Weekend Back Home

Jackson had an event filled weekend and was an absolute star.

We traveled from Ottawa to Markham to Collingwood to Parry Sound to Hunstville and back to Ottawa!  Jackson was a star in the car, and by the end was using roadside rest stops like a pro - at first I think he was too afraid to take a pee with all the strange noises!

Over the weekend Jackson met two cats, two kids, two dogs, and stayed in several different places which was a first, we realized - he has only ever slept at home with us since we got him!

He handled everything like a star.  He held back from chasing down the cats (with some help from us!), he decided that despite loud noises and quick movements kids are not so bad, and he LOVED thinking he was a big dog like the 100+ pound dogs that belong to Andrew's Dad in Parry Sound.  By the last day, they were traipsing around his property (large with forests, ponds and wetlands) like old pros, Jackson having the time of his life.  Occasionally the big dogs would go for a run, which Jacks loved, until they turned towards him, when he would hide until they went by.  He'd look around to make sure no one noticed, then run as fast as he could to catch up.  He surprised us all with his tolerance for getting knocked around accidentally by the big boys, and his tenacity when it came to getting in there and playing!

The funniest part of the trip by far was when he got a little too brave drinking from a pond and fell head first right in.  We all froze as he disappeared (black into black!) for a second, and then up he came, doggie paddling like crazy.  Andrew's Dad grabbed his collar and hauled him out before we could truly determine how good his swimming skills were.  He was a little shocked, but had a panting smile for us as we fussed over him like, hey guys, no big deal, happens every day!  The next day he seemed unphased by the event, going back to drink again and running around the pond precariously.  I wondered then if Jackson might not be the brightest little puppy, but he had enough caution to steer clear of the water!  I don't think it will be long before he'll want to get back in though and give it another go.  He was wading in and watching the big dogs swim longingly.

We met up with my mom and Niki on our way home in Huntsville, and they had a little romp despite Jackson having been absolutely exhausted from all the action on the way there.  He seemed very pleased when we arrived back home to his turf and slept through the night for the first time without a pee break!!

He continues to be the best little pup we could ever have asked for.