Taos (no, we're not in New Mexico)

 If you aren't interested in cute puppy pictures, go no further.   

come sit with me!

This post is filled with pictures of little Taos as he grows and learns.     He's changed our lives and keeps us very busy.     Sometimes he thinks he's in charge - one of our jobs is to remind him that he's not, in a kind but firm way.     Not always easy!    He has a very loud voice.

He likes to "help" with whatever we're doing and he's very alert to his surroundings.  Fun.

Happy Hour each night is more of a production now.    No more just pouring a couple glasses of wine or beer, and perhaps a little snicky snack for the two of us.  There is the filling of the interactive puzzle toy (s) that allow us to enjoy our outside time without worry of unnecessary wine spillage.   

he figured them out quickly!

yes, that is red wine on his head

Happy Hour interrupted.....must hose red wine off the rug immediately!

He's learning to accept the "equipment" he'll be expected to wear in his grown-up life as a Guide Dog.  

We play games to help him learn behaviors that may be needed in the future.   He loves games and sometimes plays them by himself - you know, just for fun (and the possibility of treats?)

he lays quietly in his "place" while we eat

Until he's completely up to date on all his vaccinations we can't really take him out in public very much.    He's been a few places and had a good time.     He goes to "class" in Phoenix about once a month.    It's hard for him to control himself in such an exciting environment, but he tries hard.

hmmm, now that I've posted this picture, I'm not sure if it's Taos OR his sister Talia!

He has had dinner at Steve and MonaLiza's house and behaved very well.    He learned to follow a paver path instead of racing, willy nilly, around the yard.   Good boy!

Who is that bald man walking with Taos you ask?   Tee Hee, it's Dave!    He used the wrong clipper on his hair and, before he realized it, there was no more hair!

Back to socialization......He saw Steve's "new" car and let MonaLiza pick him up and hold him.     She's really little he says...

Pam and John came down for a couple days, so Taos got to ride out in the desert with us!    He was a real trooper in his crate behind the back seat.    We bounced and jiggled and started, stopped and turned around for a few hours, in the quest of a Crested Saguaro.     He slept!        The few times we stopped for photographs; he was a good boy.    Well, except when he snapped the head off a pretty blue Lupine and we had to poke around in his little sharp mouth to remove it.    And, when he gulped large mouthfuls of river sand instead of exploring the dry riverbed.  sigh.

But, most often, he's just a silly, sweet puppy who plays with his toys, loves his people, and falls asleep in the oddest places....

zzzzz

snore.....

he doesn't fit very well anymore.

lying in front of the fire always gets them.....

French friends.....ahem

Nascar buddies

And, here's Anabel "playing" with Dexter, the cat.   Check out Dexter's manicure!