[Taming Rover]

My Axis is 14 weeks old tomorrow... just wanted to post some pix of how much he's grown in the weeks since he's come home with me.
He's adorable and learning sooo fast! I forget how small he was when he first came here but when I look at these pix I'm amazed at how big he's gotten in such a short time. Enjoy the puppy phase while it lasts! lol,

( oops. Thought it would let me post more but I guess I'm only allowed 5)

[cigwyllt]

Gorgeous photos. I love them all, especially the last one with all three of them. He has grown up hasn't he. I'd have thought he was a lot more than 14 weeks - he looks quite "defined" rather than round and puppy shaped.

Personally I think other people's puppies are gorgeous but I much prefer Manny as an adult (not that I didn't dote on him from the day he came home at 8 weeks) but just as some people like new born babies and some like toddlers I like adult dogs, especially when they are as daft and silly as mine! But other people's puppies are just adorable! And yours really does look special. I love that coat.

[reeskujo]

i know whay you mean!. Seigi turned 11 months on the 1st and it seems like just yesterday I was bringing him home as a little puppy...BTW, you have some beautiful fur kids...Great pics!

[lange]

Ohhh, what a looker Axis is. Absolutely love those colors! It's a good thing we have photos & videos. You're right, it goes by way too fast & so easy to forget how they were when they were babies. I feel the same about my human kid too. You have an adorable group in your home. Each very different from the other!

Cig, I love puppies but I rather own an adult myself. I wanted to adopt an older Akita but I had too many Akita strikes against me. It's hard enough qualifying to adopt a dog not to mention a breed that is "difficult". There's a lot of rules. Although, I won't complain because I couldn't imagine not having Kuma now.

[Taming Rover]

haha... yes I do know what you mean... When I first got him home and was up every 3 hours with him I remember thinking "Yeah your really cute but I'll be happy when you're all grown up!" LoL! I feel the same about owning an adult dog, it's just so much easier when they are established, and the puppy phase required so much energy... But I find it very rewarding too.
I was mostly just looking back in these photos myself and was astonished at how much he'd grown and how cute he was when I first brought him home at 6 weeks.
I know I know!! believe me it wasn't my choice! Axis is a mix breed, [dad is aussie/BC and mamma was a shepherdX] He came to me from a litter that a friend of a friend had and despite my attempts to council that the pups really should be with the mother and siblings for at least 8 weeks, she decided since they had weaned, she was going to disperse the pups at 6 weeks and take off to Mexico... I had to make a really tough choice to fly across the country with him just 24 hours after he was away from his mom, or leave him with someone I don't know very well for another month until I came back from the east coast. I figured since he wasn't going to be with his mom or siblings anyway the best thing was to take him with me so at least he could bond with me, and I knew he would have Raina & Molly to socialize with.
Raina is very patient and tolerant and they flew back in the same kennel together so it was actually really good for them to bond like that. It was harder on me than on them (especially since the westjet baggage carriers failed to put them on my connecting flight and they ended up in a completely different province!!! I had to wait an extra 24 hours to get them home safe and sound! ?Needless to say I was SO not a happy camper!!)

Anyway, all in all I'm glad I did take him with me because I decided to stay here in Newfoundland for a few months longer to train him and I didn't want to fly back with him so soon after either. It's been nice having the three of them around
I've attached some more pix, a couple of Axis at 4 weeks with his mama and brothers and sisters. (he was the only blue merle out of 7)

Anyone have any wild stabs as to what breed Wiki (mama) might be? She's definitely shepherd something but not sure where the cream color came from...
Wish I had some pix of papa too! (I never got to see him myself)

Also, I know aussies and border collies for the most part have flopped or tipped ears, Wiki has pointed ears and Axis has (so far) one up and one down! lol sometimes they both stand up for a little while but I'm wondering if anyone knows at about what age they generally set, do you think the other will stand up for good or will he always have one up one down from hear on in? it's been like this for about 3 weeks or more.
Just curious

[lange]

I had asked about the ears too when it came to Kuma. We tend to worry about everything when they're so little. Waiting for Upright Ears I love this forum with everyone's knowledge in here. Hopefully the link helps.

That pic of them nursing...soo cute!

[CorkyMax]

Love your pics and love that Axis--a real cutie! Wish I could get my pics to be so clear--I must not be doing the right thing---I'm not that computer savy! I have no guesses on Wiki except as you mentioned Shepherd--I can see that. Maybe I will try to find a pic that looks like her later.

[Taming Rover]

Originally Posted by lange

I had asked about the ears too when it came to Kuma. We tend to worry about everything when they're so little. Waiting for Upright Ears I love this forum with everyone's knowledge in here. Hopefully the link helps.

That pic of them nursing...soo cute!

Thanks yeah that link helped. I had asked the vet actually and they said the same thing about teething, but also just wanted to know what people on this forum thought. It is nice to have this reference and network of people I must say I'm enjoying it!
I didn't know though that it was because the calcium was being rerouted to the teeth, that makes sense... I had been wondering if I should be supplementing his calcium, I did with Raina when she was a pup. A friend of the family had bread labs and she had some left over which she gave me, some powder to mix with her food... Do you think it's worth looking into?

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

Love your pics and love that Axis--a real cutie! Wish I could get my pics to be so clear--I must not be doing the right thing---I'm not that computer savy! I have no guesses on Wiki except as you mentioned Shepherd--I can see that. Maybe I will try to find a pic that looks like her later.

Mostly the clear pix have to do with camera quality more so than the computer. I just got a new digital camera, it's 14 Mega pixels which gives a much more clear pic. Check out these last two! the first ones I took with that camera. (The one of Raina's eye! You can see the whole room reflected in the background!! I was so impressed and Axis's nose too, you can see every little crater! These were taken on a macro setting which means it focuses in really close.)

[CorkyMax]

WOW! Yeah, I just use those cheap one time throw away cameras.

[Taming Rover]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

WOW! Yeah, I just use those cheap one time throw away cameras.

lol, yep, gotta get a decent camera if you are really into having clear photos.
I saw your pix of Sami today, she's a sweetheart!
Oh, Do I have to have 75 posts in order to attach more than 5 photos at a time?

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Taming Rover

lol, yep, gotta get a decent camera if you are really into having clear photos.
I saw your pix of Sami today, she's a sweetheart!
Oh, Do I have to have 75 posts in order to attach more than 5 photos at a time?

Lol, I agree with you--She is a sweetheart--Seems like she really belongs here. Hard to believe it has only been 2 months!

No,you don't have to have 75 posts. You must have posted this before you got the email I just sent you.

[lange]

Originally Posted by Taming Rover

A friend of the family had bread labs and she had some left over which she gave me, some powder to mix with her food... Do you think it's worth looking into?

I've heard some people say it will come up on it's own if it's meant to. Then I have heard others say go ahead & give the extra calcium. I didn't give Kuma anything (come to think of it, she was taking daily meds back then & I would roll them up in cheese) but I think, if it doesn't hurt it's worth the try.

I really need to learn to use the macro function! Those are great pics. I'm a wannabe amateur photographer. :P I have two relatives who are photographers who try to give me pointers but my brain turns to mush with most of it.

[CorkyMax]

I completely missed your comments on the calcium but caught it this 'round.' Here is a link that might be helpful that I did in this forum a while back----I didn't recheck the info right now but I'm sure there are answers there for you: Info about calcium

I have always worried about the calcium--whether too much--too little- The ratios you need of other minerals and Vitamin D to make it work---I feed raw and home cooked so it is even harder to get it all right (and I use finely 'coffee grinder' ground egg shells--and here is a hint for other egg shell users--Put the freshly ground egg shell in a sieve to 'work out' the bigger pieces--Can try meshing up the leftover bigger pieces against your sieve with your fingers or spoon. I do know that large dogs shouldn't have too much calcium.

Haven't checked yet to try and find another Wiki look alike--Will do shortly.

[reeskujo]

Originally Posted by lange

Ohhh, what a looker Axis is. Absolutely love those colors! It's a good thing we have photos & videos. You're right, it goes by way too fast & so easy to forget how they were when they were babies. I feel the same about my human kid too. You have an adorable group in your home. Each very different from the other!

Cig, I love puppies but I rather own an adult myself. I wanted to adopt an older Akita but I had too many Akita strikes against me. It's hard enough qualifying to adopt a dog not to mention a breed that is "difficult". There's a lot of rules. Although, I won't complain because I couldn't imagine not having Kuma now.

The thing about adopting and older Akita depending on their age,is if they had the same owner for many years the tend to not adjust well to new owners and new homes.They don't do well at all with change. I don't want to discourage you just make sure if you do it you get all the info on it's background and have a few visits with him/her beforwe you decided!

[CorkyMax]

You do know that a German Shepherd can have a white (cream?) coat. I was thinking maybe she has some Yellow Lab or Golden Retriever in her mix though. --She looks a little more 'refined' (to me anyhow) than a pure German Shepherd. I found a few pics to look at but was hoping for a closer match of some kind. Here are a few links to check out: First link is pure German Shepherd Dogs: German Shepherd Dog Information and Pictures, German Shepherd Dogs --See esp. Lupo on the 1st page (He is also on page 5)--Tilly on page 4 and Apollo on page 6. Links to click on these pic pages are at bottom of page.

This is a link for the Shepherd/Lab mix: German Sheprador information and pictures, German Shepradors -- Note esp. Buddy on this 1st page and also the dog pictured right below him--No name given.

German Malinois Pictures and Information, German Shepherd Belgian Malinois Hybrid

Gerberian Shepsky information and pictures German Shepherd Siberian Husky Hybrid

Here is a good pic to check out:Goof (German Shepard-Golden Retriever Mix)

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59019617.tip.html

[jameserickson80]

He's such a cutie. He grows so fast. What food did you gave him? Love your 3 dogs.

[lange]

Originally Posted by reeskujo

The thing about adopting and older Akita depending on their age,is if they had the same owner for many years the tend to not adjust well to new owners and new homes.They don't do well at all with change. I don't want to discourage you just make sure if you do it you get all the info on it's background and have a few visits with him/her beforwe you decided!

I've thought about that. I think, especially because it would have been my 1st Akita, I was better off with a puppy for many reasons. I think it's wise to ease into the breed. And what you mentioned was the main worry for me.. change, trust, bonding. But then I see the Akitas who look malnourished & miserable being in a shelter & there goes my logic out the window. Ultimately, knowing what I know, I don't think I would adopt one because of Wrigley & our son. I couldn't risk it with them. I guess the rescue's know what they are doing in restricting certain households.

[Taming Rover]

Originally Posted by jameserickson80

He's such a cutie. He grows so fast. What food did you gave him? Love your 3 dogs.

My two, the labX & aussieX are eating a brand of grain free food called horizon from legacy... it seems to be a really good food because their coats are so shiny and soft.

Corky, thanks for the pix, yeah I don't think she's a pure shepherd, but actually looks similar to the shepherd/malinois cross although in my opinion I don't think she's got malinois either. I'm happy with "shepherd cross" lol
And I didn't get any email from you? where did you send it to?

Side note: Why oh why do I look at rescue sites? I just found a gorgeous! merle aussie who looks almost identical to Axis but with blue eyes... she's all the way in Texas though! ...

[CorkyMax]

Quote: Corky, thanks for the pix, yeah I don't think she's a pure shepherd, but actually looks similar to the shepherd/malinois cross although in my opinion I don't think she's got malinois either. I'm happy with "shepherd cross" lol
And I didn't get any email from you? where did you send it to? Unquote

I sent you 2 emails either yesterday or day before--I sent them through your home page ---How to get in touch section! Maybe that is something that is not working right now in this forum either! Will try again tomorrow and if you don't get it, let me know--Just acknowledge through a Visitor Message on my home page one way or the other. I can send you a private message but really prefer the email way--may be too long to 'take' in a private message for 1 thing.

[jameserickson80]

Originally Posted by Taming Rover

My two, the labX & aussieX are eating a brand of grain free food called horizon from legacy... it seems to be a really good food because their coats are so shiny and soft.

Corky, thanks for the pix, yeah I don't think she's a pure shepherd, but actually looks similar to the shepherd/malinois cross although in my opinion I don't think she's got malinois either. I'm happy with "shepherd cross" lol
And I didn't get any email from you? where did you send it to?

Side note: Why oh why do I look at rescue sites? I just found a gorgeous! merle aussie who looks almost identical to Axis but with blue eyes... she's all the way in Texas though! ...

Great, I think that's a great food because your dogs are healthy. I can see it in their coats.