Zuzu's First Thanksgiving

Zuzu had so many firsts this weekend and so much fun!

It all began with the arrival of visitors.  Not a first - but exciting just the same.  Nana and Pop Pop arrived on Wednesday morning.  Zuzu remembered them immediately and didn’t waste a second trying to get Pop Pop to chase her around the house.  Then, the girls had a half day AND Daddy got home from work early.  Nothing makes her happier than a house full of people to play with her.

The cooking began on Wednesday evening.  So many smells!  The kids’ favorite thing is making the turkeys for dessert.  Zuzu didn’t understand why she didn’t get one.

On Thanksgiving morning, Daddy woke up and took Zuzu on her first real run.  He said she did great!  Her only problem was that she figured that since she was running anyway, she must be allowed to chase stuff, so it took her a little bit to settle into a doggy jog.  In the beginning, any time she saw another dog, squirrel, or bird, she tried to run in that direction rather than straight down the sidewalk.  He ran two miles with her, and we thought she’d be tired when she got home.  Not so.  Pop Pop!  Tressa!  Play with me!  Bark Bark BARK!!

She settled down during the Macy’s parade and even cuddled with Tressa some.  Then, we watched the dog show.  She ignored the whole thing, except for the Leonberger.  When he came on the TV she jumped up and started barking and wagging her tail!  I’m not sure if she wanted to play with him, or wanted him out of her house, but she was quite vocal about it.

She behaved during dinner and patiently waited for hers.  Maybe she knew that if she was good, she’d get turkey too.  Daddy made her a bowl full of turkey with some mashed yams.  She LOVED it, of course!  So far, Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday.

The weekend was gorgeous, so she got lots of walks.  Some with Mommy and Daddy, some with Mommy and Daddy and Darby, and some with Mommy and Nana.  (Mommy needed to work off lots of turkey!)

Nana and Pop Pop left on Sunday, but again it was a gorgeous day, so it was time for yard work.  Zuzu got to hang out in the front yard for the first time (tied up, of course), while leaves were raked.  At first she wasn’t sure about the cable tying her to the ground, but soon she realized its limits and just sat in the yard, guarding the world that is hers.  She loved sitting outside, being able to watch everything in the neighborhood.  The funny thing was, she barked less than she does when she’s inside looking out the front door.  Even when other dogs walked by, she just watched!

I thought this morning would be rough for her after everyone left again and the house was quiet.  But Daddy got up early and they went for another run.  He dropped her off halfway through, because she’s not ready for his normal 4-5 miles yet and if she’s like me, she never will be.  She loved it, and it wore her out.  She only cried for a little bit this morning after everyone left, and now she is sound asleep in the front entryway.

Long weekends are exhausting!