Excerpt from the Book

I guess diaries are not supposed to have prologues, but I just want you to know a little bit about my start in life. On March 29, 2008, on a nice farm in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, my mom gave birth to me and my brothers and sisters. Now, I don’t remember much about my early weeks, but I was the biggest, so getting food was not a problem for me. As a result the farm lady said I was also the most “laid back” of my litter. In addition to all the excitement of being a puppy and learning all the things that a pup must, the farm was a special place for me, especially in spring. First of all, there were lots of other big Sheltie dogs like my mom, and they seemed to all enjoy us pups. Also, there were some really big, big, I mean really big other critters there all the time. The roundest ones went “moo!” all the time, even early in the morning. The taller ones had long legs, long, pointy faces and were pretty relaxed. Sometimes the farm lady would actually ride on them!

As we pups all started getting older and very used to our surroundings, sometimes some new people would come and one of my brothers or sisters would go away with them and never come back. I didn’t understand that one bit, but it was one less dude to battle for food with— and one less to play and roll around with too! Well, never thought some new people would ever come and take me away too, but they did, and this is my story—from the first time I met them and how my life changed with them. Guess everyone has to move on, and I did with them... so, I thought I’d tell you what happened so you know just how I felt about the whole thing!

Day 1- Sunday

It started out normal— kibbles, and rolling on the grass with my brother. He’s lots of fun to play with, but every now and then I have to give him a nip to keep him in line. Everything was going on like before, except it was getting a lot warmer outside, when these people arrived. I think they were here a few days earlier, but it was colder that day and I didn’t feel much like visiting— but my brother made a real pest of himself— I’m surprised they even came back.

They did a lot of big people talking with the farm lady, and even took pictures of my mom and me, and me and my brother rolling around. Wow. They must have nothing better to do! Then... it happened. The lady picked me up and took me to a really big car and put me on her lap. She was really nice and petted me a lot. The guy started up their car, and we began the longest ride I ever had!

I was kind of scared at first, but the lady kept saying nice stuff to me, and she even had a little house just like mine right next to me! After a while, I was getting sleepy so I went into the house and took a nice nap— the car sounds weren’t too bad, so I fell right asleep.

Along the way, when I’d wake up I’d walk around a bit, and the lady kept petting me and being real nice. It was a really, really long ride, but finally the car stopped, and they let me out on the grass. Boy! Did I have to go!

The whole place was so different from the farm, and I got kind of scared. She picked me up and I guess my heart was really pounding as she took me inside their house. She put me on the smooth floor, and I took a great big drink of water. That tasted great!

They also had some toys and played with me. What fun! But... I kinda missed my brother and the farm. Nana kept calling me “Corky”, so that must be my new name. I never had a name before, you know.

I got some kibbles (just like the ones they had at the farm) and munched a bit—- even a treat biscuit too! Then it was back outside, and I really had to go again this time, since I guess I was still excited— and a little scared.

We had fun playing in my new room, and they took me outside a real lot so I could go on their grass just like at the farm.

Then they took me outside on their deck and had a big fence to put me inside of. Some little people came by, and they were really friendly. I gave them a good sniff so I could remember them.

I was getting sleepy again, and I guess the guy and the lady were too. She put me in a little cage with a nice mattress just like I had at the farm— even something else was in there that smelled like my brother! She closed the door, and I started my longest nap in a while. Had lots of puppy dreams that night!