Happy Birthday Kaya

Kaya turned 1 sometime in December. I am too lazy to look through her papers to find out her exact birthday.

Basically she has gone from this:



To this:



The past 10 months with her have been amazing. Even though I do have a list of little annoyances that I will share later, for now I will tell you why I think she is pretty close to the perfect pup:

• She is very easy going. Never territorial or vicious. Toby can tackle her while she is eating her food or climb into her kennel while she is sleeping and she doesn't even care.
• She was SO easy to house break. She bumps her nose on the back door blinds when she needs to go out. It is beyond adorable.
• She learns new tricks really easily. Right now she can sit, shake, lay down, wait-til-we-snap-our-fingers-to-grab-a-treat trick, and play hide-and-seek.

• She is extremely affectionate. Loves to nuzzle her nose under your hand when you are watching TV or just sprawl out on your lap like she is saying "notice me, please!"
• She is a great lap dog. I love to cradle her in my arms and rub her belly.
• I love taking her to PetSmart or to get groomed because people just fall in love with her. Every time I come back to get her, they say "She is such a sweetheart! I just want to keep her." Yes, I know. But you can't. She is all mine.
• Although she is pretty much full grown, she is a lot smaller than the average corgi. Many people mistake her for being a new puppy. I love my mini-corgi though - even if her head never caught up with the rest of her body (she has an unusually small head and a LARGE behind).

Now for the annoying stuff:

• I think she is out of this phase, but for a while every time the front door would pop open she would make a dead run for freedom. Sometimes it would take a good 30 minutes before I could coax her back inside with lots of treats and neighbors helping me. Very annoying.
• She sheds. Oh does she ever shed.

• She has to have something to chew on all day. We go through bones like water. If we run out, she will find an alternative like Christmas tree decorations or some of Toby's baby toys (that I was actually wanting to save for the next baby. ARGH!). But as long as I keep a good supply of bones in the closet, she basically leaves the rest of the house alone. Stinker.
• She gives little, soft barks when I am home alone because she thinks she hears someone or something outside. It's usually the wind blowing something against the door or some neighbor kids running by. It's not an irritating, LOUD, bark. It's mostly just distracting when I am writing up a grocery list or whatever. And really, I am glad she is so protective - even if she does resemble a giant twinkie with legs more than an intimidating watch dog.
  

My favorite way to hold her.

So that is my Kaya. I am so grateful Nick decided to splurge a little last Valentines Day and get her for me. I can't even imagine life with out her now.