WELL!! CHRISTMAS IS SURE OVER!

I discovered today that Christmas is definitely over for me. I went for a ride in our truck with my people this afternoon. I didn't know where we were going but I always love to go where ever they go.

Boy was I surprised when we pulled into my Vet's office. I wasn't too worried as I had a rather nice visit the last time I was there. My lady placed me on the scale out in the waiting room and said I now weigh 23.4 pounds, up from 18.3 pounds when I first came here in November.

I sat with my family on the big benches in the waiting room and was excited when several large dogs came into the office too. But my people made sure I stayed close to them on the bench.

Soon I heard my name called and we went into a room that I remembered from before. I was placed on the table and a lady with a kind voice spoke to me and ran her hands around my body. She placed a treat on the table in front of me and then I felt a poke on my neck. Ouch! But the treat tasted so good I really didn't pay very much attention to what was going on.

Then another treat appeared and I enjoyed that one too! Ouch! Another poke. Gee, that's odd, every time I eat a treat I get a poke.

When the lady held my paws in her hand I decided that I would just sit there and be still! I didn't want any more pokes! So she trimmed my nails as I sat and watched her.

So this is what made me decide that my Christmas was really over. But I did get plenty of pats and hugs before we left the Vet's office so I guess it wasn't so bad after all.

I feel so lucky that we have received lot's more snow in the last few days. My lady took me out for a walk yesterday between snow storms and I had such a wonderful time!! I love to run fast and jump right in the middle of deep snow,shoving my self down into the snow as deep as possible.
Sometimes I find a place where I can dive deep down into the snow.

And then sometimes I can almost disappear from sight...That's my favorite part. I love it when I can find snow that deep!!

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS WITH MY "PEEPS"!!

I think I like this thing called Christmas!

I received a wonderful red ball with a bell inside of it from my loving neighbor named Glennie. It so much fun that I can actually throw it myself and chase it too! I was also given a delicious chew bone with a beautiful red bow on it.I even managed to get the bow off before I started chewing on it. It was very good so by bedtime it was just about gone.

Of course I played so hard that when I went over to the sliding door I sat down for just a moment to rest and the next thing I was fast asleep.

The curtain hid most of me but my people saw me and took this picture of me.

MY FIRST HIKE WITH MY FAMILY

It has been more than a week since my surgery and I have recovered very well. I have been out for walks on our little dirt road in front of our house several times a day in that time. But today was very special for me as my people finally took me on a short hike in the forest.

The best part was that I didn't have to wear my leash, and a bottle of fresh water was poured into my new drinking bowl that is kept in the truck. This tasted so good after we returned from our little hike.
I was very excited to show my man how I could really run like the wind and I demonstrated it several times on this hike. It felt so wonderful to hear the wind in my ears and be able to run everywhere I wanted. We even found a creek that I was able to get a fresh drink of clear, clean mountain water.

This is a video my lady took of me as I was racing along the trail. It felt so wonderful to run as fast as I wanted for as far as I wanted. Of course I made sure my people were never out of my site as I don't want them to get lost in this big forest.

I AM GETTING LOT'S OF REST

My family has kept me quiet since my visit to the surgeon so I have a chance to heal up so I can run and play again. They do find me asleep just about anywhere in the house. I was having so much fun with my ball and the next thing they noticed was me sleeping right where I was chewing on my ball.

The green "X" and stripe on the sliding glass door was placed there because this is the door I use to go out to my big kennel and to return into the house. A few times I was so excited to go back in the house that I didn't notice that the door was still closed. Well, I was not hurt, but I was a bit embarrassed about the whole thing. So now I can see the green tape even before I come running up the stairs.
This is another instant resting spot. The cool kitchen floor always makes me feel good so I take advantage of this area a lot.

I am feeling pretty good these last few days so I hope my people will take me out into the forest so I can see what it is like to go on a hike with them. I overheard them talking about it just this morning so maybe real soon!

I THINK I JUST HAD SOME KIND OF SURGERY!

Today my lady and I rode in our truck when my man was going to work. I wasn't sure what we were doing with him but I enjoyed listening to their voices as we bumped along the road.

After some time we stopped and he climbed out and said many kind sounding words to me and we drove away. My lady held me close to her as we traveled down the road. I enjoy sitting up tall and watching things go by our truck so fast. I especially like to watch the birds that are flying high in the sky.

We arrived in a city and I decided it was time to take a short nap so I snuggled down into my blanket. I was just feeling the joys of deep sleep when my lady woke me up. She placed my leash on my collar as I climbed from the truck. Instantly I recognised all the loud barking coming from the building. I am wondering if she is returning me to this place where I came from or are we just here to visit.

I soon discovered that this was not just a visit. My lady spoke to the staff at the counter and one of them brought around a small kennel. My lady spoke so gently to me as she placed me in this kennel and I wondered what was going on. The tone of her voice did reassure me that everything would be okay so I tried to be very brave.

After my lady went out the big door I was carried in my little kennel into the back room where I remember spending many nights before I found a family to adopt. I know these people here were good to me but I really want to go home with my real family.

I looked around and discovered that there were several young dogs and kitties in their own kennels too. This is the time when things start to get a little foggy for me. And I am not sure just where I went or what happened. But I do remember feeling so very sleepy and hearing my peoples voices speaking softly to me. And I remember feeling the warm comforting feeling of my ladies arms around me. And for some reason I just couldn't find the strength to stand up so I just curled up in my ladies lap and let the movement of our truck rock me back to sleep.

Later that evening I woke up enough to find my way to my familiar water bowl and food dish. The water tasted good but I wasn't interested in the food. My family carried me to bed later that night and I slept soundly through the night.

When I awoke the next morning my tummy area was very sore but it felt so good when my people gently rubbed it as they talked with me. They said that what I had done would make me a very happy little dog for the rest of my life. I have no idea what they are talking about but I am so thankful to wake up in my own wonderful cozy home with my lady and man and our family cat with me.

By the end of the first day I was much more awake and I could even play with my chew toys and ball for a little while before falling into a deep comfortable sleep again. By the morning of the second day I was ready to play and run but my people kept me on my leash so I wouldn't run and play to much.

What few memories I had of this strange experience soon faded from my memory as we settled back into our daily routine of a very happy family.

MY FIRST "TASTE" OF SNOW

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FIRST SNOWFALL OF MY LIFE! WHAT STRANGE STUFF THIS IS. I FOUND OUT REAL FAST THAT I JUST COULDN'T EAT ALL OF IT SO I DECIDED THAT I WOULD JUST PLAY IN IT INSTEAD.

I RAN AND RAN EVERY WHERE AND IT WAS SO MUCH FUN SLIPPING AND SLIDING AROUND IN THE SNOW. AND THIS STUFF MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS RUNNING LIKE THE WIND. AND I FOUND THAT I LOVED RUNNING WITH MY NOSE DOWN LIKE I WAS PLOWING IT OUT OF MY WAY. THIS WAS A LOT OF FUN BUT MY LITTLE NOSE SURE BECAME COLD REAL FAST.

AFTER A WHILE MY LADY SAID THAT I HAD ENOUGH SNOW ALL OVER MY LITTLE BODY AND WE HAD BETTER GET INSIDE OUR COZY HOME SO I COULD GET WARMED UP RIGHT AWAY.

SHE BROUGHT ME IN AND DRIED ME OFF WITH A WARM SOFT TOWEL AND GAVE ME A WONDERFUL BISCUIT. I TOOK THE TREAT OVER TO MY DAY KENNEL AND ENJOYED EVERY BITE OF IT. BUT IT WASN'T BUT A FEW MOMENTS LATER THAT I HAD ALREADY FALLEN INTO A SWEET BLISSFUL SLEEP.

MY PEOPLE HAVE NEVER CLOSED THE DOOR ON MY LITTLE HOME KENNEL SO I CLIMB IN IT ALL THE TIME TO TAKE MY NAPS. AND THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO HIDE ALL MY TOY TREASURES SO THEY DON'T GET SUCKED UP IN THAT TERRIBLE VACUUM MONSTER THAT COMES AROUND ONCE IN A WHILE

MY FIRST LESSON FOR HIKING

My people keep talking about our upcoming adventures in the woods this upcoming summer. It all sounds very exciting but of course I really don't understand what they are talking about. One day after a trip into town my lady pulled me close to her and talked softly to me as she held up a strange smelling nylon bag. She petted me softly as she placed this odd thing on my back. Of course the first thing I did was to sit down thinking I could get rid of this monster on my back. But my lady spoke so kindly and softly to me that I stood still as she placed it back on my back and fastened straps around my belly and around my chest.

She was smiling as she placed my leash on my collar and encouraged me to walk with her. After a few steps I decided that this thing on me wasn't so bad and it weighed nearly nothing so I trotted on down the road next to her as if I didn't even have this new strange thing on me.

My lady stopped and praised me and told me how wonderful I was and how great I looked with my own backpack on. So that is what this thing is! Wow, a place to carry my very own treats as we venture out into the woods. I think I am going to really like this thing called hiking next summer.

And I will even bet that by next summer I will be big enough to carry some drinking water along with my wonderful treats!!!

A NEW ADVENTURE FOR ME

MY DAYS ARE FILLED WITH COMFORT, FUN TOYS TO CHEW ON, GOOD FOOD, AND BISCUITS WHEN I COME BACK FROM DOING MY BATHROOM CHORES OUTSIDE. MY PEOPLE SEEM SO PLEASED THAT I AM LEARNING SO MANY NEW THINGS SO VERY FAST. EVERYTHING IS SUCH A WONDERFUL NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME. THEY MAKE IT SO EASY FOR ME TO BE GOOD BECAUSE THEIR KINDNESS FEELS SO GOOD.

MY PEOPLE TAKE ME OUT FOR FUN WALKS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY AND I HAVE FOUND SOME INCREDIBLE PLACES TO VENTURE. THERE IS TALL GRASS NEAR THE ROAD AND I GET TO RUN THROUGH IT AND PRETEND I AM A GREAT HUNTER AND I POUNCE ON IMAGINARY PREY.

ON OUR WALKS WE ARE ALWAYS CAREFUL WHEN THE BIG DOGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD COME OUT IN THE ROAD. SEVERAL OF THEM JUST WANT TO GET TO KNOW ME BUT THEY SEEM SO BIG TO ME THAT I WANT MY PEOPLE TO PICK ME UP TO KEEP ME SAFE. WE SHARE MY TREATS WITH THEM SO NOW THEY LOOK FORWARD TO MY WALKS WHEN WE WALK BY THEIR HOUSE. THEY RUN OUT TO GREET US WITH THEIR TAILS WAGGING.

MY LADY TOOK ME ON AN ADVENTURE OUT IN THE WOODS AND IT WAS WONDERFUL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES ON THE TRAIL MY LADY TOOK THE LEASH OFF MY COLLAR AND SHE LET ME RUN FREE. IT TOOK ME A MINUTE TO REALIZE THAT I COULD RUN ANYWHERE I WANTED. AND I RAN LIKE THE WIND...EVERYWHERE. I FOUND THE RIVER AND JUST HAD TO GO IN AND GET A DRINK.

I RAN AHEAD OF HER ON THE TRAIL MANY TIMES BUT I KEPT COMING BACK TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS STILL THERE. I AM BEGINNING TO REALIZE THAT MY PEOPLE WILL NOT ABANDON ME WHEN WE ARE OUT IN THE WOODS, BUT I NEED TO KNOW SHE IS THERE AND NOT LOST!

ON ONE OF MY SPEED RUNS THROUGH THE WOODS I RAN SO FAST THAT I FOUND MYSELF ON WHAT I LEARNED IS A FROZEN POND. IT WAS VERY STRANGE THAT I COULD SEE THE GROUND BUT COULDN'T WALK ON IT. MY LADY TALKED TO ME IN A VERY GENTLE VOICE AS SHE URGED ME TO COME TO THE EDGE OF THIS FROZEN PLACE. I DID NOT KNOW WHAT KIND OF DANGER I WAS IN BUT I WENT TO HER AND SAT DOWN BESIDE HER, HAPPY TO SEE HER. SHE BENT DOWN AND GAVE ME A BIG HUG AND TALKED SOFTLY TO ME.

AFTER MY WALKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OR IN THE WOODS SLEEP COMES TO ME QUICKLY. AND IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO WAKE UP AND THERE ARE MY PEOPLE STILL WITH ME AND I FEEL SO HAPPY THAT THIS FAMILY LET ME ADOPT THEM.

MY FIRST DAYS IN MY NEW HOME

JOY AND EXCITEMENT OVERCAME ME WHEN I AWOKE ON MY FIRST MORNING IN THIS NEW HOME AND REALIZED THAT I HADN'T JUST DREAMT THAT I HAD A NEW FAMILY AND A HOME OF MY OWN. MY PEOPLE STIRRED FROM THEIR SLEEP AT THE SAME TIME AS I DID AND I KIND OF WENT CRAZY WHEN THEY SMILED AND SPOKE TO ME. I DO BELIEVE THEY UNDERSTOOD MY UNCONTROLLED WIGGLING AS THEY BOTH KNELT DOWN AND HUGGED ME AND PETTED ME.

AS I DRIFTED OFF TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT I MADE A PROMISE TO MYSELF THAT I WOULD TRY MY VERY BEST NOT TO HAVE AN "ACCIDENT" IN THIS NEW HOME DURING THE NIGHT. I WAS TAKEN OUT TO RELIEVE MYSELF JUST BEFORE I WENT TO BED SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TILL MORNING.

MY PEOPLE HAD GIVEN ME A VERY COMFORTABLE BLANKET FOR ME TO SLEEP AND PLAY ON THE DAY THEY BROUGHT ME HOME WITH THEM. I LOVED IT AND MADE SURE ALL OF MY WONDERFUL TOYS AND CHEW STICKS WERE KEPT ON IT SO I ALWAYS KNEW WHERE THEY WERE AND WEREN'T UNDER MY PEOPLES FEET. THEY MADE A SPECIAL PLACE FOR ME TO SLEEP ON RIGHT BESIDE THEIR BED SO MY LADY PLACED HER HAND ON ME MANY TIMES DURING THE NIGHT TO GIVE ME COMFORT AND TO REASSURE ME THAT THEY WERE STILL THERE. I SURE LIKE THIS PLACE.

INTO MY THIRD DAY MY LADY BROUGHT ME THIS WONDERFUL PET CONTAINER AND I JUMPED INTO IT BEFORE SHE EVEN HAD IT PLACED ON THE RUG. I LOVE IT AND SPEND MANY OF MY NAPS HERE. A WARM SOFT BLANKET WAS PLACED IN IT AND NOW IT IS FILLED WITH COMFORT FOR ME.
ABOUT A WEEK LATER LIFE GOT EVEN BETTER WHEN MY PEOPLE DECIDED THAT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN SUCH A WONDERFUL COMPANION I COULD SLEEP ON THE FOOT OF THEIR BED. THE FIRST TIME I JUMPED ONTO THE BED AND FOUND MY BLANKET THERE I ROLLED AND SQUIRMED ALL OVER IT IN COMPLETE JOY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ON ANY OF THE FURNITURE SINCE I MOVED HERE AND THIS IS NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO BE. TO WAKE UP AND FIND MY PEOPLE THE FIRST THING EVERY MORNING IS STILL SO WONDERFUL TO ME. OF COURSE I STILL WAIT TO BE INVITED UP ONTO THE BED AND I ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL I AM TOLD TO GET DOWN IN THE MORNING.

I OVERHEARD MY PEOPLE TELLING SOMEONE THAT THEY CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW SMART I AM FOR A PUPPY. I GO TO THE DOOR WHEN I NEED TO GO OUTSIDE AND I COME WHEN THEY CALL MY NEW NAME. THAT MAKES ME FEEL PROUD!

I HAVE ALSO MET THE FAMILY CAT MEMBER. AT FIRST SHE WOULDN'T EVEN BE IN THE HOUSE WITH ME AND I COULD TELL THIS WORRIED MY PEOPLE. BUT NOW SHE IS BEGINNING TO SPEND A LOT MORE TIME IN THIS WARM COZY HOME. SHE EVEN CAME UP TO ME AND WE TOUCHED NOSES.

OH MY GOSH, I HAVE A REAL HOME FOR MYSELF!

MY NEW PEOPLE PLACED ME ON A VERY SOFT FRESH SMELLING BLANKET IN THEIR TRUCK IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY HOME AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY. THE LADY ALLOWED ME TO SNUGGLE UP TO HER IN HER LAP AS THE TRUCK STARTED TO MOVE. THIS WAS ALL VERY EXCITING TO ME AS I STARTED ANOTHER ADVENTURE IN MY LIFE.

AS WE TRAVELED DOWN THE ROAD THE LADY PLACED A SOFT BLACK COLLAR AROUND MY NECK WITH A BRIGHT RED LEASH ATTACHED TO IT. I WASN'T FRIGHTENED OF IT AS SHE PULLED ME INTO HER ARMS AND SPOKE SOFTLY TO ME AND TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY, THAT THE COLLAR WILL NOT HURT ME BUT IT WILL KEEP ME SAFE. SO I DECIDED THAT I WOULD NOT FIGHT THIS COLLAR WHEN I FELT IT BEING PULLED LIKE THE ONE IN MY LAST HOME.
THE DAY I ARRIVED AT MY NEW HOME WAS SUNNY AND WARM SO MY PEOPLE TOOK ME OUTSIDE SO I COULD ENJOY THE CLEAN FRESH AIR. IT FELT SO GOOD TO BE OUT IN THE OPEN AIR AND TO FEEL SAFE AT THE SAME TIME.

MY NEW FAMILY SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME WALKING ME AROUND SHOWING ME MY NEW HOME. I COULDN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT I WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE IN THIS COMFORTABLE PLACE.

I WAS VERY TIRED BY THE END OF THIS NEW DAY. SLEEP CAME TO ME QUICKLY AS I DRIFTED OFF TO THOUGHTS OF AWAKENING TO MY NEW LIFE.

WILL THIS BE MY DAY OF RESCUE?

I SPENT THE REST OF THE DAY LYING ON MY RUG WONDERING WHY THE LADY WITH THE KIND SOUNDING VOICE DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE ME HOME WITH HER. I TRIED TO LOOK CUTE FOR HER AND I TRIED TO BE ON MY BEST BEHAVIOR. I GUESS I AM BACK TO SPENDING WHAT IS LEFT OF MY SHORT LITTLE LIFE HERE IN THIS PLACE WITH ALL THE LARGE LOUD DOGS. I CURLED UP ON MY RUG AND TRIED TO FIND SOME SLEEP THAT MAY BRING ME SOME COMFORT.

MY DAY TURNED INTO NIGHT AND THEN THERE WAS THE FAMILIAR MORNING SOUNDS THAT I HAVE HEARD EVERY MORNING SINCE I HAVE ARRIVED HERE. AND OF COURSE I LEARNED VERY QUICKLY WHAT THE CLANKING OF THE METAL DISHES MEANT...BREAKFAST! OH BOY AM I HUNGRY!

AS THE DAY WORE ON I RETURNED TO MY SPECIAL SPOT ON THE WARM RUG AT THE FRONT COUNTER HOPING TO FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL RESCUE ME AND TAKE ME HOME WITH THEM.

I WAS DOZING COMFORTABLY WHEN I HEARD THE FRONT DOOR OPEN AS IT HAD SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY. I WONDERED MANY TIMES WHY THE STAFF DID NOT SHOW ME TO ANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO CAME IN LOOKING FOR A NEW FRIEND. THEN I HEARD A VOICE THAT I WAS SURE I RECOGNISED. I WAS CERTAIN I KNEW THAT VOICE BUT WAS SADDENED WHEN THE VOICE TRAILED OFF AS THE PEOPLE WENT OUT INTO THE PENS TO LOOK AT THE BIG DOGS.

AS I LAID BACK ON MY RUG A SMALL WHIMPER ESCAPED MY THROAT. WILL I EVER FIND ANYONE TO ADOPT TO BE MY FAMILY? JUST AT THAT MOMENT I HEARD THE KENNEL AREA DOOR OPEN AND I KNOW I RECOGNISED THAT KIND LADIES VOICE. SHE WAS SPEAKING TO SOMEONE AND SAID "THERE IS SOMEONE SPECIAL BEHIND THE COUNTER THAT I WANT YOU TO MEET". THAT IS WHEN MY STAFF MEMBER PICKED ME UP AND SET ME ON THE COUNTER. IT'S HER! SHE CAME BACK! AND SHE BROUGHT A MAN WITH HER THAT SMILED WHEN HE SAW ME. HOW WONDERFUL IT WOULD BE IF THESE TWO PEOPLE WANT ME TO ADOPT THEM! I TURN MYSELF ALMOST INSIDE OUT TRYING TO SHOW THEM HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT GOING HOME WITH THEM. I HEAR THE KIND LADY SAY TO HIM,"ISN'T SHE WONDERFUL? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HER?" AND THEN I HEAR THE WORDS I HAVE WAITED FOREVER TO HEAR..."YES, SHE IS BEAUTIFUL. WOULD SHE LIKE TO GO HOME WITH US?"

TO FEEL THEIR WARM COMFORTING ARMS AROUND ME AS THEY CARRIED ME TO THEIR CAR WAS JUST WHAT I HAVE WAITED FOR SINCE THE DAY I FOUND MYSELF LOST BESIDE THE ROAD. I SHALL DO ALL I CAN TO SHOW THESE PEOPLE HOW THANKFUL I AM THAT THEY ALLOWED ME TO ADOPT THEM.