Jasper Lily at 10 months (and her spring break vacation)

Well Jasper Lily is still with me! 🙂 We made it through the first angel-vesary of my beloved Shelby Lynne and Jasper has really come out of her shell. I see more and more of her personality all the time.

In honor of (or in anticipation of) her 10 month adopt-vesary, we traveled back up to Seattle/the PNW for my spring break. It was Jasper’s second trip on the plane (under the seat not under the plane) and again, she handled it like a champ. She is SO proud when she struts through the airport – tail wagging, happy smiles, all those drugs in her system (thank you for doggy xanax). We did SO much but I won’t write a novel. I’ll give the fun snapshots and updates.

Homeward Bound! LAX to SEA

We arrived in Seattle and the next day drove south for about 5 hours to Cannon Beach, Or. This was the place of my childhood beach cabin and where I wanted to leave part of Shelby’s remains. Knowing how much Jasper dislikes the beach,  I was unsure how “fun” this would be for her. She had a blast! She LOVED the Oregon Coast (until she remembered she was supposed to be scared). We walked 2 1/2 miles into town on the beach, grabbed a coffee (Cannon Beach is VERY dog friendly) and then walked back. We played in the sand, splashed (well mostly me) in the water and chased the birds! My mom and I drove into town to wander the little shops and Jasper was a trooper. Probably a tired girl too. We spent three days in Cannon Beach and Jasper went almost every where with us.

Jasper on the beach in Cannon Beach, Or.

Cannon Beach, Or

Cannon Beach, OR

Play hard, sleep hard! Snoozy Jasper Lily is the best!

Wine bar and dogs are welcome? Yes please!

Cuddles!!! Coffee date with little Jasper Lily! Look at those ears!

We drove back to Seattle (I think Jasper just hates the car or she really loves riding on the floor in the back seat). Anyways … we got back to Seattle to some hail. Jasper’s first hail! She had seen snow back in November when we were there but hail was new for her. She LOVES my mom and her house. I think because it’s fully carpeted as opposed to my hard wood floors with an area rug. I will be getting her a bigger area rug. She loved to sit in my mom’s chair and just chill. Jasper seems more relaxed, happier and calmer in Seattle. I can only assume it is because I am the same way. She really is such a GOOD dog and just goes with it. Whatever “it” might be.

Jasper’s first hail

We took long walks around Greenlake by my mom’s house, had coffee dates, did some “booty-buster” hikes up some hills, went to a pub that lets dogs IN the restaurant. Yup. Inside. We met up with her buddy Lexi and my friends for a dinner date. Jasper and Lexi split a burger (plain, no bun) and the humans had burgers, sandwiches, chips and beers. We ended our evening with Jasper being a total love and angel around the cats at my friend’s home. I think it was because the cats are so dog friendly, they don’t run from Jasper. If it doesn’t run, she doesn’t chase it. Unlike the zillion squirrels we saw outside around Greenlake.

Hunting squirrels at Greenlake!

My hometown … #sorrynotsorry

Norms in Fremont with Jasper’s buddy, Lexi (and her human, Gwydion). Lexi is also a rescue from a hoarding situation.

Jasper and I loved walking around Greenlake. God how I love the crystal blue skies, blue water and green lush vegetation.

Jasper’s throne! Who needs a fort when you have a throne?!?

I left Jasper with her grandmama (my mom) and she did great. She walked great on a leash, was a perfect lady, ate her dinner, didn’t miss me (too much).

It was a wonderful and long 10 days but sadly, we had to come back to LA. Jasper took her trip back to LA like a champ on the plane again and we were both heartbroken to have me come back to work. She seems sadder. She did have a rough weekend with fireworks, an earthquake and being left on her own more.

So 10 months … I cannot imagine my life without little Jasper Lily. I could never imagined that I could / would love her this much. I miss my sweet Shelby every day but I know that Jasper was sent to bring me happiness, smiles and laughter. I LOVE traveling with her and that she can come on the plane with me, opens up a new world. Our next adventure might be next month when we take a brief weekend getaway. Jasper’s first experience in a hotel.

She still gets the barkies and the growlies. She is still cautious yet curious. She still loves from a distance and I can see that she still has some walls up. But so do I. But I am proud of her and how far she has come in such a short amount of time. I am proud when I see her walk with confidence, tail wagging, ears up, sometimes a smile on her face. I love how every morning, in bed, it is the same thing … she stretches out long, does her frog pose and snuggles up with me. It is how we start our day and I know she is channeling her inner Shelby there … being “more dog”, “embracing each day to the fullest”, full of hope and happy energy.

Thank you, to my sweet Shelby… you were always the wise one. You sent me a good one. I’m keeping her! 🙂