Puppy Life Lessons

This morning we were greeted by a thin blanket of snow on the ground. 12 week-old puppy Chloe has seen and walked on snow before. I worried about slipping on the icy steps. She sniffed and pounced on tree roots and dug under the snow to find dried leaves. My intent was to see she did all her “business” outside and her intent was to hang around outside in pursuit of something good to chew on.
Chloe is definitely in the teething stage and wants to bite on everything, including my sweaters, stocking feet, and hands. Substitute toys don’t always seem to distract, so this morning I gave her an ice cube. She really liked that.
What she also likes is my company, my presence in her “safe room” which in our house is the tiled and heated side porch. I don’t always want to be sitting out there because it’s not the most comfy room in the house, but Chloe will be lonely if we don’t spend time together. Often she is content to play while I write on the computer.
We talk in generalities about the importance of being present to support others in our life, as well as being present in the moment to savor and enjoy what we have. The youth and exuberance of a young puppy lasts just a few months, so even though she got me up at 6:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning, I’m appreciating Chloe and her fresh perspective on a walk in the snow.