More Eating of the Cuteness

Porter's all, "GAHM!" and Murphy's all, "OWW!" and Maggie's all, "YIKES," and I'm all, "No, Porter, sweetie, quit that, OK now, get Murph's head out of your... OK THAT'S ENOUGH NO NO NO CUT IT OUT YOU ROTTEN DOG!"


And if it's not about him, Porter just doesn't give a damn.


Thanks to Trish (Murph and Maggie's mom) for the photos, and a seldom-seen shot of me and Portah in the same frame, even if he is laying there giving me the middle paw because I'm not doing a good job of hiding my love for the little M&Ms.

Happy Graduation!

This is Maggie and Murphy. They're Golden Retriever puppies and have been members of Porter's puppy class for the past several weeks.


Seriously, they are so sweet and fluffy you just want to eat them.


At least, Porter does, even in his graduation photo. This was one of the few we took that doesn't feature Murphy's entire head in Porter's gaping maw. Look at Porter. He's all... ehhhh.... ehhh.... lemme at 'em.


Now look at him. All wide-eyed and innocent. We know, Porter. We know.


Porter did his special graduation trick, and it was a hit. Instead of "speak," Porter barks when you ask him to HOLLLLLLLLER! (This must be done in a high-pitched Southern accent.) Yay! On to Puppy Three!

Shiny, Happy Puppy

Porter thinks he hears Something Suspicious requiring a WOOF. This is his I'm About to Go Woof face.


This, meanwhile, is his I Would Really Like to Have Some of Whatever That Is face.


For Puppy Class homework, we are supposed to be practicing a verbal down (not lured -- meaning, no, you can't stick the treat in his nose and then lower your hand to the ground, like we have been doing). Nooo. We have to say DOWN, standing straight up, and just wait until he does it. We thought this was total crap at first. 1, 2 minutes would elapse with all of us standing there staring at each other. We were sure that Porter was calculating baseball stats in his head or something to keep himself amused, having forgotten all about that silly DOWN business, and then, miraculously, he'd sink to the ground, and then we would all have a party like he'd just pooped gold bullion. In just one day, his verbal DOWN is now so good that I worry about his elbows hitting the floor so hard.

Incidentally, in the past two days, my boss and my mother have both wondered if they'll be able to stand me when I have actual children. What? Our dog is smart. I can't help it.

Puppy Power! And a Promotion!

This is Portah on his way to the first day of puppy class. Yes, he has a new collar, and he's just had a bath and smells terrific. Very exciting.


After Class One, where Porter clearly outshone all the rest of those lame-ass puppies, Porter got skipped a grade! We were offered a spot in P2, held on the following night for the gifted and talented. I am not surprised but his genius and accomplishment, but it's nice to be recognized by others. :)