Phebe/Bella Update

As I write, Bella is curled at my feet, sleeping under my desk. We finished our nightly 1/2 mile walk and then I let her loose in the backyard to go potty before bed. She now comes back into the house with me, no longer running from me when we need to go in. She and Elphie are interacting a lot -- in fact Bella takes her cues from Elphie and has really come out of her shell due to bonding with Elphie first. She no longer needs to eat in her crate, she eats out of her own bowl twice a day. I have to hold Elphie so she doesn't try to steal Bella's food, but Bella is now eating in the open! In fact, we took the crate out of the family room today since she hasn't gone in it in almost a week, since we stopped feeding her in there. She's now Queen of the Couch.

She is doing more wonderfully than I had dared to hope! While she likes to spend most of her day on the couch, she sits up at attention when she hears my car coming, and has just begun getting down to greet me. She's still a little "safety territorial", meaning she has to get up her courage to come explore, but is making great strides every day. She is now exploring toys and bones with Elphie, and enjoys her rawhide sticks and dog biscuits. She has begun acting like a "pack" animal, which is wonderful. I said when we first got her that I had to teach her to be a dog, then I could teach her to be a pet. I'm so thrilled that she has come so far in what I consider to be a VERY short time!

Needless to say, we will NOT be returning her!

Just wanted to let you know how happy we all are!

Fondly,
Sheila

Hello,
I just wanted to send you a note to let you know that Minnie is doing great!.. She and I have got close in just this short period of time.. She now walks on the leash really good.. She is now starting to play and run when we go out.. And when I ask her if she is ready to go in she heads for the door... She doesn't like for me to be where she can't see me.. If I leave the room she will start to make noise.. Almost like she is calling me. Then when I get to where she can see me she is okay.. She still isn't sure of my Husband yet though, but she is getting there.. I also got her a play pen and she knows that when I leave the door open it is okay to come out.. I am sending you a picture of Minnie.. I know that she is going to work out great for me and my family!! Thanks for what you do!
Tracy Raasch

Hi again, from Laura and Little Helen (Dakota)!

Well, today is the end of our 2 week trial, and I am sure that by now you know she's staying with me. What a little sweetie! She just LOVES to cuddle and be held! And such a sharp little thing about house training! Gary works different shifts, so his varied schedule can usually make it so she does not have to wait all day, but we've had several days now where he and I left in the morning, and were gone all day, and she's had no accidents! She has adapted to our routine just like she's always lived here!

She has the run of our kitchen and she has not been a bit of trouble; in fact, we are gradually giving her more access to the house and she is doing well with it.

And we've gone for more rides in the car, and she's just PERFECT! You can come and visit anytime, but this one is staying with us! I have recommended your rescue to all my friends at work and I tell them constantly what a super litle dog I got from you! Thanks so much for such a great little dog!

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Hi Diane & Dave!
Well, it's been a week and I have to tell you, I don't think I'll be coming back to you.

Laura and Gary are absolutely AMAZED at how good I am. As much as they call me 'Good Girl' you'd think it was my name!

I have not had a potty accident since Tuesday, and for that, Laura thinks I am something of a genius! I have a couple of favorite spots in the yard and am very consistant about using them. They put me out and I go do what needs to be done and let them know I am ready to come back inside. They always have a treat or a few dog food kibbles waiting for me when I come back in, so I get a reward for going potty in the right place, at the right time.

Laura was delighted with how nicely I rode in the car last night when we went for a short ride to the bank. At first, I sat up and watched it all go by, but that got boring, so I laid down and took a nap. Laura was really impressed by it, and ranted and raved about me to Gary. You can tell they think I am the greatest.

They also love how I am such a lap sitter and cuddler. Laura and I have done a lot of TV watching while cuddled on the couch. She loves how I can lay in the same position for several hours and doze off and on with her. We've slept thru several movies together, and once settled, I just don't move. I don't snore, either. The other day I helped Gary work on the computer. He held me on his lap while he was re-designing his web page and I snoozed while he typed. He said he almost forgot that I was there on his lap, and was particularly impressed that I did not shed any fur. I helped Laura for awhile last night while she was on her computer, and slept on her lap too. They both are so amazed at how contentedly I will lay on their laps, and never budge.

I sleep quietly in the kitchen at night, all night long, and Gary was particularly impressed with me. That little dog bed is so cozy and Laura covers me with a fluffy towel once I have settled down for the night. Another of my good habits that they love is that when supper time comes, I eat my dinner and then take a nap while they eat theirs.

These people are really impressed with me and tell me that they are keeping me forever. By the way, they didn't think I looked like a Dakota; they thought I looked more like a Little Helen, so that's what my new tag with Laura's cell phone number on it says.

They asked me to thank Dave once again, for confusing the phone message last Sunday and bringing me to them. They think I am such a keeper!

Sincerely,

Little Helen (formerly Dakota)

Sherman

Hi Diane-
I just wanted to let you know Sherman has fit in with my other two little ones better than I could have hoped. At first he didn’t show much of his personality (I expected that) but now he has really blossomed. He plays and runs with the other dogs and I do believe he thinks he is a yorkie. Lol

He will stand at the window and bark with them and it is so cute. My little ones always stand and bark at the window to greet me when I pull in the driveway and now there is a third little face in the window barking and when I come in he will bark and spin in circles to let me know he is glad I am home. Rickles is still a little jealous of him but that lessens daily. He will run up the steps to the tables at the window next to my chair and get in my lap just as the other two do. I can’t tell you how much I already love him. He has wrapped his little paws around my heart and I can’t imagine how I managed without him. Thank you so much for all the wonderful work you do.

Joyce Ann Davis

Laynie

I wanted to let you know how much we love our Laynie. We have grown very attached to her. She has found all of her favorite places to hangout in our house. We still put down a potty pad for her and sometimes she uses it but not too much. She has developed such a fun and loving personality. She is really sweet. We are so glad we have her. I hope you have found another dog to foster because you did such a good job with Laynie.

Thanks!
Amy

Chuckie

HI! Hey, everyone at Senior Dogs 4 Seniors this is Chuckie a.k.a. Rusty. I have been in my new home for 10 days now and I want you all to know I am doing GRRRREAT! I went to see my new vet today, Dr. Obrien, and he said I am worth a gold mine. He thought I was in perfect shape! I weighed 71 pounds! But my weight is perfect he said-my skin is in great shape-no allergies or hot spots. He had one question my mom couldnt answer. My owner said I had a 3 year rabies shot 02/09 and my papers from Bentley vet said they gave me a rabies shot too. Was it a one or three year shot? Mom got me my heartgard and frontline since the first of the month is coming up fast. I love the farm-I romp with Augie and play fetch. There are so many new things to see and smell. I saw my first deer on Monday. Mom practices my obedience stuff every day after a walk. It has been really hot so my walks have been short. We will walk more when it cools off. I am quickly becoming a Texas longhorn fan as dad and I watch the college world series every night on tv. Dad says "Hookem Horns" and I bark and high five him. My new sister graduated from the University of Texas so everyone is a longhorn fan. They tell me I am the color of Bevo the Texas mascot. Please tell my old family I miss them but I am doing great here with my new mom and dad and all my new family members and dog friends. I have a "niece" that is 10 months old and has red hair like me and we are becoming good buddies. She loves to pet my nose and my side. She just squeals when I get close to her. My mom got me a nice squeaking duck and I sleep with him every night. I have a nylabone for chewing and a kong that mom puts peanut butter and doggie jerkie in. Yum! Well, I have to go help mom cook supper. I sit in the dining room doorway and supervise the cooking every night. T hank you for rescuing me and thank you for all the love I got while I was with you. Rusty (chucky)