Thunderstorms

I have been SO afraid of thunderstorms, my whole entire life, which is a pretty long time in dog years.
Look at me now!  So relaxed...storms aren't scary at all when you can't hear anything.

This hard of hearing thing isn't so bad. 
Huh?  What?
Love,
Keesha

Our friend, Tristin

My friend, Tristin, came over the other day.  Keesha knew him before me.  Before I came to live here, I understand Keesha would go to Tristin's house to be groomed.  Keesha LOVES Tristin.  He kinds of spoils her, if you ask me. 
Before Tristin moved far away, he would come to my house every day to take me for a walk.  That was THE BEST.  Usually it was just Tristin and me because Keesha just didn't want to go on a walk...I know, I don't understand it either!  I mean, how could you NOT want to go on a walk?  Tristin would take me all around and help me learn manners.  I would try really hard to not bark at the collies on the corner, but most times I just couldn't help myself.  Hey!  They always started it!  Well, sometimes I would kind of pretend to pee to make sure the collies had time to notice I was coming. 
So anyway, Tristin came over the other day and I was super excited to go for a walk.  Tristin went outside, but he forgot to bring me!  So, I just opened the door and went outside too.  He was busy, so I started the walk all by myself.  Sure enough, pretty soon Tristin and Dad were chasing me, trying to catch up on the walk!
Well, I didn't know Tristin came over here to give Keesha and me a BATH!  He also gave Keesha a haircut and some brushing.  Me...I'm pretty much wash and wear.  Mom says we're pretty, and we actually DO smell better.
I can hardly wait to see Tristin again.  Maybe I'll take him and Dad on another walk next time.
Doggie kisses,
Sadie

This many not look like much of a picture to almost everyone, but this is me (Sadie) having the bravest day of my life.  When I got to my forever home, I was afraid of pretty much everything.  We used to have a rug in the living room, and that was my island, my sanctuary, the safest spot in my entire world.  As a matter of fact, I pretty much wouldn't leave that rug, until my parents took it away because of a little "accident" I had.  Well, what was I supposed to do - I couldn't leave my island.  My people tried everything, even putting extra rugs on the floor to make a path for me to get to the front door.  It wasn't an easy time for any of us.  Most of the time I just tucked my tail between my legs and shook.  As you can see from this picture, this is the day I finally walked just a little bit on the wooden floor to make it to the next rug.  Mom was so proud of me, she took my picture.  I was pretty proud of me too. 
Mom decided I might learn to not be so afraid if we went to some training.  That is where I met Laura.  She's the nicest person and she has this little pouch that's full of really good treats.  We brought my blanket to training, and I felt OK as long as I could be on my blanket, and I could do just about everything - on my blanket.  I learned sit and down.  Those were so easy - on my blanket.  But I should have known they (Laura, Mom and Dad) would want me to leave my blanket and walk on the bare floor.  When I had to do that, I just shook.  Laura (and Mom and Dad) were really patient and after just a few lessons, I was doing pretty good.  I could walk on bare floors and hardly ever shake.  Sometimes I still get afraid, but everything improves when I can spend a little time on my blanket.