Hi,

My name is Misty. I am a female black lab, purebred but without AKC papers or registration. I was born Dec 26th, 2000, and currently live in the Adirondack Park in Upstate New York. To me, it's dog heaven. There are forests and mountains and lakes and ponds and rivers... and mud-holes. Julie isn't as keen on the mud-hole thing, except she lets me get in them if we're hiking and there's no stream available. She's pretty cool, and she really understands me. Because I get hot in the summer, she built a large pond for me and my sister to swim in. Julie is my person. Although I don't live with her, leagally I do belong to her "grandma," we bonded with each other, so she spends a lot of time with me.

I know a lot of commands, considering, at the time of this writing, I'm 7 months old. That's about the age equivolent for a 15 year old human. Forget what they've said about 1 human year = 7 "dog years." It's not that simple. Julie sat down and figured it out. Here is is:

Cool huh? So, that means that in 2 years, I'll be 25, which will explain why some people wonder "don't they ever grow up?' The answer, of course is yes, when I'm 30... three years old.

Here is a list of all the words I know, and the things I can do. Aside from Sit, Come, No, Down, and In the House, Julie taught me everything I know. I learn quick though. it takes me between 1/2 days to 3 days to learn a new command. Julie is patient, and she really likes to teach me things. I also learn remarkably quick.

My vocabulary

What else I've learned from Julie

Basic Obidience: -lie down -high-five -other paw -back paw -turn off the lights -hip! (akin to "come" and "heel" intermixed) -heel -pretty (aka: beg) -stay -dizzy dog! -drink! (even if she doesn't think she's thirsty, I make her drink plenty of water on hot days) -go find it -spit it out (aka: drop it) -stand (on her hind legs) -hide and seek -go count -no peeking -Ha-ha Misty -to stop biting -how to walk on a leash -Don't!!! -don't touch -get out of my face (aka: don't beg) -to balance a biscuit on her nose -get in the boat -stay in the boat -get out of the boat -catch (a tennis ball or small item she catches in her mouth) -trap ( a soccerball or large item she traps with her chest, then pins with her paws)

Hunting Commands: -left -right -wait (don't retrieve until I tell her) -go! (now she can retrieve) -you've got it -bring it here -open (she opens her mouth so I can put something in it) -carry (after she's opened her mouth I tell her this) Vocabulary (nouns and verbs): -ball -stick -frisbee -dog-hockey -ducks -pond -car -boat -walk -play -food (here is food) -drink (here is water) -not to bite, how to walk on a leash

Julie says my manners are very good. She's taken me to her mother's office, and many other places. When she stops walking, I sit down, and wait for her to start walking again. I always give the ball up; I bring it back, and drop it either right in her hands, or at her feet. If I don't bring it back, she mutters "fool dog," then ignores me for hours. (Alright, it's probably only a few minutes, but it's enough for me.)