Little Paws, Big Adventures: Ulani at 9 Months

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re well. Isn’t this sunshine just lovely? April and May are two of my favourite months—everything begins to bloom, and it’s hard not to feel a sense of hope and positivity as the world around us comes back to life.

Ulani turns 9 months old on Sunday, which has come around so quickly! Over the past month, I’ve been focusing on reinforcing everything she’s learned so far, while also introducing her to more experiences on public transport.

We’ve taken a few train journeys, and she’s already becoming a pro. Ulani loves being out in the hustle and bustle and is always ready to hop on board. She settles beautifully both on the platform and once we’re in the carriage, happily watching the world go by. I’m always amazed at her confidence—especially when navigating some of the larger gaps between the platform and the train!

We’ve also had a few bus trips, and she’s been largely unfazed by those too. She sometimes takes a little longer to settle, likely adjusting to the movement, but after a quick sniff around she usually realises that lying down is far more comfortable than trying to sit. Every now and then, she attempts a cheeky hello to fellow passengers, but we’re working on helping her stay calm and focused. Occasionally, she takes a particular shine to someone—on one journey, she was completely captivated by a gentleman who had just boarded, wagging her tail and watching his every move. It was very sweet.

There are still things to work on! Ulani can become very excited in new environments and sometimes jumps up at people in her eagerness to explore. She’s especially bouncy at shop tills—whether in a supermarket, café, or store. Meeting other dogs can also be a bit overwhelming for her at times. This is where the high-value treats come in—usually something meaty and wonderfully smelly! A well-timed treat can help bring four paws back to the floor and redirect her attention. It doesn’t always work, but consistency and patience are key.

Next up, we’re preparing for Ulani’s very first hotel stay! I’ll admit I’m feeling a little nervous, as it will be a new challenge for all of us. Thankfully, we know the hotel and staff well, which should help set us up for success. I’ll be sure to share how it goes in my next update.

On a personal note, my husband and I will soon be celebrating our 12th anniversary, so May is always a special time for us to reflect on happy memories.

As many of you know, Ulani has completely stolen my heart, so it felt only right to start working on her very own portrait. I’ve been sharing little behind-the-scenes snippets of the process over on my social media, capturing her personality as she grows and changes. I'm really enjoying bringing her to life on paper.

If you’d like to follow along and see how her portrait develops (and, of course, more of Ulani’s adventures!), you can find me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to have you there.

Wishing you all a wonderful month ahead—and hopefully plenty more sunshine.

Nicola x

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