Well, it’s happening… our little Lucy is growing! Slowly but surely. You can’t really see the growth—not yet anyway—but her collar sure doesn’t lie. It’s getting tighter by the day, and I swear I just adjusted it. She’s still tiny, but the kind of tiny that’s packing on personality instead of pounds.

In an effort to help her become a full-fledged outdoor potty pro, I went ahead and bought a dog pen for the yard. We’re training her to use the doggie door, and this pen will be her little playground/bathroom combo. Smart, right? Of course, it’s Arizona, so the rocks out there are basically lava by noon. To protect those adorable little toe beans of hers, we’ll be covering the top of the pen with a tarp. No toasted paws on my watch!

And while we’re at it, we’re also keeping an eye on the sky—literally. Coyotes and big birds are a real concern around here. Just the other day, someone in our community snapped a picture of an actual eagle flying overhead. I about had a heart attack. Lucy may be brave, but she’s still bite-sized, and we’re not taking any chances.

Nighttime has gotten easier, thank goodness. Lucy now understands that the laundry room is her designated snooze zone. No more whining or whimpering (well, almost none), and she settles in like a champ. I can’t tell you what a relief that is—for her and for us.

One of my favorite things about this stage is how much she adores me. I mean, she likes Ken—he does feed her after all—but there’s no question who her person is. Me. I’m her whole world. Every morning she greets me like she hasn’t seen me in a year. Tail wagging, body wiggling, puppy eyes beaming. And when I finally scoop her up, she goes to town on my face with kisses. A slobbery, enthusiastic lovefest.

She follows me from room to room like a furry little shadow, always close, always curious. It’s like living with a tiny, fluffy stalker, and honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lucy is growing into her name, her space, and her place in our hearts. She may be a handful (and sometimes a foot-biter), but she’s ours—and we’re hers.

Stay tuned for more adventures in puppy parenthood. I have a feeling Lucy’s just getting started. 🐾💛

What’s keeping you busy these days?

Eydie