Ellen and I go walking in the woods every day. Well, she walks. I run! She keeps talking about this snow stuff that's supposed to be on the ground. She says I'll like it a lot when it gets here. I sure hope so!

How do you like my new coat? It's hunting season, so Ellen says I need to wear this when we walk in the woods. She wants to make sure the hunters know I am NOT a deer!

All about ME!

I'm Zipper! I live with Ellen Miles, author of the Puppy Place books. That's her in the picture with me. I can't wait to tell you about all my adventures as I grow up. Check back often to find out what I've been up to!

Adventures at the lake

Ellen likes to take me down to the state park where there's a lake and a playground and all kinds of things to explore. She wants me to experience lots of different places so I won't be scared of things. I love to play on the jungle gym - I went down the slide with Ellen! - and walk out on the dock. I even splashed around in the water a little bit. Ellen says she'll teach me how to swim next spring, when I'm a little older.
Those big shiny pedal boats were really scary at first, but once I figured out that they weren't actually monsters, I wasn't afraid at all anymore.

Puppy Kindergarten is a blast!

Carmen, the teacher, is really smart and nice. She has good treats, too. I have to admit that I am probably the cutest dog there, also the smartest. I like when we do outdoor leash practice, since there are lots of good smells out there. Sometimes when we're inside and Carmen is talking to one of the other puppies I get a little bored, so I take a nap.

Oops! I forgot. Not supposed to be on the chair.

When I do naughty things like this, Ellen either ignores me (like if I'm whining or jumping up), or says things like "Off!" when I'm on the chair, or "Leave it!" if I'm eating something I shouldn't. One thing I like is that Ellen never uses my name in an angry way.

My first visit to the vet. She says I'm a healthy boy!

Dr. Lynn checked out my teeth and my ears and my paws and all my different parts. Ellen gave me lots of treats the whole time, so I was happy. In the picture Dr. Lynn is listening to my heart. She and Ellen talked and talked - all about me, of course! After a while even that got  kind of boring, so I fell asleep on Ellen's lap. I hear some dogs are afraid of the vet. Not me!