On 5 June: From Deb . . . fostering BLACKIE & INDY:

Yesterday we had a three-year-old girl come in to "pet" the dogs and BLACKIE was so happy to see her. INDY was a bit more reserved (naturally), but was fine with her and came up for a pet. I wouldn't worry about placing INDY anywhere. BLACKIE will need to be Alpha male. He gets upset when Freeway is loose in the kennel and is fence aggressive. Freeway loves everyone and ignores him, of course. ADOPTED!!

. . . and about Melissa:

Melissa broke her femur head, so that is all they replaced. The surgery was yesterday and she was up and using a walker today.They are amazed at her early progress, but they don't know Meliss! She will likely be home on Saturday, but out of commission for a while.

On Friday, 6 June, we receive a report on STARR, SISSY and B.J. from one of our volunteers:

STARR
ADOPTED!!

STARR is very affectionate and responsive but very needy. She should get into a home-like setting with very gentle but consistant training as soon as possible. She's a people pleaser.

STARR is three years old, black, 71 pounds and on a diet. She has a sweet temperament and acts like a house dog and sleeps on rug at nite. She needs leash work as she tugs. Very clean habits. ADOPTED!!

On 7 July, Toya writes:

When I originally filled out my application for an Airedale I knew I had the perfect dog in mind: one who was ready for action yet at the same time, lovable and relaxed enough to be in a house with a senior dog. I am amazed at how what I created in my mind could actually exist. STARR is the perfect dog for my house and my environment.

She was very polite during the two-hour drive home. She then scoped out her new house and yard and settled in for the night. She snuggled with Cookie (her new sister) last night and we went for a walk this morning. She is so well-mannered, smart and acts like she's been with us for years. I can't begin to tell you how happy we are!

Feel free to send anyone over to visit. We'd love to show off some tricks (as soon as we learn some)!

On 30 July, Toya writes:

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you. I've been enjoying my time off before I have to go back to teaching.

STARR is doing so well. She is having a lot of fun with us and her personality continues to make me laugh. I get many compliments from visitors as to how well-mannered she is. I have a lot of trees and plants in my back yard and she loves to run to them, jump all around them and scratch herself against them. I guess it reminds her of her days in the wild!

Just this week, she finally started to play with some of the dog toys I bought her. Before, she always acted afraid of them. Now, she gets excited and sometimes thinks she's a ten-pound dog the way she jumps around.

Every morning at the same time, she comes into my room and wags her tail so hard she bangs it on the door and wakes us up. I'm thinking I can get rid of my alarm clock now!!

STARR & Cookie

She's been so great to have around and has given me so much to look forward to. Cookie even likes her and she's really picky about the company she keeps!

Here's a picture I took of STARR & Cookie hanging out. This picture reminds me of one of those old-time photos, where the people just stood together and didn't smile!!

SISSY
ADOPTED!!
(Forever Name is RUBY)

SISSY is very skittish but quite reachable. She came up and licked my hand and very shyly let me massage her neck and shoulders. She was spooked whenever I moved and preferred when I was down at her level but on the whole, she was eager to participate in all the affection she saw going on, just afraid to. ADOPTED!!

SISSY has been trimmed and bathed since her picture was taken. She is very pretty red girl with clean habits. She is in heat now so won't be ready for placement until she is sterilized in about four weeks.

B.J.
ADOPTED!!

B.J. is very affectionate, also needy but, with a great deal of patience and repetition, I'm convinced trainable and adoptable. He is a three-year-old, red dog, 70 pounds, and of good weight. Clean habits. He will do well in a household. Goes in and out when told. Sweet temperament and a good eater. ADOPTED!!