Thinking on Boon

Yes, it has been awhile since I last posted on the delights and wonders of Boon.  I realize, in some ways, opportunities to share of his growth have been missed.  Even though I have not recorded all his antics and pleasures, my joy of him has endured and increased.

Since I last wrote, Boon has turned two-years-old.  He still hovers right under 100 lbs.  He is still patient and resilient, still bubbles with joy at the sight of his ball.  He can hardly stand it when he is in the presence of another dog, he longs to run over to that dog and stir up some play. He continues to pull on his leash, somehow he cannot imagine that walking beside me will get him there faster.  This past summer, he jumped in a lake for the first time, he kept dunking his head under the water...he did not want to get out.  In July, he met my nephews, Micah and Landry, and my niece, Karissa, and he was a constant flurry of play and fun.  He did not want to miss a single minute of their attention.  He loves carrots, apples and ice, and he runs to the kitchen if the freezer or refrigerator door is opened. He recently experienced doggy ice-cream and enjoyed every lick. He no longer has problems with ear infections. It seems like he loses a pound of hair a day. :) He gets really excited when Grams comes to our house for a visit.  These are the main highlights of his last few months and his day-to-day delights.

I still have the same longings to finish CGC training and start therapy work.  Though I have had to put this dream on the back burner for awhile, the longing gets stronger and stronger.  I know it will happen.  In fact, this past weekend I found a training location closer to our home.   I have hopes to begin again next month.  I leave it with the Lord.  Today, I just thank Him for giving me this black ball of sunshine, and I take great delight in all of Boon's little pleasures.

Boon, The Big Black Bear

Brad and I have often called Boon our "Big Black Bear".  Of course while he was learning what-to-do and what-not-do, he wanted to jump up on us -- he would put those large paws up in the air and he made us think of a big black bear.  Now Boon rarely jumps up on us, but when he gets excited he will zip around the room and sometimes he stands up on his back feet and just waves his front paws in the air.  When Boon started doing this, Brad and I would say something like: "Give me a hug, Boonie" or "Nice Hug, Boonie" -- so now when we say "Hug", Boon will jump up on his back feet and put his paws up in the air -- it is so cute!

Last week, Brad took Boon to the vet to be weighed.  It was time for his heartworm treatment.  If still over 100 lbs, a different dosage would be needed.  When Brad walked into the waiting room, there were several other people already waiting.  They all thought Boon was SO big.  One person said, "What is he, part lab and part big black bear?"  It turned out that our "Big Black Bear" has lost some weight -- he weighed 99.6 lbs.  Nice progress!  I cannot imagine that he will really get down to 95 lbs - but if he stays around 98 or 99, I think that is probably the perfect weight for him.

Speaking of big black bears, the funniest thing happened tonight while we were watching TV.  We were watching a program about bears.  Boon does not usually pay much attention to the television, but tonight he sat there and just stared and stared at the bears on the screen; it was amazing how long he watched them.  He was mesmerized by those bears.  Then he went right over to the TV and licked the screen.  It was so funny!  I would love to know what he was thinking -- why was he so enthralled with those bears?  I guess our "Big Black Bear" approves of his title.

Catching Up On Boon, Part II

Boon is now 20 months old.  Though full grown for several months, emotionally and mentally he has still been very much a puppy.  In the last two months, I have seen him begin to mature.  The always resilient and even-tempered Boon is now beginning to focus and listen better.  He has begun to adapt to his leash and is not pulling as much.  We still have some work to do in this area, but it is quite exciting to see these steps of maturity.

Last month, we started Boon on Adult Dog Food.  It is possible that we left him on the puppy food a little too long...last week, we took him to the vet for a shot.  At that appointment, we were told that Boon is overweight -- he weighs 102 lbs.  He was a big puppy and, to me, he has developed normally and does not look overweight at all, but the vet said that he should have more definition and weigh around 95 lbs.  We have cut back some on his food and plan to work in more exercise.

Due to my health struggles, Boon's walks have been very limited lately.  He has not gotten as much exercise, but some daily play-time is a necessity.  Brad always makes sure that Boon has a daily dose of good play-time...and even though I have had to make some adjustments in our times of play, Boon and I still have our own little game: our Boon, who can "Release" and "Retrieve" the ball, who loves to play catch, now plays a pretty good game of "Roll-It".

Catching Up On Boon, Part I

Yes, it has been awhile since any Boon news has been shared...the last few months in our house have been filled with mishap, followed by a whole lot of illness, adding up to upheaval -- squared!

It is way past time to play catch up in matters concerning Boon. So, let's start with Christmas -- Boon definitely had a ball...

Boon Poses

 

Boon, all stretched out -- his favorite pose.

  





Focused Boon

 







Contented Boon

 






Cute Boon

   





Playful Boon

 

Boon Thanks

One year ago, on this day, Boon came to live with us. My husband and I were so excited to go pick up our new puppy. We had not met Boon prior to that day. He was gifted to us by a very special family and shipped by airplane. At first sight, we fell in love with Boon. He was everything we hoped for -- and more!

Now a year later, Boon continues to be everything we hoped for -- and more. He is 15 months old and weighs 95.8 lbs. He is healthy, happy, full of life and such a sweetie. Though he has a huge puppy streak, he rarely gets into mischief. He is obedient and undemanding...in every way, a wonderful addition to our home.

I'm thankful for my sweet Boon and for all the joy that he has added to our lives.

Boon Patience

My in-training therapy dog continues to be a source of therapy for me. Over the last few weeks, I have been quite ill. Boon just seems to know when I am not 100%. He lies beside me, barely leaving my side. His patience amazes me. Though he has to wait longer between trips outside, he does not whine or complain. He just waits. His presence and patience are sweet sources of comfort.

Because of my illness, Boon and I have missed several training sessions. Our daily practice has been sporadic. At times, I feel concerned that we are getting very behind...that it might take much longer to get to our therapy work than I had ever imagined. But I am learning from Boon. No whining. No complaining. Just wait. Wait on God. It will all come together in His time, and once the need to wait is past, realization of the goal will be even more precious.