Published on 12/3/2006

Let me tell you a little about myself. I was born on May 2, 1999. I came to live with Raymond, JeanMarie, Baxter, Katie and Spike on June 30, 1999. I had to spend the first few hours with a neighbor, because I was to be a surprise for Raymond for his 50th Birthday, which was the next day. Mom brought me home around 9:30 PM and Dad was leaving for work at 11PM, so I stayed with Dawn and Mara and their Doberman until dad left for work.

I Heart Paws December 2006 POM- Greysmom's Greyla

Well, when my Mom told me that I had been named I Heart Paws Pet of the Month, I was really surprised! Actually, I think Mom & Dad were surprised, too, and Katie was shocked. (Seems Katie, and even Dad, thought that last incident concerning Katie's ear and the living room should've disqualified me forever from POM eligibility. The strange thing is that I really have no memory of the event. *Sigh*.)

In the morning, I got to wear a big red bow and greet my Dad when he came home. He was really happy to meet me! He had wanted a female black Lab puppy and that's what he got!

He named me Grey, because blue and silver are his favorite colors and his first dog, with Mom, had been named Blue. He didn't name me silver because he likes one syllable names for dogs, and because silver just sounded silly for a dog. He decided that Grey was close enough to silver, so I became "Grey". Mom morphed my name to "Greyla" because it sounded more feminine to her. I mostly answer to either, along with "stinky butt" which Mom assures me is a term of endearment. Sometimes my Uncle Dave calls me, "Peanut brain" which must also be a term of endearment.

Since I've been here, we lost Baxter and that cat, Spike, who used to ride my neck! Now, it's just Katie & me with Mom & Dad. Sometimes Mom yaks on and on about some dog named "Jake" who apparently lived here long ago. Personally, I'm sick of hearing about him!

I have loads of human friends, whom I call my "Aunties". They include, Annie, Ronnie, Jo- Ellen and Toya and they spoil me with lovely dog treats and kisses! Mom also has some friends who are terrified of me. Go figure. The funniest one is Mike, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and a body builder. When he comes around, he stands in the middle of the street and calls for Mom! He won't even come up on the porch! I really don't understand it. When he comes into the house, and I'm allowed in to greet him, I just want to waggle and say "Hi". I do have a fierce bark and I like to let folks know when they are entering my territory! But once you're in the house & Mom or Dad says you're OK, that's good enough for me.

I love running in the woods, and playing fetch. I'm not fond of water, especially that huge moving stuff at that place Mom calls "the beach". I'm actually a little scared of the river too. Sometimes we walk along the Ohio River Trail near our house and I never get my feet wet. Mom says I must be from the shallow end of the Lab gene pool. I really don't know what that means, but whatever...

Thanks to all my new friends at I Heart Paws for naming me December 2006 Pet of the Month. Can I add this honor to my resume?