A Happy Dog

Playing with Julie's favorite toy, freshly washed.

Allie is a happy dog. Everyone who has met her describes her the same way ~ a happy dog. She has found love, attention, many daily walks, car rides, playing in the pond. Baths always follow, and sometimes it's hard to tell if she likes the pond or baths better. I hate that I have to leave her behind when I go back to school tomorrow, but you can be sure I'll hurry home and give her and our llamas my undivided attention. I'm ready to go back, just the normal reluctant, as you can imagine. Leaving so much happiness behind.

Allie and Maggie, fine friends at last.

The best thing about having chosen a Lab is the trait of the breeds: they love everyone. Allie is the FIRST dog that actually loves my husband and gives him attention. A lot of attention. She waits for him to come downstairs. She's with him when he puts his work shoes on. She has learned the wait command when he feeds her. And while it sounds like I'm out of the picture, not. She is one little girl who has enough love to share, and I'm just loving her so much. Thanks, Peggy, for breeding this wonderful dog, and for advertising her so honestly. She is all you said, and more. So happy to have her. A perfect choice for us.

O Happy Day

Loves the water. No surprises here.

Allie was waiting for someone who didn't care she was small. She was waiting for some who wanted a really good dog. At 9 months, she was the last of her litter to leave. She was a kennel dog, so EVERYTHING is new to her. All the time.

Taking time to smell each flower. Really!

For Allie, life is now one continuous surprise, an exploration of what is possible. She revels in each new exploration, looking to me for guidance. Over the (many) years, I have learned that whether you rescue an older dog or begin with a puppy, what you do in the first 48 hours will remain an imprint forever. So I have taken great pains to give Allie an enriched life. And that will not end in 2 days.

The newness of discovery.

She just won't take no for an answer.

Yesterday we did so much. We took 20 minute browsing walks, leisurely letting Allie chose her opportunities to scent, smell, look about, chose her pathways. So many good things to learn about on a farm; for a dog like reading the Times Union.

Best of all, she loves Mickey, and that very fact is the cause of so much deep and abiding laughter. Mickey wants Allie to be attentive to her, and that is NOT a problem for her. But Mickey does not want to be licked. Problem. Allie's a lover and a licker. Mickey hates to be wet. Allie love Mickey, so she licks him. Lots. What's so funny is Mickey's comments. The unprintable are funner, but things like I'm rusting away. The watch won't work. I want to eat that fruit. It's like getting a bath. And he loves every minute of it. So do I. So does Allie. O happy day!