.
Early this week, it was pretty rainy here in GA. As Boon and I took our trips outside on those rainy days, Boon found great delight in all the puddles of water...he wanted to drink water from EVERY puddle! I was ready to get inside...and he was licking up water from each step of our front porch. We have not been near a lake or big body of water yet, but I am pretty sure that Boon would take one look at a lake and jump in without any hesitation.
Watching Boon's zest for life has been a real treat for me. Without speaking a word, his passion rubs off on me...and I, too, begin to see my everyday happenings with a new wonder...with a spark of curiosity. It is so true that we never know what a day will hold...I believe the Lord wants to daily fill our lives with delight, not only with His presence but also with the beauty that He has created...I hope Boon never loses his fascination for everything around him...I look forward to our next romp...I am sure it will be filled with wonder and delight.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Week of Boon
Boon has been in his new home for a week. He is adjusting quickly to our home and schedule. He is a smart, little guy. From the moment we brought him home, we started working with him regarding what he needs to do when he comes in from outside. He has learned to SIT in the entryway...and is working on the STAY command. We are teaching him to STAY in the entryway until told that it is OK to enter the front room. Everyday, he gets better at listening to commands and following instructions.
In every way, Boon is a blessing. His first week in Georgia has been filled with laughter, learning and fun.
Highlights of Boon's first week:
-Boon obeyed the KENNEL command! I say KENNEL and he walks into his kennel. It is amazing to me that he is already obeying this command. I'm certain the chicken-liver treats have helped to accelerate the process!
-Boon got new, stainless steel food/water bowls. I set Boon's new bowls out for him while he was taking a nap...when he saw them, he jumped, backed up and then barked and barked...he did not know what to make of those bowls...I'm not sure if he could see his reflection in them or what? Even when it was time for his evening meal, he was very hesitant to approach the new bowl...his whole body was on alert the entire time that he was eating. It was really funny to watch him...today, he is eating/drinking out of his new bowls without any problem...I guess he has determined that they are a good thing...after all they do have food and water in them!
-Boon was given a bag of treats. Lily (Boon's new dog friend) and her family gave Boon a welcome-to-Georgia bag, filled with little prizes. One of the treats inside the bag was a bottle puppy...the puppy has a velcro opening, you insert an empty, water bottle inside...and Presto!, instant crackle happiness. Boon loves his new toy...last night, he pranced all over our living room proudly displaying his new prize.
In every way, Boon is a blessing. His first week in Georgia has been filled with laughter, learning and fun.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
The Blessing Of Boon
Boon. The name of my new, black lab puppy. He was gifted to my husband and me by a very special family, so we named him Boon - a welcome benefit, a blessing. He is a dream come true. The firstfruits of the fulfillment of a vision which the Lord laid on my heart. For over a year now, I have felt a strong yearning to train a therapy dog...the desire was birthed out of my own health struggles, out of an understanding of the limitations which come with illness.
Even in my darkest times of loss and pain, the Lord has been so good to bring sources of hope, little bits of sunshine to encourage and strengthen me...these lifelines of hope have greatly impacted me...despite circumstances, they call me to dwell on the richness and goodness of God's love and to focus on His mercies, which are new every morning. In God's economy, nothing is ever wasted...He did not haphazardly touch my life with illness or flippantly send sources of encouragement my way...no, each moment was filled with purpose. Some purposes I will never know, yet one purpose was to shape my desires and understanding so that I could bring encouragment to others whose lives are bound by the limitations of illness.
This is another reason why my new black lab is named Boon. I believe he will be used as a blessing in the lives of many people; people who are facing all kinds of struggles. From hospitals to nursing homes to schools, I know that the Lord will use Boon to bring blessing and encouragement in a myriad of situations...and thankfully, I will be able to come along for the ride.
Even in my darkest times of loss and pain, the Lord has been so good to bring sources of hope, little bits of sunshine to encourage and strengthen me...these lifelines of hope have greatly impacted me...despite circumstances, they call me to dwell on the richness and goodness of God's love and to focus on His mercies, which are new every morning. In God's economy, nothing is ever wasted...He did not haphazardly touch my life with illness or flippantly send sources of encouragement my way...no, each moment was filled with purpose. Some purposes I will never know, yet one purpose was to shape my desires and understanding so that I could bring encouragment to others whose lives are bound by the limitations of illness.
This is another reason why my new black lab is named Boon. I believe he will be used as a blessing in the lives of many people; people who are facing all kinds of struggles. From hospitals to nursing homes to schools, I know that the Lord will use Boon to bring blessing and encouragement in a myriad of situations...and thankfully, I will be able to come along for the ride.
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