Hi, I'm Toby.
I don't remember a lot about where I came from, but I do remember being little and being in a cage with a few other puppies. People would come in and see us and pet us, but then leave and not ask us to come home and play with them.
Then one day this boy and girl came in, with big smiles on their faces and more hugs to give than anyone I had seen before. I was small, cold, shivering and whimpering, but I soon learned they were full of hugs and warmth. They even let me lay in their lap with their good clothes on and give me snuggles and let me give them kisses. The boy called me "big guy" and gave me pets, and the girl let me snuggle up in her neck so I was safe and warm and stopped shivering. She even hummed to me a bit so I would stop whimpering and listen to her instead. I decided to go home with them. This boy and girl were going to be my People.
This is me on my first night in my new house with my People. It was Friday, February 3rd, and I was only 13 weeks old and weighed 7.5 pounds. The girl wrapped me up in her sweatshirt and drove me home. My first car ride! All the way home she kept her hand on me and hummed and sang to me so I wouldn't be scared. When we go to their house, they put me on a blanket on the floor and the girl sat on the floor with me, and the boy left the house. I found out later he ran out to buy me new food, a new big bed, treats, and lots of toys for me to play with. These People call each other "punkin" all the time, but I think I've figured out their names are Mandi and Kyle. At first, I didn't want to leave the blanket. I've never seen carpeting or a hardwood floor before, and the blanket was so soft, plus I was still a little scared and timid. Pretty soon though, thanks to food, water, and some good snuggles and smiley faces, I was soon walking off the blanket exploring my new house...well, maybe just the living room, but it was a big day for me.
After 3 days of playing with my People, they took me to a puppy doctor to make sure I was okay and had all my shots. I was scared in the waiting room with all the barking dogs - some were sooo big! I've never seen dogs that big before. I sat on my girl's lap mostly and watched everything from high up on the bench. The lady doctor we saw smelled so good, like a million different dogs at once. She was really nice and I got free treats the whole time I was there. I do remember crying when I had to get a shot, and I did not appreciate my temperature being taken the way it was, but all in all, it was fine. My girl was with me to give me hugs. In the end, I came home, got hugs from my boy too, and took a nap straight away. I was pooped after such a big day.
Here's another picture of me in my bed. I have a bed in my People's bedroom, one in the living room, and this one in the kitchen. That way I have a place to sleep no matter what room we are playing in. I also like to carrying around my friend, the lion, and have a blanket to snuggle with at all times.
My first week in my People's house was very weird for me. I got to explore and experience all kinds of new things. I even got to go outside and play in fun stuff called "grass" and "dirt". They let me roll around in the grass and dig in the dirt and giggled at me when I barked at trees and got scared by birds. Those were all new noises for me. My People also took me outside twice a night to go to the bathroom. Then, all of a sudden, this white stuff fell from the sky. The girl told me it was "snow" and it was fun to play in. We spent all afternoon the next day running around in the snow in the front yard and backyard, leaving tracks and prints where ever we went. I realized I liked digging my face in the snow to get a the good smells in the ground underneath. I also quickly realized that it is very hard to pee in the snow when your legs are only so tall! I did not like that very much at all, much too cold. This is a picture of me refusing to go outside once I realized how cold it was.
Speaking of laundry, I've found that a pile of blankets, towels from my most recent bath, and a sweatshirt or two make a fabulous bed. My girl told me I look so handsome in this picture, but mostly I'm just happy to have a comfy place to lay down and take a nap.
Price of a new bed from my People = $19.95
Pile of clothes waiting for the laundry to be used for nap time = priceless
Here's me and my favorite hobby, chewing on my chew stick. I love my chew stick, and my People promise me it tastes better than rugs or furniture. They tell me I sprouted last weekend and am not a pup anymore, but long and lean. I have found my footing, and like to run around the house like a little tank. Sometimes when I turn the corner, I can't grip the hard wood all the way, and I slam into the wall or fall down. I just shake my head, get up, and keep on going. There are toys to be played with and food to be eaten! Sometimes when I wake up from my nap, my People say I have "the puppy crazies" and I run around the house and bark and bite everything I see. I tell them that putting things in my mouth is just the way I figure everything out. They said it was okay as long as I didn't bit hard, but just holding is okay. So far I'm still trying to figure out what they mean by "just holding it", but I'm working on it.
I also like going to the park with my girl. We run around and check out all kinds of new sights and sounds, and I get to meet all kinds of other dogs and people. She keeps telling me I need to learn my manners. Last weekend at the park, I learned what ducks and geese were. Then I learned that ducks and geese run when you chase them, then I learned what a lake was, then I learned I don't really like being wet, and when we got home I learned what a bath was. I don't mind getting a bath too much. I get tons of snuggles and the warm water feels nice.
Another favorite hobby of mine is laying on laps. I like to sit with my boy and girl when they watch TV or read books, or even play on the computer. I like to think I'm helping my girl read books, but she says I snore too loud sometimes while she is trying to read.
Here's me now, nearly 18 weeks old. I think I've grown quite a bit, don't you? I look all grown up and am much smarter now. I learn new things every day - for example, I'm typing this blog on my boy's laptop right now - see? You can see me and the laptop in the picture. According to my boy, my one long white eyebrow whisker makes me seem very sophisticated.
This is me today. I've grown quite a bit in the past few weeks, gained a pound and a half, and I like to think I've matured as well. I definitely look mature in this photo. I've started to become very good at holding still and taking pictures, so you can expect a few more to come your way. I think I've gotten the hang of this blogging thing, so I'll try to keep you updated on my adventures, if I have spare time. I've got a schedule full of sleeping, eating, playing, and exploring all the parks in the area, but I'll do my best.
Thanks for reading my story. Until next time, keep on sniffing and giving snuggles.
Toby
