ThE TeRrOrIsT GoEs SpLiSh SpLaSh....

Hey friends!

Well, it's been pretty busy in the world of Tier and Shannon for the past week, hence the infrequent posts!  I'm currently studying for the GRE, MCAT and applying to a grad school starting in the fall and to medical school and/or (potentially) vet school to start in Fall 2014!  Tier, is currently studying for the GRE which involves sharing/chewing up the GRE book I'm currently studying from!  She is applying to Good Dog school, cross your fingers that she will graduate from Good Puppy school with high enough grades to get into Good Dog school! We'll keep you all posted!

Despite the craziness of the past week, Tier got to go to her first swim lesson last Friday!  I was beyond excited all Friday to get to watch her swim for the first time however, Tier did not share the same feelings and was nervous/anxious!  Dr. Steyn, Tier's vet, suggested that she go through the swim orientation and participate in splash sessions to increase her muscle tone and cardiovascular health.  Considering she will someday be running 40+ mile weeks with me, this kid has got to get her muscle tone and cardiovascular system up to speed before she reaches the age of 18 months.  Dr. Steyn also thought that Tier would like to swim because she frequently sticks her entire face in her water dish and splashes around....this was very cute the first couple of times, it's now not so cute and creates a HUGE mess!  I often find the kitchen floor turned into a lake if Tier is left unsupervised with a full water dish and the cats are very much unappreciative of the frequent swimming holes Tier tries to create for them!

Anyways, we arrived at AACC (Advanced Animal Care of Colorado) for our swim lessons at 4:40pm on Friday.  We were greeted by Tier's swim instructor Becca.  Tier was very full of herself when we got there so Becca put her out on the patio while she read the safety instructions to me....Tierney tends to be a bit distracting, especially when she's in her terrorist mode!  After Becca explained all the rules, the three of us headed to the pool!  While I took Tier outside for one last potty break before swimming, Becca found a life vest that would fit properly on Tier.  Tier put her life vest on without any complaints and, finally, it was time to get in the pool! Here she is with Becca before getting in:

Tier was a little nervous getting into the pool but Becca was very good with her and gently set her on the stairs.  Becca explained to me that it would be best if I would walk around the edge of the pool while Tier swam and give Tier lots of encouragement and praise.  Tier was very receptive to me walking around the edge and followed me as I walked a little in front of her.  Up until this point in her life, I did not realize the extent of her attachment to me.  I knew she was bonded to me but the strength of the bond was very evident by her trying to swim as fast as she could to where I was walking.  Here is a video of her following my voice as she was swimming:

Who knew the little terror could swim so fast! She's a natural!

After 2 laps in the pool we let Tier take a little break....swimming is hard for a baby, don't you know!? After a short break Tier got to swim 2 more laps with Becca following alongside her and with me walking along the edge.  After those 2 laps, Becca suggested taking Tier's life vest off because she is such a natural swimmer!  We took the life vest off and this time, much to Becca's surprise, I got into the pool with Tier.  Tier was so fast at swimming that I had to have Becca hold her on the steps while I went to the other end of the pool.  Becca would help her off the steps and set her loose to swim to me.  Each time she came straight to me and I would turn around and walk backwards with her swimming towards me to the steps.

Together, we swam for another 20-25 minutes with short breaks in between laps.  Here are some pics:

 Becca getting Tier into the pool for the first time.....she's a little nervous at this point!

Becca helping Tier start off swimming for the first time!  No help needed from Becca after the first couple of kicks, who knew German Shepherds are such naturals in the water!?

 Becca helping Tier navigate the upcoming corner....she got stuck there a couple times when I wasn't walking fast enough in front of her.

 Tier swimming all on her own before I got in. You can tell she's on a mission to get to me!

 Tier taking a break after her first 2 laps, swimming is pretty darn tiring for a little terrorist of only 15 weeks!

I had such a fun time getting in the VERY cold water with her and swimming with her! Being that she is not even 16 weeks yet, this little monster has gotten to do so many fun things; many of them thanks to AACC and Dr. Steyn!  I often forget that Tier is only 15 weeks old (16 weeks tomorrow) because she is so big!  But, considering she has already almost completed puppy school, she's swam for the first time and has gone to daycare numerous times, I'd say she's pretty well rounded for such a young pup!  My goal is to give Tier the best life I possibly can and I sincerely hope that I'm succeeding in my goal so far....but, that's a question only Tier can answer!

After swimming we headed home and I was of the assumption that Tier would be very tired......

But we all know what happens when we assume......

Yep, that's Tier playing on the couch with a chewy bone filled with marrow.  She was so excited after swimming that full terrorist mode came out and she proceeded to create havoc by sprinting around the house, chasing her kitties, jumping over the back of the couch, and stealing anything of mine that she could get her grubby little paws on! Considering her behavior, I'd say that our time spent swimming was nothing short of a fantastic time had by all.....hopefully Becca agrees with our assessment!

Quick update on Biggest Gainer....this past Saturday saw 34lbs on the scale! She's getting heavy and a lot more difficult to pick up!

This past Saturday marked 2 months since my big beautiful girl Brear left me for Heaven.  And, I have missed her every second of every hour of every day since!  My journey with Brear was beyond any expectation I could have ever dreamed up and I thank God for every second I got with her!  When she was with me, I never could have imagined life without her and it breaks my heart that life without her is now reality!  However, when I wake each day, the first thing I see is Tier and I am immediately reminded by her that when one gloriously beautiful journey ends, it opens the door for another of equal measure to begin! Tierney is not "just a dog," Tierney is my best friend, my constant companion, source of frustration, source of infinite joy and laughter but most of all Tierney is my savior from the unimaginable grief that came with losing Brear!  Tierney makes me smile through the tears, gives me comfort when I am sad and scared, and makes life more than worth it for me!  Yes, one wonderfully beautiful journey ended but, one of equal measure has begun and, just like the one before, it has far exceeded any of my wildest dreams and expectations.....I can't wait to see what's to come!!!!!!

Ciao,

TiEr and ShAnNoN