Don't let this innocent face fool you...

Indeed... this innocent face can wreak havoc in a heartbeat! But don't ya just LOVE that face! Gem is settling in quite nicely here at Applegarth. Housebreaking has begun and as you see by the grass in the picture, our efforts are being undermined by her love of tall grass.  With so much rain and not enough time, our normally mowed yard is currently a hay field. Gem loves it. Her favorite thing to do is run through WET grass, then roll in it until she is soaked thoroughly. She and Seeker have something in common. He loves to have a good roll in wet grass, mud, snow, field turf or any other surface he sees fit. I am beginning to believe that Gem was a tiger in a former life... stalking through the tall grass, then jumping on an unsuspecting victim. Today, that victim was me several times. My pajama pants took the brunt of the assaults and she has added holes to the ones Seeker did when he was a puppy. Yes, my pajama pants are a good 4+ years old, but they are that comfy. Now they are that full of holes. Time to retire them I suppose.

Today we also had a bit of a breakthrough with Ceilidh. Yesterday, the stress of the last few days finally took a toll with Cei having a seizure. She hasn't had one since January, but with the addition of Gem and the upheaval in the routine at the moment, she was primed to have one. After consulting with her neurologist, we opted to put her on an anti-anxiety medication for a few weeks until Gem is older and bigger. I don't like that we've had to do this, but for Ceilidh's well-being we must take the edge off of her emotions. This medication has done just that. She is using the thinking side of her brain now and not the reactive side. I even felt confident enough in how I read and understand her to take the girls out in the yard together. Gem is very appropriate with adult dogs. Ceilidh got caught up in Gem's antics in the tall grass, leaping and sliding, barking and decapitating dandelions. Gem played bowed at Ceilidh. Ceilidh reached a paw out to thump Gem on the head and the chase was on. Ceilidh zipped through the yard with Gem in hot pursuit. I stood by very carefully watching Ceilidh's reactions to change. It never happened.

This weekend Gem will attend her first, of many to come, activities, namely agility trials. She went with us to class last night where she watched attentively, was hugged, kissed and cuddled to the max. Her feet never hit the floor. She took it all in stride. The adventure continues...