12 lbs, 13 weeks and counting

We took Zeldie to the vet this week and she was 12 lbs. She has put on a third of her body weight in the month that we have had her. The vet said she was entering her teenage days, which I'm not really sure how I feel about as in my jobs I am surrounded by teenagers all the time. Just another one to add to the crazy I guess. Her new favorite game is to run into our bedroom and get behind the bed and then crawl under and hide. She will be too big for this soon, we think, but it’s very cute if not a little annoying. It is amazing how quickly she can crawl to the other side of the bed though while pretty much her whole belly touching the carpet. To get out, she essentially has to turn on her side and do a movement something of a cross between a waterbug and sidestroke. Very funny.

She also graduated from puppy kindergarten this week. The instructor said she had improved a lot from the first night when she needed remediation--which is tough for two people involved with Gifted Education. But, we are teachers and so we did what we do best, which is teach.

The best part, however, is that she has had four accident free days in the house and one almost accident free day in the house. As we go through the process of training the puppy, I have realized with even more clarity the importance of consistency and boundaries. Setting boundaries with the puppy is a lot easier than it is with other people in my life—students, swimmers, family, etc. The puppy, of course, doesn't take it personally, or blame my wife for the choices I am making. She just lives happily and our relationship is thriving within the safety of the limitations we provide for her through the consistency of the boundaries we set. In fact, she is better off because of it and our relationship will continue to progress inside of the limitations. I see it like putting lane ropes in the pool for swim practice. It may be a bit more fun and free flowing to just swim wherever in the pool, but by putting the ropes in and giving her the way to be successful, we can get a lot more accomplished.