I should probably give you a little history first. . .
I'd been waiting almost 8 years to adopt a new pup.  Circumstances and living situations made it impossible to have dog, not to mention that we seemed to move at least once a year.  While working for Seattle University, a mature Malamute (Miss Molly) came into work daily with my supervisor.  What a cool dog!!  Somehow I was blessed one March with the opportunity to care for Molly when her owner was out of the country. Not only did she turn out to be a wonderful part-time dog, but that's where my addiction to Malamutes all started.  These silly little pups find fun in everything.  Like a kid stomping in a mud puddle, just for the heck of it.  And so curious. . .it's like having a young child with a strong, scientific drive and enthusiasm.  Constantly poking at things - Hey, what's this?  Hey, what'll happen if I do this?  Hey, what does this do?  My kind of dog!

A little exposure to this breed gives you some idea of how life might be with a Malamute, but you're never really ready, are you?  We used to call Molly the "Flex-Dog" at work, after Flex-Cars, since she became a part-time companion and also commuted to and from work with me during her owner's absence.  What a great cover for my supervisor!  Everyone assumed  Susan was at work if Molly was.  I found it fascinating that an older dog, or any dog for that matter, would transfer loyalties to another person so effortlessly.  When it came down to it, Molly sure knew who Mom was. . . it was more like "Lila, who?" once Susan arrived at the office.

After tons of research on Northern Breeds, caring for Molly part time, finally moving into our first home and getting the okay to bring a pup into work with me, we thought we were ready.  Nothing would prepare me for the kind of joy and unconditional love that would bounce into our lives.  And funny!  Seriously.  Caly's a goofy, silly, VERY smart pup with lots of fun energy.  I keep thinking, "How did I ever entertain myself before Caly?". 

So, back to the story. . .We'd been in contact with breeders all over the country.  We stumbled across two breeders (luckily in our area) that we really liked.  Gryphon Alaskan Malamutes  and Quinault Alaskan Malamutes.  We choose two Breeders out of our desire to raise two puppies together.  After some careful deliberation, we thought it best to have just one this year. 

Carmen Rowe, Owner and Breeder of Gryphon Alaskan Malamutes, was in contact with us first and prior to and after Momma Luna's whelp.  I was glued to my email and her web site, waiting for more puppy pictures.  At work, that's all we talked about.  Okay - truth?  That's all I let anyone talk about.  Puppies, puppies, puppies. 

The day finally arrived . . .July 1st, 2005.  It was a warm, sunny Friday.  Dodd and I headed home from Seattle.  Our excitement was quickly doused by horrible Friday afternoon traffic on south I-5.  We decided to try our luck on 167.  Who in their right mind would make that decision!  Well, we weren't in our right mind, and anything had to be better than this nasty I-5 mess.  This never happens in my favor, but on this day, 167 was wide open at 4:30 in the afternoon?!  And on a FRIDAY?!  Driving south in a mad dash, we actually arrived home sooner than usual.  An hour dragged by.  I was too excited do anything but nag Dodd along and pace the house.  All of her little beds were down, her crate in the corner, toys in her toy basket, her own treat drawer in the kitchen full of treats, and so on.  I think we're ready.  So, off to Carmen's for the little one.  My sweet husband drove so I could snuggle my little puppy all the way home. 

The next week was dedicated to my new little girl.  A week of vacation with a 7 week old puppy or go to work?  Hummmm.

Our schedule was packed that week.  Within the first 2 days, Caly rode around in the car for hours, which included 2 trips to Seattle.  We visited Dodd's work, my work, my folk's house, Molly's house, friend's houses, multiple Starbucks locations, and a 4th of July party in Eatonville with Momma Carmen and 2 littermates.  Hope that explains a bit more of how she became the little social butterfly that she is.  It seems like the rest of the week was just as busy. 

Note on July 11th, 2005 (9 wks old):  She is weighing in at 15.3 lbs.  At 7 weeks, the day we brought her home, she weighted 13 lbs. 

At 11 weeks, Max (now Luca) came to visit for a week.  What a pair!  As much fun as the two puppies were, potty training 2 pups at 11 week old made me very glad we only had 1 puppy for now.  We decided to make a potty box for them in hopes they would use it in the house, instead of the carpet.  Both puppies were difficult to read.  No real clue as to when potty time had arrived.  By the end of the week, Caly was regularly using the potty box.  She preferred it to going outside.  Poor Luca was very confused about everything.  His first time away from home and without Momma Carmen.  Luckily, they played whenever their eyes were open.  There wasn't much time for Luca to get too homesick.  What a darling little guy!

July 28th, 2005.  Caly graduated from Puppy Pre-School.  Her sit is coming along beautifully!  She knows her name and responds to it.  Yay!  We're learning down at the moment.  I didn't know about clicker training, nor how easy it is!  Very cool.  In addition to training classes, she is finally getting used to her crate.  In fact, I find her sleeping in it from time to time.  Another very useful tool in the dog world.

Note on July 30th, 2005 (11 wks /  2 mos):  Caly is now 22 lbs.  She's already growing up way too fast :-( !!!!

I've enrolled Caly at It's A Dog's World.  Doggie Daycare.  She loves it!  Good break for Mom, too!  I can't believe how much I miss her during the day.  Where is my little shadow?

Note on August 8th, 2005 (12 wks or 3 mos):  Now weighing in at 24.4 lbs.

Note on August 24th, 2005 (14 wks & still 3 mos):  She's now 30 lbs.

September 2005.  Caly attended her first dog show (mine, too.).  She wasn't entered, but spent the time hanging with Luca and Amore (brother & sister - littermates).  I was more interested in exposing her to the hustle and bustle of the show world.  She adapts so quickly!  I'm so proud. 

Note on September 19th, 2005:  Caly is now 41.6 lbs at 18 weeks (4 months) old.

Late September 2005.  We're getting ready for a Holiday Party and Halloween.  Caly has been helping me decorate the house with straw bails on the front porch & deck, corn stalks, balloons, etc.  The straw bails are new chairs for Miss Caly.  She's higher up and can see more, thus spends majority of her time there when "people cat" watching.  Also on the list of things to do before the party:  Build Caly a run in the back yard.  Ugh!  Yes, but the fence post digger is especially fun for her.  Her version of helping is to jump on and around the fence post digger, howling . . . And when not attacking the digger, she runs around pulling up all the stakes.  You know - the markers where all the "to be dug" fence posts are going.  What a thoughtful little pup!! . . . Someone please tell me - where did sweet Caly go??

Note on October 5th, 2005:  Caly is now 49 lbs at 20 weeks old (5 months).

October 4th, 2005:  Caly graduated from her Pet Obedience Level 1 class tonight!  She's come away with a bad habit however.  When bored in class, she'll look around and howl.  Everyone cracks up so she keeps doing it.  Oh well.  At least it's not something like marking someone's leg or picking a fight.  This bossy howl thing could get a little out of hand, possibly.

October 15th, 2005 (Holiday Party), Caly met up with family, friends, and doggy family and friends.  Dogs on the list:  Momma Luna, Sister Amore, Brother Luca, Molly and the Pug next door.  Hilarious!  The puppies put on quite a show.  There wasn't a lull in conversation at all.

December 2005.  Ms. Molly will be spending all of December with the Pharis Family.  Christmas should be loads of fun with 2 Malamutes.  New thing for Caly . . . She has come into her first season on December 11th.

 Note on December 15th, 2005:  Caly is now 60.9 lbs at 32 weeks old (7 months).  Seriously, how big is she going to get?  They're supposed to keep growing up to 18 months!

January 2006.  Caly's first dog show competition in Portland, Oregon.  The Rose City Classic.  It'll be fun to be in the show ring again.  She will be meeting up with another litter-brother, Rocky (f.k.a. Clifford), whom she hasn't seen since she came home with us at 7 weeks old.  I can't wait to see what he looks like.

April 7th, 2006:  She's growing like a weed - close to 70 lbs now.  Her first birthday is just around the corner <sniff>.  I just keep counting the weeks . . . Seems like she's still a small puppy that way.

May 14th, 2006 (And of coarse on Mother's Day):  Caly's in her 2nd season.  We have company coming in a month . . . I'm hoping she's finished this by then.

June 26th, 2006.  Caly is now 73.6 lbs and stands 24.5" tall at 1 year old.  She's taken to sleeping on her grooming table in the evenings out on the deck.  The heat wave is slowing us all down (record temps this week, 90+).  Ice cubes are the newest thing.  Once the sun is out of reach of the deck, Caly is given a bowl of ice cubes to play with.  One by one, she takes them up on her grooming table and slowly eats them.  There's a picture to the left of her "fun with ice cubes".  What a happy little (and VERY silly) princess! 

For more about Caly's life and achievements, click here or go to www.calymalamute.com.

Picture taken by Carmen Rowe,  Gryphon Alaskan Malamutes