Hey there!
Athena just turned six months old last week and we thought we'd send out an update. She just got spayed yesterday (08/16/04) and that's slowed her down a little bit, but other than that she's doing great! She just topped 50 lbs. and is a healthy and happy puppy. We've gotten a number of compliments on her disposition as people say Shepherd puppies are usually not so happy, social, and playful.

She passed her Puppy Socialization and Puppy II classes with flying colors. So far she's learned Sit, Down, Stand, Come, Heel, Fetch, and Wait (in doorways) pretty well, and she's progressing steadily on Leave It (stuff on the ground,) Off (jumping on people and furniture,) and Stay (which she can do for about ten seconds or with us backing up ten feet.) Both of her instructors commented on what a smart little girl she is. She also likes dodging through chairs at full speed during puppy play time and the instructors thought she might like the agility courses where they run through mazes and stuff like that. We're thinking of looking into it this winter after she takes her Intermediate course.

Other than that, she's a puppy with more energy than we sometimes know what to do with! She loves being outdoors, especially on hikes and romps in the dog park where she can chase her flexible frisbee. Not too keen on the water yet and isn't overly fond of the canoe (she's already fallen in once) but she'll learn in time. She lost all of her puppy teeth a few weeks ago and the biting/mouthing has gone way down, thankfully. She desperately wants to make friends with the cat but she still has a little too much energy and plays too rough for Heineken.

That's all for now. The vet guessed she's got another twenty pounds or so to go (which will put her at about 70 lbs.) and we hope it's not much more! She can already tow our car if she wanted to, she's so strong. We'll keep you posted on her progress.