From Gertie's Diary

"Day Two: This was my first full day at my new home with the humans. As you can see, I'm very tired. But there's so much to learn, and so much to do...I just wore myself out.

"I used to live in an 8 by 8 pen with three brothers. We didn't even have a dog house -- just a kind of lean-to inside the pen. I can't believe that I get to stay inside a warm house all day now. At first I was afraid to go through the doorway into the house...but now you can bet I'm not afraid! (Especially since it's below zero outside!)

"Today I learned a lot of new things. I learned about all the toys in my new house. I like to pick them out of the toy box and carry them around and chew them. There are also some things around here that look like toys but aren't, and the humans don't like it if I pick them up and chew them. I thought the bathroom rug and the computer cord were toys, but the mamas say no. Hey -- two days ago I was living up to my ankles in dog poop in a 8-by-8 pen with three other puppies and not even a real dog house; give me a break.

"I also learned about mirrors -- you look into this thing, and a dog looks back at you! I was so surprised I couldn't stop barking at that other dog.

"I also learned about meat. Mamas gave me a tiny bit of their supper today, to go along with my dog food. Mmmm, that was good! I didn't even know how to eat it at first. I've never been anywhere with so much food or water before.

"And I learned how to slide down snowbanks. I climb up the snowbank, then slide down the other side. Wow! That's fun!

"Mamas are very happy with me for always telling them I have to go potty, and then going outside to do that. They tell me I'm very smart. (They keep using words like "smart," "cute" and "good" -- I don't really know what they mean yet, but they seem to be nice words.)

This is my big sister, Cassie. Here she's pretending she's not looking at me, but she really is. I love her. I want to be just like her when I grow up.

This is Mollie. She's something called a cat. When I saw her for the first time I started barking -- oof! oof! oof! -- and walked right up to her...but she just walked away. Mamas say that she's our friend, and that I shouldn't bark at her. Today she spent the day up on top of the sofa, while I was on the floor. I think that means she thinks I'm her friend too, now, kind of.

This is me, looking cute -- I think that's the word the mamas used -- with my new toy. I hope you'll be my friends too!