Two! (Still Learning. Definitely Louder.)

I am TWO today.

Which means I am officially not a puppy.

Elsie, the elegant two-year-old white boxer, lounges serenely on her bed in a cozy, dimly lit room surrounded by books and cabinets, marking her transition from a playful pup to a graceful young lady.

I am now a Young Lady.

A Young Lady who still honks.

But slightly less.

When I first arrived, everything was exciting.

Charlie’s bed was exciting.

The sofa was exciting.

The hallway was exciting.

Charlie was exciting (he did not agree).

Sometimes I rushed in when I should have paused.

Sometimes I bounced when I should have waited.

Sometimes I thought “mine!” when it wasn’t.

I wasn’t being naughty.

I just didn’t know yet.

Two feels different.

I still run in the garden.

I still zoom when I hear things over the fence.

But I don’t need to push past Charlie anymore.

If he pauses, I pause.

If the humans speak calmly, I soften.

If no one reacts, I don’t need to escalate.

That’s new.

I think growing up isn’t about being quieter.

It’s about not feeling responsible for everything.

The humans carry that now.

Charlie doesn’t have to.

And I don’t have to either.

Two feels lighter.

Still wiggly.

Still joyful.

But steadier.

And one step closer to being as old as Charlie.

(He says that will take a while.)

Love, wiggles and wags,

Elsie