"if you won't get it for me, i'll get it myself!"

The first few months after Claire's adoption were both fun and frustrating, scary and exciting. I had this little wiggly thing who totally relied on me to take care of her. And I had no idea of what I was doing. She was always managing to get into things that she shouldn't (which I soon learned is completely normal for puppies to do), was teething on my clothes and furniture rather than her chew toys, and woke me up at all hours of the night needing to go out. But no matter how much I wanted to laugh, cry, or scream, I loved it all.

One Saturday afternoon, I came back from the grocery store and unloaded the first few bags. Then I let her out so she could run around the apartment while I headed back to the car to get the rest of the groceries. I came back in just in time to see her wedging her nose between the refrigerator door and the frame and pushing with all of her might. Within seconds, she had the door open and was standing on her back legs trying to get into a bowl of green beans. Smart puppy. I was both dismayed and in awe!

 

Claire Baby at 6-months-old.

It is this look that still manages to get her out of trouble.

She has perfected the art of the "puppy-dog eyes" over the past year.

Lesson learned: never underestimate Claire! She observes things, learns things, and always manages to get what she wants - with or without my help!