14 Weeks Old (Oct 26- Nov 1, 2025)

This week had a few new firsts: nail trim, digging in the garden and Halloween.

She did wonderfully at her first nail trim. She was happy to let them do it while they gave her a little treat of wet food. She got passed around for some cuddles and play to ensure the vet is a fun place to go. They said that since she was so much fun for the staff, they wouldn’t charge us.

Then she had her first adventure into the front yard (with the gates closed), while I started digging up the dahlia tubers (frost came early this year). She was interested in what I was doing but also adventuring around the yard. She is practicing her sheltie ninja skills early and very sneakily was able to snag a washed tuber clump and run around with it. She does enjoy being outside. She definitely would like to have the door open all the time so she can be outside but still have immediate access to her people just like her brother.

Ember LOVED her first Halloween. We usually start handing out candy around 4:30 pm for the very little ones. Shortly before that all the neighbours were out getting ready so Don was able to take her around to meet a few neighbours we hadn’t been able to connect with to introduce her. During the day it had been windy and raining but by 3pm it had mostly stopped so I think families wanted to take advantage of the dry weather window so we had a sudden large influx of kids right around 4:30 when it is usually a trickle. Ember took it in stride and joyfully greeted everyone. She was fantastic with the littles letting them pet her and licking their hands. She also charmed all the adults too with her willingness to come say hello and just being so cute. She got to visit with some dogs of every size too that were with their trick-or-treaters. She would have followed the trick-or-treaters on their journey if we’d let her. She greeted for half an hour before it was dinnertime for the dogs. Later on a friend came by so we brought Ember back out to visit and she stayed out for a while to enjoy more trick-or-treaters. We had 281 trick-or-treaters this year! A new record for the street.

Ember also got to see the fire truck (the fire chief lives on our street so they slowly drive our street handing out candy in their firefighting gear) and she wasn’t fazed by its noise or loud air brakes.

This year there were no fire department supported fireworks at the speedway (a few minutes drive away from us) and only a few quiet ones when we were back in the house. Ember has been exposed once to real ones and to ones on the TV without issue and Phoenix is unbothered by them but we have Pickles visiting who is usually frightened by them. Happily, all 3 dogs didn’t notice them going off.

Ember adores her big brother. She likes to lay near Phoenix and stare at him lovingly and then sometimes she’ll nap tucking her head in his fur if she can. Finally got a picture with neither of them moving.

Ember has enjoyed having Granddad Paul visiting and happily shared her infectious playfulness and kisses.

She is now 5kg (11 pounds) and if we are getting the height measurement location correct, she is 14 inches at the top of her shoulder. Phoenix is 17.5 inches so she might end up being taller/bigger. Shelties reach most of their height by 6 months and then start to fill out until they are 1 year old but may gain a little extra height during that time.

9 Weeks: 2.7kg —-11 weeks: 3.8kg ——12 weeks: 4.4kg ——14 weeks: 5kg/14 inches