Happy Birthday Mariko!

WOW, I can't believe our "little" puppy in training is a year old today. We decided to celebrate her birthday at work because that's where she spends most of her time and where everyone loves her.

Is that for me?

Yep, I'm pretty sure that's for me!

Karlee made her a birthday hat :-)

Happy Birthday Mariko!

Waiting with anticipation, please say okay!

Thank you!

Are these for me too?

Everyone came to wish her happy birthday and have a little treat for themselves (although Mariko thought there was more for her).

Mariko's First Thanksgiving

As we prepared for the holidays, Mariko decided on her last day at work, to watch the Box Elder bugs crawling around in the light fixtures above my desk . . . . ewwe:

We had five wonderful days away from work (and yes, she's telling me today that she is not happy about being back to work). We had a very relaxing holiday. While I was busy cooking on Thursday, I think she could smell the turkey :-)

I smell turkey!

We took some time out for pampering . . . nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing . . . and of course some massage :-)

Friday evening we had friends over for dinner and a couple of games. Mariko got in a lot of practice for the "bed/stay" commands. She did very well. But got pretty spoiled by our company :-)

Wednesday is Mariko's first birthday, so we will be posting party pictures, I'm sure.

Pictures That Make Me Smile

Since we didn't do anything "constructive" last week, I thought I would share "pictures that make me smile" of this goofy puppy that has blessed our lives.

Busy Day

Well, besides being a Monday, I had a doctor's appointment and obedience training for Mariko. I decided to take the elevator, as opposed to the stairs I usually take, up to the third floor. As we got in the elevator, it occurred to me that it has been since Mariko was a few months old that she has been back in an elevator. She was a little nervous at first, but then settled right in. She was great in the doctor's office as well.

Sitting under my legs in the waiting area

Totally bored with it all

Waiting in the exam room

Are you finished yet?

After my doctor appointment I ran home, fed dogs and let them relax while I hit a Zumba class. After class I ran home quickly, changed clothes and grabbed Mariko and back out the door we went for some obedience training.

Yes, something smells good on this blanket.

Wait, there's some over here too.

Okay, I'll stay if I really must.

We practiced stay with distraction, which Mariko needs a LOT of practice. It was quite a bit of brain work so when we got home Mariko decided on her own to practice the bed command :-) I love brain tired dogs!

We'll pretend to practice bed . . . secretly, I'm REALLY tired.

OUT!

Busy

Life has been a little busy, just got back from a great trip to Atlanta, which meant Mariko had some more learning to be in the kennel during the day (which I'm not sure she did a lot of because Karlee and Kyle were both in and out).

Karlee and Mariko practicing cradle.

I had actually entertained the thought of trying to get the airline to approve Mariko to travel with me this last time, but decided against it and I'm really glad I did . . . . as I ended up on the 33rd floor of this GINORMOUS hotel, with VERY slow elevators.

Grand Marque Atlanta Georgia

Hotel

Not sure I would have been able to sleep much worrying about getting Mariko out to toilet in time :-) I know she would have done fine, but I really would have worried.

Gotta love the "back to work" face

I'm not sure, but I think she was a little poutty when we went badk to work on Monday.

These two are cuddle buddies

We woke up to cold, wind, and the start of a snowstorm this morning. I think Mariko has put the bad weather out of her brain because she ran out to toilet this morning and it was the fastest I have ever seen her take care of business, ha ha. Here we go :-(