The vet’s office sent a note to say it is one year since they gave him his initial vaccinations. It is time. It is a year since we adopted this little boy and brought him home. The breeder was worried about him because he was SO small.

He’s grown quite a bit – he was just over 3 lbs when he came to us and now he’s around 9 lbs, and yes, that’s not very much, he fills out hearts with lots of love and fun. He has scared us a bit too. One day out on a walk he started sneezing and then passed out! He just fell over and I realized that what had happened. He was fine a moment later, but oh my.

Of course we had out small scare in January when he stopped eating and drinking. He just slept and was entirely unresponsive. Three days later he was back to his self.

And he was so fun to watch play – especially when he was all wound up. When he was full of energy and it focused on one thing – like this video where he’s after his brush.

AS the year has passed and winter has come Nugget loved the first snow, or when it was soft and not too cold. But Edmonton is cold (sometimes) and minus 25 was hard on his small paws. So sometimes it meant quick trips out for a bathroom break or being carried back from the walk.

He still needs exercise and so throwing “the duck” has become one of his favourite pastimes when we’re inside. Around 8 pm he seems to really come to life and looks for a chance to run and play.

He is a happy boy and loves to meet people. We were out for a walk on Saturday. It was sunny and mild and the warmth of the sun was making Nugget feel like he didn’t want to come home. He just wanted to go out and explore.

Down the side walk came to young teen girls. I could tell by their faces they were trying to figure out if Nugget was going to be a problem for them as they walked by. So we stopped and I said, he’s hoping that you might be his friend. One of the girls asked if they could pat him which just delighted Nugget. He sagged his tale like crazy and enjoyed their attention.

His tail is much longer, his fur is much thicker, and his dark brown fur has mostly been replaced by a tan colour. His face is still as cute as can be, and above all things, he just loves to be with his family. It was the afternoon of Good Friday last year that we brought him home, and he’s really one of the family.

Should we get a second one? Why or why not?