Freki got a bath, and it was the worst 45 seconds of her life. Even though she cannot resist snorkeling in the birdbath or helping me water the plants (more on that in a bit), and my kitchen floors are spattered with water from furry Shepherd  feet playing in the water bowl, a bath was just not going to be tolerated.

OK, so she didn't get a full bath. There was water and a tub and shampoo involved, but most of the 45 seconds it took to wet/lather/rinse her was me palming her muzzle, trying to make eye contact, telling her to stop freaking out. She did settle and got her 'bath', though her dignity swirled somewhere down the drain with the suds. But she was a soft, nice-smelling puppy when she went to the vet that afternoon.

Her post-purchase exam went well. The vet wisely gave her a cookie from the jar next to the exam table to kept her busy as he did his exam. She then pulled the lid off the jar and helped herself to another one. Smart girl.

My garden helper? She proudly totes the water hose in her mouth as we move about the garden, and shoves her head under the spray to check our progress. She then runs to the water bowl and stands with both front feet in it and drinks. Brave moves for a puppy who eschews bathing!

Other than the bath and the vacuum cleaner, she is fearless. She has no problem tackling Ben who outweighs her by 25 lbs. He is quite good with her and tolerates much. The vacuum, on the other hand, is best viewed from the lofty protection of the couch, regardless of how nonchalant Ben is around the noisy machine.

From a puppy who balked at the 3 porch steps the first time she saw them, to the brave, if somewhat reckless one who now ignores the bottom step both up and down, she sallies forth into each day with abandon. Go get 'em, Freki!