Adventures of a little pup!

My little pup is growing up! This week he is just shy of 5 months old, and weighing in at 40lbs. I feel a little sad at the loss of a tiny, floppy eared pup...... butttttt.....

 I LOVE that he's getting big enough to have adventures with me. 

This week I took him to the dog park for the first time. He found a friend who was just right to play with, and for a good 45 minutes I couldn't even catch his attention. Daegan really loves all dogs. All people too. Poor guy is always trying to find someone, anyone, to play with him. I'm considering training him to be a therapy dog. He's that loving to everyone.

On Tuesday we set out on our first BIG adventure. 

I was headed on a 6 mile round trip hike to what the locals call University Falls with a bunch of friends. It's a set of natural water slides and little pools. Some are pretty stinkin steep! I couldn't go without the pup though, four other dogs were going! I knew he'd love it. 

Now, up until now, we have never walked more than a mile. He's gone maybe two with Dad. But I couldn't stand to leave him behind. I was prepared to walk behind the group with him on the leash, and take rests when he needed them. Less than a minute into the hike, I knew the leash had to go! He was pulling to catch up to the other unleashed dogs, and he's so STRONG already! 

He was going to take me down. It was seriously only a matter of time.

So....

YUP

I unhooked the leash

and prayed. 

He ran ahead to play, of course. About every 2 minutes he circled back to check in with me. A behavior I seriously encourage. His teenage time really hasn't been that bad. He was so amazing. 

Off the leash the entire time. 

He kept up with the big dogs all the way there, and all the way back.

He sure was tired at the top of the falls though! 

He napped for about 3 hours up there while I went sliding and hung out with my friends. 

Ok.

So we napped together for part of the time. 

I like naps.

Who doesn't like naps?!

He looks like a wolf pup on the prowl. I'm so proud of my little pup, and his big pup adventures!