Nashoba's Smilin' Sam I Am...

Heaven shakes with the sound of Woo-Wooing as the celebrity poster child for Bernese Mountain Dog rescue passed from this world into the next after a two-year battle with cancer... His most amazing, committed, dedicated and loving Berner mom, Michelle Keck posted this:


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Rescue wonder dog Sammy crossed peacefully over the Rainbow Bridge last night. His almost 2 year battle with Cancer finally got the best of him — the size of the tumor was either too much for his fragile frame to carry anymore or it actually started to encroach on his spinal cord, but when he lost control of his back end yesterday I knew it was time.

Sammy was the result of a MIssouri puppy mill followed by a Debbie's Petland purchase to a young and naive couple. When they couldn't keep up with his medical bills, Sammy found himself in a Worcester area shelter on New Years Eve 2005 — he was Nashoba Valley's First Rescue of 2006.

There was something special about Sammy. From his first days in rescue, his story captured the hearts of many. Very early on he was deemed a teacher and became our poster child for the fight against bad breeders, puppy mills and pet stores. He took his job quite seriously but always with a smile on his face.

A few things Sammy taught me:

  What you look like doesn't matter but heart and soul does
  The power of positive energy and the healing power that it can have
  Every day is a gift, every morning a blessing
  Always follow your gut, it's your heart's way of grabbing the leash
  Compassion for every living thing, every minute of every day
  Love really has no boundaries
  There is always room for one more friend in your life
  When counter surfing — be silent and fast

Nashoba's Smilin' Sam I Am, CGC, TDI, BFF
January 16, 2004 ~ November 1, 2011

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Sammy inspired quite a few comments, and Shelia Durfee's remembrances follow:


Things just got a whole lot more fun at the Rainbow Bridge... Michelle said, "There was something special about Sammy." There certainly was. His structure and orthopedics were not the desired standard for a Berner yet, in the ways that matter most, Sammy was the quintessential specimen of the breed: his many successes as a counter surfing strategist, his artful feigning of innocence, his infectious sense of humor, his thorough appreciation of any attention given him, his joyful approach to life, his wonderful 'can-do' attitude, his indomitable spirit.

The first time Sammy met my Aussie, Libby was about 4 months old and no more than 14 pounds of fluff. Sammy was enjoying a raw marrow bone that had to have been 10 inches long and Libby waltzed up to him, gave him a wink and a little nuzzle, lifted the bone out of his paws, pranced away with it and laid down nearby to gnaw on it her (nervy little) self! Sammy just let her do it — no grumbles, no well-deserved correction from the adult dog. It was a complete puppy pass given by a sweet and gentle soul. That was Sammy.

Those who might be reluctant to adopt rescue dogs for fear that they might be a disappointment when compared to lovely, well-bred puppies full of promise for titles and accolades need only to read Michelle's heartfelt eulogy of Sammy to realize that perfectly wonderful dogs don't always come wrapped up in perfect packages. It is possible to adopt a dog that no one wanted, to fall completely in love with that dog with all his challenges and to have that dog change your life. Michelle gave Sammy the chance he needed to blossom into the dog he was meant to be. In return, Sammy gave everyone lucky enough to have known him the chance to blossom into the humans that we were meant to be. I will never forget Sammy.

Sheila Durfee, Jazzie and Libby


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Michelle wrote quite a bit about Sammy over the years... And everyone who knows even a bit about this story knows that as often as people say there's "something special about Sammy," you could say that about Michelle, too...

Something Special About Sammy

Sammy is a 2-year old neutered male with the sweetest temperament in the world. He was purchased in a pet store and is the product of a Missouri puppy mill. He was dropped at a Massachusetts shelter on December 29, 2005 with a medical fi le an inch thick and was taken into Nashoba Valley rescue on New Years Day.

After a quick review of his medical fi le we realized that his previous owners had spent well over $6,000 mostly to treat his allergies (food & inhalant). Sammy could have been a poster child for Prednisone and Antibiotics. When he came into rescue he was overweight, had a double ear infection, a torn ear fl ap from shaking his head so much, raw chewed up feet and a nasty nasal discharge. His coat was a mess, his skin was dry, fl akey and smelled of yeast and he had a definite ‘rat’ tail. He immediately made a visit to a holistic vet to help determine his food sensitivities and was then converted to a raw diet. Slowly but surely the Berner bounce began to return. The ear infections cleared up; the yeast was gone; he became much less itchy, his coat began to shine and his teeth became sparkling white.

But unfortunately, with all the time and money his previous owners spent, Sammy’s orthopedic issues, which are severe and very obvious, were never addressed. After x-rays and a consult with an ortho specialist, we found that Sammy has six involved joints.

His immediate problem was his right elbow. He had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments in that elbow on February 15 and started Hydrotherapy sessions two weeks later. It was also determined that Sammy was hit by a car around 6 months of age. His right front leg had been broken and the ligaments and tendons in his left leg where torn but apparently never treated, that paw operates at a funny angle but does not seem to cause him any pain. However, his left knee will always give him problems...he has bilateral medial patellar luxation, the left side is a Grade 2 and, at this point, we have decided against knee surgery.

But Sammy is on the mend, he has started training classes and will try for his CGC at the NV Spring Fun Day and hopefully his TDI certification in the near future. Sammy’s story is a sad one and unfortunately, with puppy mills and brokers flooding the internet and suppling pet stores, I think our rescue groups will see more and more “Sammys” in the future.

Although I do not advocate dumping your sick dog off at a shelter, I really can’t disparage Sammy’s previous owners. Every time I look at his medical file, I see only heartache. Vet visits, follow-up visits, emergency room visits...they tried everything they knew how to do and finally their patience and their wallet gave up. I only wish they had done the proper research in the beginning and looked for a

reputable breeder...instead they took the easy way out and walked into a pet store and shelled out $2000 for a puppy they knew nothing about. I also wish they had found the BMDCNV, even if was after they bought Sammy. We could have helped them over some of the hurdles.

Education is key and by getting Sammy’s story out to the public I hope it will help future puppy owners to make the right decision when looking for their new family member.

Sammy is slowly becoming a teacher and to that end he made his TV debut in early February when he starred in a local cable segment on pet store puppies and the health problems that come with them. Sammy was marvelous and there were many comments on what a beautiful boy he was, until they saw him walk. But Sammy smiled his way through the interview and gave anyone a kiss who would

allow it. I was very proud to tell everyone he was MY dog.

Ann Milligan, Public Education Chair and Web Master of the BMDCSEW, is designing a web page about Sammy’s story to help steer PPOs in the right direction when searching for their first Berner. Anne’s idea for the page is to introduce Sammy as a working Berner. Sammy’s job is to be a Teacher, and Ann feels his contribution to our breed’s welfare could be very important. The web page is still

under construction but I’m looking forward to seeing Sammy’s smiling face helping others to make the right decision.

When Anne first saw Sammy’s face in a Berner-L photo, she somehow knew why he’s here with me now and all the good that can come of it. Sammy is safe, loved, well cared for and even has a Berner brother & sister...he’s smiling once again.

You see, there is something very special about Sammy.

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Sammy is also featured on the Rescue Gallery HERE.


Earlier this year, in January, Sammy achieved hard-won "veteran" status and Michelle wrote:


Nashoba's Smilin' Sam I Am --- aka Sammy --- is celebrating his 7th 
Birthday today --- YES he made it to Veteran's!!!

This boy's spirit and energy is unbelievable and he continues to amaze me every day. We are now one year into his tumor diagnosis and even though he has an "off" day every once in a while, they are few and far between and he rebounds very quickly. An "off" day consists of being a bit mopey and looking for a little extra love with one of Mom's special fried eggs on his breakfast. So far, that seems to do the trick and within a day or two, he is back to chasing squirds (squirrel & bird mix) and keeping our counters completely clear of food. His supplement list seems to grow monthly -- breakfast & dinner resemble a science experiment at this point --- But under the careful management of Dr Doolittle and lots of love, support and positive energy from his pack, we hope to have this goofy guy around for a lot longer.

We're celebrating today with a good romp on the snowy trails around the house, a feast of fresh Pocono Mountain venison for dinner and Liver Cupcakes with Mashed Potato frosting for dessert!

Every day is a blessing and every morning is a gift --- so be sure to make all those hugs last just a little bit longer.


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It all began in January of 2006 with this email from Anya, BMDCNV Rescue Chair, in which Sammy is introduced as a rescue looking for a very special and likely unique home...

On January 2nd we took in our first rescue of 2006.  Sammie is a 2 year old neutered male who was purchased at Debby's Petland at 4 months of age.  At two years of age he was dumped by his owner at the Worcester Animal Rescue League, together with an inch-thick medical file representing many thousands of dollars of expense.

Basically, the vet who performed a general exam on Sammie for us last week says that he is "a train wreck".  He has both food and inhalent allergies (most of the bills address this issue) as well as some very obvious and severe orthopedic problems.  She said that he has probably never had a day free of pain. 

After some discussion by those in attendance at the board meeting today (many of whom have had substantial experience with bad allergies in their Berners), it was agreed that, because of Sammie's phenomenally sweet temperament, we would search far and wide to see if there is some kind soul willing to adopt him (knowing that they would be taking on significant medical expenses).  

Since I currently have no applicants on file who are willing to take in a dog with health issues, we are looking for anyone out there who has the time, love and financial capacity to even consider helping this boy.  If you think you might be that special person, please contact either me or Alise Burbridge, who has very generously agreed to foster this heartbreaking boy.    If a genuine (saintly) candidate for Sammie steps forward, the club will get an orthopedic work-up done in order to confirm the extent of the work needed in order to permit Sammie to live somewhat more comfortably. 

Meanwhile,  a few of the folks at today's meeting ("Sammie's Team") have volunteered to help Alise in addressing Sammie's allergy problem and will be preparing a plan of action. 

Please consider carefully and let me or Alise know if you might be that special person with the love and the resources to help Sammie.

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Michelle became Sammy's angel.  Alise, Sammy's foster mom, wrote:


Oh, Michelle...your beautiful boy! I can't tell you how thankful I am that I got to see him in Essex at the draft test, one more amazing Sammy smile, hug and butt rub! You are his angel and now he is forever yours.

Sammy at the 2011 Draft Tests in Essex, MA where
he soaked up all the attention due any celebrity

And so Sammy joins the ranks of those "Treasured beyond measure," both in LIFE and in memory.  Imagine him now with clear skin, white paws and sound limbs — but his smile was already perfect!

Chester and Roxie on Summer Vacation

BERNER, Inc. graduates Chester and Roxie are seen here in the company of their "mom", Christine. They're all watching the action at the Dock Dog competition in Killington, VT. Chester was jealous of the retrievers. He hasn't learned to swim yet and was keeping a careful eye on technique, thinking he might just absorb the skills by osmosis. Roxie was worried that they were all going to drown without her help!

Update on Max

When Max left Vermont Veterinary Eye Care after his surgery this week, he could see the world around him for the first time. Vet tech Amy told us that he was unafraid and was barking enthusiastically at all the exciting new things before his eyes! He's totally psyched and ready to take in everything around him.

Max's eyes are swollen. His foster "mom", Beth, has a lot of nursing care in her future. Max will need an assortment of eye drops numerous times throughout each day in addition to his meds. He has to stay quiet and wear his e-collar 24/7. I know Beth will handle this with aplomb. She and her family have done an amazing job with Max already.

Beth (who will soon change from foster mom to adoptive mom) writes: "For the first time, I have seen that amazing Bernese tail up and wagging. I have noted that over the past several months, Max's tail does not curl up and wag like a Bernese. When I brought him out today...one of my sons rode into the driveway on his bicycle. Before today, Max would have barked or pulled on his leash (stressed by the sound of the bicycle). Today his tail went up and he showed us his true Bernese "spirit". Despite his surgery and multiple meds, he is happy....relaxed in his new world.

Thank you to everyone that pulled together to help out Max. He is a BIG love and I am sure has a career in the Therapy Dogs of Vermont!"

Big Day for Max, the blind pup!

Well, thanks to the generosity of the Berner community, Max's big day is scheduled for August 6. He's going in for cataract surgery which, I'm told, will give him a 90% chance of significant sight when completed. His foster family is SO excited!

I have attached a lovely photo of Max and his foster family, including foster sister, Lily, at graduation from their beginner obedience class back in June. Thanks to this wonderful family, he was already heading down the right path, even without his sight!

Sincere thanks to every one of you who donated to his cause! I continue to be blown away by the generosity of Berner folks! Thanks also go to the BMDCA, which contributed $1,500 from it's rescue fund. And finally, sincere thanks to Dr. Hoy and Vermont Veterinary Eye Care in Williston, VT, who were kind enough to offer BERNER, Inc. a substantial discount on this expensive surgery. Max's cause has truly become a community project! I hope to have regular updates on his condition following surgery and will post them as I receive them.

Help Max See!

Max came in to a small all-breed rescue in New England at just under 5 months of age. He was almost totally blind due to congenital cataracts in both eyes. He was placed in foster care with a wonderful family who had recently lost their second rescue Berner. A visit to a canine ophthalmologist proved that Max would be a good candidate for cataract surgery that would give him a 90% chance of gaining sight. Without the surgery, his cataracts will progress, worsening to a point where protein will leak from the lenses and cause inflammation, which in turn will lead to secondary glaucoma. The cost of the surgery is $4,500.

The all-breed rescue does not have the funds to pay for Max's surgery and the foster family, who adore Max and would love to adopt him, are also unable to come up with such a big chunk of cash. An aside here...you could look long and hard to find a better adoptive family for Max. This loving family with three great, dog-savvy kids, has plenty of Berner experience as well as a commitment to rescue. His foster "mom" has already been working with a trainer to help make Max more confident in his dark world and the kids are currently working on their own fundraiser for his surgery! Even their dog Lily helps out - acting as Max's own seeing eye dog! (Naturally, that's the lovely Lily in the photo with Max!)

If you can find your way free to help Max see and to save him from a life of increasing pain, please donate to his surgery fund by sending a donation through the link on this page or by mailing a check payable to BERNER, Inc. (with "Max's Surgery" in the memo line) and mail it to:

BERNER, Inc.

P.O. Box 1221

Arlington, MA 02474-0021

Einstein

Einstein is a handsome 2 year old boy who's looking for a special adopter who wants a working partner. He has a lot of potential as a competition dog - draft, rally, obedience, tracking....who knows? He needs someone who can provide him with structure, guidance, mental stimulation and plenty of exercise - in an adults-only home. If you're interested in this boy, please complete the online application at: www.bernerinc.org.

Spring Fun Day - Westford, MA - May 22, 2011

Come join us at the BMDCNV Spring Fun Day! Join in lots of fun activities with your dog: Intro to Draft; "Berners Got Talent"; Conformation Handling Class; "The Amazing Draft Race"; Rally Match; Conformation Match; "Doggie Detailing"... There will be a great informational session for folks looking for their first Berner. Paws & Shop will bring a retail extravaganza of Berner-ware and Berner-wear! As always, there will be a raffle table with great items to take a chance on! Admission is free. All well behaved on-lead dogs and their humans are welcome. A modest lunch of sandwich/chips/cookie will be available for sale. 9:30 to 4 on Sunday, May 24. For directions: http://www.bmdcnv.org/events.html#spring

Bailey's Back!!

Bailey's back on her own bed tonight - sleeping soundly after her scary adventure! Thanks to the many folks who phoned in to report sightings of her, the Watertown ACO was able to get a sense of the area she was in and placed a trap in the early afternoon. By evening, she made her way into the trap. A local woman was able to watch this all transpire and, after calling to report it, she went out and sat with Bailey to keep her company and comfort her.

Bailey's adoptive "mom" rushed her to the vet as soon as she was sprung from the trap. Though she had picked up numerous ticks and was totally exhausted, she had suffered no physical injuries. Tonight, she's resting quietly in her crate. We're all going to sleep well tonight!

HELP NEEDED - Lost Berner - Watertown, CT

I'm sorry to say that BARC's Bailey escaped from her new home in Watertown, CT within hours of arrival on Saturday, April 30. She was wearing a collar with ID and rabies tag and she was dragging a lead. If you live anywhere near the area, please help! We need help distributing flyers but could also benefit by having folks walk quietly in the woods with their dogs - keeping their eyes and ears open!

Bailey is an incredibly sweet girl but VERY timid. She will not come if you call her. The most important thing you can do if you sight her is to be calm and quiet and to call one of the numbers listed below immediately. Do not call her. Do not approach her. Do not look directly at her. If your dog should be able to entice her close to you, you may have a chance to step on her lead.

Phone contact:

Brian: 617-721-8428

Chester's psyched for the royal wedding!

Bailey's Waiting for that Special Person!

Bailey's finally finished her treatment for Lyme and was spayed and microchipped on Monday. She says she's now all ready for a home of her own. Here's what's on her wish list:

• An adults only home with someone who has LOADS of time to spend with her as well as training skills to help her develop confidence.
• A stable male dog (preferably Berner!!) who will be mentor and companion.
• A fenced yard - so she doesn't have to worry about scary things.

Bailey's rescue has been a joint effort with BARC (Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition - www.barc.com) and BERNER, Inc. If you're interested in adopting Bailey, please go to the BARC web site for information about their adoption process and for an application. BARC has already invested a good bit in Bailey - paying to get her out of the clutches of the woman who chained her to the radiator and planned turn her into a canine puppy factory. She's been spayed, micro-chipped, vetted and treated for Lyme disease. Now she needs a human of her own - the one who will turn her life around and help her learn not to be afraid.

BARC's Bailey - A Joint Venture

BERNER, Inc. and BARC (Bernese Auction Rescue Coalition) have joined forces to help out a two year old intact female who was chained in the home of someone who was only interested in making money off of dogs. There were a number of other large breed females kept in the home.

Bailey needed vaccinations, blood work and parasite tests. She tested positive for Lyme and is currently being treated. She managed to avoid spay surgery last week by developing a temperature so we'll try again

Not surprisingly, Bailey has been quite anxious in her foster home. She's very wary of men but, since her foster "dad" works from home, she's warming up to him faster than might otherwise be the case. In the outside world, she's showing a little more confidence each day. She doesn't really know how to play with other dogs, though her new Berner companion is trying his hardest to show her the ropes!

She’ll surely develop more confidence when her new owner gets her started in a basic obedience course. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to follow her progress on the BERNER, Inc. blog and/or facebook page. If you are interested in being considered to adopt Bailey, or any BARC dog, you can find their application form on the web site: http://www.barcinc.net/

Olivia needs a very special person

This little girl is 6 weeks old and, no, she's not in rescue! She's still with her mom, her litter mates and her caring breeder. BERNER, Inc. is simply helping to spread the word so that little Olivia, who was born deaf, can find that special person who will help her lead a normal Berner life.

She's a happy little thing and is smart as a whip! For the person who wants a great working partner, Olivia will certainly teach you a lot! Do you have enough imagination to find ways to communicate with a clever dog who can't hear? She can see, she can smell and she can THINK! Like every Berner, she wants mental challenges - she wants to work. If you can think outside the box, she'll be a blast to work with and won't let anything stop her!

If you're just feeling sorry for this puppy, this is not the pup for you. Olivia wants someone to help her reach the peaks in life. She knows she's headed there and wants a partner who will work as hard as she will - who has the same energy and drive to learn, to work and to experience the best of life!

If you think you're special enough to share your life with Olivia - to teach her and learn from her, shoot me an email at: rescue@bmdcnv.org.

Update on 7-year old sisters Lucy & Missy

This wonderful update comes from Pete VanderLaan in NH who adopted two mature girls earlier this year. (I want a video of "dog-tipping"!!)

"These girls are just wonderful! They are such a great addition to our lives. They love the farm and snuffling the pond and the creek. They have a morning ritual of conning me out of mouthfuls of fish food which I throw for the trout in the pond.

The eye surgery was really successful. They both have mostly clear eyes all the time. Missy has occasional watering in her left eye but all in all it has been a blessing for both of them. Lucy's are both fine. While each dog has some conformation issues, they are doing awfully well, particularly at their ages. They took a mile long walk through the woods this morning with us when we went out to see if the wind had brought down any big trees, which it had but not terribly. Firewood falls here faster than I can burn it.

They love car rides. It must have been a major part of their former lives. If we are dumb enough to leave a truck door open in the driveway, it is quickly occupied by two Berners in the back and they will not get out with out a shoehorn. They don't care for the glassworks that much, preferring to stay in the yard while I work although they do come in sometimes. I think it's too noisy. They are great with the chickens and totally accept them and they simply give the horses a slow wide berth. One of the horses has gotten in to "dog tipping." Wingman, a quarter horse Freisian cross born in to my arms and now 1200lbs will sneak up silently on a sleeping Berner in the field and quietly flip them over which wakes them up efficiently. He doesn't hurt them, he just rolls them.

They have their rituals. Biscuits in morning after being let out, then marrow bones and then breakfast. Then it's nap time and then bark at anything time which is an unfortunate thing they learned from our Crazed English farm collie- the equivalent of a Border Collie on Steroids. The barking is hard but it is what it is. These dogs never had an ounce of discipline and when they don't want to do something, they just faint. It's like Dog jello on the ground. Utterly unmovable. Time to call the horse and then they move.

This program has been wonderful. While it is sad how they wound up being available, we have been thrilled to have them here as part of our lives. They are part of the pulse of the farm. I wish they were younger so they could be here longer."

How cute is this face?

Contemplative girl. What could she be thinking? Wondering if life could be any sweeter? She's got a new family - complete with adoring children. "Mom" just brought home a new companion for her - a rescue golden called Lilly who's become Panda's best buddy. Mom says: "Panda is really finding her personality. She loves to get attention and is just now really learning how to play with toys and other dogs. It just makes you wonder what has gone on in her world for all these years. I really don't think she had much of a social existence but she's learning how to live in a pack...and doing it really well!"

Happy Panda!

Panda (formerly known as Hazel) is enjoying life with her new family...even though her mobility has been restricted as a result of two(!) ACL surgeries. She's finally getting ready to start her long-awaited training classes - she has no idea how much fun she's going to have! She says "Enough of this bed rest stuff! This girl has things to do and places to go!"

Warning! Cuteness Alert!!

Now, remember, THIS is a puppy who was late to learn bite inhibition so she bit EVERYTHING... And she had attachment issues, so she didn't like to be touched... Berner puppies are cute for a reason — so they survive to adulthood!  Even well-bred, well-raised Berner puppies are often just so darn cute you want to hug them to pieces and ALL they want to do is BITE you... into bite-sized pieces!  And THIS puppy had an extra dose of that due to a rough start... So this is part warning — a rescue puppy IS cute, but is NOT easy — and an encouragement — a rescue puppy CAN be put back on the road to good dog-dom.

Lucy!

What?!  I'm just thinking how that toy basket would taste... I haven't started actually chewing it YET!

With my buddy Teddy — TUG with a stick! The best game...

Whatcha doin'?  Can I play, too?

We Love Lucy!

So, we were just considering getting a puppy…then Anya called us just before 4^th of July weekend and said there was a puppy that needed an immediate foster home.  OK!  At 3 months old, Lucy had already been through the mill, so to speak.  She was bred by puppy brokers in Kansas, shipped to a “holding facility”, and then put up for sale in a pet store.  She was purchased by a young couple who had no experience raising a puppy.  Lucy had giardia, coccidia, worms and yeast in her ears.  Lucy was intensely jumpy, mouthy and a serious biter.  Although the couple tried to love her, Lucy was not connecting emotionally.  With regret and relief they enlisted Berner, Inc. to find her a new home.

Lucy was a typical puppy mill “product.”  Separated from her mother and litter too soon, she had not learned the bite inhibition her canine family would teach her.   The weeks she spent in quarantine and in a cage at pet the store deprived her of the human contact and socialization all puppies need to develop normally as companions.  Lucy’s first month with us was tough.  House-training was a challenge—she had frequent diarrhea.  The biggest challenge was teaching Lucy bite inhibition.  Her need to lead with her mouth was much more intense than in a normal puppy.  Lucy knew no boundaries.  She grabbed at hands, feet, and faces.  She tore at clothing and flew at anything that moved.  She chewed everything she could get her mouth on, even stainless steel appliances!  

But Lucy is a bright girl.  She quickly learned “watch me” and “uh-uh” cues, and then more cues to control her mouthing and jumping.  We did lots of “soft mouth” training with toys, treats and puppy chews.  Soon Lucy was doing world-class “sits” and “downs” instead of charging at us mouth-first.   Helping in Lucy’s bite-inhibition training was our 18-month-old rescued Berner, Teddy (left above).  Teddy showed Lucy what she had missed from her siblings—how hard to bite and when to stop.  Of course, we humans made sure that Teddy didn’t get too carried away with “teaching” the puppy!  Soon the two were chomping on toys and chews together instead of mouthing each other every time.

It was over a month before Lucy clicked with us emotionally.  She hadn’t liked to be touched, and would grab us when we tried to handle her.  Then one day, I went into a room where she was lying down--she “smiled” and wagged her tail like a lariat.  I knelt down and rubbed her under the chin, and she flopped on her back and began to “purr” as I rubbed her chest.  From that moment I knew for sure that Lucy would go from “foster puppy” to ”our puppy.”  Before we met her, Lucy’s “critical period” of socialization had suffered some major deficits.  But with intensive training--and sometimes intense fatigue and frustration!--we restored the social skills Lucy had missed as a pet-store puppy.  She has become a happy, well-behaved and healthy family member.  We love Lucy and we know Lucy loves us!

Happy Days for Greta!

This lovely photo of Greta and her "big sister" Hannah was taken just this morning. "Come on Mom - grab a paddle & take us for a ride! We promise not to rock the canoe! We've been patient forever!"

Best wishes, Greta!

On Saturday, Greta went off to try a new "forever home." We'll wait and see before announcing that placement, but I feel good about it.

It's been almost eight weeks with little Greta.  She's really blossomed into a full-fledged personality as we got to know her a little more all the time.  She progressed from the skittish giraffe-necked little dog that flinched at every sound and was afraid of men to a dog who would bound into the middle of a team of male softball players and soak up loving from everyone.

We'll miss her, but she deserves a chance to be part of a pair rather than the "odd man out" that goes with "three-dog-itis" —Tosca and Jago are a pair and so she fell into the role of bossy fun police.

So, I guess this means we have "succeeded" at fostering!