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!