lessons from Leo and Max

Leo is a high energy, happy puppy that Erika and Jesse got last fall. He reminds me of a curious toddler who is always getting into things or asking questions. No Leo can't verbalize questions, but if he could he would be saying things like...what's this, how come I can't, where are we going now, can we walk a little further, when can we eat again, is that how fast you are going to walk? He has reminded me of some important things in life. Attitude is everything.
Leo has to be in a crate a lot because his mommy and daddy work full time and a puppy is a puppy. Grandma M.(me) tries her best to walk him and get some of his energy out, she even brings him over to her house sometimes for a run in the backyard.
Leo comes out of his crate as if you are an angel from heaven and shows his love in great puppy style with hugs and kisses. His hugs are actually trying to jump on me, but I choose to give him a break and call them hugs. (we'll work on the jumping later, not to much later though)
Leo reminds me that joy is contagious and there is no reason to keep it in.
Leo reminds me to hold my head up high when your going through life so that you can greet everyone you encounter with a smile (a doggie smile???)
Play, run, chase as if there is no tomorrow. I look at Leo and realize that I need to relax and have more fun with whoever lets me out of my crate.
Be thankful for every day God gives me on this earth, Leo is just learning about all the sights and sounds of this world and yesterday he asked me with a short bark.... Grandma if you would just let go of my leash and let me chase that leaf that is blowing away I would be even more thankful.
Now just a few words so that I don't leave out my other Granddog, Max. Andrea and Brad got Max over a year ago and he is a cute miniature dachshund.
Max you are a ball of energy that moves throughout your whole body. You remind me to open my arms and greet the ones I love with all the affection I can muster. You are just like your mommy when she was a toddler, when I tried to cuddle with her sometimes she would let me know...I love you with a kiss, but let me down so I can be on my way.
You are cautious about life looking both ways before you leap into a friendship. You are always happy to see the ones you love, but look out for those strangers, they might get a chewing out before you will let them get close. I need to remember to not make judgment calls like that when meeting new people. It is always better Max to greet people with a smile and a soft hello. Show them how cute you are and how fun it is to play with you.
Lastly Max you have taught me to always get to the bathroom when I first feel like I need to go.

I love you Max and Leo.