It’s been almost four weeks since my last Poppy post. Trust me…all is good with her…and me, for that matter. I had started a post about a week after the last one but my time became consumed on things needed for a May 19th event in Seattle honoring my late father-in-law (he passed away in March). Glad to say it was time well spent…not only was it very productive…but introspective, as well, thinking about my FIL and the person he was. It was a beautiful event and tribute to an amazing human being and Pacific Northwest jazz educator. While this is off-topic for Poppy readers, take a moment to read about his life’s work. It’s a feel good story about a man who touched so many lives in incredibly positive ways. He lived a life well loved. I’ll miss you Waldo…

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/waldo-king-founding-father-of-seattles-renowned-high-school-jazz-programs-dies-at-92/

I wound up subscribing to Bark Box! Their themes are hilarious and I can’t wait for some “dress up” pics of my own!

Poppy now weighs a solid 26 pounds, which I feel in my lower back every time I have to pick her up. Gratefully, it’s not too often but it did happen this morning. Since bringing Poppy home April 12th, I relocated myself to our downstairs guest room knowing I would need to take Poppy out multiple times in the middle of the night and didn’t want to attempt carrying her downstairs half-asleep (me half-asleep, not Poppy). Well, last night marked my triumphant return to the master bedroom. I bought a larger crate for Poppy, decorated it as a night stand, and had my first night upstairs with her! She did great. She woke up at 4AM with a short whimper but promptly fell back to sleep when I opened her crate door. I sat there for about five minutes wondering if she’d want to “get busy” but, no. She was out. It took me awhile, though, to fall back to sleep but when Poppy did wake up, it was 7AM. Unfortunately, she was a little reluctant to walk down the stairs so I had to pick up that 26 pounds of wiggly love and carry her. Glad to report we did it. Now, we are working on going up and coming down…stairs!

Poppy is losing that “puppy” look and growing into a beautiful Labrador Retriever. Her coat, which was nearly white, is beginning to take on a beautiful yellow hue. The “stripe” of light yellow she had down her back as a new pup is now spreading out across her coat. Her face, though, is changing the most. You can see in the head shot above that if you didn’t know she was a puppy, you think you were looking at an adult dog. My favorite time with Poppy is when she is just waking up…she no longer whines or barks to get out…in fact, she usually lies there for several minutes looking at me when when I open the crate door. In the early morning light her little black nose, muzzle and eyes, pop from her pale adorable face. The look she gives me melts my heart! But after that??? She’s awake, goes out to pee, poo, eats, goes crazy, bites at my ankles, yanks on my clothes, chews on the corners of the area rug, etc., etc., and I have to wait another 24 hours for that look of love. Sigh. It’s tough raising a puppy!

Poppy is also now going through a stage that I think is equivalent to the “terrible twos” of babyhood. No longer am I the center of her universe…no…she’s decided that my commands are merely suggestions and will stop during a loose leash walk and just stare at me with a look that says, “What? You can go on if you want to but I’m staying here.” So, I wait her out. And wait…and wait…and wait some more. This is a stage I remember (not so fondly) from raising Daisy.

#TeamPoppy…out.