Clifton

So this summer, I adopted a puppy from our local Paws and Claws animal shelter. 

I had no idea what I was in for.

Not. A. Clue. 

I've been owned by cats for years. And while I don't consider myself totally inept, my cats have never prepared me for dog-ownership. Wow. Somedays, all I have to say is it's a good thing he's cute. 

Clifton is an energetic little black lab that came from Hoonah, AK. His sister is also in town, although we don't know her. Apparently, there was no love lost between the two, cause he never asks about her. 

Some of his favorite hobbies are:

hiking
playing in any body of water
rolling in dead salmon (my personal favorite)
barking at bears
not chasing balls
eating everything

And everything has included an entire three-layer chocolate cake from the kitchen counter, a hairbrush, a pair of underwear, several cubes of butter, entire pieces of firewood, a roll of duct tape, and a flat dead mouse he found in the middle of the street. 

He's terrified of trains, which just blows my mind. He's definitely in the wrong family for that and needs to buck up. The first time we took him on the train to go hiking at Laughton Glacier, he wouldn't even climb the stairs. We had to carry him up, and then he just sat under my seat shaking the entire time. Everytime he hears a whistle blow, which is often, he tries to cram himself under the bed or table. 

But all his neurotic tendancies aside, he's just a little ball of love. He loves everybody and just wants to be loved. He's such a little snuggler. Night time is cuddle time, and there's nothing he'd rather do than settle in on the couch with his head in my lap, watching me read. We have many fun adventures ahead of us. First up...SNOW!

 

Comments

[Gretchen]

He is just adorable!! From the photos, his personality, love, and curiosity just shine. I don't know who is the luckier one--him or you! I am looking forward to reading about more wonderful adventures with Clifton.

[Liz A.]

What a darling boy! Be careful with chocolate -- it can be deadly for dogs. Have you heard about clicker training? You can use it to help him overcome his fear of trains as long as he's food motivated. Nice soft treats work best with clicker training.

[Erin (your Skagway friend)]

Hi Clifton, I miss you! Oh and hi Allyson. HAA!

[Mary]

He's cute!