A Squeaky Friend

Porter had quite an eventful day today (as did Sara and I). First, I should mention that Porter has been not what you would call a typical puppy. He's playful, but not hyper. He'll chase a ball, chew on some bones, sneak away with the occasional sock or shoe, but then he just lays down and rests or takes a nap. So, we began to wonder, "Maybe he's sick. He has a cold and that crazy puppy behavior is just around the corner. No puppy could possibly be this relaxed and, for lack of a better word, normal."

So we brought him to his new veterinarian this morning. The vet said "Sick? Not even close. That's just the swissy (Swiss mountain dog) in him." Later she said, "Well, you got lucky. He's a very good dog. No, he's not sick, he's just very low key". Yeah! A low key puppy! Truly, Who could ask for more. But how low key?

We tested the low key hypothesis by taking him to the dog park. Low key? Um... no. He ran like the dickens! He chased. He was chased. He played and was played with. Wonderful! He gets along with other dogs and people. Really well! We were in the dog park for an hour and at the end did not want to leave! When we returned home, however, he was all tuckered out. I don't think he moved for several hours, except to scoot into a different position on his bed.

Anyway, the low key concept is true back at home. He's a different guy. Basically, he's calm (for the most part) around the house.

So, for the rest of the day we ran errands, and I finished writing a lecture. I left the house to finish the lecture. But when I returned, someone (I'm not naming names, but it rhymes with Sara) brought Porter a little friend. A squeaky friend. A little green squeaky plush turtle! A turtle? Lime green? Not the most manly of colors, but hey, how can I deny him. Porter absolutely loves his little buddy.