One more week!

Ok, so Tonka is very strong, smart and stubborn. He is, after all, a Presa Canario. After much work and patience on our part to keep his ear bandages in place, at least they lasted a week. So, back to the vet we went for the last time. The doctor was so patient and happy to see Tonka again. Not because he had to redo the bandages, but because he has a soft spot in his heart for Tonka. 🙂

We went for a short walk to explore the rugged terrain near Barceloneta after seeing the vet.

Ah… fresh ocean air… seamist splashing on your face… the sun shining down… relax…

It looks like they’re kissing but they’re actullay tugging on a rope!

The rope is tied to the window bars… I hope they don’t pull them off!

Of course, we stopped by the beach near Barceloneta to explore a new area. We love adventure! There’s this spot that looks like it came right out of a Sci-Fi movie – a crater like formation right on the water! We took a slow, easy walk on the rugged terrain and took in the fresh, salty ocean breeze and wonderful sunshine.

Then we went home for some yummy dinner and playtime!

Another dog day in paradise!

Tonka and Lola are 18 weeks old in these photos.

Tonka’s New Friends

Tonka and Lola took turns going to the park with PresaMama one afternoon. The idea was to bond with a leisurely stroll but….. the energetic kids at the playground had a different idea:

PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!

Three-year-old Neni liked to pet and sit next to her huge, gentle friend.

At only 10 years old, *** asked a lot of good questions about Tonka, including how to take care of him and how he compares to other breeds.

This is Tonka’s fave place to jump! Only twice though – I didn’t want to deal with any injuries!

Eight-year-old *** became and expert dog walker by the time we left the park!

Tonka greets his friend on the way to the park almost every day.

 

I was so impressed with how gentle they were with the little ones. It’s as if they know the difference between adults and kids! We played chase all around the park and through the basketball court… climbed on the jungle gym… Tonka even jumped off a couple of times! He only went down the slide once, though. Not his cup of tea, I imagine.

Two of the kids even learned how to properly walk Tonka on leash. Wow, they learn so fast – both doggie and kiddo!

The Perro de Presa Canario is truly a noble breed.

Tonka is 16 weeks old in these photos.

Reunited and It Feels So Good!

Time to take those bandages off and BE FREEEEEEEE!!!!!

Tonka and Lola were finally reunited and inseparable!

They truly did everything together this week!

This is how we climb piles of debris in the park together.

This is how we “down and relax” after our walk.

This is how we sit before coming inside. 🙂

This is how we eat together.

This is how we play on the beach.

This is how we explore all those smells on the beach.

This is how we nap in our crate after we explore and play on the beach.

Tonka and Lola are 16 weeks old in these photos.

Let’s go to the BEACH!

One of our favorite places is the beach. So naturally, we had to take the puppies as soon as we had the chance!

Such a simple contraption produces so much fun!

Tonka and Lola just can’t let it go!

Different rope, same good fun!

Tonka Truck blends in so well… Keep trying Lolinski!

Lola wants some of Daddy’s “water”! 🙂

They sit so well anywhere we go!

It’s so important to take puppies out on a variety of field trips. This helps socialize them, experience new things and build confidence. The more experiences they have in different settings around different people, vehicles, nature and other animals, the more balanced and tolerant they will be. Field trips also offer great opportunities to reinforce good behaviors and practice training exercises.

Tonka and Lola’s first time to the beach was a blast! We took them toIsla Verde, Puerto Rico where doggies of all kinds are welcome. We walked them on leash up and down the shore. The waves were so loud that the puppies were a bit apprehensive about getting too close to the water. We did get our feet wet, though, when one sneaky wave swooped up behind us! “Ah, you see? It’s not so bad, right?” Yeah right! Tonka wasn’t having it, and walked as far from the water as the leash would allow him. But Lola just kept on frolicking, that happy-go-lucky girl! 

A tired puppy is a happy puppy. So after our walk we let them play with a rope, explore the shrubs and grassy area, say hello to other dogs and interact with all the people who came by to check them out. (They’re rock stars!)

As you can see in the photos above, they were tuckered out! No, Lola did not drink anything from the green bottle – we always have delicious water on hand for them!

Tonka and Lola are 12 weeks old in these photos.

Friendly Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry is universal. No matter what your species or ethnicity or culture, fact is…if you have a sibling then you have a rivalry. Tonka and Lola are no different! They compete for everything!

– Who can sit the fastest to get their treat first…

– Who gets to greet Mama and Daddy first as we come through the door…

– Who gets to sit on the bench (King of the Hill!)…

– Who can run to the end of the minigarden to chew on the yummy plants first…

– Who gets the most praise for going “pee-pee and poo-poo on the paper”!

You name it, they compete for it.

She loves to jump up onto the ledge and run for her life from Tonka!

If she can’t see us, we can’t see her! 🙂 Right?

Look at that pose…

Remember watching tiger cubs playfight on the Discovery Channel? That’s Tonka and Lola!

I always lose, compelled to smother him with kisses!

Many times, jealousy takes over: Tonka and Lola end up chewing on each others’ ears and legs… or pouncing “Nacho Libre” style! Then a boisterous bout of playfighting ensues. What a great way to settle disagreements and get tired enough to nap! Playfight!!!

Of course, at the end of the day…

…they lick each others’ wounds…

…make tiger cub noises as they lovingly gnaw each others’ faces…

…and fall fast asleep.

In these photos, Tonka and Lola are 10 weeks old.

Baby Presa Life

It must be so much fun to have a twin to play with… Think of all the trouble you can get into, especially with such cool parents 😉 !  Anything can be a toy… Tie up an old bra for tug-of-war… Toss an empty plastic bottle on the floor for exciting noises…Play hide-and-seek under chairs and tables… Tell secrets in your very own twin language… And use each other as pillows…

Time for some tug-o-war!

Tonka loves to be chased with his toy!

Lola was so cute trying to hide under daddy!

It must be so fun to have a twin!

They love to use each other as a pillow!

Ah, the life of a baby presa… 🙂

In these photos, Tonka and Lola are 9 weeks old.

There’s Always Room For One More

We made multiple trips to see the puppies at Cano’s place until they were of age to go to their new homes. One by one, the puppies were leaving, but the two we had our eyes on stayed behind. Cano wanted to make sure that we got the pick of the litter! Why are we so lucky? I guess he sensed our passion for four-legged furry friends and knew that whoever went home with us would have a most wonderful life.

The puppies got bigger and bigger with every visit! My, how fast they grow! And how beautiful they are! Big, square heads, roly-poly, heavy paws and great personalities!

Tonka’s Pose @ 8 Weeks Old

Tonka’s Side Pose @ 8 Weeks Old

Lola’s Pose @ 8 Weeks Old

Lola’s Side Pose @ 8 Weeks Old

Sharing Delicious Water

Play! Play! Play!

Big sigh… As my Nana always says, “Donde come uno, comen dos.” There’s always room for one more… Having fallen in love with both puppies, and even secretly having named them both, we looked at each other and knew: we’re taking both of them home! Cano wasn’t surprised. He saw it coming. 🙂  After so many visits and questions and taking notes he know we wouldn’t be able to choose just one. Besides, isn’t it better to have a sibling playmate than to grow up alone? Sure, it’s double the work, but it’s also double the fun! From the start, these two were inseparable! Drinking, eating, playing, sleeping together…

We spent the next two days “puppy-proofing” the house and shopping for essentials (bowls, beds, food) and gathered plenty of newspapers. We just couldn’t wait to take our Tonka and Lola home!

So, here’s to adventure!