Happy New Year ~

Chinatown NYC 2006 Year of the Dog
Originally uploaded by sayheypatrick.

to you and all fur babies!

Another Maggie

*This is a different Maggie than the one in recent posts below. This Maggie is a cattle dog mix.*
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Update Received: Sun, 31 Dec 2006

Hey, Renee. Just wanted to say "Thanks" once again for helping me adopt Maggie. She is a sweet, funny, smart dog. She learns very fast and adapts well. (She's like Tylo in the regard that I can't understand why no one would want her). You should have seen her with her Christmas present. She opened it herself. I was surprised to see that she knew exactly what to do with it. (I'll email some pictures as soon as my aunt sends them to me.)

Except for having to have minor anal gland surgery, she's been doing great (she's fully recovered from the surgery and not having any more problems). She and Zack get along great and pretty much do everything together. In fact, he wouldn't let her out of his sight after her surgery. (I don't know how dogs know when something is wrong, but they do).

Also, she's got a superb natural protective instinct. While eating at my sister's one night, Maggie laid down in front of my month-old nephew's crib and watched every one that came into the room. When he would cry out, she would come get me and "mumble" until one of us got up and checked on him. She's very gentle with him, too. She moves slowly around him, and doesn't jump up when I'm holding him. Again, like Tylo, she's just an all-around great dog. Thanks, Charle

Belated Holiday Greeting

IMG_6255
Originally uploaded by Nova Scotia SPCA.

Hope your holidays were enjoyable for all of your family!

Maggie Update

Maggie Update
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update received: Sat, 30 Dec 2006
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Hey Renee!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Thought you would like to see a few pictures of Maggie! She is still doing great and enjoying life with mom. :-) We think she may be half kangaroo - because she jumps so high when she is excited! :-)

Another Charlie Update

Charlie Update
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Charlie was adopted on 11/14/2006.
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Renee’
Just wanted to say hello and hope you had a great Christmas. I know we did with the addition to Charlie in our lives. We have had so much enjoyment with him here and he has adjusted so well to us. He had a great Christmas, bones, treaties, new blanket and a visit to Grandma’s house in VA (who fell in love with him instantly). My Mom has about a ½ acre fenced in back yard and he got to explore till he dropped. He had goodies under the tree left from Santa and Grandma. He loves to “GO” and rides on one of ours laps on his pillow covered with his blankie so he can see out. He doesn’t miss anything that moves. He is so funny! He continues to have walks daily averaging 45 mins to 1 hour and loves the outdoors. Larry has been working with him and he has stopped barking at people when they walk by the car. He will sit, stay, shake paws and lay down. He is a great little dog. We couldn’t love him any more than we do but we try. We want to thank you again for our little angel. He has brought so much happiness to our lives. We hope the New Year will bring you much happiness and success with your organization. Thanks again. - Barbara

Bobby

Bobby
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

This is an update from October 24, 2006:
Bobby belonged to a young man living in Madisonville. He was living with his girlfriend in a trailer. The landlord found out about their having a dog and told them to get rid on him. he approached me and asked if i could help. i took in this little guy and contacted border collie rescue of east tn. He's a border collie mix. They were gracious enough to take him in. They named him Bobby. Bobby has adopted to a wonderful home in the Nashville area where he is adored by his family. They have three daughters that dote over him and love him to death. What a blessed little guy!

Julie a.k.a Twiggy

Update 12/22/06: Hi Renee...Just an update on Julie, who we have renamed Twiggy, after the seventies supermodel who was skinny, blonde, and wore mascara.
She is very sweet, and everybody loves her, though Lulu, the old Ridgeback, grumbles a bit. (She did that when the others came, too, and that won't last long.) She has fit right in, and loves to go for long walks on the farm. She is never tempted to run off, though I wonder if she has some hound in her, as she always has her nose to the ground. We start obedience school on Jan 9.
I have to take Lulu to the vet today about her ear, which is still not right, and will take Twiggy, too, to have the spay incision checked. There is still one staple in it, and though it looks clean and not swollen, it has still not completely closed. She continues on the antibiotics.
There was another lady in Windham picking up a dog from you, and she gave me a little bag of treats. It is quite a scene when the transport comes in. Lots of happy people and happy dogs. All the best for Christmas and the New Year, and thanks for everything. - Ann

Charlie

Charlie
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update received November 27, 2006:
Charlie had a large Thanksgiving. He got to meet lots of the family and everyone loves him (of course) He also help Larry doing some grilling outside since it was so nice. He is really settling in. We couldn't love him anymore than we do. He is the best. Thanks again Renee, for bringing this Angel into our lives. We are truly blessed with his presence in our life. Here are more pictures of him. Doesn't he look happy? Thanks again!!! - Barbara

Gracie

Gracie
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Updated photo received December 26, 2006

Gracie (previously called Lane) was adopted out around March of 2005.

Maizie

Maizie
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update: 12/20/06

Miss Maizie is settling in just wonderfully. She's already figured out she needs to go to the door and sit to be let out, she also has learned to sit on the deck so I can take her leash off and let her in. She doesn't have any interest in toys though. I'm not so sure she knows what to do with them just yet. - Laura
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Update: Tue, 26 Dec 2006

Renee,

You would be so proud of Miss Maizie, she was the star of the holiday gathering yesterday. She was calm, polite, friendly, just a joy to be around. I have some new pictures I'll get loaded this week and send to you.

We went to the vets Friday and there she also made a huge hit. Although she did crawl over the reception desk to get to me, onto the chair, desk and over the counter into my arms. She was very graceful doing this. Sandy took her around and introduced her to everyone, just like a big sister is supposed to do. The vet sat on the floor with us and Maizie pranced up to her and sat in her lap while she was examined. What a love bug.

She has only chased the cat twice, the second time she got the water bottle sprayed at her butt and that was enough. She now scurries by the cat with her tail between her legs :)

Her and Sandy have buddied up, although they still haven't figured out the play thing just yet, and they hang together in the house.

I think I'll get her into obedience 1 in January and see how well she does. She might beat her brother to CGC. Hope you are feeling better and the holidays were good to you. Talk to you soon
Laura

Jake Update

I received an update on Jake!

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Hi Renee and Robyn,

Jake and I are doing great. He loves going for our walks (5 km, or about 3 of your miles) we do this about 4 to 5 times a week other wise we just do a 1 mile walk the other times. He has been doing better in the bathroom department and hasn't had any accidents for the past 4 days.

He does not like his crate at all. I think he must have been put in one when he was bad with his former owners. I tried for quite a while and I was finally able to get him in it, but he whimpered the whole time. He finally stopped whimpering after many tries with the door open, then we tried it with the door closed and the whimpering started again when with me there. Finally many, many tries later, he stopped the whimpering. Then after another 2 dozen tries, I tried leaving the room, again the whimpering started. The last time I left the house to get the mail and when I came back he was out of the crate and waiting for me upstairs. He had taken only the back top clip and somehow bent it completely backwards and squeezed his way out of that tiny hole. He also ripped his bedding to shreds that was in the crate. He was still wagging his tail though after I saw it. I decided that I wouldn't mention it to him, but I have kept the crate with the door open, just in case he decides it might be a safe haven for him at a future date, instead of a punishment room.

But a good thing is that any time that I have had to leave him in the house on his own, he has done nothing to the rest of the house. I just make sure I close all the doors. He knows when I come home, because he hears the garage door open or the chimes when I unlock the door and Jake is always there to greet me with his tail wagging.

I have gotten him a red halter harness and a red running leash that I can put around my waist. This way when he pulls me I have my whole weight behind me to counteract against his strength and not pull my arm out of the socket. He knows that when I get this leash out that we are going on one of our long walks and he gets so excited that he literally bounces/jumps off the floor a good 2-3 feet. I will sign us up for obedience classes in the New Year so I can learn how to deal with this so we can run together safely. I haven't been able to run much lately, unless I'm on my own, but then I feel guilty that he is not with me because of this; but the 5 km walk is still good. But we will get there together in the running; I am sure of this.

I had my 6 year old niece over last week-end. They got along great; she thinks Jake is like her own little pony and rode him like one with me holding her up. He was good about it and with her, Jake never pushed her or jumped on her, I was very proud of him. Her mom, my sister was scared to death when she saw the size of Jake, and very relieved when she came to pick her up and how she wanted a dog just like Jake. My sister is a cat person, so was somewhat relieved I hadn't made her daughter afraid of coming to my place anymore, as I always try to take her children at least every 6 weeks for a week-end so that her and her hubby can have some alone time.

I have had to do very little re-arranging of my house at all with Jake here. I have lots of glass vases and flowers that sit on my floor, but he has not gone near any of them. Time will tell I guess. Even his tail has not knocked anything down, yet. Jake is almost joined to my hip, wherever I go in the house, he follows me, upstairs or downstairs. If I get up, 90% of the time he gets up and follows me. I rearranged my office and he will now come in and stay with me for awhile, before retiring to my downstairs leather love seat. I have given up on trying to make him sleep on the floor by my bed because he would always wait about 2 hours and then just jump up and stay there the rest of the night. Did you know he snores like a trooper; I'm not sure who snores louder me or him.

We have had only one snow fall here about 10 cm, and he wasn't quite sure what to do when we went out for a walk, but like a trooper after a few delicate steps just walked in it. That snow fall is gone now. We will see how he does when it gets really cold and lots of snow is down. But I'm sure he will be fine. I have introduced to my surrounding neighbours and they are quite pleased with Jake and his demeanor.

Renee I can't say thank-you enough for letting me be the one to adopt Jake. Jake has brought such a balance to my life since I got him. Being single, I was becoming a total work-alcoholic and now I have a reason to come home instead of working till all hours of the night at client offices, since my separation.

May you both have a great Christmas, if I don't get a chance to email to you before then. My son, Derek, is coming home form Calgary for Christmas and he can't wait to meet Jake also. So Jake and I are going to the airport to pickup this evening.

Cheers!

Sandra

Jake's Transport North

Jake's Transport North, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

These are pictures of Jake overnighting in Northern, Mass. while he's transporting to his new home in Nova Scotia.

Here are the pictures I took while Jake was here for his overnight. He is such a gentle giant and quite the lovebug. He is going to make a wonderful companion. He followed me around everywhere I went and greeted me at the door when I came in from my porch. I can say he is an easy one to fall in love with and so intelligent. He was an absolute pleasure to have here.