Day 169

10/30/22

These fall days are so very precious to us because we know what is right around the bend. For Lilly and Ranger, the days are precious simply because they live in the beautiful here and now. Golden days for Golden dogs!

With the gift of amazing weather, we simply can't stay inside! There were morning walks, play time in the yard, more walks and time on the front porch. Either the pups read my mind or they wanted to be outside as much as I did. When I would approach either door to the outside, their noses would be right at the opening crack. They were not going to be inside dogs today!

Sam was the challenge this day. When we are all outside, Gus believes his Sammy is there to play until the last dog is standing. Our baby can't play as long, so in the house he would need to go. Before the day was over, our youngest pup needed a bath!

Plopping him into the bathtub upstairs was a first for both of us. Until this day, I had hoisted him into the kitchen sink for quick mini-baths. Now that he tips the scales at over 30 pounds, we needed a bigger basin! The water was in, the baby shampoo at the ready and Sam looked like he might just enjoy the process.

I rinsed him down and applied the shampoo sparingly. This amazing puppy simply sat there as I lathered him up and finally rolled on his back to get the full spa treatment. He never ceases to amaze me with his acceptance of new situations and a serene temperament that shines through in everything he does.

As I was bathing him, he gave me one of his best smiles and I gasped! It looked like he had, somehow, pushed his baby teeth back up into his gums. The little front piranha teeth had all but disappeared and I felt horrible! What had I exposed him to that would have robbed him of his chompers? I thought and pondered and then decided I was powerless to bring them back.

Later in the evening, Sam was romping with Gus in the front hall (playroom) when I got a better look at those teeth. I grabbed the little guy, plopped him on his back and took a long look. What I had thought were baby teeth were actually his adult teeth coming in! I felt pretty foolish, but googled the timing of this switch. Sure enough, the time was nigh! I even found one of the little canines on the floor...to be placed in his "Puppy Book."

Clean puppy with new teeth coming in! He is quite the catch! I think I will go snuggle with him before anything else changes!