That's right, Journey and Merlin do! But I'll be internet-less the entire weekend so I figured I'd say a happy early birthday now.
Words cannot express how much I love this girl. She’s blown me away since day one, and I couldn’t possibly be more grateful that she’s mine. She truly is growing into everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a dog, and honestly I never thought that I’d get that. Not everything has been perfect. Most things have been, but there have been a couple of moments (granted I kind of panic temporarily sometimes over even minor things). But anything that’s ever concerned me about her doesn’t last long, and I just have to remember that she’s still a baby and not everything is going to go super smoothly all of the time, but that it’s likely not worth panicking over. And as soon as I do worry about something, in a couple of weeks whatever it was is totally gone anyway.
She is just the happiest little dog in the world. She’s infectiously full of life and joy and just wants to party and have a good time. Every moment of every day. I love how much she loves people. I never thought I would, and I didn’t expect an Aussie to be quite so friendly, but it’s such a nice change from my other dogs (aloof or shy) and I’ve met so many nice people because of it. Nearly everyone who meets her falls in love. She’s absolutely nuts with my/her friends (cause she’s grown used to having them get her all crazy haha), but with other people we’re not close too, she’s just the most gentle, kind dog and so many people have thanked me for letting her cuddle with them for a few moments and making their dog. Such a small thing that makes people so happy.
And for as much as she adores people, I also love how clear it is that she is my dog and I am her person.
I love working with her. She learns unbelievably quickly, and is so enthusiastic about it. She loves thinking for herself and figuring things out, and I love watching her do it. She doesn’t care what she’s rewarded with, and I love that too. She’ll work her wiggly little bum off just as hard for a crumb as she will a toy or simply a very happy “Yes! Good job!â€.
I love taking her places in public. It doesn’t matter how crowded or noisy or how weird of a situation it should be for a dog, she just takes everything in stride. Always has. She’s so go with the flow.
She’s so playful and quirky. Personality plus! She never, ever fails to make me laugh. I’ve never laughed at a dog so much in my life, and life honestly has been pretty tough for me this year with a lot of unexpected and not necessarily for the best changes, and I’m so glad I’ve had her through it all. She came into my life at the most ideal time, and even when I’m having a down day, she makes sure I have fun too.
She is also the sweetest, most snuggly girl. I totally did not expect this, as when I got her she was pretty wild and was the puppy I swore I was going to name after some species of shark (sometimes I still wonder! Haha), but for as wild and crazy as she is, she also knows how to turn it completely off and just relax and cuddle and be with her people.
She truly is a once in a lifetime dog, and the one all of my future dogs will (however unfairly and not on purpose) have to live up to. I am so excited to see what the future brings with her. She’s just a naughty teenager right now and already she’s wowed me on several occasions. I am excited to start getting way more involved in sports and competing with her, but I am also just looking forward to hanging out with her and spending what better be many, many years with her. She’s simply the best, and I can’t help but brag and fall more in love with her every day. It’s still a little surreal to me that I watched her grow up in pictures, thanks very much to Fran, not at all knowing that she or any of her littermates would be mine. Funny how things work out sometimes and I really could not be happier.
And because no first birthday thread is complete without pictures!
My little beached whale. Always on her back, even now. And I’ve always loved that black patch on her chest. So cute.
One of the cutest filing cabinet puppies ever.
She was so fluffy and adorable.
Voicing her opinion at an early age. She has a lot of opinions.
Such a pretty little pup.
With her adorable brothers Merlin and Beau. This was such a lovely litter. I still just love all of these puppies.
Looking all sweet and innocent. I know she definitely was anything but haha.
And one of my most favourite baby puppy pictures of her! She’s looks like an adorable little seal pup. Or something haha. Focusing so hard at her first puppy class with her breeder.
One of my favourite pictures that I took. Our first trip downtown for socializing and not just passing through for work.
More (of course!)
Words cannot express how much I love this girl. She’s blown me away since day one, and I couldn’t possibly be more grateful that she’s mine. She truly is growing into everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a dog, and honestly I never thought that I’d get that. Not everything has been perfect. Most things have been, but there have been a couple of moments (granted I kind of panic temporarily sometimes over even minor things). But anything that’s ever concerned me about her doesn’t last long, and I just have to remember that she’s still a baby and not everything is going to go super smoothly all of the time, but that it’s likely not worth panicking over. And as soon as I do worry about something, in a couple of weeks whatever it was is totally gone anyway.
She is just the happiest little dog in the world. She’s infectiously full of life and joy and just wants to party and have a good time. Every moment of every day. I love how much she loves people. I never thought I would, and I didn’t expect an Aussie to be quite so friendly, but it’s such a nice change from my other dogs (aloof or shy) and I’ve met so many nice people because of it. Nearly everyone who meets her falls in love. She’s absolutely nuts with my/her friends (cause she’s grown used to having them get her all crazy haha), but with other people we’re not close too, she’s just the most gentle, kind dog and so many people have thanked me for letting her cuddle with them for a few moments and making their dog. Such a small thing that makes people so happy.
And for as much as she adores people, I also love how clear it is that she is my dog and I am her person.
I love working with her. She learns unbelievably quickly, and is so enthusiastic about it. She loves thinking for herself and figuring things out, and I love watching her do it. She doesn’t care what she’s rewarded with, and I love that too. She’ll work her wiggly little bum off just as hard for a crumb as she will a toy or simply a very happy “Yes! Good job!â€.
I love taking her places in public. It doesn’t matter how crowded or noisy or how weird of a situation it should be for a dog, she just takes everything in stride. Always has. She’s so go with the flow.
She’s so playful and quirky. Personality plus! She never, ever fails to make me laugh. I’ve never laughed at a dog so much in my life, and life honestly has been pretty tough for me this year with a lot of unexpected and not necessarily for the best changes, and I’m so glad I’ve had her through it all. She came into my life at the most ideal time, and even when I’m having a down day, she makes sure I have fun too.
She is also the sweetest, most snuggly girl. I totally did not expect this, as when I got her she was pretty wild and was the puppy I swore I was going to name after some species of shark (sometimes I still wonder! Haha), but for as wild and crazy as she is, she also knows how to turn it completely off and just relax and cuddle and be with her people.
She truly is a once in a lifetime dog, and the one all of my future dogs will (however unfairly and not on purpose) have to live up to. I am so excited to see what the future brings with her. She’s just a naughty teenager right now and already she’s wowed me on several occasions. I am excited to start getting way more involved in sports and competing with her, but I am also just looking forward to hanging out with her and spending what better be many, many years with her. She’s simply the best, and I can’t help but brag and fall more in love with her every day. It’s still a little surreal to me that I watched her grow up in pictures, thanks very much to Fran, not at all knowing that she or any of her littermates would be mine. Funny how things work out sometimes and I really could not be happier.
And because no first birthday thread is complete without pictures!
My little beached whale. Always on her back, even now. And I’ve always loved that black patch on her chest. So cute.
One of the cutest filing cabinet puppies ever.
She was so fluffy and adorable.
Voicing her opinion at an early age. She has a lot of opinions.
Such a pretty little pup.
With her adorable brothers Merlin and Beau. This was such a lovely litter. I still just love all of these puppies.
Looking all sweet and innocent. I know she definitely was anything but haha.
And one of my most favourite baby puppy pictures of her! She’s looks like an adorable little seal pup. Or something haha. Focusing so hard at her first puppy class with her breeder.
One of my favourite pictures that I took. Our first trip downtown for socializing and not just passing through for work.
More (of course!)