March 15, the Ides of March, was the first anniversary of my Travvy’s passing. I remember that day for so many reasons, but especially because when I messaged Lori, Trav’s breeder, to let her know he was gone, she messaged back: “I know that this offer is way too soon but I want to let you know that we are expecting a litter tomorrow so if you decide that you need to fill the void in your life please let me know.” I didn’t know what I was going to do next, but I took this as a sign.

As it turned out, Mama Anuk kept everybody waiting till March 20, when she produced four pups, three boys and a girl.

The pups at four weeks. I think Tommy/Tam is 2nd from left, with sister Crow climbing on top of him.

“Wait! Wait!” you cry. “Today is March 20. Someone turns one year old today? Could it be one of those puppies?”

Well, yeah. Tam Lin, my Tim-Tam-Tommy-O, formally Masasyu’s Tam Lin, was one of those puppies. I brought him home in mid-May and he’s pretty much grown up on Facebook.

Which is why he now has his own Facebook account. It used to be Trav’s, and all of Trav’s photos and stories are still there, but I think he’d be OK with passing it on to the next generation, along with the toys he didn’t manage to destroy. (Tam is easier on toys than Trav was; this is why there are so many of them underfoot.)

Here are some pictures from Tam’s first year. You’ll notice that he’s grown a bit, but lucky for both of us he seems to be approaching “full grown” — he weighed about 75 pounds a couple weeks ago, and that was only 5 pounds more than he weighed two months earlier. If you want to read more about his early months on Martha’s Vineyard, put “Tam Lin” in the search bar on the right. If you want to read more about what we’re up to now, keep coming back!

Tam checks out the grass and dandelions in front of the Super 8 we stayed at on our way home from Canandaigua.

One of my favorite photos: Tam and I met Bert Fischer on the trail near his house, and Bert had his camera with him. May 25.

Once Tam couldn’t squeeze under the log, he had to scramble over it. (Now you should see him jump!) June 5.

Tam and his friend Ziggy from next door. Tam is now at least twice Ziggy’s size. June 19.

At 3 1/2 months Tam was beginning to look more like a young dog and less like a puppy. He still loves playing soccer in the yard. July 3.

When I restrung the clothesline, Tam wanted to help. August 1.

Walking at Sepiessa. August 24.

Tam’s got much better with his separation anxiety, but when I come back from the bathroom, this is still what I see at the top of the stairs. September 6.

See what I mean about soccer? October 3.

Tam had only been home a few days when he went to his first demo. He’s been to several since then and plans to do some campaigning this year. October 13.

Tam’s first snow. Unfortunately we had very little of it this winter. December 3.

At Lambert’s Cove. December 27.

Out on the deck. February 16.