Dear Uncle Chris –
School Started Yesterday – and I already have homework. YIPPEE!!
As you know, Mom & Dad started my training very early – almost as soon as I first got to my new home. I liked the clicker, LOVED the treats, and quickly picked up on SIT, DOWN, COME, FETCH and HEEL. STAY and WAIT are still a little challenging because I am just a puppy after all. I can only wait just sooooo long. Unfortunately, I also wanted to focus on the treat bag instead of on my lessons. HEEL particularly became a problem. I was getting out in front and looking at the bag instead of paying attention and looking at Mom & Dad. Oh well…. That quickly came to an end last night when our trainer Gary came for my first private lesson. (Group lessons still have to wait until at least summer school.)
Gary critiqued what Mom & Dad were doing with me, praised them for what they were doing right, and taught them some new tricks for getting better results from me. Gee…. I guess they’re in school too!! We now have some great additions to our daily training routines and I’ve been able to practice outside in the beautiful spring weather.
I guess that at 7 ½ pounds I need to start acting more like a little lady. I’ll save that for on-leash right now BUT I still really look forward to my off-leash romps and runs. WHAT JOY!!
Sending hugs up to you, Cassie
We had cousin company from Hawaii this week - YIPPEE!! Uncle Brian and Cousin Conor came all the way here just to see me! 
When I was little, I barely reached as you can see from my 'just adopted' picture at 9 weeks old and a little over 4 pounds.
Now look at me! Here I am at 15 weeks old and a little over 8 pounds. Boy - Can I ever reach or what? I can kiss noses and ears and a bunch of other pieces. I especially like to gently grab Mom's pony tail, but you'll never see a picture of that because she's usually the one who takes the pictures. ;-)
Well, I weighed in at 6 lbs 3 ozs at my Monday’s vet appointment and have grown even more since then. YIPPEE!! I still have quite a way to go as you can see by comparing my current size to that of my 11-year old friend and fellow Westie Heather. She was so patient with me when we visited at her house last week. But, oh what fun I had! Both of us tromped through the lobelias and rested in their cushiony mat (but not long enough for a picture).
On Friday I had yet another motorhome trip – this time to Eugene for the 2009 Eugene Marathon and shorter races. Dad and Matt (Megan’s boyfriend) ran in the 5k with Dad winning 3rd in his age group and Matt finishing 28th (out of 446) overall and 7th in his age group. WOW!! 
Next year I’ll be big enough to actually go see them off and be standing by to greet them at the finish line. I can’t wait!! Maybe the Pancake Man and Fork (Mac the Fork) will run again next year.
