Happy 1st Birthday!

Nova's not to sure about the hat 

"Oh...ooookay, but only this once"

Nova's new B-day rope/football toy 

"Thanks Mom and Dad!!"

Bubble Shower!

Nova discovers bubbles for the first time!

Shoulder Update

Nova has been on chondroprotec (glucosamine) shots since January. We have seen lots of improvement, but still see the occasional limp here and there, especially if she's been running around a lot. We have weaned her from twice a week down to once a month and she is doing fantastic! Our vet expects to stop the shots altogether in a few months.

Nova is also retaking the Beginner class she was in before. We definitely need the classes - we are nowhere near where I want to be with her.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

We got Nova a new seat belt instead of using the crate in the car. She likes to chew it but we spray bitter apple on it to keep her from chewing. She likes to stick her head out the window of the car sometimes.

Today we took Nova to Sarah P. Duke Gardens. There where tons of people and kids and strollers but Nova did not care, which is good because we want her to be comfortable in that situation. She still sometimes reacts to other dogs but we are working with her and she is getting much better.

When we were at the gardens Nova jumped over a 4ft wall and landed in some of the flowers - REALLY NAUGHTY!! We were super embarrassed and surprised she jumped that high!

Not pictured: Nova riding the elevator

Push 'N' Play The Jolly-Ball Way!

Nanna-Nana-Na-Na!!

Nova <3's Bananas!!

Valentine's Day Destruction

Josh & I received a Valentine's Day Care Package from Gma & Gpa VB!! ....And guess who thought it was for her!! Good thing she didn't get into the chocolates!! hahaha!! What a mess!!

Minor OCD in Shoulder

Dr. Jon diagnosed Nova with minor Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) after her x-ray a couple weeks ago. Her outlook is good because of the strict rest we've had her on. We've also started her on Glucosamine Injections to help with her pain and lameness. We've seen significant improvement in her gait and personality, and are all much happier now that we can start going outside for walks--even though we have to start more walk training again because of all the time off. She's much bigger and stronger now and tends to take us for the walks--but not for long!!!

Merry X-Mas

Shoulder Update

For the past month or so, we've been keeping Nova under strict rest - no walks and no running. Unfortunately her shoulder has not really healed yet, so today she is undergoing x-rays to help diagnose what the problem is. Her shoulder doesn't seem to slow her down any, but when the vet manipulates it we can tell she's in pain.

Hopefully the x-rays will help us find what the issue is...

Puddle Play

"Go Get Daddy"

Still Growing!

Still growing...

Happy Howlerween

Josh carved a pumpkin of Nova this year for Halloween!! He used a blown up image of her as the template too--So it really is her! It turned out very cool!!