My partner and I have two beautiful dogs. We have a 2 1/2 year old staffy called Dodge, and a 13 week mastiff x ridge-back puppy, named Harley.

Dodge

Harley 8 wks

As I was walking them along the bay yesterday, I was stopped by two lovely ladies, who doted on Harley with pats and cuddles. One of the ladies really got my attention when she said “I believe puppies are a gift from nature.” This got me thinking about just how much I really take in and appreciate Harley while he is still a puppy.

Puppies really are a gift. They  bring joy and unconditional love to all that come in contact with them. They are little bursts of happiness in a bad day. A cuddle when you need one. Showers of kisses. Providers of entertainment. Bestowers of pride as they learn commands and to obey. An ear to talk to when no-one else will listen. A companion, and the start of a life long journey and friendship together.

Harley has gone from 8kg to nearly 18kg in 5 weeks. He’s not going to be a puppy for long! Rather than get frustrated that he pee’d inside, spewed in the car, stole rubbish from the bin, dug holes through the lawn, chewed my thongs, ripped up 2 beds, went swimming in the fish-pond and dug up my veggie patch, I am going to focus on the beautiful little soul he is, and the joy having a puppy brings to our house hold. The unconditional love he gives Brett and I, and the amazing dog he’s going to grow up to be.

Loves his cuddles

“Happiness is a warm puppy.”  ~Charles M. Schulz

Life of a puppy

“If you would invest in a friendship, purchase a dog.” Le Baron Cooke

Friends. Getting big.

“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” Doris Day

At about 5:30pm every day, they both go and wait on the front porch for Brett to get home :)

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.” Milton Kundera