Hi friends! It’s me, Skaha — your favourite yellow Labrador from Kelowna, proudly named after one of the prettiest parks in the Okanagan. March was busy…the good kind of busy filled with adventures, training and lots of snuggles. Sit! and I’ll tell you all about it.
Big News! I went on a pilgrimage to Penticton to explore all things Skaha — Skaha Bluffs, Skaha Lake, “Skaha” basically everywhere. I felt like Simba in the Lion King, surveying the Pride Lands…“Everything the light touches is your kingdom,” except in my case it’s “everything with your name on it is probably a photo op.” Honestly, being named after such a gorgeous place feels like winning an award I didn’t know I was nominated for.
Puppy class continues to be a highlight of my week. I used to greet every dog like it was a long‑lost best friend returning from a heroic quest. Now I’m learning to stay calm, ignore distractions, and not launch into surprise parkour. My raisers say I’m having fewer “ninja‑assassin moments”. Personally, I call that “character development”.
Some days, Dad brings me to the office, where I practice settling under and near his desk like a seasoned professional. I’ve made new friends, charmed the entire workplace, and on top of that, I even picked up more Instagram followers. I’m basically an influencer now. Come join the fun at @padsskaha.
At home, I like to pitch in and help with important tasks — like reorganizing the pantry. And by “reorganizing,” I mean “conducting covert reconnaissance to locate the new kibble storage zones.” Evenings are for snuggles… Me + My Stuffy + My Raiser, on the floor = Happiness. Favourite part of my day – This is the good life.
I’ve had lots of outings this month, too. I practiced patience in long checkout lines, nailed my “go in” at self‑checkouts, and settled politely at coffee shops while the humans sipped their fancy drinks. On the drive home, I performed my signature goofy car pose: chin on the headrest, bum hanging over the mesh divider. Very comfy! Very aerodynamic! Best way to watch the world go by.
Training moments popped up everywhere this month… I sat calmly in the open hatchback like a statue of obedience, survived the car wash — a sensory explosion of lights, colours and sounds, stayed composed around the herd of deer who’ve moved into my yard (though I still don’t understand why they get to roam leash‑free). And, I had puppy class in the park with my sister Vaseux, complete with ducks, dogs, and humans everywhere. Distractions: 10/10. My self‑control: also 10/10 (give or take).
My favourite stuffy, Alpaca, got a full makeover this month. Mom restuffed him with Dad’s old T‑shirts, so now he’s extra cuddly and smells like home. I haven’t tried to destroy him again, not even once.
Oh! I also celebrated my half‑birthday – Yup! 18 months old now, which means I’ll be off to advanced training soon. I wore a silly hat with candles for photos with my bear and blankie. I’m convinced my Skaha bear and baby blanket shrank dramatically in the dryer. That’s the only explanation for why they look so tiny now.
I checked out the dog beach a few weeks ago, but I did not dip even one little toe bean in the lake. My raisers are starting to wonder if the “water‑loving Lab” gene skipped by me. They don’t realize I’m simply evaluating my options before committing to full aquatic participation.
April is coming quickly, and I’m excited for more exploring, more learning, and more memories before I head off to college. I believe there will be big things ahead for this Kelowna pup!
Love and tail wags,
Skaha
Submitted by: Terry & Sandy
