SlaxMuddyPaws

T. has given me the opportunity to be the guest blogger this week. Let me introduce myself; my name is Mr. Teddy Bear and I am a 1 year old Golden Retriever. I was adopted by G. & T. on 3/26. My introduction into the “Slax” family was unexpected and quick. I had been in a foster home for a few weeks while my foster mom was looking for just the right fit for me. I am already 70 lbs and look like a full- grown dog, but I still have lots of puppy in me. She knew I needed an active family who would give me lots of attention. Lucky me, I’ve landed in a family that loves long walks! So, first things first, I’m working on walking manners. I’m not too bad at pulling (although after our trip to the pet store G.’s hand was really sore) but we are working on me not pulling at all. We’ve already been out on a few short walks to get me used to this new lifestyle. I’m excited to go on my first big time hiking trip to the woods. I’ve been told to expect to get muddy paws. T. has already scoped out the closest pet store with a dog bath.

While building up for our long hikes we’ve done a lot of loops around the neighborhood pond, visited the pet store for essentials, and did a super short walk at Coxhall Park. T& G kept complaining when we were at the park about the return of winter, I didn’t notice but of course I have a fur coat on all the time…It might be me complaining in the 90 degree, humid days I’ve heard are coming.

I am a pleaser by nature so T. is confident that I will work hard to be the best hiking companion. I really love other dogs too, but I will learn to not get overly excited when we pass each other on the trails. I already have a friend who lives next door, his name is Duke. We met and got to sniff each other all over so we are good buds now. I’ve also made friends with two labs that live down the street. Their names are Toby and Winston. They are super friendly too and Winston is going to come over and play in the backyard soon. I’ve heard the words dog park, and I like the sound of that. I bet I can make a lot of friends there too and get a lot of this puppy energy out. Every day I get a case of the zoomies, but the “Slax” backyard gives me plenty of room to work through that. But I do get muddy paws zooming like a maniac.

I’m just so full of energy still and I try hard to not be too obnoxious getting the fidgets out. I like to think of myself as a watch dog, but that’s because I watch everything going on around me. If you come to visit I will not bite, just lick you to death.

I hear there’s lake swimming in my future, but the lake is still covered in ice so that will have to wait. I’ll share about whether I like lake swimming or not when it gets warmer. I have so much thick hair I suspect if swimming isn’t my favorite thing T. won’t be too disappointed…but I am a retriever so I bet we will need lots of absorbent towels. What a Lucky Dog I am! And T. & G. are feeling pretty lucky too.