Ella caught her first frisbee!

     Ella is going on 9 months.  When I look back at pictures I can't believe that my tiny little puppy is huge now...and she's not even done.  She is an energetic and excitable pooch and loves to say hello to everyone.  Everyone.  She made her first break for it the other day.  Luckily, the call of my voice brought her running back down the street.  I don't need that kind of stress these days.
     When we first got Ella she attended puppy school.  With some training she quickly picked up little tricks and commands like: sit, stay, lay down, roll over, high five and the classic "give me your paw".  I also have her running through a tube with the dreams of someday doing agility with her.  (You DO know my thing about training dolphins, right...this might be as close as I get!)   I know she is a retrieving dog and since I'm not a hunter she'll never fully live to her potential but I'd like to think she can do all sorts of stuff.   I swear since childhood I have pictured sunny days playing with a dog that could catch a frisbee in its mouth...today that dream was accomplished.  Now it wasn't all that glamorous mind you...she was just standing there and it took a few tries but she did indeed catch it.  She caught a second try as well.  Did it take about 60 throws?  Mmmmmmaybe...but that's ok.   Trying things over and over seems to be one of my themes in life. 
     My tiny chocolate lab has been a dear friend this year.  As a pup she licked my Mom's face and snuggled with her every chance she could get.  She has been the best companion ever for the kiddies.  She has heard me cry from a different room in the house and ran to snuggle with me and lick my tears.  We call her tofu.  She takes on the vibe of the person she is with and the mood that needs to be at that moment.  Today was a productive day.  I realized that I needed my new thing and asked Ella if she would oblige.  She did as any good dog would do.   She caught her first frisbee.  Next, we have to find a dock to leap off of because I'm pretty sure she can win one of those long distance jump contests.  ESPN 5 here we come!!!