As I write I look over and see a puppy sleeping very soundly under the kitchen table.   Her older sister lies not too far away on her day bed also asleep but not quite as soundly.  Instinctively, and from 10 months of first hand experience, big sister knows that at any moment the puppy could wake up and launch an all-out surprise attack with a soggy cloth toy or a plastic chew toy and almost certainly with attitude and unbridled enthusiasm.

Kloe the “puppy” turned one year old this weekend.  Yes, it took a whole weekend for this to happen because when you go from zero to 75 pounds in one year it takes a few days to make the transition from puppyhood to, well more puppyhood.  That’s how it is with Goldens.  They start out as puppies and sometimes never grow out of it and if they do it takes at least a few years.  So much to her big sissy Kali’s chagrin Kloe will continue chewing on Kali’s legs, smashing toys in her face, and making countless surprise attacks initiating marathon wrestle-mania  bouts for at least another couple of years.

A little over a year ago as Holly and I began packing up 25 plus years of suburban life to move to the mountains we brought a puppy home.  There were many who said we were crazy to add a puppy to our family during such a hectic and transitional time in our lives.  They were right.  The moment we met Kloe – just 15 pounds at the time- we were crazy in love with her.  And I’m pretty sure Kali was too.

So zero to 75 in one year.  Wow!  We think she has stopped growing.  Kali prays for the same.  Meanwhile, all of us remain crazy in love with our giant golden red puppy we call Kloe.

Happy Birthday Sweets. It’s been one heck of a first year.  I love you!

Home in the mountains

Kloe at 10 weeks

Water makes mud

Kloe neck deep

Stare down over the lodged apple

Kloe and Kali in the early days