Shadow's Story continues . . . December 28, 2003
[Like before, the pictures without
borders are videos
and will play when you pass your cursor over them.]
I'm a BIG boy now!
I turned 6 months old on December 20. I weigh about 40 pounds and I'm already taller than both Boogie and Scooch.
The bad news is that since I've gotten so big, Scooch and Boogie aren't nearly as patient and forgiving any more. They're insisting that I behave myself and that sure takes some of the fun out of being the puppy! My humans say I need to learn some manners too, so I'll start taking basic obedience on February 3.
The two months since my last report have been really interesting and fun! I have discovered that there's stuff over my head too, not just under my feet or straight ahead!
My first experience with this was on November 7 (I remember the date 'cuz that's when this picture was saved). I saw something sticking out over the edge of one of the work tables in the embroidery area and decided to investigate.
Did you hear that? That thing barked at me!
Life has become much more interesting since then!
Remember last time when I told you about that great shopping place in the kitchen? Well, I found out that after the humans use the buttons on the outside, I can usually help myself to some leftovers! Check it out . . .
Pretty cool, huh?
There's really good stuff on the counters also! My human mom makes us what she calls "dog soup" by cooking bones with garlic, veggies and other tasty (and I guess healthy) stuff in it (she won't give us the bones after she cooks them though). We all try to help when she's cutting up the meat to put back in the soup and she really appreciates it, so we always get some treats.
We've finally found something I'm
not too crazy about . . . Jello!
Boogie doesn't like it either, so Scooch eats all of our shares.
Since my very first Christmas was only 5 days after I turned 6 months old, we included that fun and special time on this page.
My people have a 9' tall artificial tree, but when they started talking about decorating it, they decided they could only use about the top 3' . . . I don't understand that at all, do you? Anyway, they decided to get a real tree that they could put up on a table to keep it out of my reach.
Now, those of you who know my people know that they're a little weird, right? Check out the tree-topper!
In case you're not sure, yes, it's a boot! Norm & Judy came to visit in November, and they found that boot in a craft store in Manitou Springs when they were out playing tourist one day. Judy saw Diane admiring it and bought it for her as a gift. When my humans started decorating the tree, they were trying to figure out what to put on top because they had never found anything they really liked, and there was that boot hanging on the wall by the entryway. Kind of suits them, don't you think?
Anyway, back to me! On Christmas morning, we had company and I learned a little bit about opening presents. I didn't really get it (and neither did Boogie), so my human dad & Scooch helped out.
We each got a stuffed squeaky toy (I stole all three, of course), a "Galileo" Nylabone because they last a long time and I can't break pieces off to swallow, and a huge smoked bone that none of us have been able to figure out how to get out through the doggie door!
My human cousin Eric spent the night with us that night, and I really enjoyed that! He was patient with me and gave me lots of attention. I was jealous when he petted Scooch and Boogie - I thought he should have been all mine!
The day after Christmas was really nice, so we went for a long walk in the Garden of the Gods, a beautiful park here in Colorado Springs. Here's a picture of Eric with all three of us there.
Since I'm still a puppy, I've always had to stay by myself in an exercise pen with a rug and a few toys to keep me company when my humans go away for a while. A few days ago, I decided I'd had enough of that, so when my human mom put me in the pen and went up the stairs, I let her know it! By the time she reached the top of the stairs, I was at her side wagging my tail to let her know it was OK. She didn't get it though. . . she put me in a regular crate instead. That wasn't quite what I had in mind.
On the Sunday after Christmas, they decided to take a chance and leave me out with the big dogs when they went to church. They even made a decision to leave the garbage out since there was nothing I could get hurt on in it just to test me. Well, when they came home, everything was just fine. I hadn't destroyed anything, I didn't get into the garbage, and Scooch and Boogie weren't acting mad at me,
so I guess I really am a BIG boy now!Happy New Year!
I'll be back in a few months with new stories for you!Wiggles, wags & Beardie hugs,
Shadow
Oakengates Shadow Dancer