A Thanksgiving trip with Pyrrha

This week, Pyrrha will be taking her first visit to her other “grandparents,” my husband’s mom and dad. They were here the first few days we had Pyrrha, when she was still a nervous wreck, so I am excited to have them meet her again and see such a different dog. Yes, she still has her fair share of fears, but I think she’s transformed significantly since they last saw her.

My in-laws are great dog people and they have recently had a rotating door of foster puppies and dogs for their local lab rescue. Their most recent foster just got adopted out this week, so Pyrrha most likely won’t have a canine playmate over the holiday, but she will be lavished with lots of attention and peaceful walks around their pleasant, wooded neighborhood.

In the spirit of the holiday, here are some things I am thankful for, with regard to Pyrrha:

I am thankful for Pyrrha’s sweet and gentle spirit, for the fact that I have never seen her display aggression, even when she is faced with one of her fears. She shows a lot of self-discipline that I don’t think even I would be able to exhibit in her condition.
I am thankful for her growing relationship with Guion.
I am thankful for how content she is to be in her crate when we are gone, that she has not shown any signs of separation anxiety.
I am thankful for how well she gets along with other dogs now, something that I really didn’t expect a few months ago.
I am thankful for her playfulness, for her vestiges of puppy energy (even when they can be frustrating!).
I am thankful for her quietness.
I am thankful for her growing ability to accept strangers, particularly men.
I am thankful that she now likes to cuddle with us on the couch, an activity that previously frightened her.
I am thankful that she is healthy and fit.
I am thankful for her considerable store of intelligence, even when it gets her into trouble.
I am thankful for how much she has grown since May. Every day gives me more hope for her progress in the future.