Just like everyone else, we can’t believe a year has gone by, or that Archie hasn’t been with us forever. As first-time dog owners, we did a lot of research before adopting, but nothing could have prepared us for the happiness that Archie brings us. Sure, there are days when Archie eats garbage on the road, or coordinating schedules for walking him can be challenging, and he even got skunked in November which was a REAL treat! But he shows us such love and devotion that every time we look in those big brown eyes, even right after some wrongdoing, we love him right back! We are grateful to his previous owners that instilled some very good manners, and the only thing we struggle with now is his propensity to jump on us (sometimes) or visitors (always) because he’s so excited to see people, especially new ones. I know that NEARR has some discussion on the site regarding adopting senior dogs, and our experience with Archie, who turned 9 in November, has been so great. He settled into our home and routine quickly, needed little training, and likes however many miles of walks or trips to the park we’re up for. He has more energy than some younger labs we see at the park, but unlike some younger dogs, doesn’t need all the exercise he gets in order to behave well in the house. When we first got Archie he only fetched balls we threw in the water, but since then, he’s become quite a fan of chasing after them on land, too. I anticipate Archie’s only complaint about us is that he’d like more food and treats every day, but he’s become muscular and lean, and our vet assures us that what he’s fed is plenty, even though he’d have everyone believe we’re staving him! I’m attaching some recent pictures of our guy in action.

I adopted Mickey in October, 2002 and he has come a long way and travelled to far-away places with us. Mickey, my new husband and I moved from Cambridge to the Netherlands for one year. . .and we’re now back in New England. He loved learning how to speak with the “Dutch” dogs and he was welcomed everywhere. . .the Dutch are very open to dogs in restaurants, shops, etc. It was great to see.

Mickey has come along way. The biggest lesson I’ve learned that I can pass on to other new adopters is to keep in mind that it’s more about training the HUMAN versus training the dog. Mickey is an extra-large lab (90+ lbs.) and so strong. . .I’m sure others can relate. For the first year, he took ME on walks and told me where to go. Once I found a great trainer, we learned quickly that I had to be the boss. Once we established our places in the pack, we’ve never looked back. We had a wonderful dog since the day we adopted him . .. but it just keeps getting better.

Mickey was even a part of our wedding last year!

Hudson is doing fantastic! He recently became a big brother, to our brand new baby girl. He loves to lick her face and always comes running when she cries! Hudson loves the snow, he loves to run and play no matter what the weather. And now that all the leaves are down he lets us know whenever there is a dog or cat anywhere in the neighborhood. He had a great 1st Christmas and New Year’s at our house. He truly brings joy to our lives and continues to make us laugh daily. We can’t imagine life without him.

The Dash Man is doing exceptionally well. He just celebrated his 7th birthday on Christmas and that was a very exciting day. There were lots of people around and he always had to be on the look out for dropped food, which can be exhausting. He is the only dog I know of that you can put antler ears on him and he just forgets they are there. His mom and dad did not like them, so he now walks around with them in his mouth.

Dasher’s Dad built him a step stool since he was having a hard time getting in and out of his mom’s car to go to work every day. It’s too high. He has those short legs and lack of motivation unless there is some form of food involved. Dash can smell food of any kind from miles away. The dog that cannot get into the car has the uncanny ability to get food from the most obscure places if necessary. He will climb chairs and tables if the food is left out and no one is around. Yet, he has kept his weight off, but can not wait to swim in the lake again. Playing in the snow is good for now.

Dash loves sniffing in the woods around the house and visiting the neighbors. He is the most friendly, carefree labs I have ever been in contact with. He likes when his friends come to visit, so he can chase them around the yard and the house. He gets all the love in the world and is very pampered with his wide variety of toys, beds, and extra curricular activities. He is not a guard dog at work. When people come in, his belief is that they came solely to see him. He never barks, just saunters up to see if there is a treat in it for him.

All in all, he is great and the entire family loves him to pieces, especially his mom and dad. He makes everyone laugh with his carefree, loving attitude.

Zeus has made the transition wonderfully….his high energy is still there, but he loves his daily walks in the woods, with my two other labs and the other dogs that get to come along (we had six labs this past weekend walking in the woods, this was a one hour and fifteen min. walk, Zeus was beat. No leashes on any of the dogs, they get to run and play, so they cover a lot of acerage). He just got a new Planet Dog frisbee that he enjoys, and of course his tennis ball is his best friend. His house breaking is coming along fine, and he is a joy to have around, he likes to wrestle with my 3y.o. chocolate female Brandy ,and when she has had enough, she lets him know.

Zeus’s energy level today was quickly worn down by a one hour walk, and a basted beef bone(s) he stole the other dogs …..with all the running, playing, and gnawing, he’s beat, my job is complete! He is now lying down with the rest of the labs …..he appears very content and happy with what he has, as so are we .

The picture below is of Lexi the yellow lab, Brandy on the right and Zeus is in the background going after the stick,. We’ll be swimming here in about six months …the bells are on the dogs to give the “wicked mean squirrels” a chance to run if the dogs see them! (These two chocolate labs run like deer.)
More to come down the road.

Amazingly, it’s been two years since we adopted Frosty. We’re still very happy we did. He seems happy living here, and we are able to trust him not to try to run off anymore, which means he can go down to our pond or run around the fields whenever we’re outside now. For some reason, he’s always been skittish about getting in our motor home, but we decided to try him camping with us this summer, and he just loved it. I was a little worried about how he’d be in the campground with every one so close together, but he behaved very well. Now every time I go near the motor home, he gets all excited and wants to get in, so we’ll have more camping adventures, I’m sure.

As you can see by the picture of Frosty sleeping, he’s pretty much at home. He’s a wonderful, sweet dog.

I am finally getting to our two month update. Where did two months go? I am attaching some new photos of Maggie - playing ball in the woods behind our house, swimming for sticks in the pond and resting on the couch with Aiko after a hard day’s play. Maggie loves to play ball, loves to swim and has had a blast romping in the snow these last few weeks. Maggie is a big cuddler and is always in the room with one of us when we are home. I’ve never known a dog to look you straight and deep in the eyes, but Maggie just stares her soulful beautiful stare with her big brown eyes and you just fall in love with her all over again. I’ve even already forgiver her (and Aiko) for eating all of the Christmas cookies off of the dining room table. Thank you to every one at NEARR who made it possible for Maggie to be a part of our family. We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a very happy new year full of canine love and affection.

Zeus is currentlt directly behind me talking in his native tounge (he wants me to throw the tennis ball again and again,and again etc, etc, etc…..)He has been through an interesting week,and seems to be adjusting just fine …..we’re still working on the house breaking and some other bad habits …..but it time he’ll adjust …..I believe he has come to the conclussion that he is staying here and likes having Brandy (3 yo chocolate female )and Sadie-mae (10 year old English black lab female )for company ,we walk him daily for about an hour in the local rec-park(he really gets to run) then we play ball with him when we have the time. He is surely a High Energy lab ,but he loves to play,fetch,and be hugged,ride in the vehicles and go anywhere with us,he does real well riding ….

So….so far so good ,it is only gonna be down hill from here,he is starting to remember the rules and with the next report I know he will be doing better.

Please find the pic of Zeus …..I just took it (not very good though)….he is a picture perfect lab and I know his preveious owner must have really hated to let him go…..but he is in his forever home now !