Things are still going great. He is a love… We have been playing frisbee alot, we were going for a walk on the bike trail this AM but a little rainy so hopefully this afternoon.

We are having a blast…

Jack is doing really well. We are keeping him on a long lead line when we are swimming and while being outside with us. We are using this lead line to try to teach him to come when called. He does come most of the time, but we are working on getting a 100% reaction. I have been training for the last two weeks with Jack to sit and stay as well as teaching him to stay in the yard with the electric fence. Jack is doing very well. Jack learns very quickly it still amazes me how smart he is.

We also are still on the “easy” command with food - I still have all my fingers so it’s working. Jack does not hang out around the table while we are eating he will now stay away when commanded to do so. He is slowly realizing that there is enough food to go around and he won’t miss getting some great treats if he behaves. We are also working on walking with the leash daily. Jack does very well about 5 minutes into the walk, it is the initial going outdoors with him. He try’s to pull you out the door and down the street within the first 3-5 minutes so we are working on trying to get his excitement level down a notch.

We had a very interesting visit to the vet this week. Jack barks when he wants to get what he wants which created a whole group of dogs at the vet to bark along with him. We have instilled a “enough” command to prevent him from barking when he absolutely has to have the toy you have or another dog has it. Jack is also very consistent in licking Murphy’s face which started the “enough” command. Jack is doing very well learning this command.

The vet said Jack is in great condition and a goofy boy. Jack stayed when asked which was great to be able to give him his shot and for the vet to hear his heart with the stethoscope. He chased the stethoscope for a couple of minutes because he is interested in everything. If it moves, shines or makes noise Jack will chase it, lick it or bark to have it. We are having a great time playing, laughing and enjoying Jack. Murphy is growing attached to him to which is great.

Well we have had Buster for a week now and he is settling well. He has been a very good boy no problems. We take him for walks around the neighborhood at least twice a day - it is funny to see me walking down the street with a stroller, Lexi, Buster, and Jade. Yes the cat fallows us too. Also have been going to the bike trail for walks as well. When we walk on the bike trail he has been very good when other dog’s pass he sniffs for a second then keeps walking with us. We have him signed up for the next session at Derby Farms in Harwich for some training “although he is very well trained” it will be probably more of a refresher for us. Lexi won’t let one night go by without Buster sleeping next to her bed. We are very happy and think Buster is as well.

Thanks so much

We were so fortunate to have fostered Patch back in 2007, and Patch’s ‘mom’ gave us the ok to send NEARR an update. After Patch was adopted, his new ‘mom’ kept in touch with us and even arranged for Patch to stay with us when she traveled. Seeing Patch flourish in his new home was such a joy for us. When we fostered him, he wasn’t an easy placement because of his age and his dominant tendencies, but we knew he was the best dog and he was just full of love and full of life. And it is clear that Patch truly found his soulmate in his new Mom!

In May, his Mom graduated from vet school and relocated to California with Patch, driving together across the country in a giant truck. Saying goodbye to Patch was hard for us, but we are so happy to see him thriving out in CA. He is now a beach bum, making new human and canine friends, and enjoying the sunshine and the waves. And somehow, at 11 years old, he even looks younger! As you can see from the pics, Patch is a happy, healthy dog and doesn’t act like an 11 year old lab/great dane mix!

I’m pleased to announce Onyx swam this weekend! We live by the ocean and rivers and he has been hesitant to swim (unlike our other dog who we can’t keep out of the water) but this weekend Onyx went in for a few seconds :)

He’s been enjoying the beach this summer and dug his first hole (see picture). He has been running early in the morning with me and also walking castle island with my friends. Seen here with his pal ella (in stroller). Onyx loves the freedom of the car rides we take (see attached) and has been behaving quite well in the backseat.

It has been an interesting time since Pecana’s arrival. She, as Roz and I, seem to be adjusting quicker than we expected. Pecana keeps a close watch on us both and seems to stay under my feet whenever she can. As example, she is laying beside my chair as I am emailing you with her head on one of the chair legs (a seemingly usual position).

She is getting morning and afternoon walks and a good amount of playtime, retrieving and swimming in our back yard. She has really improved on her swimming technique.

Well, it’s been a little over 6 months since Rudy joined our family. He’s done very well settling in. He really enjoys playing with his “brothers” and especially loves “his” little girl. We took him to the lake for the first time and we didn’t quite know what to expect. Well, true to the lab nature, he took to the water like a fish and, if we let him, would have probably swam all the way across the bay!! Only one problem…he’s a noodle thief!! He just stole the noodle from our daughter and brought it back to shore. AND He’s corrupted his brother Sam to do the same. It’s hysterical! He was also attempting to fish under the dock, but he only caught rocks. He had a wonderful day at the lake and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the water.

Back at home, he’s been enjoying the long walks in the forest everyday and just hanging out with the family at night. He loves to bring you a present when you come home…whatever he can find - shoe, toy, blanket, doesn’t matter - as long as he finds something to bring. The tail never stops wagging and the mischievous looks are great - especially during a game of tug of war.

He has been a wonderful addition to our family and we are happy he accepted us as his forever home.

Jack is doing great. Our first 7 days where spent at our lake house with our 6 year old yellow lab Murphy and my sister in laws 1 year old chocolate lab Maggie. Jack enjoyed playing with Maggie and Murphy but also liked to curl up under your feet for some quite time.

Jack follows simple commands and I am broadening his command list. I have already taught him speak (bark) for a treat and stay away from the table while we are eating. He also will stay in small increments until I say it is ok for him to roam again. Jack learns very quickly. I am amazed at how anxious he is to please you.

We took him for boat rides on the lake and he is very happy to sit on your lap or take your seat on the boat. I think he would have rode the jet ski or tube too, if we let him. Jack wants to be with you at all times. He is not really interested in roaming. He follows you where ever you go. Jack jumps off our dock to get his toys in the water so he had a lot of exercise while we were there. We are working on him giving you back the toy without taking your hand off. He is getting better. We are also working with Jack to teach him to swim with people, not on top of them. Thanks to advice from NEARR and others, we have managed to have Jack swim safety among us and will continue to work with him. We still have some work on his anxiousness but we are moving in the right direction.

Jack has not spent one night in the crate since we got him. He is happy to sleep with my daughter Julia or on his bed in the same area as Murphy without having any issues. He has lots of chew toys and stuffed animals so he has been great out of his crate. He loves bones. Jack has yet to chew anything that has not been given to him. This week back in our regular home, we are working on staying in the yard and short car rides. Already we feel as if Jack has been with us since birth.