Hi Everybody! It's me, Atticus!

I said, "My name is Atticus.  I belong to you."

I've lived with Leanne, J, Luna and Foster (that's his real name) for two months now and they're great.  I knew Leanne was mine because she was the first person to hear me say my name is Atticus.  Some nice people at K9 Stray Rescue League named me Harlan when they saved my life, but Leanne heard me say my real name.  She's really nice to me and has bought me lots of stuff and is super patient with me.  She calls me "Attie" a lot and I always come when she calls me...except if I'm tracking a critter.

I kind of pull a lot on a leash, but Leanne won't let me be disconnected from her.  She says I'm getting better, and she says one day she bets I'll be able to track anything on any surface since my nose is so powerful.  Because it's been a little icy outside, and I'm so interested in squirrels, Leanne walks with us all for only 20 minutes or so outside twice a day, and then I get to walk on the treadmill!  I'm really good at it!  So I still need to learn how to not pull so much on the leash, and to come to Leanne even if I'm tracking something.  Leanne says I'll get it, and until then she tells me I have to stay on the leash, and I can't howl at the black squirrels, and I can't try to jump through the door wall, and I can't chase the Pug at puppy school.  She has a lot of rules, but she's nice.

We like to walk together in all kinds of weather!

Leanne was even super nice to me when I did a really bad thing.  I ate two of her chapsticks.  She calls them "lippies," and I ate two really really expensive minty ones.  Leanne doesn't know how I even found them, and she said she must have made a mistake and she needs to watch me more carefully.

Leanne says she learned from some people that I'm not the Young Adult the K9 shelter thought I was.  I'm actually a puppy and no one is sure how old I am.  I might not even be a year old yet!  A behavior lady says I was on my own really early and didn't really have anybody to show me how to be.  Leanne says she'll help me!

Leanne and J and Luna and Foster have helped me a lot already.  Foster plays with me and he and Luna try to teach me about playing nicely.  I've learned to wait patiently while Leanne makes my meals - I LOVE what she feeds me - and I wait until she tells me I can eat.  She tells me I'm so sweet and so patient.  I think she loves me.  And I think I love frozen green beans and Blueberry Unfrosted PopTarts.  I know I love the elk antlers they give me to chew on!  Leanne says I'm a Heavy Chewer and that it's her job to give me what I need so I don't get into any trouble.

Chewin' next to my favorite

Leanne says there are at least two things she's surprised by.  She thinks it's so great that I like the crate they gave me to cuddle up in.  She says it's hard to leave me, but since I like the crate so much, it's easier for her.  They only leave me for like two hours, but I can tell Leanne doesn't like to be apart.  When we all come back together everyone is so happy!  Leanne says she thinks it's so funny that I like to have my ears cleaned!  I still don't like my nails trimmed, but Leanne says she'll help me get used to it.

Everybody is really nice here and Leanne says I will live with them forever and ever.  I don't know what that means exactly, but I think it means they're my family and I belong with them and that they love me no matter what.

Leanne made us dress up and pose on the porch

Harlan/Atticus/Attie/Big A