Always learning something new

As I begin writing this, it's not quite noon and the first not-complete-wash-out-rainy-day for 3ish days now, and we have learned something new! Yesterday, after my dad tuned up my once retired mountain bike, I decided to take a couple loops around our driveway with Levi. He was nervous, and that made me nervous. I know how to ride a bike, but not having done so for YEARS, I was still getting comfortable with it. Trying to ride with a puppy that isn't really sure of what the heck you are trying to make him do, occasionally running in front of you, only made me more nervous. So I decided that I would wait until I was wearing more appropriate clothes, and he would be on his gentle leader, affording me a little more control in a situation where I can't get much. So this morning, after being a bum on the couch for a bit, I decided to go outside, especially since the sun is finally peeking through the clouds, and give it another try. Oddly enough, Levi seemed to get the hang of it almost immediately, giving me the feeling that I wasn't going to get any scrapes and bruises from this venture. Now, I just need to get him used to the commands right and left, so when I turn he isn't blindsided by me on the bike and we will be all set!

Working with Levi for even the short time today, it just makes me wish more and more that I could take a few pages from his book! I have learned from him countless things, but the one that seems to always amaze me with him is his ability to get back up and try again. Levi doesn't care for swimming just yet, but he loves water, so when he did a nose-dive off a friend's dock, I was sure that would be the end of his water love affair. To my shock, he got on shore, shook off, and went back in the water to wade. Same thing with the bike, he was afraid of being around it, but decided that despite his fears he would cooperate, and from doing so, learned that it wasn't all that bad after all! I wish I had his ability to do this. Imagine if we all did what Levi does, and despite our fears, charged on. We could all probably learn that the thing we are so afraid of is kinda fun. Or at least we could learn that the big scary thing isn't so scary in the end. (You'll never see me do this with spiders though!) It just gets me every time that when something freaks Levi out he just endures it, and eventually he isn't scared at all. Another example of his puppy-bravery happened last weekend. My town does this little carnival thing every year, and at the end there is a fireworks display. I have planned to take Levi to this for months, simply because the experience in a crowd is great for him, and of course, the fireworks. Compared to some fourth-of-July displays, ours is a nice warm up. So as the fireworks began, Levi sat right at my feet and just stared ahead, watching the colors explode in the sky. People turned around and commented on how good he was behaving with such loud noise. Little did they know my little man was shaking like a leaf! He was determined not to show his fear though, and sat/stood right there, staring his fear down. In the end, he was fine. I was bursting with pride. His show told me that no matter the situation he will behave for me, regardless of his distaste of it. He didn't become a bucking bronco dog, not once trying to get out of my control to run. I love having him around, and I love being able to take him everywhere with me, knowing that I can trust him in any situation. Adding fourth-of-July fireworks and crowds to his list of accomplishments is coming up soon! And I know he will be just as good for me there as he was at the smaller community event.

Levi is a great protector, and a great friend, always knowing just what to do to make me smile. As young as he is, I truly do fear the day that his time comes, because in the short time that he has been with my family and I, he has left his mark on our hearts forever. I am always grateful that I have been given the means and opportunity to have such a wonderful dog as my companion. If people are wondering what sort of dog they want for their family, I always recommend boxers. However, there is the stipulation that to own one, you must have double the time available to get this high energy dog outside and exercised. Levi is gentle with kids, but still learned how to act towards their attention, since most could almost ride him like a horse! He loves people and I know without a shadow of doubt that if someone (like at that carnival) just came up to him and pats him, his first reaction would NEVER be to bite/harm them, with the exception that if the person were to be harming me or his other family members. It's just an unbelievably awesome feeling to own such a friendly, loving dog. While they are a HUGE responsibility and commitment, they are so worth it. Dogs, regardless of the breed, bring so much light into people's lives. As Levi gets a little older and loses some of his puppy hyper-excitement, I do hope to get him certified so that he can bring that bright little face into a hospital, and bring smiles to faces, while of course, getting scratched in that perfect spot!

For now, take your dog outside! Appreciate the personality they bring to you and your family, and spoil them rotten! <3