ANGEL

 Next week Bubbles goes in for her very first grooming session.  From my understanding, they only bath them and cut around the face and trim up essential areas on the first visit.  Puppies are unpredictable, so I get it.  We took her to the groomer for a nail trim on Saturday - mainly to get her acquainted more.  She was good.  

I love her fluffy look, but I know she needs a trim.  We shall see what happens.  I've been trying to brush this shaggy coat every chance I get to keep her from getting matted, and we do butt baths weekly.  I'm hoping this helps prepare her and that it makes her easier to groom.  

Honestly, she is heaven sent.  An almost perfect angel.  

Anxiety

 On Monday I loaded Bubbles into her crate and took her to my daughters for a visit with her, the granddaughters, and their dog, Ellie.  She was nervous, to say the least.  We left her there while we did some brief shopping.  My main objective was to get her more socialized, and since she loves them a lot - what better way!

She stayed anxious up until about five minutes before we returned to pick her up - then she started warming up to the idea of being there with them.  

Yesterday I forced her into her crate again and took her two minutes down the road to pick up papers for her training class that will begin on the 23rd of this month.  When we got there, I walked (more like forced) her inside on her leash.  Once inside, she began timidly smelling all the doggie merchandise and her fears eased a bit.  When we got back in the car, she was not happy with being put back inside the crate, however, she settled down and was fine.  I drove around the neighborhood for about ten minutes, trying to get her used to this.  

I believe baby steps into socialization with her will help her be more at ease.  She's a work in progress. 

NOT MUCH TROUBLE AT ALL

 I'm thinking of renaming my blog.  I thought for sure Bubble Trouble would be perfect, but I wasn't expecting that this puppy would be so perfectly good.

Bubbles is well-behaved and does all she can to stay out of trouble.  She can't help it that she has anxiety and fears.  

I enrolled her for a training class that will begin later this month.  It will be good to get her out there around other people and dogs.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 It is only a new set of numbers.  Twenty-twenty-three.  2023. Two-thousand and twenty-three.  No matter what way you say it, the calendar is telling us we are beginning a new year.  

Last year was hard for so many.  The year before was not easy.  It all started with 2020 - and we all know how that one threw us for a loop.  So, I am not expecting much but I'm hoping for more.  

Bubbles was heaven-sent.  I have never been more sure of anything in my life.  She has taken my focus off the emptiness Gracie's absence has left, and brought the the focus on her care and sweetness.  She is a cuddly lamb, and such a good baby.  

I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays.