Nine 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 not sure if it is due to National Puppy Day being earlier this week, or my gotcha day anniversary tomorrow, but I’m feeling rather nostalgic. So today 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. Alright, 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. Red and Mr. Green. 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. He would frequently take me out of the whelping box to watch TV together on the couch. In fact he taught me everything I know about football and the New England 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 to 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! She’s a beautiful young woman now, but in my heart she’ll always be that little girl who loved me.
Their Mom, my Momma Sage’s human mom, also took wonderful care of us, spending many nights sleeping by our whelping box, watching to make sure we all got plenty to eat, and cleaning up our inevitable messes. Thanks to her, she 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 of 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. I owe a great deal of gratitude to her for helping my Momma Sage pick out the perfect family for me. But most of all I owe everything to my Momma Sage for always being there for me during my formative weeks. I knew I could count on her to take care of me and my siblings. It must have been exhausting taking care of 9 puppies, but she never complained. Sadly though, Momma Sage earned her angel wings in 2020. But she sent me a beautiful rainbow to let me know she arrived safely at Rainbow Bridge, and to show me and my siblings that she is still watching over us.
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. My brother Duncan hosted wonderful family reunions, so we could swim and run together. His “Duncanball” dives into the pool were legendary! He never lost his mischievous ways from when he was known as Mr. Red, diving out of the whelping box. Sadly though, he crossed Rainbow Bridge far too early, and was waiting at the end of the trail to welcome our Momma Sage. My sister Saffy works at a veterinarian’s office with her human. Despite her clean demeanor during the week, oh boy does she love to let loose on her days off and enjoy a romp in the mud! My brother Ryder had the best homecoming video! His parents brought him home a day early, and surprised his two little humans after school. Ryder is now happily looking forward to welcoming a puppy into his family this year. Although not so little anymore, I’m sure his humans will be equally excited as they were nine years ago. 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 my siblings that I lost track of are also enjoying a grand adventure just like me!
Wishing the Ice Litter a Happy 9th Gotcha Day Anniversary! 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!
