July 21st. The big day.
He was just waiting for us to come for him.
![going_home-1 yup, it's me.](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-1.jpg)
There was some play time. All the youngsters getting in on it. There’s a pile of chew toys under there somewhere.
![going_home-3 all those puppy butts!](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-3.jpg)
Susan showed us a little of what the boy could do. Here he’s starting a Down.
![going_home-4 um, it's going to where?](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-4.jpg)
He sits so very hard. As if sheer determination will get bigger, better cookies.
![going_home-5 i'm sitting, i'm sitting, i'm sitting](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-5.jpg)
It was a long ride home. Gizmo gets car sick. He’s a pretty good sport about it, but it’s not how he likes to spend the day.
Once home he had a good run around the work yard and got some treats.
![going_home-6 really? aren't all four paws supposed to be on the ground?](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-6.jpg)
Met the old dog.
![going_home-7 hey, what's that big floppy thing you brought home?](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-7.jpg)
Posed for a nice portrait. My Two Dudes
![going_home-8 handsome!](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-8.jpg)
Had a really wild run from the barn to the rock wall and back and forth chasing Jim.
![going_home-10 exrecise](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-10.jpg)
He can really get the ears and lips and tongue flying.
![going_home-9 ::snork::](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-9.jpg)
Then got to wade in the bucket.
![going_home-12 splash](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-12.jpg)
![going_home-11 drink it? nu huh.](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-11.jpg)
That wet dog look is one that we’re getting used to.
![going_home-13 i wanted to be a water dog](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-13.jpg)
This isn’t going to be quite as cute in January. No, he isn’t going to give up playing in the buckets just because it’s 30 degrees outside instead of 90.
![going_home-14 ahhhh](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-14.jpg)
At the end of the day — at the end of almost every day. He smiles.
![going_home-15 and I like your tile](http://blackdogandmagpie.net/shoes/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/going_home-15.jpg)