9/18/14:

Dixie is still going strong in Oly! After taking voice lessons from a very good teacher in town, she now sings at piano lessons, whether requested to or not. When she is not singing, she is playing with one of her favorite chew toys, cuddling with Zeedo, or being lovingly carried around the house by piano moms, or younger siblings. Dixie and Zeedo keep an eagle eye on dog or person who dares to go up or down our hill. Dixie is full of joy and contentment. Thank you to the wonderful people who man the shelter. More news later, just watching Dixie watch HGTV with me this evening (She likes Love It or List It), I knew an update was in order, as well as a note of thanks.

10/6/13:

More updates regarding Miss Dix!
 
Now on top of tree climbing she leaves beloved objects up in her tree.  We've found a rubber chicken, a ball, a rubber horse shoe.  I put in a dish towel for comfort and warmth, but she threw it out immediately.  The dish towel said "where's the beef" but Dixie didn't care.
 
 She sleeps on top of me every night, and the extra warmth is comforting and nice.  Her 102 body temp really feels good.  She is getting along really well in the studio.  Dixie stands at the screen door window and watches each student to their car.  I always have to tell her it is time to go to bed, and lessons are over.
 
She likes to cuddle with Zeedo in bed, and both eat together.  Zeedo first and then Dixie.  Dixie is very loving toward Zeedo, and does not rush his bowl, nor does he hers.  She has continued on the Canadae dog food, and her coat has come in beautifully.  She now is pure jet black with golden wings across her shoulders, golden leg gauntlets and chest, and a black belly with gold down further.  Her tail is black on top, gold on bottom.  Her funny red frizzy hair is gone, and I don't see much of an undercoat.  She feels good to the touch.  Likes to kiss a lot too.
 
Sometimes she is anxious when life is not going to her schedule, but a hug on my lap and talking to her usually sets her world right.
 
I would love to hear more about the story of how Dixie was found, although I know the basics.  What time of day was it?  Was she just walking on the road?  Did she come up to the man? 
 
Thank you very much for the shelter.  You can see how it has deeply blessed all of us.
 
As I close this letter, Dixie is running to her favorite look out spot, the chaise lounge where she can look up and down the street and comment on life on Bigelow Avenue.

9/2/13:

This is a picture of Dixie taken last week down on the Oregon coast at my mom's house. Dixie is hanging out with her two friends - Lulu, the Chihuahua and Oliver, the Dachshund.

Dixie has made a complete transition to life here in Olympia. She is a marvelous dog with a great temperament, strong and sturdy. She is very active, and I have to keep new toys coming all the time so she doesn't get bored. She especially likes soft toys to chew up and de-squeak, and rawhide chews that are of good quality.

She's doing great on her diet of canadae, and I'm strict regarding between meal snacking.

She has made a tree house in my yard. It's about a 70 year old cedar tree, at least 7 feet around made of about 4 large tree trunks. She hangs out in the crotch of the tree, jumping about 7' to get to her hangout. She watches the birds and squirrels, and tells everyone to stay away! This is her home now!

I believe that Dixie may be just about 14 months like you thought. She is still filling out, and her new coat is coming in nicely. She now has a spray of gold across her shoulders, a little more on her face, and a black chest which is more pronounced.

She had her nails trimmed for real on Saturday. The groomer felt she was too young for a real trim, so she had visits to the groomers where they played with her, and got her used to having her paws held.

Zeedo and I love Dixie Dawg very much! Whoever was so kind to pick her up and bring her to you I would love to thank. What a great blessing she has been!

Dixie is great riding in the car, and likes to stand between the front seats of my Scion XB and navigate. She is fearless, brave and likes pulling up to drive through so her mom can have a latte.

She knows this is her forever home. Every night she sleeps with us, and usually likes to sleep on top of me for a portion of the night. Seeing that Dixie runs at 102 body temperature, it's very nice. More pictures to come, and I'll stay in touch. Please know that Dixie is having every opportunity to enjoy life, and be a dog too. The students absolutely love her, and she will stand on her hind legs at the screen door watching each student leave, wishing she could go with them. Dixie is also very kind to Zeedo. I wouldn't say either are the alpha, I think I am, with two beta's.