Untitled Document

I attached a new picture of Henry and his favorite new toy soccer ball. Throughout this last year it has been so fascinating to watch him blossom. About every four months he will reach a new stage of confidence. The last one was just a few weeks ago. When he first got here he really didn't know how to play. He would last maybe a few minutes of me throwing the ball and then would look absolutely bewildered and go sit across the room. I think it made him very nervous. As time has gone by his play time has increased to now he will pick up his toys and show them to me wanting me to chase him around the house. (There's nothing like a dog to bring out the eight old in a adult!) Last month he came running pell mell from the backyard, did a dog bow, then raced around the house doing laps and finally flying onto the sofa and rolling over for a belly rub. It was absolute total abandon and joy. We're still working on some issues with greeting other dogs. There is some improvement but I won't be surprised if it's a lifelong process.

Henry kept picking up my stuffed animals and I would take them from him. The other day I was at a thrift store and bought one just for him thinking he would probably just tear it apart. He's had it now for several weeks and carries it around like a baby and nuzzles it. Most nights it will be in bed with him.

The very handsome Henry after his visit to the groomers today. Julie, his "stylist" said he was a very good boy...and both she and her partner thought he was very smart. Well of course they did!

I had great plans to send you a picture of Henry in his holiday bow tie after his trip to the groomer last week. Somehow I got the days turned around and we missed the appointment. Their next opening isn't until January 7th so I thought I would go ahead and send this along. In the meantime he is being a good sport about holding still while I trim around his face. He is really a gentle soul. Like most people say about their new pet ...I can't imagine not having him with me.

He's in week two of obedience class. Not that I'm at all biased, but he is the smartest in the class. The trainer suggested I take him into stores so he has some new experiences. We went into the pet store today to pick out some chew bones. They had boxes and boxes of different kinds to choose from. I swear he had a look on his face like "are you kidding?.... this is great"

He and Marcie continue to get along well. They do a running prancing dance to the kitchen together for breakfast and dinner. She has ongoing back problems so she's not always steady on her feet. After knocking her over a couple of times he's now very careful of not bumping into her which I'm sure was just part of his play. Marcie loves food (and that's putting it mildly) and will come get me if I haven't gotten their dinner served at 5:00 sharp. I swear she has some sort of super power when it comes to time...or at least her stomach. When he first got here he wasn't eating much so I made I chicken carrot stew to mix in with his kibble. It worked well. He's put on a few pounds - no more bony hips. The downside is Marcie gained weight too. She's now on a diet and is not happy with me at all.

I hope you, your family and all the critters at the shelter are having happy holidays. I'll send you another picture after he sees the groomer. I'm looking forward to seeing what his face looks like under all the hair!

We are calling him Henry after my grandfather who I'm pretty sure is the source of my love of dogs. I'm hoping he wouldn't be upset to have a dog named after him. I'd be okay with it myself.

Our trip back went pretty well. He whined/cried for the first half hour but then settled down when I turned the radio on and switched the crate around so he was facing us. Since we had such a struggle getting him into the crate I didn't let him out until we got to Whidbey. We arrived about 9:30. He didn't seem too miserable having to hold it so long.

He was pretty funny as he looked around the house. I don't think he had ever seen a tv. He watched it for a bit. He also likes looking in mirrors. He must have had something he stood on because he keeps wanting to stand on the coffee table. That's a no.

I stopped on the way and bought some of the housebreaking diapers. He's being a good sport about wearing them. He very much wants to mark the entire house but I'm keeping him close by and correcting him when he starts to lift his leg. He is very smart. He already pretty much understands sit and is close to knowing down.

He and Marcella are still doing well together. I'm going to give him a bath today but was hoping the rain would let up so I can take him for a walk on the beach first and maybe a little wading.