Chaucer's first B-Day

So, today is Chaucer's official birthday. He turns one today. The kids were all excited about it. They wanted Hank, the neighbor's dog, to come over for his "party." Hank sometimes escapes his yard and wanders over here, and when he does, Chauc goes absolutely crazy. So, like a very good mom, Jenny called and they brought him over. Jen gave them both birthday bones.

We got Chauc in August this year. He was already pretty big... he is a "big" Chocolate Lab. We actually got him off of Craig's list believe it or not. He was in a house in Worcester, and they already had another dog and Chauc was too much trouble for them. So we bought him.

I knew that it would take some getting used to. The first day we had him, we decided that we weren't going to let him upstairs where our rugs are... the first floor is all wide pine floors. Well, that first afternoon, Nora wanted him to come upstairs, so against our decision, I let him. Five minutes later, diarrhea all over the rugs. Unbelievable. I spent the next half hour cleaning and recleaning the rugs. Jenny spent equal time cleaning after letting me know, in no uncertain terms, how stupid I was.

Fortunately, that is the only time that happened. He is sleeping on the rug right at my feet in our bedroom as I type this. He is a really good dog. He is all love... for months I didn't think he could bark. After a bit though, I heard him. I guess he barks when we leave for a while.

I have had equal success and failure with training him so far. I bought a wired, in-ground invisible fence and boy do I love it. Chaucer hit the thing a couple times, and now I don't even have to put a collar on him at all... he completely knows his boundaries.
He still doesn't crap in the woods though... right in the yard. If any of you know a good way to train him on that one, I am completely open for advice... (please).

The biggest asset he has become is with our kids. They both completely love him. Nora seriously rides him like a horse. They both look forward to seeing him first thing in the morning. He sleeps right next to Nora's bed some nights. Although, we have radiant heat downstairs, so on these cold nights, you can mostly find him down there. I've actually considered joining him... ah those heated floors!

He is sweet and loyal and kinda dumb. He knows how to sit and lay down and he comes every time I call. He is absolutely crazy about dog treats. He jumps into any body of water near him. He dug up some flowers in the front yard, destroyed the spotlight, tore apart the rope ladder on the kids swing set. But how can you hate on a dog that drapes himself over your feet any time you sit down. He is a great addition to our family.

Happy First Birthday Chauc!

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