Jasper Lily’s first Christmas, New Years and Birthday
Jasper Lily had an exciting couple of weeks. I was off for about 10 days for winter break and got to spend all my time with her. She loved having me home. It meant long and more frequent walks, trips to the dog park, hiking, lunch dates, cocktail dates and extra cuddles and naps.
Jasper celebrated her first Christmas with me with a ton of presents! She had more fun with the wrapping than the actual presents.
Her first Tree
Presents
“What mess, Madre”???
It was then off to hike with a friend and her dog and then lazy time around the house with movies, popcorn and wine! Perfect holidays. Jasper is about a year younger than her buddy Hobbes but definitely has way more puppy in her. It’s like someone turns on Jasper’s batteries and she just goes, goes, goes!
We attempted to house-sit for a friend that had a cat and while the cat was dog-friendly, it was definitely not Jasper Lily friendly. After one sleepless night with a hiding cat and a barking Jasper, I decided it would be best for everyone if Jasper and I returned to our home and just me visited the cat. Jasper’s desire to ‘chase’ and ‘get the kitty’ is unlike any I have ever seen with a dog. She’s relentless when she gets focused on something; be it chasing cats or destroying toys.
We are attempting to ban ‘fluffy’ toys from the home this year. I have never seen a dog chew like Jasper. She could chew through steel if she had the chance. Seriously aggressive. I found her a toy that was marketed as indestructible AND had an on/off button but Jasper not only chewed through the fabric BUT has figured out how to turn the squeaker back on.
We spent lots of time at the dog bark where she become quite barky. It must be her breed. She finds that one dog that she has to chase and won’t stop. And the barking. In its face. Non-stop. Lately that is why we are leaving the park because I cannot listen to the barking.
Jasper and I celebrated NYE together – on east coast time. I can’t stay up until midnight anymore and Jasper puts herself to bed at 8/830 p.m. When I woke up 2015, I did look for Shelby before I remembered it’s just me and Jasper now.
And today is her birthday. They told me she was year and half when I got her which would put her with a January 2013 birthday which is about two. God help us all if she truly has the ‘terrible twos’. I think she’s coming into her own, out of her shell. She loves the beach now.
Happy Birthday!
It’s a dog’s life at the beach
Loves the car!
She loves the car. She rides like a pretty girl in the back seat – proud of herself. She is very brave – all the time. She exhibits such confidence I didn’t know was possible from her. For a rescue dog, her progress in such a short amount of time, is remarkable to me. I am so proud of her!!! She is a really great little dog.
Shelby sent me a good little friend. Shelby knew what she was doing when she brought me to Jasper. She knew my heart would be slow catch up but Shelby always had more confidence in me than I did in myself. I do love my little Jasper Lily. She has wormed her way into my heart. She is silly, fun, serious, smart – all at the same time. So here’s to 2015 – embarking on our first full year together!
Oh and before I forget, Jasper saw me crying buckets last week over my Shelby… and for the first time, she nestled her little nose in my life and tried to lick away the tears. As if she was saying, “it’s OK, Madre, I will always love you. I am here for you. Lean on me”.
I will, little Jasper Lily … I will always protect you and I will always lean on you!
I am so glad you guys had a great Christmas. So much fun & wrapping paper. You both have come into your own on this relationship.
Amazing how both of you have adjusted. Love each & everyone of those pictures that you posted. The dog park thing she might be trying to exert her dominance. Bosch did that. Only he would follow them around and lick their ears then try to mount them. So we would leave. I wouldn’t allow that. (I know TMI) LOL.
Thank you for sharing JL first Christmas & First birthday with you. Keep up those wonderful outings
Hugs
January 7th, 2015 at 1:58 amMichelle & Angel Sassy
Woohoooo! Pawtay!!! Happy Hippy Hoppy Birthday to Youuuuu Jasper Lily! Lookit you totally weaseling your way into your mama’s heart. I knew you could do it chiquita. Tell your mama to get you a kong–I hear they make teeny tiny ones for ‘lil bits like you. Austin Ray sez for your mama to google Skwirl Dude and get you one of those too! He has jaws of steel for sure and those last him at least a couple months. We get ’em by the case lot ’round here.
xoxox,
Codie Rae and the OP
p.s. I love all the photos. She is one cute girl. It has been so much fun watching Jasper Lily come out of her shell and come into her own and wondering when you were going to realize that you had fallen in love with her! May your 2015 together be fantastic!
January 7th, 2015 at 3:24 amMartha
Oh, and Codie Rae doesn’t know how to spell :). Its Squirrel Dude made by Busy Buddy.
January 7th, 2015 at 3:27 amOkay, I was laughing, chuckling, saying “yes”….and the the tears flowed with thst last paragraph!! I know that was one thing you didn’t think Jasper would do (among hundreds of other things she’s shown yoj otherwise!)…be tuned into your emotions. Yep…Shelby knew all along though! And looking so proud in “her” backseat and moving out of the floorboard…YAY!!
Jasper Lily is sooooo photogenic! She really does take THE best pictures!! I love her first tree…and she does too!
And that frog leg position cracks me up everytime!!
Thanks for sharing yet another beautifully articulated chronicle of the journey you and she…and Shelby…are having!
Lots of love sweet Alison!!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
January 7th, 2015 at 6:34 pmOh Alison,
You had me giggling at Jasper’s antics and then getting teary eyed at the end. You and Jasper are forming that bond…that attachment. It shows that she recognized your sadness and did what she could to make you feel better. That was so sweet that she licked your tears away. Just beautiful!!
Now back to the more light hearted stuff…I love that Jasper figured out the on/off button on her toy so she could turn the squeaker back on….hiliarious!! And all the shredded paper at Christmas…Priceless!! And good luck finding that indestructible toy…I have resigned myself to the fact that I will spend a small fortune in toys for Lucian to chew so he doesn’t start eating on the house like Leland did…lol!
Hugs
January 7th, 2015 at 8:10 pmSahana and her Angel Leland