Happy New Year! We’re a bit tardy with this month’s update because we’ve been busy settling back into our routine after the holiday break. My raisers had some time off work, which meant plenty of off-leash adventures, visits with family and friends, and meet-ups with my PADS buddies for me! Let me update you on all the fun!
December was a full month leading up to the holidays, including not one but two festive parties. The first was the PADS holiday party, where I practiced settling in a room full of pups and their people. I met PADS Drax, and our humans arranged some off-leash walks, which we followed through on a couple of times. He’s definitely a new favourite buddy! We have a blast tearing through the forest while also working on our recall and trail manners around other dogs and people.
The second party was for one of my raisers’ workplaces, held at a noisy bar/arcade with a buffet dinner. It came with an unexpected challenge: someone spilled shredded chicken all over the floor right before we got in line! Everyone watched to see what I’d do, expecting me to go full lab and inhale it…, but I proved them wrong! I ignored it completely and walked right over the mess. My raiser and colleagues celebrated me! Yay for a solid default “leave it”!
One of the biggest highlights of the month was a car ride that ended with us picking up 3-month-old PADS Mazel for a weekend stay. We had so much fun (and learning!) together. I shared all my toys, showed him around the neighbourhood, visited a local brewery, and even went to see the holiday train. We got a bit too rambunctious in the house at times, which meant crate time for one or both of us—but the humans were impressed with how quietly we settled, and Mazel even slept through the night without a peep! What a good puppy.
On the last workday before the holidays, we met up with PADS Toad at the dog park near our humans’ offices. After a good play session, we walked together through the downtown streets, showing off our excellent manners, and then took the train home side by side. We got to see each other a few more times over the holiday break, too, meeting up for off-leash walks in different spots.
All in all, it was a great ending to a fantastic year! I’m looking forward to what 2026 has in store for me and where my PADS journey will take me next.
Submitted by: Tanya
