A blog post by Josiah, the nine-month-old Yorkie puppy
I’m nine months old this week. Wow, it sure has been a big week. Lots of big-boy moments and changes for me.
The Party
One night Miss Janet packed me up in my backpack carrier. I pitched a fit because I didn’t know where we were going, and she didn’t clear these plans with me in advance.
She kept telling me, “You’ll love this.”
Wow, she was right. We went to a party! All my aunts were there. From the minute we walked in the door, everyone took turns holding me and playing with me.
I got to sit at the dinner table, moving from one lap to another. I got a special doggy treat and a couple fresh blueberries. It was great to be included in all the fun.
I learned how to drink from the fountain water bowl on the floor. That’s right—I was allowed to run around on the floor like a big boy. It was a very special night for me.
I did have one moment where I felt like a baby puppy again. I was so busy exploring, I lost sight of Miss Janet. Oh, no! Did she leave, and I missed my ride home? I panicked a little and ran around looking for her.
Finally I saw her sitting on the couch. What a relief! I ran over to touch base. She cuddled me, and then I went exploring again, knowing she wasn’t going to leave me.
Free Roam at Home
The party wasn’t the only place I got to run around on the floor. At home, Miss Janet is letting me have free roam almost all the time when she is home. I still sleep in my crate overnight and when Miss Janet goes out. I have my wind-down time at night in my playpen. But the rest of the time, I have so much freedom.
I get to walk around, explore things, carry my toys around, and climb up the couch steps for a nap. If Miss Janet goes into a different room, I follow her. We even had an evening nap on the human bed. Yes! I’ve been eyeing that bed for two months now.
Miss Janet’s Big Night
Miss Janet had a big night out too, and I helped her get ready. She told me she likes to volunteer at the community theater where she works at the concession stand. That means she serves yummy treats to all the humans. She hadn’t been there for seven months because she is a puppy mom. While I was growing up, she had to stay home with me.
Now that I’m a big, nine-month-old Yorkie puppy, she can volunteer again. I was very excited to help her prepare for her big night out. When I got in my crate, I was on my best behavior, showing her I was ready for a calm, relaxing evening at home while she went out.
Official Door Greeter
I had another first this weekend. One of my aunts came over to work with Miss Janet on a project. When she knocked on the door, I got to walk down the stairs and greet her. She was the first visitor I got to greet at the door instead of in my playpen.
I was so well-behaved while they were working. Usually when people come to visit, they are coming to play with me. It was the first time I wasn’t the center of attention, and that was okay.
I only got in trouble twice. I thought they might want to take a break and play with me, and I kind of accidentally bit Miss Janet’s finger. I got too excited. Then I took a nice calm nap on the couch all by myself.
When I woke up, I was bored, so I hid under my aunt’s chair and nibbled on her shoe. Other than that, I was very well-behaved. When my aunt was ready to leave, I walked her to the door, just like a grownup dog.
Miss Janet says instead of a very needy puppy, I’m turning into a calm companion. I like hearing that. I still know how to play with abandon. But I can also self-settle and just hang out. It’s fun to be nine months old. Not quite a puppy; not quite a big dog.
What about you? Do you like to play and have fun, and then enjoy some chill time relaxing? I hope so. It’s a really fun way to live.
Slurps and squiggles,
Josiah
The Inquisitive Yorkie 