Because she is so small she isn't allowed on the furniture (unless she is with Ben or me and we are holding her) by herself. I figure when she is big enough to jump up on the couch by herself she is big enough to get down alone, safely. (and yes I know there are those of you who don't allow yours on the furniture at all.....but she's just ssssooooo cute.....>BG<) Lately she has taken it upon herself to let me know when she wants 'mommy' to play or to cuddle. Last night I was laying on the couch on my stomach when I saw something pop up above the couch level...there it is again...and again....then YIP! It was Kimi. She jumps straight up in the air over and over again and all you can see are the tops of her folded down ears coming above the edge of the couch. Like Tigger from Winnie-the-Pooh who Bounces and Pounces everywhere...she was bouncing up and down trying to get my attention. After three tries without success she sits down real pretty like and lets out a loud demanding "YIP", and has the most earnest look on her face, just like she is trying to 'will' you into picking her up. (Yep.....I am not at all ashamed to admit it works for her! >VBG<) After the "YIP" if she still doesn't get what she wants she jumps again..."bounce"....."bounce"...."bounce"....then..."YIP" I have to laugh at her attempts......even ignoring her on purpose....(okay for those of you who insist on perfect obedience from your dogs, I am not ignoring her for fun, I am just teaching her that she must wait until I am ready....honest I am....come on, you believe me don't you?)...just to see her do it again. IS SHE TO ADORABLE OR WHAT??

Now.....on to her "trick". Again her bouncing and springing abilities come into play. I hold my fingers above her like I have a treat in them and say "Hop"...and she does....right straight up in the air. Boy for a little thing she can jump! (maybe "white men can't jump", but Shelties can!! lol) So now she knows what "HOP" means and when I say it she does...she just 'hops right to it'.

Sure I know.....she jumps up because she thinks there is a treat waiting for her (and there is AFTER she hops)...but isn't everything we teach our dogs 'learned behaviors' anyway> (give her a breeak guys....she's still a baby.>ggg<) Have any of you ever seen baby bunnies at play when they are running around and hopping? Well picture one with Sheltie ears and you'll know what Kimi looks like because she does look just like that when hopping like she does....and she isn't much bigger than a baby bunny either! But this seems to be something that she loves to do naturally because she does it all the time on her own when playing with her toys. And the cats tail. She is becoming a master at the sneak attack on the unsuspecting cat and his tail. She goes creeping up to him where ever he lays...waits until his tail flops at just the right minute...and then she POUNCES! Gets him every time!! (he's a good natured cat and has never even hissed at her yet)

Which leads me to this next part.....have any of you ever had a 'laughing sheltie' before??? I swear this puppy does! When we are playing with her there are times when she makes this sound...almost like she is panting, except more breathy sounding and some times there are even vocal sounds coming out, but it makes her sound like she is laughing. (and for all you experts out there...please don't burst my happy little bubble and come back and tell me that she ISN'T really laughing and explain what she is doing. I would rather live in my self-dillusional little world and assume she is laughing out of the pure joy of living with this family! >VBG<)

Life has NOT been the same since Kimi joined our world. And I say THANK GOD FOR THAT!!!!!!!! And I say thank you DORIS too for the exceptionally wonderful job you did bringing this puppy up. She is so incredibly wonderful. If you get more calls than ever for puppies blame us because I have told everyone I know exactly where we got her from and they all know how extremely pleased we are with her and with you! Thank you listers for letting me share my puppy/stories with you. As soon as I get a recent picture of her and figure out how to set up a page or scan the picture somewhere (I don't have a scanner of my own) I will put her picture up so you all can see her. As long as you promise to remember she is MINE when you see her! LOL

Kristi (what a wondeful world we have with a Sheltie in it) Kimi (mommy...mommy....I want to play...where are you? Oh heck...where's the mud I'll play in it. Isn't it suppose to be good for the skin or something??? NO? Well....it FEELS good anyway!)