I Monkey Did It!!

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I Monkey here.

Guess WHAT??? I did it!!

I successfully completed Puppy School!

Sadly, I didn’t get to keep the cute hat.

Remember how I told you I had two classmates, a Cocker Spaniel-mix and a cattle dog?

Both attended only the first two sessions before dropping out.

Mama asked Teacher if they were okay, but Teacher said she hadn’t heard from their moms.

Does it make sense to pay good money for school, then quit attending and lose all that money?

I think not.

Anyway, I Monkey won because I got private lessons for the price of class lessons! Mama loved that.

And school was great!

I got introduced to Wait (supposed to stop at crosswalks), Heel (supposed to walk right alongside Mama’s leg when I’m on the leash), Leave It (supposed to sniff only — or ignore — stuff that’s on the ground), Come (supposed to rush to Mama when she calls me), and Paw (supposed to shake hands).

I also got to do something called Puppy Push-ups, where they put me in a Sit, then had me lie down, then go back into a Sit before I could get my treat. You don’t think that’s hard? Just try it!

And Teacher and Mama picked out a special word just for me. It’s supposed to be used only in emergencies, like if I ever slipped out of my harness and ran off toward danger. When Mama says it, I’m supposed to know a major cookie explosion is on the way, so I’m to come running right back to her. Immediately.

I won’t tell you my word ‘cos it’s supposed to be a secret between me and Mama. She’s hoping she’ll never have to use it!

When my last class met, I thought Teacher was going to cry. She said she’s going to miss me bunches and urged Mama to sign me up for the next level class.

I think she should, too. I’m eager to learn (and make up for all the time I missed out on when I was so sick). And a structured class gives an anxious pup like me some stabilizing (which Mama says I need).

Besides, Puppy School means lots of treats and good things. Like at my last class, when Teacher gave me a diploma with my name on it. How cool is that?

She also gave me a puzzle toy as a present. She said brainiac pups like me need things to challenge us. This toy has a squeaky narwhal, starfish, and mermaid in a seashell-thing, and you have to work to get them out of their holes.

And I can do it! The first time Mama tried me at home, it took awhile for me to get the hang of it, but by the time my brofer (AKA Domer) came home, I was becoming a pro.

Here I am, checking it out:

Signing off now and heading for a snoozle. Love, Monkey the Glad Grad.

P.S. I wrote this before Gramma passed. I like to think of her in Heaven, cheering on my successes!

37 thoughts on “I Monkey Did It!!”

  1. *thunderous applause and cheering*

    A HUGE congrats on completeling Puppy School, Monkey!!!!!! I knew could do it. And I bet you completed it with all A’s!

    Btw, you look so handsome (and adorably cute) in your graduation cap! It’s no wonder the Teacher looked as though she was going to cry missing you. I would too.

    “Puppy Push-ups, where they put me in a Sit, then had me lie down, then go back into a Sit before I could get my treat. You don’t think that’s hard? Just try it!”

    Wow…that’s impressive! And yes, I did try it but couldn’t do it. Lol!

    And very cool about the “Special Word!” And puzzle!

    Thanks so much for sharing, Monkey the Glad Grad! You brightened up my morning while sipping my coffee!

    And yes, I’m sure Gramma is cheering on your success!

    X to you and Mama!

    • Mr. Ron, you failed at Puppy Push-ups?? I Monkey am finding that giggle-worthy! I do thank you, however, for your kind words. Mama is so happy with my graduation cap photo that she’s thinking of enlarging it and putting it in her office. Cool, huh?

      I’ve almost got Mama convinced to sign me up for the next class. She just wants to wait until Spring gets here, so we won’t have to fight bad weather. I guess that’s reasonable, but it’s not like our puppy classes are held outdoors. Maybe she’s testing me to see if I really remember what I’ve learned. Hmm, she’s tricky that way! Licks and furry hugs to you!

  2. Congratulations, Monkey!!! I knew you could do it! I do hope you get a chance to further your education and continue to invest in your future. Mama and Gramma must be so proud of you. I agree with your teacher about puzzles — I enjoy the challenges the human ones give to my brain, too.

    • Thank you, Miss Barbara. I’m happy to hear you, too, enjoy puzzles. I’ll bet you’d like this one of mine, but I Monkey am not particularly into sharing. Even Mama has a tough time getting it away from me once I’ve got the thing in my mouth, ha!

  3. Congrats, congrats, Monkey! Not only are you one beautiful dog, but you are also a clever one, too. That toy looks like so much fun. And, yes, Gramma is definitely cheering for you. Onward to the next level, which I have no doubt you will pass with flying colors.

    • Thanks very much, Miss Laurie. If I Monkey could blush, why, I’ll bet my fuzzy cheeks would be turning red about now! When I was a wee pup, Mama bought me a puzzle-thing, but it’s not as cool as this seashell. Must be the narwhal with his tiny horn!

  4. WOW! Congratulations to Team Monkey! That is excellent!!!! Penny says she hears you about all the treats in school. Treats are the best part of school!

    • Miss Dawn, I thank you. And I totally agree with Miss Penny: treats are way cool! If I could convince Mama to part with more treats on a daily basis, I’d be a happy camper indeed.

  5. Congratulations on the big achievement … and to think somebody didn’t think it was possible – but you showed them! I wonder if the name Monkey changes or sticks?

    Tell Mom that I’m sorry for her loss and to be strong. Time will change the sorrow into smiles.

    • Mr. Frank, you are 100 percent correct: Mama didn’t think I Monkey would amount to a hill of beans. Huh! Fooled her, didn’t I? As for my name, Monkey is actually my third name, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to stick. I’d hate to have to learn to follow Mama’s commands if she called me something else.

      I Monkey thank you for your condolences, too. It’s not easy living with a grieving Mama, but I try to make her smile as often as I can!

  6. Congratulations, Monkey! School can be fun, and when you apply yourself, there can be treats and pets galore — plus a much happier Momma! Practicing your new skills every day will help you build on them. Who knows what you’ll be learning next?

    • Thank you, Miss Linda. I Monkey have no clue what the next puppy class will cover, but Mama thinks it will build on the skills I learned in the first class. I suppose she’s hoping I won’t be as quick to do zoomies on the leash and that I’ll stay out of the mud when she hollers at me (but those weren’t lessons in my first class, hee hee!)

    • Agility, Miss Eliza? Hmm, I Monkey might find that fun. Mama has watched those dogs on TV as they race around a course, weaving through poles, running through tunnels, and so forth. It looks like fun to me, but perhaps I should mature a bit before tackling something like that.

  8. Congratulations, Monkey!! I’m so glad it turned out to be a positive experience for you (and yay for getting one-on-one instruction!). I know everyone is proud of you (including Gramma) and I hope your Mama will let you take the next class. 

    • Thank you, Miss Kelly. I Monkey enjoyed one-on-one classes. That way, I got ALL Teacher’s attention (and ALL Mama’s treats). Even Teacher brought treats, and I got them, too. What’s not to like about something like that?!

  9. Good for you, Monkey. You will love knowing you are trained to follow directions. Dogs need the education and it is good your Mama cares enough to make sure you get it.

    • Thank you, Miss TD. I liked my cap, but Mama had a tough time getting me to hold still while she tucked its elastic band under my chin. I don’t do clothes, you know! (Well, maybe a coat when I go for a walk, but that’s about it. Mama’s dreading the next couple of days, when we’re supposed to have a steady rain. Wet and mud — yuck!)

      • Oh no mud days! Your mama really needs your extra help with making her days easier!! I lost my mom 2 years ago… and I never now when those teary eyes will hit. Mom visits me in my dreams.
        Yorkie is very sick since last Wednesday. We are still working through it. Yorkie is very proud of you for getting that hat on your head to get such a lovely picture. I think it’s a great idea to frame it for your Mama’s office!

        • I Monkey (and Mama, too) are sad to hear Yorkie hasn’t been well, and we hope everything mends real soon. I Monkey know how hard it is to be a sick doggin; no way can I make it up to Mama since I gave her fits for the entire first year of my life.

        • Yorkie just gave me a double long Lincoln Log Poop! I’m sure you both can appreciate that accomplishment. She is all well now!! However I am exhausted and going to bed to sleep, happy and grateful that Yorkie pulled through!

  11. Congratulations, Mr Monkey! What a clever dog! I bet your Mama would struggle with that Sit, Lie Down, Sit stuff – you’ll have to teach her now! As for those cookie explosions, they sound great! I think you should slip your harness off as often as you can if that’s the reward, but don’t tell your Mama I said so! If you do the advanced class, will you become a Doctor?

    PS You look specially gorgeous in your graduation cap!

    • Thank you, Miss FF. I Monkey dare not slip out of my harness again! I did that once while Mama and I were walking and if she hadn’t caught me right off the bat, I’d have run right out into traffic. And probably wouldn’t be writing this reply. I’m glad you liked my cap, too; wish I could’ve kept it!

  12. I’m not surprised you did great at puppy school, Monkey! You’re a very smart little dog, and puppy school will give you some structure to harness that energy and intelligence. Good for your momma for signing you up!

    • Thank yo, Miss Pat. I Monkey realize I’m pretty lucky to have Mama — if only I could learn to behave and not cause her grief. Sigh.

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