It’s been almost 8 months since Polly came to share my home. In that time she’s settled down nicely - most of the time. She still is excitable when she picks up a scent and wants to follow it or when another dog walks past the house. But when she’s focused, she learns commands quickly. So far she sits, lies down all the way, stays on command. We’ve been working on heeling and coming and she’s making progress there.

She attracts attention when we’re walking. She must think her second name is “beautiful,” because that’s what people say when they meet her. She’s still very energetic and I’m coping with that by having frequent play dates for her, sometimes twice or even three times a day. It’s amazing what an obedient dog she is when she’s tired!!

She loves to go for rides in the car (she’s crated), walks, swims. She keeps me to a schedule of waking, feeding, walking, etc. After I eat supper and she knows there’s no more food to be had, she collapses on the couch or bed.

It has been awhile since I reported in on Cocoa. I would like to say, first of all, that she is a great dog. Three months ago Cocoa had to go in for emergency surgery. She had a bleeding tumor on her spleen. The vets removed the tumor and her spleen. She has recovered from surgery and is enjoying life. The unfortunate news is that it is a hemangiosarcoma and there is no effective treatment for this type of cancer, which will return.

After her surgery, a couple of the girls who work at a local pet store brought her a get well basket. She was so happy to see her friends and the bag of treats didn’t hurt either. She is much beloved in the neighborhood and she is quite adept at winning over people. But on the upside, she is happy and we are enjoying our time together. She really loves to have her belly rubbed. We are back to taking our walks and visiting her friends both dog and human. She is back to taking her dips in her favorite ponds regardless of the weather. Everyday is a gift. She is teaching me how to live in the moment.

I have included a couple of photos of her. She seems to prefer the human couch to her couch, but that is alright. The other is a photo of her in one of her favorite ponds. Thanks again for such a great dog.

Hudson is doing great! He will be celebrating his 9th birthday this
month. We now have 2 kids and he is always very concerned and will
come running when they cry. Our 2 year old enjoys feeding Huddy her
lunch or dinner! Hud’s favorite pastimes are chasing squirrels out
of our yard and sleeping on our spare room beds! He is a joy!

Happy February!!! From Biskit and family!!

We cannot believe that it has been only 1 year since Biskit joined our family!! He is such a part of our family it’s hard to imagine life B.B. (Before Biskit). Biskit is a healthy, playful, and 100% loyal gentleman!! He plays well with the boys and particularly likes to chase J around the house and through the dining room when he knows there is a treat in his pocket. This is a game they play a couple times a day! Every evening when the house starts to settle and we are start brushing and washing up for bed Biskit goes right to his bed beside me on the floor. He waits there, sitting straight up and watching. One by one, everyone takes their places and gets snuggled into bed. Not until the last person is in bed will Biskit lay down. He keeps a very close eye on his family! He loves going to the park and playing with the other dogs especially his new friend Boyd, a younger version of Biskit. Boyd does many laps around Biskit once he has tired out but they enjoy running and chasing each other. We absolutely love him and everything that comes with having him as part of our family. After school when J comes home Biskit gets into his bed with him while he does his homework. He is not only a family pet but a best friend to the boys. I am so thankful that we didn’t turn away this “senior dog” as he is just a perfect fit to our family and we love him with all our hearts!!!

Dear NEARR,
I can’t believe that I have been here a year. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this family. I love them and they love me and we are so happy! I am really enjoying my big fenced in back yard. I have lots of room to play, roam, and sniff. In the winter I loved to make snow angles. I also liked to help with snow shoveling when the snow is tossed to me and I can jump and try to eat it. I still enjoy walks on the trails in the woods, but they have been tricky with all the snow and ice. I just love to snowplow with my nose in the leaves and dirt. We always walk on leash and the easy leader makes it so easy for J and B.

J is a little (well a lot, really) sappy with me, but I put up with it. I guess I am just pretty huggable and kissable. I much prefer more manly things like playing ball, horsing around with B, or going to do Saturday errands-like the dump with A. We have these really cool country pine floors in our house. If you run real fast and then stop, you can skid several feet. Lots of fun. I also like to very quietly get up on couches. If I stay really still and quiet I think nobody notices me. If they say “Charlie” I just pretend that I don’t hear them. But if they say, “Charlie, get off the couch”, I do obey right away.

They think that some of the things I do are pretty funny. I sleep in my kennel every night but never make any effort or noise to come out, even if the door is unlatched or even open. I know exactly when supper time is and let them know. And boy can I dance then! When I go outside, I never bark to come in. I just wait patiently. When I get my nose rubbed, I grunt like a pig.

So….it’s been a good year. I think I’ll keep them! Love, Charlie