Shy boy...

Here I am sitting pretty for Mom tonight. Mom and Dad took me to a socialization class yesterday. Yes, I went through puppy training. Yes, I get hunting training every single day. I have started doing a behavior my Mom says she does not understand. I have started shying away from people, unless they are my people. Jerry, one of the puppy class trainers, said that most people have very bad manners in the dog world. He said that a lot of people want to touch the top of a dogs head when they greet them and that is not good manners to me. But, Mom says that it is more than that. I have taken to growling at people with hooded coats. I particularly don't like teenage boys. Mom and Dad take me everywhere, even the old folks home and the only problem I had there was a guy moving in a wheel chair and he wasn't very nice to me. I think he called me a dirty name, but I am not sure, as I haven't heard many.

When we got to the training facility Mom, Dad and myself went in to the large play area and there were some dogs from puppy class - Bianca (she is a pomeranian and really likes Dad and she doesn't like most men at all), Riley (Border collie who is pushy and not my favorite) and Goldie (another Border Collie that I do like) and part of Liz's pack was there...I like Shadow, he is a big black shepard type dog, because he is so calm and Buck..he is a mixed breed and I like him too. There was a black lab, I don't remember his name, but I didn't really like him at all. I started out really nervous. Mom said I had my tail tucked as far up as I could get it. Gradually, I started to relax. Jerry came up to me a couple of times and it was okay. Liz came over and well, I think I just like the smell of Liz because I repeatedly went over to her. By the end of the play time I was very okay with Jerry coming over.

Mom and Dad said that they are just going to have to work extra hard to expose me to safe, yet people busy, places so that I get comfortable in my own skin again. Mom isn't sure if it is my age or just who I am. I don't know. I am just a puppy still. No one believes that I am only 8 months old.

We went to Petco today and I picked out stinky cow hooves for Miss Moose, Marcus and myself. Hey, that reminds me...what happened to my hoof...

I am Hugh

Down Time

Here I am hanging out with Mom on the couch the other day. If Mom is there then Marcus cannot be too far away and as you see he is in the picture dozing too.

It was a hard month of February around here and I was not allowed on the computer by myself. Mom and Dad have been busy taking care of Mom's Mom and all of her affairs. She has been really sick and in the hospital now for a month. Mom's Mom had a big operation that Grandpa Wally had, but has not recovered well from it, so she is in assisted care until she can care for herself again.

Since I went through obedience training Dad has been focusing more on my retrieving skills. Dad says he will be the only one out in the field that has to do the Cincinnatti Bengals call to get his dog to come in. Mom always yells, "Hooodeee whoooo, hughdehooo!" to get me to come in. Dad just shakes his head. My Mom said to Dad, "Hey his other nickname is Q-Tip and I could have started using that..which do you prefer?" Dad just smiles and shakes his head at her.

Mom and Dad have gotten several inquiries from people who are looking to buy a pup from my First Mom. Dad says he could talk about me and hunting all day and with anyone.

Mom said she is looking forward to warmer weather and getting the pool open again for swimming for me. I am not sure that I remember it, but Mom said I was really good at it.

Mom has had her Mom's dog, Tiera, here for the last month. She is a cairn terrier and she thinks she can kick my butt, but she really can't, butttt, I let her think she can. She and I are fast friends and run all over my yard. I tackle her and she snarls like a raccoon and comes at me, but guess what?? She can't catch me, but I sure do catch here! I like running circles around her. Mom says she thinks that I will be sad when Tiera finally goes back to her home, but hey, she can visit right?

Marcus and I went to the vet this past Saturday. Mom and Dad have always been so impressed with my attitude in public and that I am reserved, but not paranoid. Well on Saturday there was a 19 or so year old kid in the waiting room with a hood on and I was having none of him. He came over to me with his hand out and I growled him back! Mom and Dad were very surprised at my reaction. I continued to look at him slyly and growl. Mom said she thought it was the hood he was wearing. Me? I just didn't like him and I like most.

Well, I am not sure when I will be back. I hope it is soon. Mom is hopeful that her Mom will be able to leave the hospital next week and then it will be back to regular Sunday blogs and pictures. Be good people and hug your dogs if you got 'em!

I am Hugh