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WELCOME TO
OUR UPDATE ADOPTED PAGE. FEEL FREE TO READ THE E-MAIL'S WE HAVE
RECEIVED FROM PAST PUPPY PARENTS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO
CONTACT THEM JUST CLICK ON THEIR NAME IN THEIR EMAIL..
TIMMY UPDATE
TIMMY WAS
ADOPTED BY
BY
MARY & FAMILY MD 2007
Sent: Saturday, February 23,
2008 11:33 AM
Subject: TIMMY!!!!!
Hi Cindy:
Wanted to let you know that our Timmy is doing great. I'm
having so much fun with him. He is so smart. He actually
hugs when he gives
kisses (sometimes more kisses than you may want-but that's
ok). He's in the process now of learning that barking isn't
the way to get
what he wants--only talking-- which believe it or not, he
does very well. So, we are working on this and when I say
"no barking, talking
only" he talks (example: grrrump, grrump, rr rr ). This
generally means that he has to go outside or he wants to
play. He also sits when told, dances, and about every 3rd
try gives his paw. And, one of the more amazing things he
does is he puts 2 of his toys in his bed on a
regular basis (a practice he started for some reason)--a
football that is medium sized (he drags it by the pointed
end--this ball at one point
was equal in size to him) and a fuzzy teddy bear and then
gets into the bed with these toys. This is a tiny bed, but
he's apparently
comfortable this way because he naps with these toys. When
my brother was still here with us recuperating, he couldn't
believe that this
tiny dog could do this and it gave him great pleasure to
watch him. He remained amazed by his determination.
He loves to fetch and return whatever toy and learned to do
this very early on--at about 2 months. And, he loves the
snow. Runs around like a lunatic at high speed, collects a
pound of snow on his fur and then has to be blown dry to get
the clumps off, but has a ball. This is the only time he
doesn't show contempt for the hair dryer.
I'm going to make a point of having a picture taken with the
grandkids sometime this week or next so I can send it to you
and you can see how much he's grown. Weighs a little under
10 lbs now.
He's going to be neutered next Friday, and he has to stay
overnight. This will be a first time real separation, since
for the most part, he
goes where I go. So, I'm not sure who will be more
upset--him or me. As you can imagine, we're very attached
to each other, although
he loves everyone who wants to play with him or pet him
(even if they don't). But, other than going to the groomer
for a couple
of hours, he's pretty much with me all the time, or when I'm
out he's with my husband who, by the way, has to admit that
he really is
amazing, and gets a kick out of him. Who wouldn't!! And,
my husband walks him and the Akita together, which is quite
a site to see. The Akita is tolerating his presence in the house and
considers him just another interloper like the cats. But,
she also believes
he, along with the cats, are her responsibility, so she
keeps an eye on him while on their walks and doesn't allow
other dogs to come near him.
That's Akita's for ya', family is family, so don't think you
can touch my family!!!! She may think he's a pain in the
neck but he's
hers to protect, nonetheless.
Also, Timmy's a great car rider. So far he's been to South
Carolina for a week and to Florida for almost a month. And,
of course, he goes with me to the pet store and any other
place where he's welcomed.
Bottom line is, I'm so happy to have him!!
Hope you and your family are well. And, hope that 2008 is a
good year for you and yours.
BELLA UPDATE
BELLA WAS
ADOPTED BY
BY
KAREN & FAMILY IN 2007
 
From:
McCollum, Karen
Sent: Wednesday, February
20, 2008 8:01 AM
Bella is
the most precious thing I have ever seen. She has
the sweetest personality, and is quite the energetic
one. I have so many stories to tell you about her,
I could write you all day.
Bella
has been in Puppy Kindergarten for six weeks now and
out of 10 puppies, has been the life of the class!
She is one of the 3 smallest puppies there, but
likes to run with the big dogs (the 25 pound
puppies)! As the trainer says, Bella has never met
a stranger, either person or animal. She has an
"attitude" which will serve her well being such a
small puppy. She doesn't even realize she is so
small! We have three more kindergarten classes, and
then will go through the beginner, intermediate, and
advanced obedience classes along with agility
training.
I plan
to go through the Certified Therapy Dog
International certification process with Bella, but
she cannot be tested for that until she is one year
old. I just found out yesterday, though, that I can
start taking her to the local nursing home without
that certification. That is important because, with
the certification test, Bella will have to show that
she is comfortable around wheelchairs, walkers and
patients who are bed-ridden. I hope to start her in
the nursing home within the month.
Next to
riding in the car and going places with me, Bella
loves to go to Pet Smart. I take her often,
particularly on days that are too cold or windy for
her to be outside. The people who work there LOVE
her, and Bella loves to play with every animal she
sees - even ferrets!! She is particularly fond of
the 75-100 pound dogs because she can play rough
with them and they don't mind. What is so sweet,
though, is that Bella knows to be calmer around the
smaller ones!
Bella
now weighs 6.2 lbs. She actually gained 2 lbs in
the past month based on her vet visits! She even
enjoys going to the vet. Last week, she had her
last series of shots (3 that evening) and the whole
time she was crying because of the shots, she was
wagging her tail! She loves the different
veterinarians there, and continued to kiss the vet
after her gave her the shots. She is quite a
character.
Bella is
so smart, too (but what puppy parent thinks
otherwise?)! She learned her basic commands very
quickly, and seems to understand things I say to
her. She doesn't understand the meaning of the word
"no" however. I have different phrases I say for
certain behaviors which works best for her. For
example, if she tries to nip at my ankles when I am
walking, all I do is stop, say "Excuse me?" or "I
don't THINK so" and she stops! When she was biting
a lot in the beginning, I would say, "Bella, I do
NOT like that" and she would stop! Those negative
behaviors are almost extinguished now, but she does
need gentle reminders every now and then.
Her
potty training is going much better. I have learned
Bella's schedule now and can USUALLY avoid her
having accidents. The only real problem we have is
if it is really, really windy. Bella does not mind
going potty in the rain or snow, but she refuses to
go outside if it is windy. She will use pee pads in
the house for most of those times, but I have to be
a bit more careful watching her in the evening.
She is
the best little sleeper and she loves to be in her
crate. I have one downstairs that she sleeps in
while I am at work, and one in my bedroom for the
nighttime. If Bella wakes up before my alarm goes
off, all I have to do is say, "Bella, it is not time
to get up. Go back to sleep." This morning was the
first time I have ever had to say it twice, but
after the second time, she just waited until I was
ready to get up!
I could
go on and on, but I won't bore you anymore. You can
tell I am a proud parent, I am sure! I do have a
question for you, Cindy. IF we decide to get a
sister for Bella down the road, is there any time
that is better than another to bring another puppy
in to the house? I don't know if I can talk Joe in
to another one, but Bella has so much energy, it
might be best for her to be raised with another
dog! If we get another one,
I would want another
Bella!!
I know
this is a long update, so feel free to cut and paste
whatever you would like to use. I, too, enjoy
looking at the pictures of the adopted ones! Bella
has her first grooming appt next week, so I will
send a picture of her once her little face has been
trimmed! I'm sure she will look much different
then!
Karen McCollum
Management & Professional Development
Virginia Tech
1071 Pamplin Hall (0234)
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