Memories of my "Puppy-Girl"

[shelly]

Well... it's official... I say that with a sigh in my voice (well fingers)....Tori is now no longer considered a PUPPY. I can't believe she is already two years old! When I think back on her beginnings with us my emotions are varied... I can still remember the anticipation of awaiting the news of her birth on March 20,2008. We were not able to go to Canada to truly see which puppy we wanted. I searched the breeder's website for the' look' I wanted and attached a picture from a previous litter. Then it was more waiting... more anticipation of what she actually looked like. 'llI never forget coming home vacation and running upstairs to our computer to see the picture of Tori that had been sent to us. I truly don't know who was more excited - me or my kids. Then MORE waiting.... six more weeks until she could be sent to us. We kept calling and checking up on her and because they were a Mennonite family, no pictures could be sent to us until someone visited them with a camera and could send one to us! And then - FINALLY on a beautiful spring day in May, she arrived via Air Canada... I was so worried and nervous - did they send us the right puppy??? was she safe and sound??? She was so black.. we could not even see her inside her little plastic crate. NOT even a peep, nor a whimper all the way home. Such a good girl! We were all ready that first night for a sleepless night. But she was absolutely wonderful! Was it all this wonderful? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! She nipped, she snipped and boy was she defiant. There were times - forgive me- that I said "No way! I don't think we're gonna' make it", and then something happened... I truly fell in love with what we now affectionately call "our little monster". Is she perfect now? NOPE... she's still learning and growing, but so am I... I now not only have a "dog", but a group of people now we call "friends", who I know I can turn to in a moments notice, when we hit those bumps in the road of "dog-hood", or just to say "Hey, guess what that doodle DOG of mine did now.." She may be a "dog" now, but she's still my "little puppy-girl" Happy Birthday, Tori!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Hope the next year is a wonderful one for your family and Tori.

[shelly]

Thank you EVERYONE for the birthday wishes! We had a great day together... It was a beautiful first day of spring here on Long Island. Tori enjoyed being outside playing and lying in the sun. We kept telling her it was her birthday and gave her tons of birthday hugs and kisses, but funny.... I don't think she even realized it. Perhaps the only thing different to her today was that she was outside playing for so long in the beautiful sunshine. She played so much that she actually got tired. Took lots of pictures,and hopefully will get to post them tonight. Thanks so much!!! {{{HUGS}}} Tori and Shelly

[Kathy Spyker]

Happy 2nd Birthday Tori!! You are a sweetheart =) Hope you get a nice long walk and lots of treats !!

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Happy Birthday, Tori, you gorgeous girl! Love the story... and yes, they are ALWAYS puppies in our eyes!

[Karen P]

Happy Birthday Tori !!! Nice story Shelly. I think we can all relate. Chewie is only six months and that has just flown by. Any special surprises for Tori's birthday?

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

Happy Birthday Tori! You're a big girl now!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Happy bday Tori!!!! You are now a real "dog"! Hehehe. I sometimes think Peri is not a total pup anymore since she is pretty much full grown and adult looking, but i don't call her a dog I call her a dood.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Happy Birthday Tori! I loved this post!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Happy Birthday Tori! Enjoy your day!

[GBK]

Happy Birthday Tori!!!! Great story, brings back many memories of my own and makes me smile :)