Ah, you know you love your doggie when you’d rather photograph his mischievous deeds than reprimand him…
Sigh…
Tonka is 22 weeks old in these photos.
Ah, you know you love your doggie when you’d rather photograph his mischievous deeds than reprimand him…
Sigh…
Tonka is 22 weeks old in these photos.
Bathtime isn’t always fun, but it sure is necessary! Lola does not enjoy getting wet, though she’s an expert in getting dirty… She loves to do some “gardening” at home, roll around in the mud at the park, splash in puddles as we walk down the street and dig a napping hole in the sand at the beach…
Big Boy Tonka… He’s a very special doggie… He likes to do all the messy things that his sister, Lola, likes to do… However, he stays perfectly still for his bath. We like to lather them up on a warm, sunny day (lots of those in PR!), rinse off with the cool hose water, towel dry and let them air dry. “Wash and go!”
All done! Now let’s see those beautiful baby milk teeth!
I guess it’s time for Mama Presa and Presa Dad to shower… After all that shaking, we’re completely wet anyway! 🙂
Tonka and Lola are 21 weeks old in these photos.
Tonka’s recovery was not easy… The poor little guy went through a lot of pain, Lola was lonely and nobody got any sleep. His ears drooped a bit during the second week of recovery. The vet said it was normal and placed the bandages on again. This time a bit more securely and they lasted a little longer. The hard-headed guy kept trying to find ways to take them off…
Once Tonka felt well enough we headed out to Old San Juan to wander around Fort El Morro and rest in the shade of Plaza Colon. It’s always so nice to spend time with my Presa Babies! 🙂
Tonka and Lola are 17 weeks old in these photos.
Time to take those bandages off and BE FREEEEEEEE!!!!!
Tonka and Lola were finally reunited and inseparable!
They truly did everything together this week!
Tonka and Lola are 16 weeks old in these photos.
The surgery went well and we were happy to have Tonka back home!
However, Tonka and Lola had to be kept apart for fear that she’d hurt his tender, healing ears. Not on purpose, of course. They just play so brutally harsh we didn’t want to take any chances. She might easily chew on the bandages, bite his ears, knock him over, etc. etc.
Just in case there’s ever any doubt as to whether or not animals have feelings: Tonka and Lola were miserable, lonely, forlorn, grumpy and irritable while they were apart. They lost their appetite a bit, too, so we had to be vigilant that they ate.
The hardest part was watching Tonka suffer and being completely helpless to ease his pain and anxiety. We gave him all the meds the vet prescribed, including painkillers. Sleepless nights ensued for eveybody, furry-four-footers and humans. Tonka and Presa Dad stayed in the back room with quiet, mini fridge, TV and air conditioning. Presa Mama and Lola had the rest of the house with only each other for entertainment – and the park!
It was an incredible bonding experience for both pairs: Tonka and Presa Dad, Lola and Presa Mama. However, it’s not one we’d like to repeat!
Tonka and Lola are 15 weeks old in these photos.
Just a couple more pictures before Tonkas’ ears are lopped off… I couldn’t imagine what he would look like with “big boy” ears!
Lola will take after her mom Avva de Presas del Caribe and keep her ears long and natural. There’s just something so sweet about them. We didn’t get her to show her, so why put her throught unnecessary pain? Tonka will be a strong candidate for showmanship, plus taking care of one recuperating puppy will be easier than two, right?
Tonka’s vet was very good and explained the procedure, step by step. Presa Dad got to see him after the surgery. Poor guy was still groggy. He stayed overnight so that the vet tech could keep a close eye on him until the next day.
I knew we would miss him, but I didn’t realize just how much! Little Lola had never been alone at night, always having her littermates and mom to snuggle with. So, we inflated the air mattress and had a slumber party! Just Presa Mama, Presa Dad and Lola.
Now I understand why Tonka and Lola sleep all day: they are up all night long! Guard dogs… 🙂 I wouldn’t have slept very well anyway, thinking about Tonka and anxious to bring him back home.
Tonka and Lola are 14 weeks old in these photos.
Having a twin must be amazing. Can you imagine being with someone every day of your existence from conception? From birth to potty training? Eating and drinking from the same bowls? Sleeping and using each other as pillows? Playing and playfighting? Learning to walk on leash and how to sit, competing for treats?
Tonka and Lola must be having a wonderful time sharing everything together, learning, growing… So as we made Tonka’s appointment for ear cropping surgery in a week, I couldn’t help to think: Wow, they’re really going to miss each other while he recuperates…
Until then, let just keep having fun! After all, don’t we just love the way canines “live in the moment”?
Tonka and Lola are 14 weeks old in these photos.
Tonka and Lola love to explore and make toys out of anything they find! Coconuts are ubiquitous in Puerto Rico and once the puppies found one, they went nuts! 🙂 (Heh, heh, pun intended)
Coconuts make great toys because there’s so much to chew and tear off. The puppies love to hear the water inside slosh around as they shake them from side to side. Some dogs have been known to crack the inside shell and eat the meat too! Tonka and Lola aren’t interested in that. They just want to take it apart and move on… 🙂
As with any toy, natural or manmade, puppies must be supervised for safety.
Tonka and Lola are 13 weeks in these photos.