Intro to My Puppies

Because they are a big part of my life, this post is dedicated to my pups. 

The pack started with Max. He is a Shiba Inu. He is about 25 pounds and just a tiny nut-job. I got Maxman just before Thanksgiving 2017. At the time, I was living in an apartment. He is a small breed, that is permitted. We had a dog park. He loved small play sessions and lots of napping. He doesn't love people much but it was just us mostly (and he LOVED my hubby (boyfriend at the time)). 

Once we moved from the apartment into our first home, we got Max a friend! My husband grew up with German Shepherds and wanted to get one, so we did! Enter Rex - we got him as just a little potato. He was an itty-bitty baby that of course grew quickly. He is a sweet soul - loves people, loves Max. 

Maxman did not love having his friend at first but quickly grew to appreciate having a larger back up. Max kept leader of the pack status. Rex was happy to just be along for the ride. 

After Rex grew up, we realized that Max didn't really like to play that much or for very long and Rex was not getting the exercise he should. So we got ANOTHER German Shepherd to be Rex's friend!

Enter Lexi. And yes, if you have noticed to this point, we made sure all their names had X's in them. 

Also at this point, we've gotten 1 dog each year for 3 years. Rex and Lexi joined the family in late summer each time, just about time for Max's birthday - though we aren't sure he saw them as gifts. 

Lexi was a bit different from the boys: a little harder to potty train (which drove me to the brink of insanity) and she was stubborn and more alpha - like Max. So we had a bit of a power struggle. Eventually she backed down and let Max stay in charge and everyone settled into place. 

Rex got plenty of exercise as Lexi is an energizer bunny. She loves toys and has the energy of a working shepherd. 

All of the pups got professionally trained so we could do off leash adventures (even if those were just at home in the big front yard). 

Fast forward about 2 years, and we moved to a new house. This change shifted some things for the pups. Historically, Max has been my husbands dog, and the shepherds both picked me as their person. But after we got settled and the in-laws moved in - things changed. Max chose my mother in law as his person, he listens to her like no other. He previously had chosen my husband, which is why it was not a surprise that the shepherds picked me, since Max is not a big fan of sharing. But he of course will still come back to mom when he doesn't feel good. Rex chose my father in law as his person and spends all the time he can with him, and only comes back to the group when 'grandpa' leaves. Lexi took that opportunity to be my dog 110%. And it's shifted the power a bit. Lexi is a little more in charge now as Max lost his big back up - and honestly I think is a little tired from the stress of trying to keep an eye on the whole house / land / family members. He's happier not having to "lead". 

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Now, just recently (you may have seen if you have been following the daily posts) - we have had a new comer join the pack. 

Daisy, the husky, was an unplanned add to the crew. She trails behind the others in age - instead of continuing our 1 year apart trend, she is about 3 years younger than Lexi. 

She is a ball of snuggles and a ball of crazy. She loves to cuddle, but has zoomies like mad and when bored, has unfortunately, been a bit destructive (my couch has suffered). She is now my husband's dog.

We are still working to get the pack acclimated to this new normal. The boys have done this dance before and have allowed Daisy in, without too much trouble. Lexi, however, has not done this before - and honestly, I am thinking it is different for girls. Because these two ladies are not on the same page as each other. They are both stubborn, a bit too protective/possessive, and a bit unpredictable. Which makes for a risky balance. Once they realize how alike they are, they could be besties.

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With the new year, Daisy will attend the same training the others did. Then we will make some changes to get this acclimation process (hopefully) completed. 

It is interesting to look back at how this started with just me and Max in an apartment to now in a house with my husband, in-laws, and 4 furry babies.  

We've got a pup per person. And we are definitely maxed out now. 

I love them all! Just a little differently. Max was the original baby. Rex is a giant baby. Lexi is my girl. And Daisy is a sweet and spicy nugget. They all keep me on my toes for sure.