It is time for my yearly update on Allagash. I can’t believe we’re at the 3 year mark. She has brought such happiness and unconditional love to my husband and I that we can’t imagine our lives without her. We often thought about getting another dog to keep her company, but she really loves having us all to herself and vice versa.

Here are some recent photos of Lucy. She is doing very well! Please tell everyone at NEARR: thanks again for choosing me to be Lucy’s mom. I lov her so much! Happy New Year

Merry Christmas All!!! We all had a wonderful Christmas. We went over to my son’s and unwrapping the gifts- well Abby didn’t like all that paper noise and she went and laid down under the coffee table. Had no intention of coming out from under there. Once we were all done, she then had to contend with more people. That went pretty good and she wasn’t so skittish. In fact when Gram and Bump showed up she actually went right to them and they gave her lots of love. She didn’t even hesitate with them. She had to meet my son’s dog Zena, and Abby was a little snarley at her but sure enough, give them a little space and by the end of the day they were laying right beside each other and even playing with the same toys. Abby had her first “spa” treatment the Friday before Christmas. She was bathed, trimmed, brushed, “manicured” and given a beautiful red snowman bandana. She is looking like the “Princess” my husband calls her. She is sooooo loving the snow, running around, catching her ball, (or snowballs) and sliding down the hill and going for our long walks in the woods. I find that she is getting more comfortable around the house with all the every day noises and her training is going very good. Thank you again NEARR for Abby. (Abby, gabby, gorgeous, good girl—AGGGGG-ie) We LOVE her and will continue to do the best that we can for her. Don’t you just love the picture??? Her pink tongue matches her pink nose!!!!!!!!Oh Yeah, she’s all “girl”!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays from CeeJay (adopted from NEARR 3 years ago) and his sister Abby!

Mort is doing great. He has really become a part of our family, and we forget what our lives were like without him (except for vacuuming up the hair!). He and Heidi the dachshund are best buddies…we have to buy them each really big bones, because Heidi was stealing his large one and Mort was stealing her small one. So now they’re both happy.

Mort LOVES the snow. On our walks and hikes, he likes to stick his entire head into the snow, and then roll around in it. The boys make him fetch snow balls, which then disintegrate, of course, which totally baffles him, but doesn’t stop him from chasing another. He is totally fascinated by the cats, who are learning to tolerate him and give him a wide berth. He attempted to play with the boys’ snowman today, which he quickly decapitated.

He is enrolled in obedience classes, which begin January 4th, 2006. We live in a very rural area, and classes are only offered sporadically, so this is the first class that’s been available. I’m sure he’ll do great, as he loves to please.

Thanks again for choosing us as his forever family. He gives us so much joy (and warmth at night!) and friendship, and he’s such a great addition to our family.

Here is my follow-up since adopting Mikki last Saturday (Dec. 3rd). Mikki is doing well. Just got all her information yesterday. She is soooo sweet. Just loves the snow and we currently just got some. She and the cats (who were in hiding for 2 days after she came into my life) are bonding quite well. Mikki has taken on one of the cats traits when I am at work during the day. She gets on bed, even tho she does have two beds of her own, and sleeps. Probably thinks if it good enough for the cats it is good enough for her. During the nite she does sleep on her bed or have put a red blanket next to her bed that she does sleep on it too.

Loves to go for walks and ride in car and when ever I leave, she barks and I hate to leave her, but do.

Will talk later and thanks again.

We’re sending our update on Casey. His first hip surgery was fine, but he’s had complications with the second, and needs to have another surgery on that side. Even with all he’s been through, he’s been sweet and good-natured. Now that he’s feeling better he’s back to being rambunctious - he tears apart a toy each day finding the squeaker. It’s wonderful to see him happy and playing again! I’ve sent a couple of pictures of Casey with my niece, and of all three dogs asleep on the couch. Casey has been a true joy, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to share our home with him.

Happy Holidays.

It’s been 2 years since we’ve adopted Cosmo and it’s been nothing short of awesome!

Every day just keeps getting better and better. This past year we’ve had some more fun. We take our weekend trips hiking in the woods, with his brother Rocky and friends Sam and Baker (2 other labs). In August, we spent a good amount of time up in Maine on the beach. He loves riding the waves digging in the sand. While in Maine, we would take him down to the beach early in the morning at low tide and he could run for days with the other dogs….gotta love the Chuck It, best dog toy ever invented! Last month we took him up to Gloucester to run and play with all the other dogs. At one point, he was in the middle of at least 6 labs…pretty funny scene. With the new snow fall, Cosmo and Rocky went with their buddy Sam to the local golf course and ran for hours…..he just can’t get enough of the snow!

He is an awesome dog and we are still very lucky to have him.

Daisy is still absolutely wonderful when we are home. I am encouraged by the look in her eyes lately, however. It seems as if we’ve crossed a Rubicon of sorts – her eyes look more trusting. I love that. I’m thinking one day at a time she is realizing that we are a forever home for her and that she is safe.

I also read a book called Marley and Me – it’s on the bestseller list and makes Daisy look like the best dog on the planet. It’s very funny and worth the read if you’re interested.