“Of Bears, Bull and Beagles!”

Jeremy's Short-Stop days are over.

Just to set the scene....

We have wooden floors throughout our apartment, which is obviously great for housetraining, but it makes the floor a little slippery for Jeremy's tender pink paws. It took him a few days but he soon got to grips with the physics of forward motion and learned that he couldn't just stop running and expect to stay on his feet, lol, and has now learned that he needs to slow down before stopping and turning - unless of course his intention is to slide on his side or belly across the apartment.

We also have a very long hallway from the front door into the main room of the apartment, it's probably in the region of 15-20 feet. It's our favourite spot for playing ball, as he can really get some speed up (and we can really wear him out), at the opposite end from the front door is our largest sofa which Jeremy likes to hang out and/or hide under.

When we play ball, Jeremy tears down the hallway, gets the ball, and runs right back toward us... but of course at the very last minute veers off course and goes straight passed us, giving us his best "hey, I'm no retriever!" look! He will head straight for the sofa, but when he's about 2-3 feet away he will retract all 4 paws, slip onto his side and slide under the sofa (still with the ball in his mouth). He turns round under there and then sticks his nose out (still with the ball in his mouth) and give us the sweetest little "nah nah" look. It is so funny to watch and we are certain he thinks it's the best part of playing "Fetch".

Well today, he was on track for a good long slide under the sofa, when "DOINK" he came to an abrupt halt as his shoulder banged on the bottom of the sofa! He's getting too big and unless he really hunkers down (and sucks in that huge belly) he can't slide under any more :( He can still crawl under, and hang out there, but no more fancy baseball moves for Jeremy.

They grow so fast! I love watching him change and develop but I am already seeing the black light at the end of this wonderfully lit tunnel, where he will no longer be this cute little baby. I know every stage is as rewarding as the previous, but it's all going by too fast! I want to keep him like this forever (minus the pooping and chewing!), he is such a delight.