Our puppy has now been with us for nearly one year.* His passion for life is just what our home needs since my husband’s idea of excitement is watching T.V. with a cold Dr. Pepper in his hand and my preference is a cozy mystery. Our action-packed evenings amaze even us.

We have not been back for more training despite my best intentions. The dog grew exponentially which could affect my bone health. To wit: To get to the door of the trainer requires descending some stairs, making a turn, and descending some more. That, or rolling down a steep hill. The thought of my holding the leash as he excitedly pulls me to where the action is gives me chills. Back in the early days, in our effort to be early one evening in order to calmly watch the others arrive, the two of us knocked some chairs – well a whole row of chairs, actually – cattywampus. He was a good 40 lbs lighter then. (And, no, we didn’t really calmly watch the others arrive, in case you’re wondering.) Oh my word. I’m not sure we have adequate insurance for the chaos that could result in just getting down the aforementioned stairs.

We have, however, made some progress on our own. He gives an admirable nose-bump (being without a working fist), can shake hands, and remembers what he first learned: sitting and lying down. He even stays if you don’t expect it to last beyond 30 seconds. He sits by my chair while I’m at the computer (as long as I have some snacks to bribe him with from time to time). He understands quite a few words and expressions, including “something to eat” and “drop it”, although he responds much better to one phrase than the other. He (mostly) comes when he’s called. We did have one little episode in Minneapolis, but it’s better left undiscussed, and my stress at a tolerable level.

His love of tennis balls is without compare. And the chase! If he was an orator I imagine he would expound on the thrill, ending with the words, “It makes my life complete”.

He often accompanies me in the car, the McDonald’s drive-up window staff experiencing his love on a regular basis. And I’ll add here, that never was there, in my experience, a dog more social than this guy. All I have to say is, “Rocky’s outside,” and he bounds for the back door to visit the dog across the fence. I’m not altogether sure the feeling is mutual (Rocky is up in years and might think to himself the yard was more peaceful before an energetic puppy arrived), but some friendships take time, and our dog is in it for the long haul. He’s making in-roads with the tiny little dog kitty-corner to us, two dogs another yard over, and the rest of the walking public (including the high school track team). The expression “never met a stranger” is true of him. And while these days we are becoming doubtful of others’ good intentions, he is not.

His world, the world of dogs everywhere, is God’s way of reminding us to enjoy the small things in life sometimes and to be still at others. So when evening rolls around and he climbs up on the couch next to me, lays his head in my lap, and surreptitiously chews on the edge of my sleeve, I remember, too.

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We Have A Puppy!

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