Bianca's Blog

First Day

2009-08-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

An amazing technological advance allows us to go back in time and hear Bianca's thoughts...

I am sooo taking over this place when I grow up.

Father's Day

2009-05-11T19:17:00.001-07:00

Ok, a little early, but I found this old picture of Paul and Bianca and it is too sweet not too share.

When I was small, I would curl up on Daddy when I was scared.

Daddy yelled at me

2009-04-14T21:30:00.001-07:00

...and I went away to Be Sad.*

*I may, perhaps, have failed to come when called, and perhaps instead chose to bark ferociously at a woman with a baby carriage 2 streets away, and perhaps I DID ignore Daddy just a bit. And perhaps Daddy DID have to run after me in his socks through spring mud. In front of the neighbors. And perhaps it was early on a weekend.

Mirror, mirror...

2009-02-23T18:35:00.001-08:00

...on the wall, who is the fairest Dane of all?

Great picture!

2009-01-29T16:35:00.000-08:00

Picture is courtesy of the good folkz at I Haz A Hotdog , and yes, the dog really is a rescue.

Happy 2nd Birthday!

2008-12-15T17:19:00.001-08:00

Roseland Bianca Coppola (Dane) and "Buddy" (indeterminate mix) both turned 2 years old this week. Naturally, we had a party!

Why did you put this on my head?

I wear this hat under protest.

Some chaotic wrangling...

They are really very, very good dogs.

Flowers!

2008-12-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

I got flowers at work just for being me!

Notice the curious snout in the background...

Winter Fun With Unkee Dunkee!

2008-12-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

Bianca and Buddy play with best friend Duncan the Mastiff.

Duncan (brown dog, left) had a fleeting notion that he was going to jump up on the hay bale. Then he remembered he weighed 175 pounds and had bad hips.

Winter fun

2008-12-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

Bianca and Buddy like to go for walks in the farmer's field and play on/around the hay bales.

Ha! You can't get me!

Hi-yaaaa! I chase you!

Notice the foal blanket on Bianca. A Dane is a big dog.

Yeah, that's me looking like a doofus in the red hat. It's about a half mile walk to the field, then another quarter or so uphill to go somewhere isolated enough I'm comfortable letting them run. (Bianca believes a strong offense is the best defense, where strange people/dogs/sounds/sights/smells/etc are concerned)

Blast from the past

2008-10-08T18:19:00.001-07:00

Bianca baby pic. Probably about 4 weeks old? Notice the sweet, innocent expression. Even at 4 weeks, she was a little actress.

I hope I can be brave enough to sniff your hand! For I am small and timid, you see? (yes, yes, they look stupid enough to fall for this.)

Fast forward to today...

Bianca posts this picture as a symbol of her present day suffering. Behold the neglect.

They haven't even tucked in my sheet! And look - my PILLOW is missing, and they've substituted a little fleece blanket. Like I'm going to fall for that.

Buddy is ready for his close up

Unlike my loopy whackadoodle sister, I am a well adjusted, normal dog. My biggest vice is trying VERY hard to make friends with the cats. Even when they are, shall we say, less interested.

A less interested cat

I am hiding under the computer desk. I hate the dogs.

Not letting them lie

2008-09-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

Unsuspecting tired dogs, sleeping peacefully...

"Oh crap she turned the light on. Try playing dead."

sotto voice: "Is it working? Is she falling for it?"

Why has the dog-god forsaken me? She won't go away!

Although annoyed, no puppies were injured in the course of blogging...

Puppies who play become tired

2008-08-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Very tired puppies.

Very very tired puppies

Please to ignore the laundry.

Hail + Puppies = Fun!

2008-06-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

A storm front blew through town today, so the puppies saw hail for the first time...

At the first sound of hail, Bianca runs to the door. What is this?

Buddy quickly joins...

Daddy, what IS all this?

Whole lotta hail + puppy wading pool

Another view, post-storm (puppy drinking bowl + gazebo)

When the storm breaks, puppies are ON THE MOVE, inspecting this strange event...

*Sniffsniffsniffsniffsniff*

Pretty picture of the hail burning off in the sunshine as steam around the peony bush

Tired puppies

2008-06-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

After a 2-hour hike and a play in the yard, they're finally pooped. People wonder why I have no free time...

Hmm, perhaps just a wee little nap...

I'll snooze right here beside ya, sis...

A rare Mischief sighting.
Are those dogs out there? I'll hiss at them if they come in here.

A teeny tiny Dane

2008-05-19T17:59:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when a Great Dane is very tired, she wants to be small. Bianca can be remarkably compact when she's of a mind to...

New Brother!!

2008-04-19T11:32:00.001-07:00

Bianca has a new brother. "Buddy" (previously "Chappelle") is a sweet tempered, well behaved, shepherd mix. His boundless energy and loving nature are a great match for our giant hound. Bianca loves her new friend so much she's almost forgotten about *us*!

I chase you around this table!

I'm not afraid of you!

When in doubt, CHARGE!

We might be getting a little tired now...

That's it. We're done. Pooped. Couldn't play if we wanted to.

15 seconds later

Puppyzilla

2008-03-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

Jumping up on people is FUN!

My husband is 6'4", to give the picture some perspective. Bianca is just over a year old - so still quite a bit of growing to do. We certainly hope that will take the form of filling out, versus getting any taller...

Hard to believe she once looked like this...

Bianca vs. Plastic, Pt. II

2008-03-06T17:48:00.000-08:00

Long time readers will recall Bianca likes to shred all things plastic and paper. Here, she engages a left over bag of dog food. (Oh, the joy)

This smells interesting!

Shred, shred, shred...

The horrible aftermath...

Are you talking about me again? I do wish you'd stop it...

You can haz doggie!

2008-02-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

Yay! New photos!

I am very dignified and regal. Why do you persist in using such infantile language on my posts?

Oh wookies! Da Puppy haz a nosie-nose!

This is just what I mean. You should not refer to my regal profile as a "nosie-nose". Do you realize there are no less than FOUR AKC Champions in my immediate bloodline?! My grandfather is in international champion, no less!

Peek-a-boo, pupper-wupper-snoogle!

Oh that's just ridiculous. I won't even respond to that.

Bye-bye pupperdoode!

Oh that's just the last straw. Call me when you have a shred of human dignity left. Ciao.

Playin' with mah spider-stuffie

2007-11-29T17:36:00.000-08:00

Puppies need to play!

Yes, this is my spider stuffie. Your point is?

I might chew on this a bit.

Yay! Daddy came to bed! *sniffsniffsniffsnufflesniff*

Grrrr! Protect the daddy! Spider-stuffie must DIE!

Victory is mine. *snort*

Sunrise,Sunset

2007-11-15T17:29:00.001-08:00

Puppy on the bed, April 07

Same puppy, November 07 (Bianca turned 11 mos old on the 12th of November)

Puppy in a nightgown!

2007-10-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

It's another wild Saturday night -- dressing up the dog for no particular reason.

Seriously, Mom - You gotta get out more.

You're very lucky this marrow bone is keeping my teeth busy.

Giant snout edition

2007-10-18T17:56:00.000-07:00

Really, it's just an enormous snout on an enormous head.

Excuse me, I'd like to come in, please...

I hear you have snausages in here...

*SniffSniffSniffSniffSniffSnuffleSniff*

Me an' my giant stuffie

2007-10-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

Just because a puppy weighs 110 pounds doesn't mean she doesn't love her stuffies.

Yay a new toy!

Serious chewing time.

Hmmm, can i fit this in my mouth?

Don't even think about taking this from me.

Ah do declare...

2007-09-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

..you are disturbing mah rest!

Whatcha doin'?

2007-09-21T21:01:00.001-07:00

Huh? Whatcha got? Does it need a puppy? Would you like a giant snout in it?

The Great Bra Chase

2007-09-18T20:33:00.001-07:00

Presented in its entirety.

I haz it!

I not relinquish new toy

Mine!

U R not fast enuff

U cannot haz it

Finally...the video

Today I ate many things

2007-09-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Here I am eating a hairbrush. This hairbrush was in what Mommy calls an "evening handbag", which was also delicious.

This is a snake stuffie Mommy bought me. For some reason it no longer squeaks. I am confused. I also shredded a napkin and a pink piggie.

This is my new toy, a giant bone stuffie. I like it very much; I plan to rip all the stuffing out and find that squeakie in it very soon.

Flashback!

2007-08-29T18:26:00.001-07:00

Resist me if you dare!

Go away n leemme lone

2007-08-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

Ize tired n in my crate. Ok thx bai.

Point/Counterpoint

2007-08-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

Puppy with appropriate play object

Puppy with inappropriate play object

"The Apollo of dogs"

2007-08-15T18:48:00.001-07:00

I honestly don't know what the AKC is smoking these days.

That face...

2007-08-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

..is why she gets to sleep on the bed.

The scary looking speckled print thing next to her is her beloved giant squeaky octopus toy. Or, at least, its remnants.

Update!

2007-07-15T17:58:00.000-07:00

About darn time.

Happy pillow time

2007-05-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

75 pounds, just turned 5 months old. Here seen in a rare moment when she is not peeing on the floor, grabbing things off shelves, or consuming hardcover books. (Apparently Norman Cantor's Civilzation of the Middle Ages is delicious)

Same puppy, 15 minutes later

All that chewing and destruction is hard work.

Killing the Rat Toy

2007-05-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

Die, rat! Die!

Bianca feels her squeaky rat is a grave and gathering threat. You can forgive such intelligence errors, because - what the heck - she's a dog. She eats her own poop, and is scared of storm drains.

You'd think folks might expect a smidge more from a President, tho'.

Very tired puppy

2007-04-25T18:02:00.000-07:00

Bianca had 10 minutes of actual obedience training. Zee mind, she is...ka-put!

So we told the trainer...

2007-04-13T19:15:00.000-07:00

...we never let the dog on the bed! Very consistent! Honest!

Get Well Soon Barb!

2007-04-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

Sweetie, Mischief, Coney, and Bianca all wish Barb the best of health and a speedy recovery from her surgery! Please get well soon so we can all play together!

Msr. Sweetie

Mme. Mischief

The tiny, once-lost, Coney

Bianca!

Get better soon, Barb! As soon as Mommy and Daddy teach me not to jump, I'd really like to play with you!

Bianca 1, Mass Mailing 0

2007-04-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

Shredding is fun!

Why....

2007-03-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

..does everyone always talk about my feet?

Proud puppy!

2007-03-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Bianca shown victorious over her mortal enemy, the blue sock. She has to play with my socks, since (as is clear from the picture), she has no appropriate toy or play objects due to her thoughtless and terrible parents.

SleepyTime

2007-03-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Had a trip to Petco today. Sunday at Petco is pretty much like taking a dog to a summer fair -lots of people of all ages/sizes, lots of pets. Bianca needs socialization so it was a good safe choice. As you can see, after such stimulation, major recharge of the batteries is required.

The Queen continues to claim doggish territory.

All Ur Dogbedz R Belong to Us.

Does this bug you?

2007-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sweetie the cat has taken up sleeping in front of Bianca's crate.

What. Is. That. Thing?!

2007-03-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

The cats have accepted that the Large Barking Thing isn't going away. We've moved to "detente" in canine/feline relations.

Sweetie observes The Horrible Thing from a seemingly safe perch. Mmm, maybe for another week or two. After that, even the top of the refrigerator is in question.

Certain Queenish female cats do not give up their territory,even for animals 30x their size and weight. Mischief continues to be unimpressed and largely annoyed with That Thing You Brought Into My House.

Little Coney, who has a feral streak, is adjusting relatively well. She now tolerates the Beast being on the same floor of the house...so long as she's denned up in a safe spot. She came out for some lap time so I grabbed this picture before she darted back into the cat room (we have a bedroom with a cat door that is theirs alone)

What's all the fuss about? I'm trying to sleep here....

New Housebreaking Method

2007-03-08T19:08:00.000-08:00

Stop pooping on the rug NOW!

By popular request

2007-03-08T18:45:00.000-08:00

Bianca in her Bette Davis coat.

About time I updated this!

2007-03-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

Bianca is home with us (as of 3/2) and is just 12 weeks old. We love her, although we won't miss housebreaking her.

Bianca below on her pillow with the coat daddy bought her. Notice how daddy plans ahead and buys the coat she needs as an adult. Of course, it will be summer when she is an adult, but apparently mommy needn't keep bringing that up.
In this picture, Bianca demonstrates the proper way to demolish the "puppy training pads" that mommy foolishly put in her crate. Mommy had this crazy notion that they were for bathroom purposes - in fact they are properly considered Fun Shredding Toys.

Envelopes are also excellent choices for shredding. This envelope was threatening Squeaky Duck, apparently. I hope paper is good for dogs.

Week 5 - Personality time!

2007-01-28T16:11:00.000-08:00

It's already week 5 - Bianca (17.5 pounds!) doesn't look like a mobile sausage anymore, and she is even showing hints of her great dane-age. Her temperment continues to be quite good, although she turns out to be a little shy! This is surprising as she is extremely outgoing and smart -- when the breeder was weaning the pups at first, she put the bitch in the high-sided whelping box with the pups on a mattress to the side. At that age, the pups cannot climb the wall of the box, and the bitch is usually quite happy for the peace. So the breeder was shocked to find Bianca in the box with Martini the next AM - apparently Bianca had Built. A. Ramp.

Out of the stuffed animals.

By the afternoon, she'd taught the others... so the breeder ended up moving Martini to another pen, which is not the point -- the point being, Bianca's got a real personality!

Still, Bianca's very shy when taken away from her sibling pack. She checks me out nervously...

I must have smelled OK. Bianca thinks my coat is a good place to snuggle. Note to self - do not wear the nice shearling coat next time.

Mommy, Why can I not lick your glasses off?

Bianca is not too sure about Daddy at first...

Ooh! My toy! Never mind, you'll do!

Week 4! Bianca looks like a puppy now!

2007-01-18T18:28:00.000-08:00

Bianca's siblings form a wary pack...

While I hold Bianca!

Bianca gives me a sniff while siblings snuggle in the background...perhaps I'll do, after all.

Week 3 - photos old and new

2007-01-06T17:42:00.000-08:00

Eyes just opened, week 3(ish) Doubt there's any focusing going on. Bianca is great about being held so far; no anxiety or yipping. Her brothers..not so much.

This one was from her first week, before her eyes were open. Such a cuddly little snausage. Having that wee little snozzle wuzzling into my arm was beyond adorable.

Puppy video!

2006-12-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

//video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=2nal5iv

Week two - behold the cute!

2006-12-28T16:42:00.000-08:00

Get that flashy thing outta my face.

Testing 1...2...3...

2006-12-21T19:44:00.000-08:00

Roseland Bianca is 1 week old! She is a great dane puppy, not that you can tell much from her current state, which most closely resembles a sausage.

Bianca is a merle colored dane, meaning she is not show quality, thus making her a perfect pet quality dane.