A Visual Growth Chart | Meraxes | August 2024 to June 2025
There’s something so fun and exciting about watching a puppy grow. When we welcomed Meraxes into our lives last summer in August of 2024, she was a bundle of curiosity, soft fur and clumsy enthusiasm. From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to capture every moment of her journey, not just in memories but in something more tangible. Just like for Blue, our Australian shepherd who is turning 6 this year, I started a monthly growth chart, documenting her transformation with photos and milestones.
Each month brought a new surprise. At first, it was the floppy ears and oversized paws. Then it was her first bark, her first zoomies around the yard, the way she pounced after her toys and eventually, the calm confidence that comes with growing up. Every month we sat her up in the same spot, with the help of my daughter, by our patio door; using a felt board to show of her age and weight as she grew.
The result? A beautiful timeline that doesn’t just show how big she’s gotten, but how much she’s become a part of our family.
These photos capture so much. Each one bringing me back to that clumsy, fluffy ankle biting moment. Her 12 month photo captures her vibrant eyes, proud posture and giant smile. She’s no longer the tiny pup from the very first photo who could fit into our arms, but the journey from then to now has been nothing short of exciting.
Creating a visual growth chart is one of my favourite things I’ve done for the dogs. If you’re on your own puppy journey, I highly recommend it. It’s a small monthly ritual that becomes an invlauble keepsake.
If you’re a pet parent, here are a few tips to create your own meaningful growth chronicles:
Pick a consistent spot: Take your monthly photos in the same location. For example, a favourite chair, a specific wall or the front porch. This will better showcase your pet’s size changes over time.
Use a visual marker: Include a sign with your pet’s age and weight each month. You can use chalkboards or letterboards. Another option to include a more personal touch, use your pet’s favourite toy to see how they grow with it each month.
Capture personality, not just size: Don’t worry about getting the perfect pose. Some of the best shots are candid ones. The little head tilts, yawns or tail-blur moments full of life.
Highlight milestones: Note their first sit, first time off leash or the first time they caught a toy mid-air. Tell the story behind their growth.
Keep a simple journal: Alongside your images, jot down a few thoughts each month such as favourite treats, habits or funny incidents. These will become priceless memories later on.
And don’t forget to turn those photos into a printed keepsake or a digital slideshow to look back on years later.
