gracie finds her voice...

Okay, I've GOT to get this on video to share with you all. Gracie barked for the first time this past weekend and has now realized that she can do this at-will. David said he heard her bark once a couple of weeks ago, but it seems that this weekend was when she realized she had control of this 'power'. She was outside by herself, and we all know how much she likes to be outside, but decided enough was enough. I heard her whine a little and then she just barked several times. It was so stinkin' cute! I'm sure the cute-ness will wear off and we'll be telling her to be quiet soon enough but for now, we are enjoying this newly-found talent. Since then, she is taking her cue from her older 'sisters', Maggie and Miley. They don't bark incessantly but will bark at noises outside. Gracie was sound asleep yesterday and M & M started barking at something out front. Gracie popped right up, ran in the hall where M & M were and started her baby barking right along with them. She prances around when she does this and puffs up her chest. She's trying so hard to be one of 'the big girls'. She apparently has appointed herself a watchdog now and takes her responsibility seriously!