Hi everyone,

It’s time for Mort’s 2 year update. He’s approaching 5 years old now,and is still a big, goofy puppy. He loves his 3-mile walks each day, and especially loves those walks that end at the lake!

His favorite game is “fetch the log”. Mort and Heidi the dachshund continue to be best of friends, and are often found napping together. Although he outweighs her by 80 pounds, he is a gentle giant..even 2 of the cats have learned to tolerate him. His manners have improved greatly, and he has finally stopped jumping on visitors when they arrive (we worked very hard on this one!). He often attends soccer games and cross-country meets, and loves being surrounded by teenagers (with 3 teenaged boys in the house, there’s always a new face in the house). He’s become a fixture in the neighborhood, and is truly a part of the family. Mort goes everywhere with us and he especially loves swimming and hiking. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks again for all that you do for orphaned pets.

Vegas is doing great! He is settling in to his new routine and feeling much more at home. He is a world class snuggler and has figured out how to wrangle a bellyrub out of almost any petting situation. He is not anxious when I leave anymore because he knows that he will get a kong with some carrots and duck treats stuffed inside and that I always come back. He has established his favorite napping spots and looks forward to baby carrots treats at our daily training sessions. He also looks forward to our daily hikes on the trails and loves to go wading in ponds and streams. He stays right with me on the trails and has quickly caught on that when he comes when called or even looks at me he get some of his kibble.

We also went to the dog park a few times and introduced him doggie friends who quickly welcomed him to the pack. He loves making new friends with all the people, children and other dogs that he meets. He does have an affinity for sleek black labs, so I think he is always hoping it is his foster sister! He is such an easy going and gentle fellow and everyone loves him wherever we go. He is just a joy to have in our house and in our family. We are crazy about him and want to thank you again for bringing such a special dog into our lives.

His allergies and his ears continue to be stable. Thank you again for his rabies certificate, as he is now a legal resident of our town. We start obedience classes next week so we will send you a progress report after class begins.

Hello!

I don’t have access to the pictures I have taken right now because I don’t have my camera cord with me, but I wanted to give you a letter update and a phone camera pic for the meantime (sorry for the fuzziness!). Patch and I are getting along swimmingly this tumultuous week, and even with all the hustle of vet school starting and meeting
a whole bunch of new people and dogs, Patch is cool as a cucumber most of the time (especially when there is a stock of planet dog balls at a certain friend’s BBQ!! he didn’t even notice anything else!!).

While I study he gazes out the window at the world, and seems quite at peace. He wiggles like a pup when I let him up on the bed, and doesn’t waste a minute smushing his face into my hand or side for snuggles. I am getting used to his size and his toy and me possessiveness, but it is going fairly smoothly. He had a run in with an indoor/outdoor cat the first morning and got himself quite a lesson for his curiosity! I am hoping I will be able to find the right ‘dog-savvy’ cat to teach him some manners, but for the most part it will be an unlikely occurance.

He is making friends left and right otherwise and everyone is shocked that he could possibly be 7.5. I don’t blame them, he’s such a handsome boy he looks more like he’s 4 or 5. So far, he has visited the field near my school, 7 new doggie pals, countless new people buddies, the inside of Petco for a new tag, the outside of some other stores where he has sat patiently for my speedy return, and had lots of naps and toys and tennis balls(!) and treats in the mean time.

I will send you more pictures as soon as I can upload them! Thank you so much for a
pal who is quickly becoming my stoic, wiggly, ball-hoarding, bed-romping, fly-eating, quiet-snuggling companion for many years to come.

Molly is still doing wonderful her second week with us. She is very sweet. When she sits by me on the couch and I stop patting her, she turns around and puts her head on my lap and looks up at me to say please don’t stop…I want more! It is very cute. She does have the habit of climbing on our beds if we leave her alone so we have had to keep the bedroom doors closed. That is about the only bad habit she has. We have been taking her for walks around the cranberry bog near our home. She loves that.

We have an appointment with our vet on September 17th so she can meet Molly and we cangive her copies of the paperwork that we got. She is done with her Lyme pills and she appears to be very healthy. We also contacted a dog trainer, who is also a NEARR volunteer. She did our home visit. We are going to schedule a session to help with Molly’s leash walking. She pulls a bit and we could use some tips. I’m attaching a few more pictures of Molly.

Hi Folks,

Just thought you’d like to know that Sadie and Skyler have been chosen to appear in the Kennebunk Dog Park calendar for 2008. No NEARR publicity, though, as the calendar is promoting the dog park.

Aren’t they snuggly?

Hello NEARR,

I realized today I’m overdue for my yearly picure. Well here’s Trout. He’s still doing well. He hasn’t had any problems. My other labs have had pulled ligaments, needed stitches for various reasons, or stomach problems. I feel like the other two are always at the vet. Not Trout. He goes in for his yearly visit and that’s it.

This summer he has enjoyed swimming, hiking, and of course, fetch. Trout doesn’t leave home without a ball. He’s still really mouthy. If he doesn’t have a ball in his mouth he is barking. It’s not too bad. I’ve gotten used to it. He’s just a super boy. Thanks again!

Things are going really well so far with Molly. She seems to be adjusting to her new home pretty quickly. She is even being much more affectionate to us than I would have thought so soon. She ate her dinner for us the first night and then walked around our backyard. She liked lying on our back deck. Later she hung out by us while we watched tv and got some nice belly pats.

She is very good with our son. When he pats her, she wags her tail. She is also a good watch dog. My husband went out for a little while last night and when he came back she gave some good barks when he came to the door. When we went to bed, she followed us upstairs and slept by our bed.

She is an excellent dog. She has been very loving and sweet and she has wonderful house manners. We really love her!