Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Great Dane pup loves to jump


Princeton loves to jump -- not over fences, but straight up in the air. He jumps for joy. I’ve noticed three occasions when he jumped for joy:

1. When a friendly stranger asked for his kiss -- and he knew what to do. It happened when we took Princeton to a street fair. One woman bent down and commanded, “Kiss!” That’s a command that we’ve been teaching Princeton daily for months. He responded by kissing her, to her delight -- and his! Then he leaped high in the air for joy, ecstatic that he could communicate with a stranger. It was like he finally understood why we were saying, “Kiss” over and over and giving him a treat when he licked our hands. It was like that classic moment when Helen Keller figured out that the hand sign for water was a word.

2. When a little boy surprised him with a playful jump of his own. We were at an outdoor concert where we met a six-year-old boy who LOVED playing with Princeton. The boy crouched down on the ground and rolled up in a ball -- then sprang up to his feet, surprising Princeton and making our puppy leap for joy.

3. When he noticed that I was wearing my walking shoes. I changed my shoes in another room, then found Princeton to take him for a walk. My puppy sniffed my shoes and jumped for joy!

Last night Princeton jumped like a frog onto our bed -- no running head start, just leaped straight up in the air with all four legs and landed on our bed. I was amazed. He looked quite proud of himself, but got down as soon as we yelled, “Off!”

An update: His eyes are turning brown, and he has lost almost all his baby teeth. One sharp little fang in front left to go.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

There is a black Dane we visit called Behr Rake and what you describe is exactly what she does...Chelsea however has 4 paws firmly on the ground...it sounds amazing of Princeton

Michalea said...

Beware. Reese does that, too. Right before she snatches a bird out of the air.

Michalea

Allison Walton said...

Don't you just love that? Waldo jumps around and he looks so dopey when he does it. He's so big and awkward about it.

Princeton's getting so BIG!

Sames Blogs said...

BARK!! Oh, when mommy slips her walking clogs on, we know a walk or run is coming. I can leap like a deer, for joy. Dumb Max doesnt quite get it yet. But sometimes he gets a little air under his front paws. BARK! Sasha the princess