What a difference a year makes!

[Archie]

This time last year, I was busy preparing to bring home the little puppy that would terrorize me relentlessly for what seemed like years!

Now, he's just over a year old and I wanted to share some of the major changes I've seen in him!

He made it loose in the house for almost 3 hours yesterday! We went on a bike ride and ended up riding further than expected, and the ride home was against the wind so we were gone longer than I'd planned. I arrived home fearing the worst, walked in to Archie and the two cats all sleeping.

We also went to the dog park, and he's no longer the pup that harasses everyone constantly. He's finally able to play a little, then take a break and watch everyone else. It's SO nice to see that he can finally just chill and be around other dogs.

Did anyone else notice big milestones at a year old?

Oh, and of course, here's an updated pic:

[POPTOP]

Big Archie here: Way to go buddy. Know you'll still have your moments, I certainly do.

Mom here: Yes, big Archie, you sure do, LOL. Archie, you've grown up to be such a handsome boy.

[MightyThor]

Yay Archie! You're so handsome!

I love watching the changes in my now almost 6 month old. Last night I was curled up with a book and he flopped down next to me for a cuddle with his head in my lap. Just a month ago I would have been bracing for the shark teeth as he came at me. I love my little puppy but it's so fun to see peeks into the adult he'll be.

[Archie]

It's funny to notice all the little things - like being able to sit down for any length of time, or getting toothless snuggles

[Maxx&Emma]

Ahhhh, that year mark! They are still so much a puppy but look like grown up dogs. It is nice to be past the teething/biting stage and to know potty training is a distant memory. I think the thing I noticed most at this age was that I needed to keep Maxx challenged. Not giving him an outlet for his brain would result in bad behavior, very quickly. At almost 3 he still needs daily brain work along with exercise to be truly happy. I so enjoy the adventures in nosework and now tracking he had led me on. I think we are at the perfect age right now and so wish I could freeze time. Enjoy the coming years with Archie, it is such a wonderful journey!

[BaconsMom]

Such a grown up boy you are Archie!

[Snowshoe]

LOL, the good angel on his shoulder triumphs. But I bet the bad one is still there and pops out once in a while yet. Good boy Archie.

[MikeLynn]

WTG, Archie! You sure are a handsome young lab and very smart.

I know how this feels - Mel was ONE last Saturday and, although she was no demon to start with, she's settled down quite a bit, is a lot calmer, a lot more mature... I just have to focus on the changes as they're so slow, so gradual that they go almost unnoticed, and I've got to look way back into the past to be able to compare these two completely different Mels and the difference is just amazing

Congrats to both of you!!!

[Archie]

LOL, the good angel on his shoulder triumphs. But I bet the bad one is still there and pops out once in a while yet. Good boy Archie.

Ha, that's a good way of putting it. I swear the cats try reeeally hard to get him in trouble. The good angel has really been winning lately.

[kimbersmom]

I remember 1 was when Kimber finally, finally, started to chill. It was glorious.