Hi, I just wanted to let you know Tasha is doing very well in her new home. She likes to play with toys and gets along with Seamus. We haven’t had any problems with her at all, other than some pulling on the leash, not a big deal at all. I can’t believe how easily she has fit into our household. She is bringing some life back into her new big brother who is 9, Seamus is rediscovering that playing with stuffed toys can be fun.

We took her to the vet for a check up and vaccination. She is heartworm negative (yeah!) I have attached a form from the vet. She needs to lose 30 pounds though, she weighs in at 96, yikes!

It’s been a long time now, but can you blame me? I’m in vet school!! Anyhow, it’s also because my digital camera is broken so I have no super cute pictures to send. But Patch had a grand time taking a sleepover trip to his foster parents to visit for a couple weeks, and boy did they get some cute pics.

Patch and I had our first year anniversary on August 27, celebrated with much kisses and FrostyPaws. Our first year together started out pretty rough, Patch took his time getting settled into what I expected of him, but all is and has been well for quite some time. His foster mom even noticed how much more calm and balanced he is overall when he came to visit. He still is the great and undefeated fly samurai of canine world, or we’ll just say he is (as he runs out of the room while the fly chases him!).

I am starting my third year in school, and have a new roommate, and the three of us plus Patchie are getting along swimmingly. Both of my roomies jog regularly, and I found out quickly that Patch is a jogging partner extraordinaire with the help of a Halti, so he gets many runs with them, in addition to our visits to the Tufts field for free romping. He proved to be completely not cat-safe, which is fine, since I don’t have any, but all of his other ’surface’ problems have come and gone, and he is a prince, most of the time. : ) Actually, he is the king around here, with a harem of three doting vet student girls, who all let him cuddle in bed whenever he wants! He has performed his civic duties regularly, by donating blood to the hospital very patiently, every few months. He is healthy as a horse, and even looks like one with how big he is!

All in all, life is good with Patch in my world. Granted, my bed is as quickly black with fur as long as it takes to put the clean sheets on, that’s alright by me. I think all Patchie needed was someone like me, who gives him strict expectations of what’s ok and not ok (and fixes the world so he can’t do it again), but is liberal in the good stuff too. We’ll be at the NEARR picnic with so you’ll see for yourself how handsome and great he is…until he sees the hotdog bobbing…then there may be a scene! : )

I went to Woodman’s, a famous clam shack on the North Shore, and brought back souvenirs: Lobster bibs but no Lobster.

Thank you all for getting us together. He’s a peach who has a home and 3/4 of my bed, for the rest of his life.

Logan is now in complete control of the house and appears to be totally satisfied in his new home. No more barking at one and all whether on the street or people coming into the house.

He thinks he is a 55 lb. lapdog and is somewhat jealous that we at times are more interested in our first granddaughter rather than him but like all males he will get use to being second fiddle to all females.

Frosty continues to be a big, goofy, happy boy who loves life. He loves to swim in the pond, run around like a crazy guy in giant circles when he gets excited, and cuddle up on the couch with his dad and whatever foster dog is here at the moment. Even though he’s almost 10 years old he still has plenty of energy and is in good health. He has a bit of arthritis in his hips, but it’s improved since he started taking Cosequin. He’s been a big help with all these foster dogs who come and go, teaching them the ropes and acceptable behavior, and he really seems to enjoy having a playmate when they are here. He does like the girls a lot better than those silly boys who come to visit and think they can be the top dog- no way Frosty will give up that role.

Frosty has brought such joy to our lives, and we thank NEARR once again for helping us find him.

Baxter and I are starting dog obedience training next week. That should be eight weeks of sheer fun….???? We will be done the 2nd week in January and hopefully I can provide you will his certificate of completion at that time. (What happens if he flunks???) This wonderful dog seems to have the basics down like “sit” or “stay” - but I honestly wonder if he is deaf. He totally ignores me when I call him. I already spoke with the trainer and we are going to work on this! I think there is a good possibility that it could also be “selective hearing”!

Every day, we love this dog more and more. Baxter was a perfect match for our home and it is like he has been here forever. He is honestly a joy. We could not have found a better dog anywhere. It is just so amazing to think we found him online through ask.com - and now he is laying at my feet in my bedroom. The most exciting thing is for my son or me to come home. He greets us at the door like no other dog. He is absolutely ecstatic to see us - and we are thrilled to be with him. His mannerisms are just hysterical. Donna, his foster mom, once told us that he almost tries to talk - opens and closes his mouth like a real person - but no words come out. It is hysterical. The more he does it, the more we laugh. The more we laugh, the more excited he gets and the more he wants to talk. He wags his tag all the time and just seems so happy to have a “forever” home. I can’t tell you how happy we are to have found him and been able to welcome him into our home.

It’s been about 2 years now since I adopted Casey, and he’s still doing great. We had lots of fun at the picnic this year, and he got to see his foster family and all his other NEARR buddies. Of course, I had to buy some Christmas cards, since he’s on them! He just had his fourth birthday, which was celebrated with an extra large rawhide, and lots of love. He makes me smile every day. Casey sends his love to everyone at NEARR!

Sadie is doing great as you can see by the attached picture. She loves her walks in the woods. We are able to let her off leash and she stays right with us the whole time and comes right when calling her name. When on walks in public places she is doing well with her ‘Haltie’ - no pulling any more! We have started obedience class and she is proven to be a very quick learner. She has settled in nicely, is not quite so impulsive and often looks to me even when excited about new things to see what I want her to do. She is very cute and sweet and we love her very much.

He is doing just fine but at times he pretends to being an alpha dog. We find this claim to be bogus because I recently had a balloon birthday and he is petrified of the balloon. My wife recently changed the house to a fall setting and placed a plastic pumpkin on the table this also seemed to stress out Logan. At this time he seems to being a standard retriever all bark no bite and this is exactly what we want.

Week 1
We wanted to let you know Sadie is doing great - adjusting well. She doesn’t like it when we leave without her; she loves rides in the car! She and the cat are adjusting - Penny (cat) isn’t quite confident with her yet, but she comes around her and spends lots of time observing Sadie from high places like the back of the sofa or on a table. I can hold her and let Sadie sniff her; she doesn’t mind and is interested in her. If Sadie gets wiggly and excited, it scares her, but Sadie mostly just sniffs.

We have been going on lots of walks every day and Sadie is doing well. In the woods we have been able to let her off leash and she stays right with us, even though other people and dogs come along. However before we come out into the field at the end of the woods we have to put her back on leash or she runs to the parking lot ahead of us and we aren’t sure about where she will go from there; so we keep her on leash until we get in the woods, and then put her back on as we come out and walk home.

We find that she listens well in general, but when she gets excited, she forgets. Some of this might also have to do with just getting to know us and bonding with us. She is such a sweet dog and we are enjoying her so much. I haven’t taken pictures yet, but I will and then post them.

Week 2
Just to let you know Sadie is doing great. We have been to the vet, who was impressed with her sweet personality and that she was so gentle regarding food. She said she has never seen a Lab who didn’t gobble their food down!

We will be starting obedience classes on the 27th. She is really settling in as part of the household; the cat even is rubbing up against her! Would send a picture but our camera is giving us problems; I will send one when it gets fixed.

It’s almost been 3 weeks since Satchel has joined our family and we must say it’s a match made in heaven. The very first day we brought him here he marked the corner carpet in the living room. We thought, well it’s his first night and his first 10 minutes in his new home. We were told he might do this, but that was the one and only time. Since then he’s been pretty darn perfect. He’s getting along great with our minpin, Cappi. We were a little worried about his rough play and with a little dog but surprisingly he learned within minutes to be gentle with Cappi, otherwise she was not going to play at all. So now they play all the time and Cappi is often soaking wet because Satchel loves to put his mouth around her body and droll all over. They are pretty inseparable already, going everywhere together and even going to bed together. This is exactly what we were looking for.

We’ve also had Satchel to the lake several times, which he loves the water. Now we just need to train him not to shake the water off when he’s right next to us. Let’s just say we all were pretty soaked. He’s very high energy at times but for the most part thinks he’s a lap dog and loves to try and get all 68lbs of himself on your lap. This week we start a training class with him and Cappi too. We figured on doing a family event, so we signed up both dogs. Should be interesting but fun.

We really wanted to thank NEARR for allowing us to adopt such a great dog. He’s been perfect for our family and we are so appreciative and thankful for this.

Hello NEARR Friends!

Sir Chancelot here checking in to tell you I’m fab-u-lous (even my vet says so—I just got a GLOWING report)! Life is good up here in the Green Mountain State. I just moved into some new digs and I’m loving it. There is a larger yard for me to guard and I’ve got some new golden friends down the street, and a wee westie too, but I’ve never been a fan of the little white ones—those that know me might remember a particular incident involving some pee…what can I say, I hold a grudge. Anyhoo, I thought I’d let you know that not only am I a great student, but I’m also a wonderful teacher. I’ve taught my baby sister to make eye contact, wave her food, and DROP. She’s a quick learner and now that she’s on real food I’m living the high life! No worries though, I’ve still got that studly figure. While I’ve slowed a bit on my walks I still act like a puppy the majority of the time and am always up for a game of Chance Chase (you know the one where I take a favorite toy and run and dodge around the house and expect you to chase me…even though I wouldn’t dream of giving up my toy), and I still haven’t met a squeaky toy that I can’t “de-squeak”.

Cheers my friends and have a wonderful holiday season,
Chance

It is two weeks - and we are so happy to report that Baxter is completely settled in his “forever” home. It is as if he has been here forever. He just has the sweetest temperament and the funniest antics. He is so loyal, and follows us from room to room. Check out the photo of Baxter with my son. Baxter is sound asleep. They are the best of friends!

Baxter went to the vet yesterday for his first visit. He did great. He is healthy and fit. He has actually lost about 10 lbs since this summer but he is eating well and getting plenty of exercise. The vet said his hips and muscles are strong and there is no indication of dysplasia at this time. All his testing came back negative and we were assured that we have many, many good years ahead of us.

We are just so happy to have the chaos - but joy - of a lab retriever back in the house. The quiet is gone, the toilet bowl water is all over the floor and the laughter is back! Baxter is now a special part of our family.

We will keep in touch. Thanks again to NEARR for taking such good care of Baxter until we could take him home!