5-Months-Old

.. only seven more months...

Over the last two months, Pompei's personality has really begun to shine thru.

If you were to meet Pompei on the street, the first thing you'd notice would be his wagging tail, and chocolate brown eyes as they begged you to come say "Hi".

Next you would probably notice how calm he is, normally sitting or standing by my side unless he could entertain himself by seducing passing humans. But if no one is around he'll lay down and check out the floor around him.

Spend some time with us, and you'll find out how confident he is, taking everything in stride, not blinking at sudden noises, dropped objects, moving doors, elevators, stairs, people in hats, people in beards, people with wheel chairs.

You will watch him quickly (read:quick for a 5 month old puppy)obey his commands, and look adoringly at his mom. (read: and look adoringly at his mothers hand for a treat..? Even though he never gets them while we're "working" but hope springs eternal!) You will see him bouncing along happily in response to praise.

But you will soon notice that sometimes, his "love" of other animals (read: birds, squirrels dead or alive) sometimes overrides his desire to please.

- He nearly killed me with a duck yesterday. Here I was trying to get him to "go busy" and he was sniffing the bushes. Next thing I know this huge duck comes flying out nearly smack into me. I was not happy.

When we arrive home, you will watch him hurry into the house, too happily greet his "siblings" with wiggles and kisses. And then run back out into the yard bouncing around them in circles.

Narrowly avoiding Bubble's snapping teeth.

After the "yard check" (read: check to make sure all the cat poop has been eaten *scuse me while I gag) he's ready to hang out with me by the chair, or run through some obedience drills.

Then, he will suddenly realize how much energy he has and do some laps around the yard, before he notices an untouched stick awaiting his attention.

I then know we can go inside now.

Dinner time is a bit of an event in my home though not as bad as my past puppies. He will bounce in short, jerky movements around the kitchen, and you might even detect a shiny spot of drool making its way too the floor, from a corner of his mouth...and if you are careful not too blink, you will watch something that is akin to a vacuum cleaner clean his bowl.

After dinner you will attempt to sit on the couch for a chat, but will find that your legs are propped up by a warm, furry object that had settled under them.

While he might be momentarily distracted by a toy that his sibling has, he will be back, shoving your legs out from underneath, so that he might be comfortable.

I love this dog.