5 Very Long Months

Dear Cubby,

This past month alone has felt like the entire five months of your life!  The older you get, the more mischief you get into.  It wasn't bad enough that you swallowed a small plastic bag that had me calling the vet at 11 o'clock at night; thankfully that went through you with no problem.  But now, as I write, you have a 7 inch round rubber mat somewhere in your gut that has been there for almost a week.  So far the most trouble it has caused has been making me a nervous wreck, but I hope and pray it'll be gone soon on its own, without surgery.  You know there are a few things in this world that you don't have to eat!

On a happy note now, most if not all of your baby teeth are gone.  It seems appropriate that your last two remaining canine teeth fell out today.  One of them I found on the floor so I got to keep it!  Your puppy mouth is now full of big-dog teeth and it makes you look so grown up.

You started PetSmart puppy class three weeks ago and you're doing great.  You're very polite in meeting other dogs, and that socialization is the main reason you're in that class in the first place.  You're way advanced in all your commands for that level, but it's good to have you practicing them in a public setting, especially with other dogs around.  Three more weeks, and we'll decide if we want to go for the intermediate class as well.  Soon, we also need to meet up a couple of times with your sister, Jazz, with whom you'll probably be going to service dog school when the time comes.

You've gotten so big that, sometimes, I've had to look twice to find out if it's you or Sophie.  You're the same color with the same shape.  Gosh, you two are so alike!  And you get along beautifully.  I'm so blessed to have both of you!!
It has been such a wild and crazy month, but I have to admit most of it has been fun and I can't wait to see what your sixth month holds in store.  I think when all this puppiness quiets down, you're going to be one amazing dog.  I love you, Cubbster.