Not a catch-up update

I have never been a fan of catch ups.  They mostly just turn out to be backlogged photos anyways.  I have also come to terms that life right now leaves little time for blogging.  I most definitely want to keep my little corner of the inter-web updated on all things Raising Moray, but for now this may look like just hitting the highlights for my own memories, and a glimpse into his puppy-hood for his future Person.  And I am okay with that.  

Moray has been on many mini adventures to socialize and work on improving his public manners.  One of the highlights over our Christmas break was his very first trip to the skating house.

We walked around some, but mostly sat and watched the skating, as well as take in the smells and overall bustle.  

Moray tries so hard to be a good boy while we are out!  I love his willingness to please and the way he delights in people watching.  The hardest thing for him during outings is to keep his nose to himself and not solicit attention from others.  With this face, though, it it also hard for people to ignore him while he learns to ignore them!

I do not like to eliminate petting completely while on outings because it is still good for him work on keeping still and sitting for the occasional admirer, and also because educating about Canine Companions and service dogs comes more naturally when they can stroke his velvety ears.

There was one sweet girl who was maybe nine years old who came over and asked ever so politely to pet Moray.  She sat and stroked him, shook his paw, and talked to me about Moray, Canine Companions, and her own dogs for twenty minutes.  

Moray still has a ways to go to perfect his public manners, but he is more and more consistently showing patience and maturity while we are out.