Mike's Mid-Life Crisis

Mike and Jenny have always been tight. They play together, sleep together (see above photo), and he looks to her for security when he's unsure. I always say that Jenny--not me--raised Mike.

This week when Mike turned 7, Mom said, "That makes him 49 in human years. Is he having a mid-life crisis?" I laughed and said, "Yes, he's talking about getting a Corvette and dating a younger Poodle."

Our friend, Debbie, had the best ending to this story. She maintains that Jenny (11 dog years old) is a couger and will be driving Mike around town, showing off her "younger man"!

All A's

Mike--the gorgeous pup at the top of this blog page every day--had his annual checkup last night. He got all A's on his report card. Nothing more satisfying than knowing your dogs are in tip-top shape.

I had to laugh at the vet. Mike's coat is so thick and impressive; the first comment out the vet's mouth was, "Wow! What a coat! How's he handling the heat?" Mike's great in the heat; he's in the air conditioned house!

Mike's been my shy sheltie, and I've worked with him to build confidence and look to me for direction in "scary" situations. I see such progress in him and was so proud of how he handled the vet's office. It was packed with dogs, cats, and people. One person even came up to him to say hello. Mike did what I've taught him; he touches them with a nose then comes to me for a treat. We even played his favorite game (I always take a container of treats to the vet's office) called Rule Outs. When the exam was over, I asked the vet to play Rule Outs, and Mike performed beautifully. He a love, that Little Mikey-Mike.

A Proud Mommy Moment

Wow! I was *so* proud of my Mike yesterday...

Ever since he was a pup, Mike (see photo at the top of this page) was very body sensitive. If he was in a heightened state, excited or stressed about the environment and you touched him, he would scream. It was a cross between a yip and a yelp. We've always called it Mike's Squeek. As he got older, I could tell by the set of his ears when a squeek was coming. I would warn him that I was going to touch his belly or pick him up. He would suck in a breath and hold it, as if saying, "Oh! Go Ahead. I'm ready!"

And yet Mike is a very loving, sweet Sheltie. He just wasn't a pick me up and cuddle kind of dog. When people come to visit, we tell them about Mike's squeeks and that if he yells, don't feel bad. It's not you.

Now here's my proud mommy moment. We have house company (five people) staying with us this week. Last night I came out onto the porch to see the one person (a stranger to Mike) vigorously petting Mike's ears and head. First it was a stranger touching him. Secondly he was touching the most intimate part of Mike, his head. AND NOT A SOUND. Mike was not even doing that avoiding head slant move he used to make.

I gave him a treat and told him what a Big Boy he is! He then went to the top of the couch and hung out with us on the porch, watching the activity from above. I was thrilled that he never squeeked nor did he leave the busy area with people milling about.

Acadia One No Trump you are da bomb!