Laney is the puppy I simply could not let go of, and she has certainly made sure I never forget why! At 18½ inches, she is a little package of energy, opinions, and personality. From the very beginning, she has been confident, daring, and full of character. In the whelping box, she was the puppy balancing confidently on the teeter fulcrum, tail wagging and eyes locked on me, already eager to engage with the world.

Laney is smart, but perhaps a little too smart for her own good. She likes to have a say in things, and if you want her to do something, it helps to convince her that it was her idea all along and that there is something in it for her. She is wonderfully outgoing and loves just about everyone, but she also really values the connection with her people. She is bold even when she is a little unsure of herself, and rarely lets a moment of hesitation get in the way of jumping into something new.

She is also proving to be quite the little rabbit retriever! Thankfully, she has a very soft mouth, which has allowed most of her unfortunate quarry to make a rather swift escape when she proudly brings her prizes back to me. There is clearly a natural retrieve and plenty of hunting instinct in this girl, and I would love to figure out how to channel that enthusiasm into something more productive.

Laney is working on her conformation career, not her favourite but she's content going along for the ride, and at least she's making lots of friends along the way. She has started scent hurdle practice, and I am looking forward to seeing what she gets up to as she matures. She is a busy, clever, entertaining little dog who keeps me on my toes, and I suspect she will never be short of opinions about how things should be done.