We attended Woofstock in Tacoma today and came home with a new puppy. Shelby, 12-years old shep, luv’s this mixed German and Australian shepherd dog. The cats have been hiding ever since we brought the puppy home. What’s that about?  ;o)

We are hoping that Shelby will help the eight-week old Amelia to learn the ropes to being a member of the household. We know the cats won’t help, but so far Amelia doesn’t seem to be too concerned with other people, cats, or dogs.

When I selected the wee beastie, I looked for standing in the pack first. As I opened the cage filled with her siblings, at least five, maybe six, was the first to come to the door. She is very bright. But then the guys ran over her in their haste to get to Suzy and me.

Then I looked for the gender and coloring. We like the orange color, that doesn’t really show too well in this picture. Amelia’s siblings had more black or white than she does.

Finally I looked at her temperament. I put her on her back and she just wanted to have her belly rubbed. When I let go of her she stayed in that position until I moved away. There will not be any alpha issues to deal with.

As I picked her up to ask the dog rescue director if she was available, she licked me on my chin, wagged her tail and was easy to hold. We expect Amelia to be between 40 and 60 pounds based on her mother, a 60 pound German Shepherd and her father an Australian Shepherd.