Happy 2011!

September 25, 2010 was my last post - that was last year! What was I thinking? I guess I just got a little too involved with trying to keep Elphie contained that I didn't have time for blogging. Shame on me :(  Turns out Elphie can't be contained so I was throwing away my blogging time for nothing! Oh, motherhood...

Elphie turned 9 months this month. We think she's done teething but that hasn't stopped her from chewing up the house. We've lost a rug, a part of Husband's sandal and a piece of my favorite chair all within Elphie's teething stage. We used to keep her in her own playpen during the day while we were at work, within range of the doggie door, but as she grew she got smarter and learned that she could climb up the gate and out into the world (the "world" being our living room). Noticing that this was our last ditch effort of keeping her in one area, we were left with the decision to let her have free roam of the house. This was not a good idea, hence the destroyed articles previously mentioned. Finally we sucked it up and chose to crate her during the day while hiring a dog walker to come during the afternoon to care for and play with her. Even though this was the most expensive option it turned out to be the best one, for both us and for Elphie. A win/win situation if you will. We don't come home to a destroyed house and Elphie has made a new friend. Sometimes our dog walker will bring her dogs on the trip so Elphie gets some puppy play time, too. 

My schedule has changed a bit now that we crate her. I get up at my usual time but now I take her for a short bathroom trip walk in the morning and one again at night. At least I'm moving more with this schedule so I guess that's good :::grumble grumble::: Eventually I'm going to get up even earlier and go for a real walk and take Elphie with me. Eventually.