Roscoe's Letter Home

Roscoe sent me a fabulous update:

Dear Mommy...

Sorry it’s taken me a couple of days to write. I’ve been real busy getting to know my new family. Plus, there’s been a lot of excitement here about some kind of holiday that involves pretty paper, ribbons and a big bush INSIDE the house. Very exciting! It’s feeling a little calmer today, so my new Dad (his name is Jim) said I could use his computer to write you a note.

First, let me tell you that I DID NOT like the car ride at all! My new crate was just fine...comfortable and all...but the feeling of motion made me nuts! I yelped, howled, whined and barked...anything I could do to get my new family’s attention. Finally, after about an hour, my new friend Molly let me out to sit on her lap and cuddle. It was a lot better, but I still did not like the other cars that were passing by us. I was very happy when it was finally over.

After my car ride (yuck), I was very excited to explore my new house. It’s a little like yours, with wood floors and cozy rugs and lots of nooks and corners to stick my nose into. Molly introduced me right away to her litter-mate, Eliza, and we spent some time getting to know each other. They are both real friendly and like to play with me all the time. They’re both doing something called “Christmas break,” so I think they’re going to be around a lot for the next week or so to keep me company. I also was able to get to know Kelly, my new Mom. Everyone here is super nice (but none of them smell like you).

I did have a couple of oopsies on my first day. I was just so excited...plus the doors are in different places and the yard is not the same. The next day I only had one accident in the morning because I think my new Dad is still learning how to care for a pup. He’s getting better though, and we’re becoming a pretty good team. He thinks he’s training me, but it’s really me who’s doing the training. Don’t let on about this. Let’s just keep it between you and me.

The first night in my new crate was a little scary. Your Dads gave me a towel from our pen to bring to my new house, and Jim put that into my crate to help make me feel secure. Even with the towel, I got myself worked up with missing you and the rest of the pups. Jim sat with me a real long time to keep me company. That helped a lot and I was able to finally sleep through the night in my crate. The past two nights have been much better. I sleep in Jim and Kelly’s bedroom, but they bring my crate down to the kitchen for the daytime. I like to go inside and take naps when I get tired.

The food and water bowls that I have here are the same shiny metal like at home, but they’re a little different shape. I thought maybe they were not really mine at first, so I didn’t want to eat someone else’s food. Jim and Kelly assured me that the bowls were really for me (plus, I have discovered that I am the only dog that lives here), so I’m eating really well now and I don’t have to share.

My new family have a lot of friends that have come over to see me since I arrived, so I’m beginning to feel a little like a celebrity (I promise to not let it go to my head). Some of them brought me gifts like a really great gingerbread-man chew toy from Eliza’s friend Nick and a neat stuffed lobster that squeaks when I bite down...that came from Jim’s sister in New Jersey. They both have dogs, so they know the good stuff. I’m told that Jim’s sister has a really sweet Black Lab named Bailey that I hope to meet someday soon on a field trip. Jim and Kelly got me some squeaky tennis balls, a chew rope and some Nylabones to make my teeth feel better. I chew on the Nylabones a lot. I like to sit on a special rug by the front door and play with all my new toys.

My paws are getting a little tired, so I think I’m going to sign off now. Please tell Roxie and Angus that I miss them very much and be sure to give your Dads (my grand-dads?) a big lick and a nuzzle for me. I know that they worked really hard to take care of me and the other pups and to find us all really good homes. I’m going to try to keep in touch and make you proud of me. Just know that I can tell my new family loves me very much and I’m feeling very much at home already.

Yours Always,

Roscoe

Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride

Well it wasn't exactly a sleigh ride. Roxie and Angus and I were behind the doggy divider in the back of my parents' car. It is cozy back there all tricked out with cushy dog beds and lots of toys, but it was a long haul to Granny's. Twelve Hours. And the weather wasn't at all lovely. It was raining nearly all the way. Not at all like Christmas. But to grandmother's house we were going. We didn't arrive until nearly 9 PM, but Granny and Papa greeted us with Whiskey Sours and French Onion Dip!

When we woke up this morning, it was a winter wonderland all fresh and snowing and hardly a creature was stirring. Granny's dog Sadie, my daughter, put on her blue boots and red coat and we were off on a beautiful morning walk to the other side of the lake and back. By the time we got home, our faces were covered with snowballs. It was a perfect winter morning.

And in my mailbox, when we got back, was the cutest Christmas pic of my little Sherpa. It made me feel a bit verklempt, but mostly warm and fuzzy. I am quite certain that all of my pups are enjoying their first Christmas with their new families.

News From Iowa

Dear Suddie,

Thank you for raising such beautiful puppies. They are perfect in so many ways. They arrived in Iowa yesterday safe and sound during a big ice storm. They didn't like walking on the ice so much but have settled into a new routine. We like to cuddle with them and give them lots of love. We love having them as part of our family. Grace no longer has to beg for a puppy because she now has the cutest puppies in the world.

Love,

Ryan









Grace






and Sophia

Buster Came Home

Buster, one of the boys from my first litter, came home yesterday to pick up his new sister. Little Bitsy, that's what I've been calling her, seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the confusion. Well, there was lots of barking and snarling, and a bit of teeth bearing between Buster, Angus, and Roxie. I must admit I even tried to mix it up with Buster. It wasn't exactly what you'd call a Norman Rockwell Christmas homecoming. After things settled down a bit, Buster had a biscuit, rummaged through the pantry and collected his new sister. Actually, his aunt tucked Bitsy inside her warm down Parka and they went off into the night headed for a Christmas in Boston with relatives and two other Tibetan Terriers before they head back home to Virginia. I made a little video of Buster's homecoming. I call it "Buster Comes Home."


Earlier in the day Roscoe went home with his new family. Yep, that's his new name Roscoe. His new dad wrote me and explained:

"As for a name...we’re thinking Roscoe...after Roscoe Turner, the 1930s racing pilot. I have a great love for anything aviation, especially from the “golden age” of the 20s, 30s and 40s. We considered Lindy...Lucky, Wilber or Orville, Curtiss (after Glenn Curtiss), Piper and more. Amelia was considered early-on if it was a female pup. Roscoe was the one that resonated with the rest of the household."


Also had news that Elsa and Rufus made it safely to Iowa and that they were SO GOOD during their 18-hour drive home. I understand they met the rest of the members of their new family when they arrived last night and that they slept through the night without a single whimper. I'm so proud of them.

I hope to have more news to share soon.

The Best Christmas Present Ever

Two more of my pups left today and are making the long journey to Iowa with one of their new owners. I am hoping for some updates after they arrive. My last two go to their new homes tomorrow. My littlest girl is going to live in Virginia with her big brother Buster from my last litter. Buster is coming to pick up his sis and I can't wait to see him.

We just received this very nice note from Bruin's family.

Just a quick note to thank you guys for the best Christmas present ever! Bruin is just pure delight. He has acclimated so well and we can't get over how good he is in every way...he sleeps, he eats, he does his business and he is so playful and full of life...he has brought us all so much joy! We can't imagine how we ever got along without him in our lives. Don't know what you did to make him such perfection, but hats off to you both (and of course his parents and sisters and brothers as well!) We are thrilled and so happy to have him in our lives!
Our best to you this Christmas...hope your holidays are calm and bright. We'll continue to be in touch.
Thanks again!
Deb, Duke, Halle, Nate and Carly

Sherpa with an S

I think that I forgot to tell you all that the pups love to watch the movie "The Little Princess" and they are also quite taken with "Liza with a Z" if you can believe that. Anytime my dad would take us big dogs on a walk, he would always pop one of these selections in the DVD player to keep the pups entertained. Just so you know.

In any case, here is an update on my little Sherpa (as he is now known).
Day 1
Good morning-
All is going well and we made it through the night with no problems at all. We didn't have the heart to leave him alone in his crate all night, so he slept with us. He slept through the night and didn't cry. Stephen took him out first thing this morning and he did his business. He's gone outside several times. We had one little slip:)
He's absolutely adorable, he's playing with the toy you gave us while I'm on the computer.
I'll keep you posted.
Michael

Day 2
Hi-
Well well our little Sherpa has made it very clear he does not like the crate. He has also made it very clear he has a mind of his own.....We had another great night, he loves sleeping with us and sleeps right through.... I just took him out with his collar and leash. He stood in one spot and would not move even when I gave a light tug. I dropped the leash and let him walk around by himself with the leash attached. I have to keep reminding myself these are all first and he's just a little boy...
I will definitely keep you updated and when I get pictures I'll share them too.
Michael


Day 3
Suddie,
Sherpa was outside in the snow and loved it, I didn't have him on his leash, we'll do that later today. He also loves sitting in the sun-room watching the birds at the feeder. He's in his crate right now and seems to be adjusting, I don't hear any whimpering. I'm not sure if sleeping with us is the best thing to do now or should we keep him in his crate at night. What are your thoughts? I woke up last night with him stretched across my neck sound asleep, he's soooooooo cute. I'm amazed he sleeps through the night, we take him out first thing to pee.
Our neighbor came to see him yesterday and couldn't get over over how easy going he is and of course how beautiful, we'll introduce him to Katie her Lab in a few weeks.
Thanks again for the encouraging words.
Michael

Day 4 (This Morning)
Good morning-
Sherpa survived the night in his crate and went out first thing to do his business. About 45 minutes after we came back in he went to the door and scratched at the glass, I took him out and he went again. He's such a big boy...:)
I've attached a few pictures, I can't say they really show how adorable he really is but it will give you an idea of his life at Green Acres. Each day we are falling more and more in love with him....His 9 weeks in your beautiful loving home is very apparent in his disposition-thank you....
Today he is going to meet the girls (chickens), I hope to get pictures!!!!
Michael

Day 4 (This Evening)
Dear Suddie,
We can not thank you enough for bringing our little Sherpa into the world! He is the perfect little boy pup with enough personality to entertain the human population! Every single encounter and discovery he makes brings us laughter and joy! Whether it is negotiating an unpeeled grapefruit or eying a low hanging Christmas ornament (Yipe!), Sherpa becomes fearless in his quest for knowledge and understanding of objects and movement in his new home.
He is so smart; he has caught on to letting us know when he needs to go outside and when to go around furniture when he can not go underneath it. His bursts of energy and play times are always followed by deep restful naps and sleep patterns. He is mastering his crate as his new mini house/home, gradually making it his safe space. There aren’t enough descriptive words in Webster’s to describe how much we love Sherpa. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for our wonderful little boy!
Lots of peace, love and fun play time to you and your pups,
Michael and Stephen

Bruin is a Bear

Bruin is another name for the brown bear usually used poetically. I looked it up because this is the new name of one of my little boys. I think it's perfect. As a matter of fact, I had taken to calling him Teddy because he has the face of an old fashioned teddy bear.

Here are the updates that I was delighted to receive from Bruin's new family.

Day 1
Suddie,
After much debate, we have decided on Bruin. This was the name of my grandmother's old teddy bear, which I still have...think it is close to 90 years old. He looks just like that old bear!
We had an easy ride home, he only cried for about 15 minutes and then settled right down and slept. Ate a good dinner, played some, slept some and overall is doing great! We'll see how tonight goes and will keep you posted.

The kids are over the moon, were so surprised and have been so calm and gentle with him. He greeted them with lots of kisses and they are thrilled. My youngest said, "This is all I need for Christmas Mom...I don't need any presents!"
Deb and Duke

Day 2
TO: Suddie
FROM: Deb
SUBJECT: First Night
Went great! He slept in the crate in our room and went through the night beautifully. Didn't make a peep until 7 am! Had a great breakfast and has lots of energy this morning. Is doing well with the potty training.

Day 3 Morning

Suddie,
Lots of snow here! Bruin went crazy this morning when he went out side....jumping, leaping, digging, eating mouthfuls, so cute! Tried to get some pics but he was moving so fast that I couldn't get any good shots. Think he is going to enjoy our trips to VT.
Another great night with him...he woke up around 5 and was a little disoriented in the driving snow, but then went back down nicely until 7. He has a lot of visitors yesterday and handled it really well. Seemed to enjoy all the attention! We are going to hunker down today and lie low....will send some pics later today. Thanks for those cute Christmas pics!
Did you get much snow out there?
Deb

Day 3 Evening

Suddie,
Bruin loves the snow...it really tired him out though, he spent a lazy day asleep in front of the fire!






He is such a great little guy and we are all head over heels in love with him!
Deb