I have been thinking about this off and on for the past couple of weeks. Of course, raising and training a puppy is not a piece of cake by any means. Nor do I expect that everyone will have the same list of "best things." I just wanted to share a few of my personal favorites. 
So here we are:
The best things about raising a puppy
1) The moment when the new trick or behavior sinks in and he understands for the first time.
2) The day he finally began to wait by the door to be let outside to potty.
3) Teething. I don't know why, but I've been loving it. I have been saving his puppy teeth as he loses them. He has also learned to beg by the freezer for an ice cube when his mouth is especially sore.
4) The way he follows me everywhere in the house. If he gets separated, he'll come looking for me.
5) He looks to me for approval all of the time, especially on walks. I just melt every time I see those eyes asking me, "Am I doing it right? Am I? Am I?"
6) The way he will stand by the back door with a toy in his mouth when he wants to play outside.
7) Today I bought him a new toy (a Cuz). He was so thrilled when I gave it to him! He immediately started rolling it around, pawing and chewing on it, but after only a minute or two he stopped to give me a long look with his big dopey grin.
I swear he was saying, "Thanks Mom! I love it!"
8) How he will put himself to bed if he's tired.
9) The way he carries his loofa dog around the house by one ear, like a little kid would with a favorite toy.
10) When we tell him to "be nice" to the cats, he will reach out and lick them on the face.
11) The way he comes running when I call his name, and then will spin around to sit leaning against my legs and look up with that look of pure adoration.
12) He has already learned to beg for belly rubs, and he is not ashamed to ask.
13) Watching him grow. It may be cliche, but he has come a long way from the 7lb, 9-week old baby that he was when we adopted him nearly four months ago.
I feel like a had many more examples earlier, but this is all I can come up with now that I've started typing.
I love my puppy.
So here we are:
The best things about raising a puppy
1) The moment when the new trick or behavior sinks in and he understands for the first time.
2) The day he finally began to wait by the door to be let outside to potty.
3) Teething. I don't know why, but I've been loving it. I have been saving his puppy teeth as he loses them. He has also learned to beg by the freezer for an ice cube when his mouth is especially sore.
4) The way he follows me everywhere in the house. If he gets separated, he'll come looking for me.
5) He looks to me for approval all of the time, especially on walks. I just melt every time I see those eyes asking me, "Am I doing it right? Am I? Am I?"
6) The way he will stand by the back door with a toy in his mouth when he wants to play outside.
7) Today I bought him a new toy (a Cuz). He was so thrilled when I gave it to him! He immediately started rolling it around, pawing and chewing on it, but after only a minute or two he stopped to give me a long look with his big dopey grin.
I swear he was saying, "Thanks Mom! I love it!"
8) How he will put himself to bed if he's tired.
9) The way he carries his loofa dog around the house by one ear, like a little kid would with a favorite toy.
10) When we tell him to "be nice" to the cats, he will reach out and lick them on the face.
11) The way he comes running when I call his name, and then will spin around to sit leaning against my legs and look up with that look of pure adoration.
12) He has already learned to beg for belly rubs, and he is not ashamed to ask.
13) Watching him grow. It may be cliche, but he has come a long way from the 7lb, 9-week old baby that he was when we adopted him nearly four months ago.
I feel like a had many more examples earlier, but this is all I can come up with now that I've started typing.
I love my puppy.
