John, Jen and Marley

Marshmallow puppy

This weekend Josh and I fell victim to Marley and Me. By the end of the show we were bawling because it became abundantly clear that Jorge, Josh and Jack are Jen, John and Marley.  Our clearance puppy is actually our marshmallow puppy.  Jack was the chubby little puppy sleeping in the corner, and I fell in love almost immediately.  He was very lethargic and when we inquired the kids selling him informed us that they had been feeding him marshmallows.  Right away I knew we needed a marshmallow puppy.  Once he had passed the rest of what the kids were passing as his food he became quite lively.  We brought home our bundle of bouncing joy expecting a sweet mild mannered well behaved lab. We didn't get the opposite, but we did get a few surprises.  Within the first couple days we learned just how smart labs are.  Working at a vet clinic I've been around every dog, and Jack by far is the smartest at only four months. He is part Collie and the only Collie that shines through is his herding ability.  As long as everyone is in the same room he is wagging tail and calm demeanor.  As soon as someone decides to leave, he runs after them and tries to cut them off.  He hasn't learned to turn anyone back yet, but he does a good job tripping them as he tries to get them to change their mind, and go back to the populace.  He is surprisingly good at herding insects and often corners three or four bugs at a time, and then watches them.  Here are the similarities to clearance puppy: he is bitey, jumpy, rambunctious, would probably eat a gold chain if he had the chance, but most importantly loyal.  If you are sick or sad he is your best friend and he won't leave your side. When I am sick in bed he will fall asleep at my feet and only get up after I am awake. I'm impressed with our chubby puppy, and can't wait to see what he will be in his adult doghood.

Our first night with him

 I will share a story called Josh scared Jorge and Jorge scared Jack.  After going to a birthday party we were standing in the yard waiting to return home next door. Josh said something and pointed, and I turned around and threw my arms up and screamed a little. I don't know what I was expecting to see, perhaps a bear, but it was Jack. It scared him he shrank back and then ran all the way home with his tail between his legs.  We all started laughing, I felt so bad for scaring him when he was just coming to see us.  The gate had been left open, and when we put him in the backyard he explored and then left through the open gate to explore some more. I'm so glad Jack loves home and didn't run away, but instead like the smart dog he is, he went to see his friends next door and then returned to our doorstep, waiting for us to let him in.
The most hilarious thing he does is keep his back legs on the couch or chair and then he walks his body around on his two front legs.

Some quality face time

Our hipster dog with the neck scarf