My new favorite game – better than stealing shoes, paper, and pens – is a little game my mom and dad call “hide and seek.” They heard it’s a good way to keep dogs entertained while stuck inside in the winter. (I’m pretty sure when my cousins Luke and Joseph play “hide and seek” one of them hides while the other closes his eyes and counts.) But they know I’m not going to leave their side long enough to hide, so they hide treats. Yes, TREATS!! (And by “hide”, I mean tossing treats around while trying to get me to sit.) I feel a little guilty because we all know I can sniff out a snack in a millisecond. But I don’t want to hurt their feelings – and I definitely don’t want the game to end – so I play along. Huh? What? There’s a treat over there on the stair…Ruh-Roh, I don’t see anything. I look at it this way: People need some entertainment too. Let the games go on!

I’ve been working on my plan of attack for months. And last night, I made my move. Once the lights were out and I was tucked in my bed and my parents were tucked in theirs, I went for it. I launched myself up and onto their bed, sticking the landing perfectly. They didn’t see it coming because their bed is very tall and I’m very small. And I’m sure they underestimated my dogged determination as well as my ability to launch myself into the air like a missile. I was hoping they were sleepy enough that they wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. So I acted casual, sniffed around and cuddled in between them as if I slept there every night. Unfortunately, I underestimated their determination and it was back to my own bed for the night. Of course, every dog has his day. Here’s hoping tonight’s the night for me!

You might say I’m slightly spoiled. I’m not talking about treats, toys, and the comfy spot on the couch. I love those things (a lot!) but I don’t live for them. I’ve come to realize I’m spoiled in the attention department. I love cuddling up to my mom as she works from home; and playing ball with my dad as soon as he comes home from work. SOOOO…my first day of doggie daycare was a rude awakening! The teacher was so nice, I jumped in her lap, so happy to be teacher’s pet!  But then I took a look around and realized there were a lot of teacher’s pets. And before I knew it they were nipping and barking and jumping all over the place just to play with her. (Or was that me?).

(See my coopertales facebook page to see me in action on video!)

I turn one today! It’s been an amazing year! Here I am back when I was just a tiny pup looking for a loving family online. My mom and dad said it was love at first sight. Guess they just knew I was the one. (I think that’s about all they knew when they brought me home… They had no idea what they were in for!)  But they seem to figure it out as we go. And we have been happily ever after.

p.s. thanks to my shelter heroes; and to everyone who adopts a shelter pet and gives it a happy home like mine.

I’m happy to report I aced my final exam tonight! I am now a proud graduate of Petsmart puppy kindergarten! It was a proud moment for me, my parents and my trainer Amy. I’m not sure if I’m going to pursue an advanced degree but I plan to continue my education. My dream is to be a therapy dog when I grow up. It would truly be my honor to bring a little joy to someone who could use a laugh or a smile or a snuggle in their day.

My life lesson for today:  Take time to smell the flowers…and if you don’t have any flowers, appreciate what you do have…dandelions, weeds, what-have-you. I’m just a lucky pup to be out in the sunshine walking with two people who love me on the other end of the leash. Everything is coming up daisies in my book. 

That’s all I’ve got. No punchline…just the beginning of my adventure today, my very first trip downtown. We went to the Wrightwood Tap in Lincoln Park, not  far from where my mom lived before she met and married my dad and moved to the suburbs. My shelter was having a fundraiser at the Wrightwood Tap. I was a little skittish at first since I didn’t know anyone and there were several BIG dogs at the door. But I just went with it. I’m 10 months old now and it’s time I hung with the big dogs. We had a good time. On the way home, we stopped at a restaurant and dined al fresco. I didn’t know what al fresco meant but it apparently means all sorts of people stop by on the sidewalk, tell me I’m cute and let me lick them. And the waitress wanted to take me home. I love the city!