Busy MoMo

One week of illness turned into two & Mokey cried. Actually, while I convalesced Mokey was extremely bored. I don't know how many times I heard her sigh in complete puppy disgust at my lack of mobility. I'm pretty sure that had Chase not been available for playtime, Mokey would have thrown herself out a window.

Last week Mokey started losing her puppy teeth. A few of them have been lying around, decorating the carpet, but one of them took us to the vets office because she broke it off while playing with Chase outside. Hopefully, the rest of the tooth will come out normally as her adult one comes in but until then we're keeping a close eye on it. At the very least it was a good opportunity for her to see the vet and become more accustomed to strangers staring at her.
This week Mokey graduated from Puppy Continuing! Yay! Go Momo! Normally we would go on to Intermediate, but because Mo is still so shy around new people and other dogs we're waiting to start a special class designed for the more 'sensitive' pooches. So until it starts in March, Mokey and I will be honing her skills and continuing to socialize. The behaviorist called her a 'peach', meaning she's sensitive and bruises easily - mom and I thought it was a rather apt description of her personality. Oh, and she said she was extremely intelligent. Which we already knew, but it was nice to have it confirmed by an expert and what parent doesn't like to brag a little?

Ok, so now that all of the updates have been made, I'll tell a story on us.
Last night as we're participating in our last puppy class, the trainer begins to set up a small obedience course. Basically a timed, sit here - down here - stay here and then stop. As she's setting it up the rest of us are practicing our other behaviors and returning to our seats with our dogs. Most of us anyway. Mokey has decided she doesn't really want to go where I'm going. She's seen that chair before, and this plastic thingie looks much more interesting. So I'm bent down cajoling and calling and basically just waiting her out, as she sits at the end of her leash giving me her thoughtful 'Mom, I haven't made up my mind yet' look, when the teacher suddenly asks "Does anyone feel like they have a stubborn dog?" She's asking because she wants to demonstrate how to do the course and would like to use a dog that might be more difficult than the others and all I can do is turn and exchange a smile with her. No words required. . . She didn't actually end up demonstrating with Mokey, but it was a funny coincidence and after all the other dogs moved back, so that they wouldn't be too close to Mokey as she did the course, Momo passed the trial with flying colors.

Sick & Snowing

This week we finally got snow! It's been so warm lately that Mokey and I were beginning to despair of ever having any, but at last it came and Mokey couldn't be happier. She's been having a grand time playing with Chase and stuffing her face down into snowdrifts. Whenever she comes in I know her face will be the snowiest part of her - she's a firm believer in the purposeful face plant. Mokey's also starting to play fetch now - it wasn't very easy to teach her and half the time I think she only shows interest in it because Chase loves it so but it's an energy outlet and running through 6 inches of snow does wear a puppy out.
Of course the week we get snow is also the week I get sick, so I haven't really been able to take her out and play. But I do have to say, for a puppy that is usually running full tilt and exploring the world she does make a rather sympathetic companion. When I got up at 3am because I was too miserable to sleep, Mokey very dutifully took up her spot on the other end of the couch and kept me quiet company as I attempted to find something worth watching on late night television; and though she has had her energetic moments today she's been considerably less 'puppy crazy' than other days and has been most often lying beside the couch keeping me company. Petting soft, puppy fur ears does have a way of making one feel a little bit better - even if it won't make my throat stop hurting.

Holidays and Such

Mokey had a very nice Christmas and New Years! Leah artistically wrapped all of the puppies presents this year and Mokey took to unwrapping like a duck to water. She took one look at the beautiful wrapping job and then dove in - no coaching required. It was kind of hilarious, especially when she was more interested in shredding paper than playing with her new toys.

Mokey also went light looking with us on Christmas eve. Every year our family drives around w/hot chocolate and home made bread to look at the lights - a mandatory and much loved family tradition - so this year the puppy got to ride along. She didn't seem to mind too much since it meant people time and not crate time. ;) Here's a few of my favorite Holiday Pictures with Mokey:The above picture if of one of Mokey's favorite puzzle toys. It's called 'The Brick' and basically you hide treats in it. Mokey absolutely loves it. Most of the time she's a little over eager and I have to hold it still for her, otherwise she'd just pull the whole contraption across the floor with her feet. She's slowly learning to use her nose for pushing and her paw for pulling, but sometimes she gives up on the nose part and just goes paw crazy. lol. It's fun to see her puzzling through it though.

Today after work I took Mokey out and let her run around some nature paths we have - she thought it was pretty fun to sprint out ahead of me and then zoom back - especially since she has enough bodily coordination for that now - it's amazing what you can do when your limbs aren't flying every which way. ;)