MILESTONES: kolby's first birthday

July 21st 2003, it’s hard to believe I am already a year old. Seems like only yesterday I was learning to climb the stairs on my own. For my birthday Mom and Dad threw me a party and I got to invite my buddies from downstairs up for cake and ice cream. Mom picked out this yummy cake at the bakery shaped like a bone. And boy was it yummy! It had peanut butter icing… my favorite! My buddy Tyson and his little brother Jake got me this really cool tennis ball ring. We played for a while and our parents chatted. I wish everyday could be a birthday celebration!

A NEW CHAPTER: jack puppy

Hi! My name is Jack, as you probably already know. Kolby’s gonna take a break for a bit and I am gonna tell you all about me. So pull up a pillow and let's get started. Are you ready? Ok, here goes: I was born on a farm way out in the middle of no where. I spent my days splashing in the creek and my nights under the stars. A true "dogs life" if I may say. Then, one day, I was taking a nap under the old car with my brothers when I was awakened by some chatter. When I was pulled out from under the car, there was this really good smelling lady. Who was this? I was handed over to the lady and she just smiled at me. You could say we were a match from the start. After a few minutes of chatter, the man who came with the good smelling lady went to the truck and brought back a big red dog! YIKES! Who was this, and what's going on. The big red dog came over to me, sniffed and inspected me. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I figured I should check him out too. Only fair right? So I began to ask the big guy some questions...

"So, what's your name?" I asked.

"My name is Kolby," he responded. "And those are my parents," he said while looking back and the good smelling lady and man.

"Your parents! They can stand on two legs! That's so cool!" I couldn't believe it.

"Well they aren't my birth parents," Kolby explained. "They adopted me when I was a pup, about your age actually. And that's what they are doing for you. Things will be different after today. In a good way, I promise."

"Adopted? But why?" I asked in a bit of a worried tone. I liked it here on the farm. I got to play all day with my brothers... wait... now that I think about it... where are my brothers today? Oh my! They must've been adopted too!

"Don't worry," Kolby assured me. "Things will be great. We'll get to still play all the time, we get treats, go to the park, and you're gonna love all the toys we have."

"Well, I guess it does sound like a lot of fun. As long as I can stay with the nice lady, I really like her."

"That will work out great," Kolby said. "Cause I am a bit of a Daddy's boy, I honestly think that's why Mom wanted to drive all the way out here to see you. Because she wanted someone who would always be there for her. So it's great that you already like her so much."

Ok, this wasn't sounding too bad afterall. I guess it would be nice to have someone to call my own. And it sounds like the lady is looking for the same thing. So, now that I am a little more at ease, it's time to play! And with that, I lept at Kolby and we jumped around in the grass. YEAH! The people just laughed at us while they filled out some papers. Once everything was squared away it was time to leave. I kissed my furry Mom good-bye and waved to Dad off in the distance. I looked out the window as I sat on my new Mommy's lap and watched the trees go by. After a bit, I climbed to the backseat to hang out with my new big brother.

"So, where are we going?"

"It's off to the big city now," Kolby said with a big reassuring smile on his face.

THE HUNT: looking for a buddy

It’s the start of Spring 2004 and Mom is on the hunt. She would really like to have another pup in the house. She says I’ve gotten so big and independent, she feels I don’t need her much anymore since I do most things on my own. I think it bothers her some too that I hang more with Dad than her. I don’t mean to, I love them both very much. But Dad rough houses with me like I enjoy to. Mom doesn’t like to play like that. So her and Dad have started the search for a new brother or sister for me. Our first try was with puppy Griffin. He was a little guy. And there was just something about him that I wasn’t sure of. We took him home and he visited with everyone but I just had this feeling inside that something wasn’t right. That night he cried as to be expect and Mom and Dad did their best to comfort him. The next day when Mom and Dad went to work he just cried all day long sleeping a little here and there. That next morning I had to show Dad that I just didn’t feel good about this new puppy. But how? After thinking a bit it came to me… so when Dad picked up Griffin I growled at Dad. Surely he would put the two together and know that I had mixed feelings about this pup. I wasn’t sure if that got through though. So Dad put Griffin down and started to walk away, that’s when I scooped up Grif and tossed him down the hall. Not hard… and not far. I was just trying to show Dad something wasn’t right. But I ended up getting yelled at for that one. Apparently that wasn’t a good thing to do, throw the pup down the hall. Later that night Mom came home and she was real upset. I tried to find out what was wrong but she just kept holding Griffin and crying. Then they all left. I just sat there wondering what was going to happen next. A few hours later Mom and Dad returned, but no Griffin. I guess they understood me! Mom was really sad about it for a while. But she got better and wasn’t ever mad at me. I just hear her tell people it was for the best.Then the hunt started again. Mom and Dad were now looking into rescuing a Golden. After some interviews and visits. Turns out that wasn’t really working either. I think Mom was beginning to lose hope. Then Mom got a tip about some puppies, so she called and we were on the road again. This time to the way far out country. And that’s where we found Jack. I knew he was a good fella from the beginning the goofy butterball! On the way home he sat in the backseat with me and we took a nap for a bit because before we went home we had to stop by my cousin’s birthday party. We ended up showing up a little late… but I don’t think they minded really. Dad felt pretty bad though cause he really hates being late for anything. Jack was just excited to see all the kids. As I sat back and watched the little fella I knew this was the start a life long friendship. I mean just listen "Kolby and Jack", we were meant to be together!

GROWING UP: making it in a doggie world

Looking back over the past six months, I can say I've enjoyed ever second of it. There were a few sleepless nights in the beginning, but I got through those okay. It was different having my own space to sleep in; not having to share it with my many siblings. Don't get me wrong, I miss them all very much, but I really like my new home. And my new Mom and Dad aren't so bad either. They take me for walks, give me treats and even take me shopping. My first few days here I met a lot of great people and other dogs too. My buddy Jake lives downstairs; he's a puppy too but he'll only get as big as I am now probably. Mom and Dad say I am gonna be a big fella when I get older. As the days go by, I notice things start to change. My legs are stretching out and my tail is getting longer. It's a good thing about the legs though cause now I can make it up the stairs on my own. Mom still helps me down the steps because, you see, I am a little top heavy. I have a bit of a big head on my shoulders... litteraly. Thank goodness my doc says I'll grow into it. I sure hope he's right! I'm getting the hang of this potty training stuff too. Who wouldn't want to go outside and squat where they want? Plus, if I do it right, and go to the door to go out, I get a treat! YUM! I still have accidents now and then but I'll get it. A word to all you pups out there, learn to talk to your parents about when you need to go out. Just go to the door and start talking to it. I know that sounds crazy, but they'll love you for it! I gotta tell ya, I don't think it could get any better than this.

NEW TRICKS: going to school

After all the holiday’s pasted by, things began to calm down and go back to normal. I was now enrolled in obedience training. And I was learning quite a bit if I may say so! The trainer lady was pretty nice that is until she threw a soda can at me. You see, she had Mom and Dad prepare some empty soda cans with pennies in them. And when I did something I wasn’t supposed to they were supposed to throw it in my direction and say, “No!” Well, when the teach was demonstrating this to Mom and Dad she aimed a little too well and whacked me right in the noggin. Mom and Dad did better with it and never hit me with the cans but I must admit those things freaked me out! I got scared a few times and had accidents on the carpet. Mom said that she’d had enough of the can stuff and the messy carpet and they threw those noisy things out. But they continued to work with me and I still turned out to be a star! Eventhough the teacher stopped coming to visit, Mom and Dad still taught me new stuff all the time. So, from all this training stuff I learned, stick with Mom and Dad, they know what’s best and they won’t let anything happen to you.

TIS’ THE SEASON: merry christmas!

My first Christmas was sure a busy one. First we opened presents at home. Mom and Dad helped me with the first few, then I got the hang of ripping the paper off. And, the paper was pretty yummy too! I got lots of treats and toys at home. Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa’s house where I got even more treats and toys and I got to play with my nephew and niece. After that it was off to Mammall and Pappall’s house where I got even more goodies! By the end of the day I was really tired, but I did have a lot of fun. I can't wait 'til next year!

LATE NIGHTS: covered in snow

It’s been cold outside the past few weeks. Mom says this is typical for December around here. Occasionally we would be out walking and this white stuff would fall from the sky and land on my nose. Burr!! Mom explained that this white stuff was snow, frozen rain, and that later in the winter we would get a lot of it and we would have a snow day! I was so excited about this, having a snow day sounded like so much fun! So I watched and waited. Everytime Mom and Dad would open the door for our walks I would run to the edge of the steps and look out for lots of cold white stuff. But day after day, there was none, just cold grey days. It was the holiday season and Mom and Dad were off to a party at a friend’s house and said they would be out late and for me to just sleep tight. So, I curled up in bed and went sound asleep. Around 2 am I think it was, Mom and Dad came home and there was some excitement in their voices. They came in and got me out of bed, got my leash and we rushed outside. WOW!! I couldn’t believe my eyes! There was a fresh blanket of snow everywhere. We went as quite as we could down the steps trying not to wake anybody and we just ran and played in the snow for about an hour. We rolled in it, and I was trying to catch the falling snow flakes. We had so much fun that morning. That is a day I will always remember. I got to play in the snow for a couple of more days before it all melted away, but that first night was the best!

DRESS UP: happy halloween!

BOO! This is how I celebrated my first Halloween. Mom and Dad looked all over for the perfect costume for me and found this cool super pup cape for me to wear. Da da da da da da… Puppy Power! We didn’t have any trick or treaters this year but it was still fun to dress up. Earlier in the week we went to the bakery and I got a spooky cat cookie. It was more yummy than spooky though!

THE BEGINNING: a dog's life

It hasn't always been this easy you know. Most think I just eat and sleep. But there's more to it. In fact, in the beginning, things were a lot different. First of all, there were more of us. I was one of twelve siblings. And I wasn't exactly the top dog either. I had two brothers who were much bigger than I was. I managed to hold my own though. Sometimes it was a scramble to get dinner, and often my older brothers and sisters got first dibs, but there was always enough for all of us. Sleeping wasn't exactly a dream come true. Scrunched up with all my brothers and sisters who couldn't ever make it through the night without kicking and rolling around. A bonus though, the days were sure fun, playing in the yard and going for swims in Dad's pool. Mom kept a close watch on us though, so we couldn't venture off and explore too far.

Then one day, everything changed. I woke up just the same as I did everyday. I had some breakfast and went out into the yard to take care of business. It wasn't until about mid morning that things seemed off. The phone was ringing like crazy and Mom was pacing while Dad stayed out in the pool. I couldn't understand what the big guy was saying to Mom but he just kept talking to the phone and patting Mom's head. Then it happened. Strangers started showing up and walking around the backyard. Dad was glad to see them, but Mom was a bit nervous. The big guy talked a while to the strangers then brought them into the backyard were we all sat in our pin. My sisters were yapping and jumping all over, while my brothers just smiled. What was going on?! Then the big guy picked me up and handed me off to one of the strangers. They held me up then gave me a squeeze. Man that felt good! The strangers and the big guy talked a bit more. I understood a few no's in the conversation but that was about it.

After everyone was done talking, the stranger carried me into the house where Mom was. We all sat down and the big guy wrote some stuff on a paper. The strangers just kept petting me and I could feel the fast pace of their heart beating. It was like they were excited about something. So I didn't worry, in fact, I got a bit excited myself! After a few more minutes, the big guy took me over to Mom and she gave me a kiss. I still wasn't sure what was going on. Then Mom said to me,

"You be a good boy son, and take care of these humans. They'll make sure you are loved and looked after. They have a good scent about them so trust them they will know what is best for you. I know you'll enjoy your new home. Watch out for the feline they have though, she may not be quite ready for you, but she'll adjust and you two will be great friends."

Woah! What was she talking about? New home? Feline? What's that? Next thing I know I am back in the stranger's arms and going out the front door. I began to panic a little. But the heart beat of the stranger was still excited.

Then the car began to pull away from what I used to call home. We were headed down the road to the unknown. That's when the stranger said to me in a soft voice, "Everything will be ok". I remembered back to what Mom told me and I began to relax a little and enjoy the ride.