I love this dog.

Amos rules. I love him more everyday. He's going to be a year next month, and I can't hardly believe it. We're doing obedience, agility, snuggling in bed, watching movies, going on walks, going to work, playing fetch, enjoying the dog park - everything and more than you could want from your dog.

I'm thrilled and I love him. I can't believe how much I love him. So cool.

TGFP

Thank Goodness For Photos...

If it weren't for photos I don't think I'd ever really believe that Amos was so small when we got him. Watching him everyday- the change seems subtle- yet, here he is... this DOG in front of me. Where did he come from?

From 4 lbs to over 40. From being able to carry him under my arm to needing two hands on the leash. I am just amazed- and in love. What greater gift could there be than the love from a dog?

I love looking back at how little he was, and even though I wont ever see him that way again, or be able to hold him in two hands: I love the dog he's turning into- every pound, every inch.

We're Moving!

Well, not sure what that means exactly. But as far as I can tell, it means that rooms are being emptied and boxes are getting stacked. I keep trying to help put stuff in the boxes (or take stuff out), but apparently I'm not doing as much good as I think I am.

Mom says we're getting a bigger place, one with a fenced area for me. And TWO levels. One whole one more than we have now. That's more hallways and rooms and as mom says: Baby gates they'll have to buy to keep me where I belong!

She seems excited, so I'm excited!

I am at work!

Well, I'm at mom's work. It is a slow day for her, and since she's gotta teach class tonight- I got to come! I don't like being cooped up all day and I know she knows that. So here I am!

It's pretty quiet in here, well, really quiet. But I got to go around and see everyone I haven't seen since the last time I was here. Found some toys I forgot about.. also forgot that everyone here has treats for me!

Although mom keeps trying to make me sit before anyone pets me, but like I could keep my butt on the ground! I'm so excited and I loooooove all the attention. They can't believe how big I've gotten.

I've been a really good boy, trying to make mama proud of me. I have been having a nap under her desk for a while, she says we can walk after I get up. And becides, I wanna keep coming back.

Fun day.

A One Dog Dog Park

My mom's been talking a long time about getting me to the dog park. So finally today Dad got my license and we were off!

And, get this, there was not a dog to be seen. Eventually another puppy strolled by and decided to come in- but she didn't really want to play... well she made a wimpering noise everytime I went by- and her dad didn't really like that, so he picked her up and they left.

So I had the whole place to myself (as you can see in the picture..). Mom, Dad and I played fetch for a while with a ball I found at the park (as you can see in my mom's first attempt at posting a video..). Then I chewed on a stick. But I tell ya, It felt so good to run around and get to stretch out my long legs.

I know mom wants to try again, and I don't really care if dogs are there or not, I am just so happy to run. Always good to end up happy and tired.

Biggest dog I ever saw...

This weekend mom and I went on a short trip to see 'grandma'. She was ranch sitting in a place a little ways away from us. I like riding in the car with mom, she kept telling me that she liked it, too.

So when we got there there were two dogs just waiting to greet me, Snoopy is old, and she said hello but didn't feel like playing. And Jesse wasn't sure he liked me at first, but when we got out to the big back yard that's all fenced in, he quit growling, then started playing, then we chased each other around the yard for a while - it was so great.

Then, on the other side of the fence, came walking the biggest dog I have ever seen... well, mom says its a horse, she works with them a lot but this is the first one I've seen... I watched him for a while, then he came over to eat some carrots that we had.. I ran away with my tail between my legs because I was scared. But mom kept calling me over, and slowly I came over. He's so tall! His name is chief. Mom said I would like him because he likes to eat grass like me.

Then mom picked me up- Chief smelled me, I smelled him. I still wasn't too sure and was clinging on to mom like a baby. I was nervous. But then we took some pictures, (see!) and by the time we left I decided I did like Chief, and I licked him just to tell him. He tasted funny.

Anyway- it was a really fun day. Mom let me ride in the front seat on our way home.. I slept in the sun the whole way I was so tired!

Barking while you work

Well - mom took me to work yesterday! I love going, I always get lots of treats and hugs and kisses and everybody loves me.

Mom tried to tire me out with a long walk before we left, but I had a nap while she showered so I was wide awake when we got there. I have no trouble with the stairs now and know exactly which turns to take to get to the desks of the people who feed me.

Well, mom got lucky in that I decided to have another nap while sleeping under her desk. I think I slept for a long time, but when I got up I was B O R E D. Never mind ALL the toys mom has at her desk for me or how many bones I have to chew, I want to play with the people! So I would bark, and it echoes in there. So everyone knew I wanted attention. Although, I don't think mom likes it when I bark.

So we went on a walk around the city, I found all kinds of cool stuff to eat on the sidewalk, but mom wouldn't let me have any of that either. (Do I ever get to have any fun?) But then when we got back dad was there! I showed him all my toys at work and then I left with him to go home... which is good because I knew Dickens was just waiting for me.

But then when Mom got home we got back in the car and all three of us went to walk around the lake in uptown. There were so many people, people on big wheels and small wheels and running and walking and talking and singing and cars and the lake and the ducks and pelicans... Wow! There was so much to look at at see, just busy busy.

It was kind of a long walk - but I was a super dog. I slept sooo good last night. Dreaming about all the people and dogs and treats. Life is good.

dogs are the best mirrors

Dogs are living in the moment and in turn reflect how you are at that moment. I was having a crappy morning and what do I get from Amos? Crap. Okay, so that's not the best example. But this morning was a great reminder to me of how he is just reflecting what I send out. Even when I don't feel like talking about it. Being crabby and upset, walking with heavy feet and a frown. Impatient and restless. Snapping in response and using an angry voice.

In Amos' own way, he was telling me exactly how I was acting. And so getting mad at him for being impatient and snapping and aggressive didn't help either of us. So, note to self. When Amos is unhappy, I need to cheer up.

Not sure that I've completely cheered up, but I'm working on it. And now I've got a sweeter puppy at my feet, laying down for a nap. Time for me to breathe and re-group. Thank you, Amos.


dogs rule

TGIF

I am so happy it's Friday. I love being able to bring Amos to work, but I really enjoy getting to be home with him. Watching him play with Dickens (the cat) and getting to sit outside in the grass together. Having a nap on the couch and just getting to watch him. He's got so much more energy at home.

I didn't think I could tell that he was getting bigger until I had to loosen another notch on his collar and because it's getting more difficult to carry him with one hand! Today when we went down stairs to go potty outside, I turned around and he was done and already trying to go back up the stairs to go inside! What a good dog! So smart.

No one can resist him at work (no surprise there) and I'm thrilled that he's getting so much experience meeting new people- all kinds of people. And he keeps my lap warm!

I'm so happy. So in love!

Life is Good

Settling into my new home, although I've already gotten to go so many places. I like going with mom to work, everyone loves to give me kisses and play with me. I'm still sleeping a lot and am thankful that it is pretty quiet there. I found out how to escape out from underneath the desk, so now mom has blocked it off and I stay put.

I like to play with Dickens. Even though he is a cat he reminds me more of a dog. He will chase me and play in the box with me. Dickens sometimes donks me on the head, but I know he's just playing. I like all of his toys, and he likes all of mine. So we share. Bandit, the other cat, isn't quite as fond of me. But he's more of a laid back guy. Sits up in high places where I can't play with him.

I've gotten to meet a lot of people lately. I hang out with mom's mom often, she's great. Today I get to help her garden. She's got Bear and Holly (dogs) living with her- and Bear is really awesome. He's got this ball, and he can get people to throw it for him. The ball is still too big for me- but I like to chew on it anyway. And Bear gave me one of his bones that he doesn't like to chew on.

I love everyone I'm meeting. I can't wait until I'm a little bigger and can play more games and go on walks. All in all, life is good.