Dear Artemis

Happy one-year "gotcha" day!!!

It's hard to believe a year has gone by. Time flies when you're having fun, or something like that. You've firmly ensconced yourself into this family and all of our hearts, and you manage to completely charm just about everyone who crosses your path with your winsomeness and enthusiasm.

You're (partially) responsible for getting me into trail running, and you're my favorite running buddy. (Even when you do try to trip me to go after a lizard.) Your enthusiasm and insistence on getting out daily is a good motivator, as is the cold wet nose in my ear when I don't comply with my alarm clock.

Dog training has been an on-the-job-learning experience since day one, and I'm still learning. Fortunately for me, you're endlessly forgiving. You're also stubborn, silly, independent, sweet, smart, cuddly, earnest, quirky, frustrating, endearing, sensitive, loyal, empathetic...a larger-than-life personality all crammed into 24-pounds of energy and athleticism.

You love trips to the barn, pestering your pony "big sister" and snatching hoof trimmings when I'm not looking. You love people and other dogs with an abundance of enthusiasm...fortunately the majority of them love you back. You've gotten to experience the fun of camping (and the one time you get to share mommy's bed!), decided you are not a swimmer (although mud puddles are fair game), and delight in trail running. You've pushed the boundaries of what any dog in this house has been allowed to do and are the first to ever be allowed on any piece of furniture. You are a connoisseur of every dog toy invented, and I'll be the first to admit I spoil you rotten with new ones. (This may be somewhat self-serving, as an occupied puppy is a happy puppy.)

You're not perfect, but even your naughty antics are entertaining. You apparently have a sock fetish (just leave my expensive running socks alone, please!), you enjoy shredding sticks and tree bark, you drag towels around the house, and tear up tissue and toilet paper rolls. Your leash manners are questionable at best...but it;s hard to get mad at you when your behavior stems from intelligence, curiosity, and impishness.

You've seen me through many ups and downs this year...celebrated my joy and licked away my tears. When I'm upset, you're right there offering a cuddle -- or a toy, depending on whether I need a laugh or cry. You've been my motivator on days I haven't wanted to even get out of bed, a cornerstone of emotional well-being, and my best friend.

Thank you, Artemis, for being the bestest girl ever...I don't think I could wish for a better first dog of my very own. Here's looking forward to many, many more years together.

Love,
Your Mommy

Presenting a year of Artemis...

in pictures!

day one!

loves to be on-the-go

we love the trail!

first camping trip

tiny puppy

belly rubs

offering up high-fives

cooling down after a hike

celebrating hockey season

taking over mommy's office chair (and quilt)

Halloween 2014 antics:

lil' devil trying to steal my Halloween costume

Dorothy and Toto go trail running!

Memorial Day 2014 camping antics

exploring!

sighting on something to chase

finally tired!

Year-in-Review (2013 edition)

Being that this blog has only been around for two months, I'm not sure what there is to review and say, other than:

"I got a puppy!!!"

Okay, so we can review what's happened in two months:

-- Artemis has had her 9-week and 12-week puppy shots. One last parvo booster and rabies vaccine at 16 weeks, and she will be a Real Dog. She adores the vet (who even sends us a nice Christmas card) and the entire experience has been a positive one.

-- We've been through four collars to find one she tolerates. If you're interested, I ended up with a beta biothane collar from the The Distance Depot. It's the same material I use for my horse tack, and it has the benefit of being easy to clean and not getting stinky the way leather does.

-- As far as I can tell, she's about doubled in size, going from 5 pounds when I got her to about 10 pounds now. Based on her parents, suspect that she will still probably double in size again.

-- She went on her first overnight camping trip.

-- She's been the first dog to make me bend the "no dogs in bed/on furniture" rule. It has now been amended to allow such behavior on camping trips.

-- She reliably sits on command.

-- She is completely ADD when it comes to toys. Also, the more the better. As much as she loves them, she's surprisingly not that hard on them, and has only semi-killed two toys to date. (Both of which just need some extra stitchery and they'll be good as new.)

-- We're still working on the concept of feet, ankles, and pants legs not being acceptable chew toys.

-- She still tries to eat her little coat, but will wear it semi-peacefully when it's cold enough out.

-- She's really enjoying going out for walks, especially after her Catalina trip, which really boosted her confidence.

We're already planning our next overnight trip in the middle of January. So here's to 2014 being a great year for Good Puppies!