A Nervous Wreck

December 3-7, 2008
Dear Sophie,
What do you get when you cross a fairly mature, mellowing 4-1/2 year old Golden Retriever with an 80-pound 6 month old Great Dane puppy with irrepressible energy? See answer above.
Pretty amazing, wasn't it? Little baby Padme grew up on you! I wish I could've seen the look on your face when she met you at the door, but I saw your tail, wagging a mile a minute as you merrily bounced your way up to the front door, and then suddenly slamming on its brakes when you met your match face to face! She tried so hard to warm up to you and get you to play with her but you were freaked out from the word 'go'. It's too bad you don't remember much about your own puppyhood when you terrorized us the same way!
Padme's jubilant energy was just a little over your top. While you matched her in weight and height, she sure had you beat when it came to puppiness. Just wait till next time we visit. You thought she majorly surprised you this time ... you ain't seen nothin' yet, sweetie! She's not done growing yet!
We did manage to sneak in a visit with Amy while we were there and, right away, you and Ramsey were at it again ... nuzzling and flirting and practically lip-locked.
Eventually you settled back in at Kasey's, and you were on your best behavior while Kasey and I made a triple batch of peanut butter dog cookies. Mmmmm! You'd do anything for peanut butter dog cookies! Then all of us, including Padme, went out for a very long walk through the neighborhood and looked at Christmas lights. Such fun!
You might think you came home traumatized, but I looked at it a little differently. Life can throw you fast balls, breaking balls, and curve balls and, if you're going to be a great ballplayer, you have to learn how to hit 'em. When we got home, though, the only position you were interested in playing was catcher ... of a very very long nap.