On 19 December, Charlotte writes:

I just spent the last few hours trying to find a way to accommodate Joey to my new bed. I did not realize how tall this bed would be . . . it's 30 inches tall! It's tough for me, so imagine the challenge for this little guy to jump up! I went out to PetCo and bought stairs for him, but when I tried to put it together, it didn't work. Shoddy materials. Wouldn't hold together. (I've put together some major pieces of furniture, so I actually know what I'm doing.) So, I've improvised with materials at hand. So far, he's not happy, but I hope he will adjust until I can find a better solution.

Also, took him to the vet today. He was a hit with everyone. He now weighs 20 pounds! A significant improvement, wouldn't you say?

On 25 December, harlotte writes:

Hey! Look at Joey! Do you see what I see?

Just had to send you this. It's a terrible picture (photographer's fault), but it is so exciting! This evening I brought out a new toy for each of the dogs. Joey, according to the Bairs, never played with toys. He has made progress on that in recent weeks, but very tentatively. This evening, when I brought out the toys (which I had been walking around with under my shirt for some time), he actually got excited.

I gave the little girl, Kizzie, her toy first in order to get her away. Then I gave Joey his. He took it immediately and started squeaking it! He has not done that before. Then he kept playing with it, not just mouthing it tentatively as before. Then, each time I went out of the room to the kitchen, he followed me, keeping it in his mouth the whole time. He was looking for treats . . . which he also never took before coming here. I'm just so proud of this boy! He may yet become a puppy!