Six years ago on this date, I spent my last day in the whelping box with my siblings, before setting out on my grand adventure!  I’m feeling rather nostalgic, so I thought I’d take out my old puppy photos and reminisce about my early days.  I was one of 9 siblings, 5 boys and 4 girls.  We sure did a lot of growing up together those first 8 weeks.  From opening our eyes, to our first steps on wobbly legs, to enjoying our first solid food together.  Ok, so truth be told, we slept a lot too.  But those were carefree days, when everything was new and exciting.

Oh boy did we have a lot of fun in the whelping box together!  I was really mellow back then compared to my siblings, especially Mr. Green and Mr. Red.  Those two spent their days plotting how to break out of the whelping box and getting into all sorts of mischief.  Back in those days, Momma Sage called me “Little Man.”  I was the smallest of the litter, and not to brag, but a favorite of her human boy.  We were best buds, and he’d frequently take me out of the whelping box so we could watch TV on the couch together.  In fact he taught me everything I know about football and the Patriots.  I watched my first Super Bowl with him.  Just like me, he’s all grown up now.  But I do still think of him often.  His younger human sister was also my first friend.  She would come rushing home from school so she could hang out in the whelping box with us.  I still remember how pretty her hair smelled, and how I couldn’t resist nibbling it from time to time!  She was the one who taught me how to climb stairs.  With her as my cheerleader, I knew I could do anything!  It was their Mom, my Momma Sage’s human mom, who truly expanded my world beyond the whelping box.  She introduced me to my first adventure in the great outdoors, by letting us play in the yard!  Thus beginning my life long love affair with the fresh air and answering the call of adventure.  She even took me on my first car ride!  It was to the vet’s office.  But she made it so much fun I didn’t mind all the poking and prodding that day.  But most of all I owe everything to my Momma Sage for always being there for me during my formative weeks.  She’s still here for me.  We keep in touch regularly.

I often wonder what my Ice Litter siblings are up to these days.  I’ve been fortunate enough to keep in touch with a few of them.  I know my brother Duncan is living with our younger sister Dea, and together they are raising our nephew Dexter.  My sister Saffy works at a veterinarian’s office with her human.  My brother Ryder is captain of his own boat, and sails around the harbor with his family.  Shortly after moving away from New England, my brother Cooper was blessed with his very own little human to accompany him on adventures.  Sadly, my sister, Miss Purple, is an Angel now.  But I have no doubt she is watching over all of us, and is with us in spirit on each of our journeys.  I hope all my siblings are enjoying a grand adventure just like me!  Wishing them all a Happy 6th Anniversary Gotcha Day!  Thank you Momma Sage for picking the perfect family for me, and preparing me for life beyond the whelping box.  I promise though that wherever this grand adventure takes me, I’ll always be your Little Man!