Week 5: Thunder, Treats, and Balloons—Oh My!
12-13 weeks
Aug 3 – 10

This week was full of new adventures and some big sounds! I got to visit another local business, and it was so much fun. Every time we go somewhere new, I learn something different. The people there were super kind to me and Captain, and they even invited us back anytime! I’m starting to feel like a bit of a local celebrity with all these outings.

Here in Florida, we had a few thunderstorms this week. The thunder went on and on, way longer than the rain did. Captain and I spent some time on the covered porch, and every time the thunder rumbled, I got a treat if I stayed calm. I didn’t mind the thunder at all, which made Captain really happy! And living on the Space Coast means we hear rocket and shuttle launches too. I was curious about the loud sounds, but they didn’t scare me. I think I’m going to be pretty brave!

But, there is something I’m still working on. I’ve noticed that when other dogs bark, I get a little scared and want to run inside. Captain noticed this too, so now when we hear our neighbors’ dogs, she takes me out on a leash. This way, I can’t run off, and I get to see that everything is okay. I calm down pretty quickly with Captain by my side.

I’m also getting stronger and more confident on our walks. We’ve added an extra block to our usual route, so now we’re walking two blocks. I love exploring more of the neighborhood, and it feels good to stretch my legs.

This weekend, I got to go to a birthday party at an outdoor park. It was so much fun! I behaved pretty well, but I did get a little too excited and tried to jump up a few times. Captain worked on correcting me and giving me treats when I stayed down, so I’m learning to control my excitement.

One little mishap happened with Little Paw, my six-year-old packmate. She was waving a balloon around in front of me, and it was just too tempting! I jumped up and bit the balloon, and it popped really loud. Poor Little Paw got scared and started crying, and I felt bad about it. I’m still learning, though, and Little Paw forgave me quickly. We’re both figuring things out together.

So, that’s my week! I’m learning new things every day and getting more used to the big world around me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll do next!

Week 6: My First Road-Trip!
13-14 weeks
Aug 10 – 17

This week was full of surprises, and I got to experience something brand new—my first big road trip! It all started when Captain and Commander got some upsetting news. An extended pack member had a medical emergency, and Captain and Commander had to pack up quickly for a long drive. There was a lot of hustle and bustle in the house, and all my little pack members (the kids) were getting ready to stay with family nearby.

Captain and Commander were trying to figure out what to do with me. They knew I was too young to be boarded, and Captain really didn’t want me to miss out on important socialization time. After some discussion, they decided the best thing would be for me to come along! I was excited, and luckily, Captain was already prepared with everything I’d need for the journey.

I have my own backpack with all my essentials:

• Collapsible food and water dish
• Travel water bottle
• Food storage bag
• Treats and treat bag (yum!)
• Chew toys
• Poop bags (a must-have)
• Cleaning wipes for any accidents
• My cozy sleeping pad
• A portable pop-up kennel

With everything packed, we loaded up and hit the road. It was a long drive—seven hours! But for us, it was closer to ten because we made lots of stops for me. Rest areas, gas stations, even a restaurant—I got to sniff so many new and interesting things. I slept a lot in the car and chewed on my bone, so the drive wasn’t bad at all.

We didn’t arrive at the hotel until 2:00 AM, and Captain and Commander were really tired. But they knew I still had some energy to burn, so they let me play for a while before putting me in my kennel around 3:30 AM. I barked a couple of times when they zipped it up, but once the lights went out, I drifted off to sleep. The next day, I went in without any coaxing AND I didn’t need it zipped up – I was comfortable as could be.

The next morning, Captain knew I had to potty really bad. We were staying high up in the hotel, so it was going to take a few minutes to get outside. Captain carried me the whole way down to make sure I didn’t have an accident, and it worked! For the next five hours, we were out and about visiting with our extended family. We went to a restaurant, a park, and even a hospital. But honestly, it was a lot to take in—so many smells, sounds, and people, and it was hot!

By 2:00 in the afternoon, Captain noticed I might be getting overtired or overheated, so she decided it was time for a good break. We went back to our nice, cool hotel room, and Captain used a wet washcloth to cool down my ears, paws, and belly. It felt so good! I even got to lay in the bed with Captain and Commander, and we all took a nap for a couple of hours. That was exactly what I needed.

Later on, we visited an extended family member’s house, and I got to play in the yard with a big Great Dane. It was so much fun, and the Great Dane was really well-behaved, just like me! Everywhere we went, people kept telling Captain and Commander how well-behaved I was. I would often lay right down at Captain’s feet, which made her really proud.

Overall, it was a great four-day trip! On the ride back, we all listened to an audiobook called “The Other End of the Leash,” and I learned so much about dogs (yes, I was paying attention too!). Captain and Commander are working hard to learn all the best ways to help me grow into my best self, and I can’t wait to keep learning and exploring with them.

Can’t wait to see what adventures next week will bring!