The Education of Layla Moon

Layla Moon in action.

For me, three weeks is a long time to go with little sleep.

Still, I know it’s worth it.

I mean, it’s already worth it to hear her little beefy paws pad across the floor to bite at my ankles or to watch her roll over onto her back, showing her pink tummy while covering her eyes with the same meaty mitts in anticipation of all the love headed her way.

It’s been three weeks since Layla Moon made the scene and completed our pack of tiny dog terrorists.

Like her sister, Luka Blue, Layla is inquisitive, boisterous, rambunctious, very verbal (see: barky), and a total canine meatball.

With each day, she’s learning something new and coming out of her shell. Each day, her personality becomes a little larger and a little more in charge of everyone and everything within puppy shouting distance.

Her nicknames represent her ambling gait, ‘Dumptruck,’ ‘Dumpy,’ ‘Trucks,’ ‘Dumpster,’ and for no good reason, ‘Lady Fuzz Bottom.’

Layla Moon in repose. If only this happened more.

She’s conquered climbing and descending the stairs but really does prefer the climate-controlled comfort of being carried up and down the incline.

Now, Layla walks more freely on her leash when outside. Still, she is very small and the world is a big, spooky place where sometimes she just has to sit down and howl in distress and dismay.

She sleeps in the bed with all the grownups of the house. When she wakes in the morning, Layla launches herself to the floor like a flying squirrel with an invisible parachute. (I could watch this stunt for days!)

She knows where the treats are stored and can hear the cupboard opening from miles away. When this happens, Layla barrels into the kitchen and performs the smallest of small dog sits and demands immediate remuneration for her sudden appearance. (The dog treat budget at Casa de Weed has made a decided leap in the past three weeks.)

And, she’s growing to understand there is more to life than her blue felt blankie and the tasty chewy sticks provided to her on demand.

This morning when we all went outside at sunrise, Pennywise, the raccoon who lives in the storm drain across the street, was on the neighbor’s lawn with her six kits. The tiny, hunchbacked beasts were totally cute and creepy at the same time.

This did not go unnoticed by Luka, who sought to cross the street and chase the kits, all while Layla focused on the other fur babies and then tried to run away from the critters until I picked her up and she snuggled beneath my chin, seeking comfort and reassurance.

It’s moments like those, I guess, that make constant vigilance in the potty-training department, refereeing canine wrestling matches, and enduring three weeks of little sleep all worth it.

Much like the education of Layla Moon, I’ve learned: Puppy snuggles should be enjoyed as often as possible in this life. Especially when you’re sleepy.