Smile! Puppies are happy Creatures!

I know I recently wrote a bit of a real-talk post. I uploaded a few of my frustrations in order to say, we’ve all been there, friend.

I have another in the works. Puppy adolescence is tough, people.

HOWEVER! There is also so much good in raising Yaha–and any dog–and I know it’s sometimes hard to see it. So, in honor of passing Lesson 4 this past Tuesday, and officially making it a third of the way through training, I thought I’d go through and share some of the things that make me smile when I think about Yaha. I am also making a promise to you all: any time I upload a rant post, one of my next posts will be one of these. Because keeping a positive attitude is hard enough when you’re going through life. When you sit down and write/read a ranting post, focusing solely on the bad and hard, it gets harder.

So! Here we go! Ten things that make me smile about Yaha.

1. His little tail-wag.

When I have him sit and wait for food or a treat, he wags his tail–but just the tip. ‘I’m excited, but you told me to wait. But I know what that is and oh my gosh, I love you, hooman!’ Combined with his big eyes, looking at me as though I hung the moon, I just have to smile.

2. The way he sleeps.

Just… just look at this!

I don’t know why it makes me smile, but his little forepaws… his loose lips falling away from his teeth a little bit… gah! It’s just adorable.

3. His dragon tongue

My sister Josie pointed this out originally. He’s generally a big black void, but there are times when his tongue will come out just a little and then go back in, and it reminds us both of a dragon.

4. His loyalty.

It. Is. Amazing. Sure, he’ll take off after a rabbit, leaving me to make out with the concrete; but if I leave the house he waits with his nose inches from the door for a while before giving up. If I go to the bathroom, he waits outside the door. If we’re on a walk and someone else takes the leash for a little while, the moment he realizes I’ve fallen behind, he slows down, keeping eyes on me, and as soon as they stop he sits as though to say, ‘my hooman is back there. I won’t leave without her’.

5. His sleep-warm self.

He’s cuddly after he’s just woken up for a little while, so I get to bury my hands in his fur and enjoy it.

6. His intelligence.

He knows what he’s not supposed to do.

He knows what he is supposed to do.

He learns fast.

It only took a few corrections/teaching moments to stem humping.

We’ve only had to correct him from gnawing on the baseboards a few times. (Nothing that can’t be covered by paint, Mr. Carr! …if you’re reading this. You’re probably not.)

But sometimes…

7. His spunkyness

There are times I just look at him, shake my head, and embrace the Southern: Bless your heart; it’s a good thing you’re cute and we need each other.
8. His little noises.

He’ll be gnawing his antler and making noises like he’s… well, let’s just say he loves that antler.

He’ll be dreaming and his paws will twitch and he’ll make puppy noises.

He’ll be under the table and we’ll be talking and he’ll just sigh or grunt as though he’s giving his two cents.

9. The fact that he chews antlers.

Seriously. He’s part Lab and–we’re pretty sure–part Great Pyr. Great Pyrs are considered some of the most powerful breeds. Yes, including Rotties and German Shepherds, Bernies, and the rest. All that to say, his jaws could do a lot of damage. But he’s come to understand his antlers are to chew on. And if I have to pay ~$40/mo. on antlers to keep our stuff intact, it’s a small price to pay. (Yes, $40/mo. Because we found a link through Amazon where we can buy four big, long, thick ones for ~$36. That’s actually extremely inexpensive! Which makes the handler happy!)

10. He loves to go out and work

I cannot stress enough how thankful I am for this! Training a SD is hard enough. Training one who doesn’t love to go out in public and work? I’m not sure I could. He’s always so happy to get in the van and go for a ride. He loves the vest because it means we’re going out and he gets mental stimulation. ‘Because if we’re at home, hooman can leave, but if we’re out in public together, she stays close and I get treats!’

My dog just makes me smile when I haven’t had it up to *here* with him, and I hope reading my list has brought to mind things you love about your li’l friend, even if you’re currently frustrated with each other.

Remember: neither of you were born to fail.

💜Lauryn