Bug was given to us a little broken. You might ask why I say that. In just 14 months of life, he had already lived in five different homes across three continents. He was scared, confused, and unsure of his place in the world. But the moment I saw him, I knew that his brokenness was nothing that love and time couldn’t heal.

Despite his fear, there was a spark in him—a strong spirit that just needed the right environment to thrive. I saw his potential. And as time passed, I watched him transform. The fear in his eyes slowly turned to joy. His anxiety about car rides shifted to excitement, knowing they often led to a treat at the store. He became more playful, more confident, and more outgoing with the other dogs.

Too often, we expect our puppies to behave like fully grown dogs, forgetting that they need patience, love, and commitment to become the best version of themselves. Bug simply needed time to mature.

Now, he has come so far. He recently passed his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, Trick Dog Novice (TKN) test, and TKI (Trick Dog Intermediate) test. We’re excited to see what the future holds for him, including stepping into the ring this next year. He is truly maturing into an incredible dog. If you are ever in the Gatlinburg area and would like meet Bug please reach out to us. He sure likes to snuggle!