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Here's a pic of Sam today playing on the agility obstacles at the dog park. We're joining 4H with him in October, and we're going to be training him to show in the agility category. He's already a natural!

Just an update on Samwise. We had our first vet appointment yesterday. He's 22lbs, and exceedingly friendly. The vet and staff love him. He did have Giardia, which I understand is pretty common in WA, but no other health problems were noted. He did break one of his teeth in half, and that will have to be pulled next week.

He and Rascal are getting along better. Rascal will even play chase with him now, as long as he doesn't jump on her head.

Sam knows "Off" and "Sit" and he brings me his bowl when he's ready to eat. He's very smart. He is sleeping in the crate every night without complaining, and he's crated when we leave the house with only minimal complaining. He loves the kids, and they love him. Both are helping to walk him on his leash.

Sam is settling in nicely. He can now recognize his name, his leash, and "off" our first command. He currently refuses to poop outside (lol) but is adjusting well to sleeping in his crate, which means I am getting more sleep.

If you have any info on helping older dogs adjust to newer dogs, that would be great. Rascal snaps at him any time he comes near her. She can approach him, but not the other way around.

Sam seems healthy and happy. His next vet appt is 5/08, unless something crops up first. I am having my tonsils out on Tuesday, so I imagine we will spend a lot of time snuggling on the couch next week.

We crate to sleep at night, and he was not down with that plan. lol Both of my kids were so excited they were up at 3 with us for a potty break. He will adjust pretty quickly because I am the schedule queen, and I am home most of the time to reinforce the rules.

Rascal is on a Rx dog food, so I can't free-range it (she gets bladder stones), so I'll do 4x a day and see how that goes.

Lizzie is great with Sam. She's already taught him to chase a rolling ball and bring it back, and she took him all over the yard on his leash today letting him sniff around. Plus, the next door neighbor's puppy escaped and came over to play, so Sam had some play time with a pal.

Rascal will become resigned to his presence eventually. I think she was expecting Gracie to come home, and was mad when he turned up instead. It's funny how Aussies have such good memories.

Thanks again for your help. He's a lovely pup with a great personality. And don't worry, we won't give up on him. My son didn't sleep through the night regularly until he was nearly 4. We kept him. :-D