Checkers has been going through a ton of changes lately. He weighs about 28lbs and is in a tall, skinny-ish phase right now. He's definitely getting bigger, I had to go buy him a new collar (his 3rd). He seems to inhale his food in a flash and take his treats with determination. He has also been losing teeth like crazy. Several teeth have really seemed to bother him as they get loose, so he’s been chewing a lot on frozen ropes lately. I’ll be thankful when that phase is over. He has become quite the kissy little fellow. He licks & licks & licks (& licks & licks). One of the changes that makes me sad is that he seems to be losing his puppy fur fluff. He’s still super soft, but his coat is definitely changing. It's kind of wavy on his back now.
Our puppy classes have been a ton of fun and have gone really well. We just finished a class called puppy gym where there are tons of things to go on, things that wobble, things to go under, etc. It’s a clicker class & it’s been so fun to see him get the idea of interacting with all the different things. I can tell that all the things that he was exposed to in the puppy pen are paying off because he was the only dog that wasn’t hesitant to get on anything because of sound, movement, surface, etc. In fact he’s gotten the idea so well that he thinks that when we go anywhere he should get up on everything (waiting room chairs at the vet’s office, sculptures at a park, etc). Guess we’ll have to refine that skill! Last week we took the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy award test & he passed with flying colors! I always knew that he was a star…now I will get a piece of paper that says so. ;) Checkers & I have been playing a game lately where he has to find me in the house. My mom or a friend will let him inside & tell him to "find Lori." He runs from room to room checking all my previous hiding spots (small house...doesn't take too long). Once he finds me he squeals & wiggle waggles his whole body like he hasn't seen me in months. I have to admit it makes me smile & laugh every time! :) Some of the things he's gotten better at are being in the crate & trimming nails. We have gotten into a routine of 2 people & string cheese for trimming his nails. I hold him & trim his nails & another person is the treat giver. He gets better & better every time we go through the process. He is also doing so much better in his crate. He has always been fine in the crate at night beside my bed, but other times he would throw hissy fits about having to be in there. He's gotten so much better. The noisiness isn't very common any more.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself looking back over the last several months that Checkers has been in my life and appreciate all that he has brought into it. He came shortly after I lost Apatche, my 6 year old Australian Shepherd, to lymphoma. He hasn’t replaced Apatche, but he’s started a fresh new chapter in my life that was welcomed and needed. I’m very thankful to have a busy little guy who is cuddly, sweet, sassy, playful, & even a little naughty at times. He keeps me on my toes and keeps each day lively and interesting. We’re enjoying the journey!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Lori L.
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