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 Billie, the first-born of the litter, came with her mom to The Realm. She was almost eight weeks old. Seems no one wanted a female pup. I was agreeable to taking the puppy because I knew I wasn't going to spend a whole lot of time with them outdoors and wanted Buffy to have some company.
As it turned out, I spent more time with them than I expected - especially when I discovered that Billie was a playful one and loved chasing balls. Tracking it down and finding it amid the weeds was fun, but she fairly went over the moon when I'd throw the ball straight up! Every time she'd catch it before it hit the ground, she'd hang onto the ball for a few seconds, flaunting it in front of her mom, Buffy, before bringing it back to me. LOL
Really ticked Buffy off, too! LOL
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 Seems like Buffy rarely had a chance to just relax with a rowdy pupper always trying to entice play time!
 Y'kno it just a matter of time before I'm over that fence!
 Canine tradition started with Keisha teaching Buffy how to wait at the screen door.
Buffy taught it to Billie.
Billie learned it, but she sure didn't like it! LOL
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 Her "Puppy Days" -at least those puppy days when she was little- went all too quickly. Her paws are on the 3' high gate and she's just six months old!
 29 December 1999Billie is finally home from her 37-day Walkabout! Click on her picture to read about our joyfull reunion!
Billie is a perfect example of "Don't expect the adult to look like the puppy!" It seems she literally grew into her fur nose first!
The Walkabout changed Billie on so many levels. Where she was outgoing and friendly, she became shy and withdrawn. Where she was a people lover, she became terrified of men (one man in particular) and leery of women.
The plan in the beginning, of having a playmate for Buffy because I wasn't going to be outdoors all that much, was blown out of the water with the Great Escape. I was forced into becoming an outdoor person 27 November 1999, when I took my first walk with Buffy (My First Walk With A Dog) and realized this would have to be an every day thing. When Billie returned 29 December 1999 (Billie's Home!), she just fell right into the daily hiking routine.
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 Billie was a tremendous help with building the Trail... four extra paws walking along helped a lot! :D
Of course, she wasn't too thrilled when she had to wait until mom got done moving logs and branches around!
Billie loves being outdoors - even on the coldest days and nights, you'll find her curled up on the seat from an old van that graces the screened-in front porch. The seat was left here "temporarily" by a neighbor going on vacation so they'd have the extra space in the van... then they sold the van while they were on vacation and the seat has been on the porch ever since!
 Of course,
when being on the porch is not her idea, her attitude changes dramatically! ;o)
    Billie thoroughly understands the concept of Delayed Self-gratification! :D Whenever The Girls are given a special treat - a pig ear or a DentaBone, Buffy gobbles hers up immediately. Not so with Billie! She takes her treasure out to the porch and waits. She ventures back and forth checking on Buffy's progress and when she's sure Buffy has finished, in she comes with treat in mouth and flaunts (really!) it in front of Buffy before plopping down to every so sloooowly savor the treat right in front of Buffy! Which naturally gets Buffy all stirred up thinking Billie got two treats and the dance begins with Buffy prancing back and forth (not getting too close, of course!) between Billie and me, head snapping between looking at the treat and looking at me, whining and carrying on like you wouldn't believe until Billie finally devours her treat!
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