Dog with a Blog

Duke's Debut

Duke Alfonso Martinez was born on February 6, 2012. Juan's friend breeds German Shepherds up in Georgia, and, well, he seemed to have gotten both of his little ladies pregnant at the same time. So, we ended up getting this precious thing for a very good price!

But honestly, how can you say no to this face?

Daddy and Mama Dukes (see what I did there...) are from Germany, so that makes Duke a German German Shepherd! There really is a difference. 

Juan surprised me with Duke the day before we were heading up to Savannah for St. Patty's Day. Naturally, Duke traveled with us. He has been a world traveler ever since!

Long trip home from Texas! Summer 2012

Duke enjoys long walks on the beach and ice cubes. During my pregnancy, we both downed ice cubes like no one's business. Literally, one for me, one for Duke, one for me, one for Duke- until the entire cup of ice was empty. 

Duke is Juan's treasure. Juan lets him sleep in our bed, sit on the couch, ride in the front seat... the ridiculousness goes on and on. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs. But, the line needs to be drawn somewhere, and I have no problem drawing a thick ol' line when Duke is going on 3 weeks without a bath. 

Speaking of which, do you have ANY IDEA how difficult and tedious it is to wash and dry a 100 pound dog by yourself. In a bathtub. With only so many towels and a hair blow dryer. 

It's madness. 

Yes, we pay a stupid amount of money every now and then for Petsmart to have a go at him, but he either comes home not fully brushed, covered in his own pee (sometimes, he gets a bit too excited when we pick him up), or cute as a button, in which case, he expects another professional bath in a week. 

Something Petsmart IS good at? Puppy training! 

Disclaimer: If you have ever visited our home, disregard Duke's initial behavior. Sometimes, like I mentioned, he gets a wee wee bit excited. Or he may go in the total opposite direction, lose his shit, and bark at you until YOU pee your pants. 

I swear he has manners. 

Duke's graduation from Intermediate School- he even went on to get his Masters at Advanced School!

See, my dog can high five. What a scholar.

 Recommendation: If you are thinking about puppy training at Petsmart in the St. John's Town Center in Jax, go with Katie Wilson. She's amazing. 

This right here melts my heart.

Bad parenting? Probably.

 Only one year apart, these two are going to have a great time growing up together.