Adoption Update: Junior (formerly Newt)

Hello,

I wanted to give you an update on Junior (Newt).  He is the absolute love of our lives, along with his brother Bo of course. We can not imagine life without him anymore and he spends all day, everyday with us. My older dog Bo NEVER played with any of my foster dogs, and as I type this, he and Junior are wrestling at my feet. They love to race around the yard and play frisbee. They love each other. Everyone compliments me on how well trained Junior is already, he is so smart! He knows sit, stay, lay down, come, paw left and right, spin, and we are working on roll over and fetch. He rarely has accidents in the house, and only chews on his toys. 

He went to his first puppy class today which he absolutely loved. He loved playing with all the other dogs, meeting new people, and playing on big toys. He loves rides in the car and coming to work with me. His vet appointments have been going well. He has been microchipped, had all puppy shots, rabies shot and is being vaccinated for Lyme because of where we live. He is on Nex guard and Heartguard already. 

I can not express how fortunate I am for being abe to adopt this little man. He is exactly what I have wanted to add to my family for the last couple of years, I am so glad I waited. Thank you so much for letting him adopt us, he is very very happy.

Emily

Adoption Update: Ray and Malcolm!

Hi Sarah,

I thought I’d send an update on the boys. They’re both doing great, it’s hard to believe Malcolm has been here 8 months already. He fit right in like he’s been here forever. We celebrated his 11th birthday in August, but he still bounces around like a puppy, squealing with joy when he sees his favorite people. He is, as you said, “a bit odd”, but in an endearing way, and everyone loves him:-). He’ll happily stand forever to be petted. He’s just an easy going, simple pleasures kind of guy who enjoys a quick romp around the property, a hike in the woods, a little snack of horse manure or a dip in the lake. The throwing or kicking of balls and other toys makes him nervous (although he’ll sometimes stash a chew or ball in his crate), and he’s almost impossible to get nice photos of, since he hides from the paparazzi. Otherwise, he’s happy-go-lucky, easy going and easy to live with.  This summer we lost our little blind rescue at almost 17, so Malcolm has stepped into the senior position. We enjoy having a senior in the house and he’s a gem.

Ray has been my constant companion, always up for whatever it is I’m doing, wanting to know how he can help. I try to accommodate his interest in all my projects, even if it’s just to watch my tools, while I go grab another. He’s always happy to comply, and listens intently to explanations of “our” project, as if he’s studying for a later exam. He doesn’t care what it is we’re doing, so long as he’s a part of it, even if his “job” is to stay back out of the way for a moment. He helped me accomplish a lot this summer:-). And if I’m busy with office stuff, he’s happy to just crash at my feet and sleep (as he’s doing right now). At least until he learns to type.

His favorite time is sheep time. Although we’re working within the constraints of a tiny field and number of sheep, he’s doing well. He’s a soft dog and we’re taking it slow and careful, but he’s gaining confidence. He can now peel them out of a stall or corner, and really enjoys holding them off the exhaust gate for me. He’s so proud of himself when he achieves something he wasn’t sure he could do and thrives on teamwork and accomplishing a goal.

Just recently the light bulb started coming on regarding driving. I try and set up situations where it makes sense for him and he’s getting it now. Let’s say he has his learner’s permit;-). We’re just doing very short little distances but he’s working off the heads and gaining understanding. It’s opened up more opportunities for him, now that my over dogged sheep are giving up trying to run back and will stay where we set them.

At some point I’ll set up a free standing pen to offer more of a challenge. I’m also planning on a few more sheep for next year. We’re having a lot of fun working together. I love seeing him learn to believe in himself and I appreciate all he has to teach me.

Mason

Adoption Update: MABCR Beck!

Hi Sarah,

Last year at this time I sent you a picture of Beck after his first World Cynosport Rally Q in Puppy. My goal was to earn a single qualifying score before his first birthday so he could continue working in Puppy. Beck had other ideas. He finished his RLP (Puppy) title and immediately moved up to Level 1 and qualified. He finished his RL1 (Level 1) title and again moved up to Level 2 and qualified. Last month he finished his RL2 (Level 2) title. He’s a happy go lucky amazing pup. He doesn’t much care what we’re doing as long as he’s part of the action. Here are some pictures of Beck and his “loot”.  He loves to have his picture taken!

This past winter, when it was too snowy & icy to work sheep, I started Wiley doing canine scent work. Of course Beck also got started and is doing great in that too! Both boys will be introduced to herding ducks and see what they think of working them. They love working sheep but are limited by the inability to practice.

Doreen

Adoption update: MABCR Malcolm

Just wanted to send an update to let you know how Malcolm is doing.

 

He’s a dear, sweet, soulful boy. Kind and gentle, wonderful with people and the other animals. His house manners have been perfect, he doesn’t bother, chew or get into anything. He’s been a nice companion for Ray and though he’s not into wrestling matches, he does indulge Ray in some games of chase and they enjoy poking around the yard/field together.

 

He greets you with an infectious silly bouncy jig that makes me smile every time. He’s so easy to live with and easier to love and we love him just the way he is. We think he’s beautiful. There’s just something about old dogs and he’s a gem. We’re so happy to have him here.

 

His vet appointment went great, he got a clean bill of health, and he charmed everyone there.

 

I’ve been trying to get some good pics of him but it’s not been easy. He’s such a happy boy but he has a deep distrust of the paparazzi ;-) . The second he spies the big eye of the camera staring at him, he slinks away and gets worried. I did, however, manage to get some of him playing in the snow I thought I’d share.

 

Thank you again for such a sweetheart of a dog. He fits in perfectly and we love him.

 

-Mason

Adoption Update: Nessie (Jodie)

Hi Sarah--

 Thought it was way past time to send you an update on the dog formerly known as Jodie! After MUCH debate and deliberation, we ended up naming her Nessie. 

She is doing well, she is happy and healthy in her new home, and we love having her. Everyone who meets her cannot believe she came from a rescue! 

Nessie's best doggie friend lives next door, and my husband put a gate in the fence so they can go back and forth and play together easily. Emma is a big black lab and they have a great time. Our cats are not thrilled with Nessie, but they all tolerate each other well enough.

Thanks so much for bringing Nessie into our lives!

-Mary

Happy Birthday, Dare!

Hello!  

Just wanted to send you a greeting in honor of the New Year and also because today is dear Dare's 2nd birthday! She was thrilled to have a snow day today and enjoy the everyone's company out sledding in the farm fields.  She's not too keen about riding in a sled herself, but certainly enjoys dashing alongside one in delight. 

In one of the attached photos, you will see Dare in a tutu.  She was the mascot for Nadia's Girls on the Run team this fall at their final 5K event when they all wore purple tutus  I think she was Frederick County's most talked about dog that day.  She is the best pup ever and we love her to bits.

We'd love to come down and do some work sometime again.  Perhaps this spring?

Hope you are well!

Rebecca (and Todd, Nadia, Nikolai and Dare, too)

Happy Got Day, Ray!

Hi Sarah,

 

Just wanted to send out Happy (First) Got Day wishes for Ray! I can’t believe it’s been a year already, time sure does fly when you’re having fun.

 

The weather’s been FRIGID. Herding is out for now, due to the snow. We play kickball etc., and still have the normal livestock chores but other than that we’ve been more housebound than usual. Neither of us likes it but we’re coping;-). I got the clicker out for some brain games but he’s been surprisingly chill about the down time. Yesterday he dug out his Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude (aka The Poopin’ Squirrel) and brought it to me to fill. It had been living in the bottom of his toybox since last winter. Right now he’s upside down, hanging halfway off the couch with his eyes closed, looking like a dead bug.

 

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that he’s smart;-). Not a day goes by that he doesn’t remind me that those wheels are constantly turning and there are many “Timmy’s in the well” moments.

He has a ton of stuffies and is usually good about not ripping them up. We recently had a friend’s dog here for a couple of weeks and she wanted to gut them all. I was working with her one day about not shredding one while Ray was standing by, watching intently. After a minute he left the room and came back with a nylabone, which he carefully placed directly on top of the stuffed animal she had.

 

He’s so quick to learn every last detail of a routine and he’s very honest, so I can leave him to things while I do something else, without having to worry about what he’s up to behind my back. He obviously knows my routine better than I do, like the time I was filling the stock tank and forgot about it when I was done with the other chores. I called him to go back to the house with me, but he ran over to the stock tank instead. I called him again and he came, but turned and once again ran back to the stock tank and stood there looking at me. I then realized I had forgotten to turn the hose off and the stock tank was just starting to overflow. That could have been, at the least a mess, or, since we’re on a well, a disaster. Whew.

 

He’s incredibly sweet, intuitive and affectionate (and the world’s best snuggler). He’s a perfect fit for our family, (although he might be a nightmare in the wrong household). He loves most people but can still be a little nervy about certain men and I continue to work on that. He’s quirky and delightfully weird and very sensitive to some sounds and movement. He’s not afraid of loud noise (he’ll work sheep/ducks with the next door neighbor shooting off his gun or a thunderstorm coming up without missing a step), but he finds many noises exciting. You’re going to make an espresso – ohboy! The toaster beeped AND it popped! The egg timer went ding which is too cool and that also means you’re going to open the oven door, which is also cool because the oven door makes the most intriguing squeak! (or it did until yesterday when I oiled it, which just sucked all the fun right out of checking on supper.) Hey, the dryer buzzed, aren’t ya gonna fold that stuff? Other, similar sounds are ignored (yeah yeah, the microwave, so what). A lot of it is stuff that anyone used to herding dogs wouldn’t bat an eye at, but if not, you might wonder about his sanity;-).

 

He wants to be involved in everything but can stay out of the way if necessary. He’s energetic and always ready to do something but he has an off switch and settles beautifully. He definitely knows how to relax and can do a great boneless imitation. He tries so very hard to behave and is a total goody two shoes around the house. He’s wonderful with the cats and our ancient blind rescue dog, who can be grumpy. You never need to raise your voice to him and he’s very responsive. He’s quick to get overstimulated but usually a quiet word will stop any nonsense. We still have a few things to work on (ongoing socialization, jumping up-which he still can’t sometimes resist, etc.) but he’s a lot of fun, great help with the sheep and ducks, a real pleasure to live with and he is very, very loved.

 

We decided to make his “got day” his birthday as well, since the actual date is unknown. So, happy second b-day Ray! Looking forward to many more.

 

I attached a few recent photos. Once again, thank you for all you do,

Mason

Adoption Update: Beck (was Willie)

Hi Sarah,

Time to send you a new update on the Beck man. 

Beck is all legs and if you look at him from the front he reminds me of an old clothespin!, no width in that little chest at all yet. Over the summer we did an Agility Foundation class with lots of clicker work. All behaviors, things that could relate to training down the road. Of course he did great… a learning sponge. Not moving into more agility right yet. Since he was neutered early I want him to mature physically before we get into that. At the moment he’s started doing World Cynosport Rally with Wiley and Tootsie. Of course he gets sheep time when Wiley has a lesson.

August 30^th our dog club held its first rally trial. Beck was entered in Puppy, a class for dogs 6 months to 1 year. If he could get a qualifying score before his first birthday, he would have an additional 6 months to complete his Puppy title and gain experience. The exercises are the same as found in Level 1 but the course is half the length. I thought he could do it but he’s a puppy so I had no expectations. The energy level and distraction level at a trial are much different than at a class. Beck did MABCR proud earning a score of 209 out of a possible 210 and a first place. I’ve attached a picture of Beck with his first ribbons.

Doreen

Polly's Great Adventure!

Hi! 

We just thought you'd like to know that we made it to southern CA without any trouble. Polly took to the road like nobody's business. 3,000 miles in a crate in a car in the middle of July? No problem. She has been such a good, good girl the whole trip thus far. She has proved quite adaptable, settling down in new places each night, finding bits of shade under hot desert sun, keeping quiet and calm in busy urban environments. She seems more at ease than ever, and I wonder if traveling together 24/7 is helping her know even more securely that she belongs with us. Yesterday she went to the beach for the first time ever. It was beyond-words-amazing. We're going back tomorrow. 

All best

Rebecca and Samuel

MABCR Rosie Does Agility

 The blur out the tunnel is how she does the whole course.  She does love the cat walk, too.......Karen 

Dear Sarah:

It is so hard to believe that it has only been a year since we first met you and Speck. So much has happened and we are so proud of how far Speck has come and the dog he is turning into.

When we first brought him home he was afraid of the stairs and now he bounds up them 2 at a time.  

When we first brought him home our hardwood and tile floors were slippery and scary now his new favorite game is to pull on a rope and then be swung around and let go so that he slides backwards across the tile floor in the basement.  Only to run back, tail wagging, rope in your face so that you can do it again!

And while the year has been filled with so many achievements it has not always been easy. We have had to learn as much about Speck as he has had to learn about us. Speck is anxious around other dogs so we try to avoid contact with other dogs. He can also be skittish around new people so we are very cautious around new people until we see how he is reacting. Occasionally, he will walk right up to someone and is clearly comfortable as he looks at them like “why are you not petting me? ”

We are constantly amazed at how smart he is. He LOVES agility training.  Our dog trainer says he is fearless and he flies across the dog walk, scrambles up and down the A-Frame, walks across the teeter-totter, loves the tunnel and jumps the jumps. He has hardly hesitated when crossing any of the obstacles.

One thing that hasn’t changed during the year is that Speck is still very affectionate with us, loves to hear laughter and will crawl onto our laps if it means belly rubs.

We have all worked hard this year but when he greets us at the door after a long day with a huge smile on his face, full of doggy-kisses wanting only for you to pet his belly or when he snuggles in bed with us in the morning so excited to start the day’s adventure we know that our lives have been completely enriched with Speck as part of our family. 

We have included a few of our favorite pictures of him from our first year together.

Pam and John

Adoption Update: (Sugar) Ray

Hi Sarah,

 

I thought I'd send an update on Ray. I can't believe it's been a month already, he fits in so well that it seems he's been here for much longer. He is really a treasure of a dog, we love him. He's so sweet, loving, forgiving and biddable, not to mention scary smart. He's very well mannered and polite in the house, especially for such a young dog, and settles beautifully. I take him out with me to feed the sheep, chickens and horse and he's been a well behaved supervisor. If Spring ever gets here I want to introduce him to herding.

 

 

Attached are some pics of him enjoying the last snow. By this time tomorrow he may be in over his head, lol.

 

Thanks again for matching me up with this wonderful boy,

Mason

Adoption Update: Dare!

 Hi, Sarah!  

Just wanted to send you a few recent pix and say howdy.  

Dare is doing well; she is such a fun dog.  You should see her on the pond while we ice skate.  She runs and slides as if it is the most fun thing in the world!  Hilarious.  She plays with Carol Eyler's Great Pyrenees about once a week and they are great buddies and a real laugh to watch as they dash and roll about in the snow. 

Nadia enjoys throwing snowballs for her to catch and Dare is a riot with this, too.  Tonight we had a high time while Nadia made a video of Dare because we were doing an experiment.  We all had tried and failed to eat 4 saltines and swallow them in 1 minute.  (Nadia saw this on tv and wanted to try for herself.)  Then, we thought we'd see if Dare could do it, so Nadia narrated  a video she made with her little mp3 player.  You will be delighted to know that Dare was the only one who was able to succeed at this challenge.  Way to eat crackers, pup!

 

Hope you are well!  Stay warm!

Rebecca

Adoption Update: Ray!

Hi Sarah,

 

Just wanted to let you know how Ray's wellness exam went.

 

We stopped on the way at the pet supply store and he thoroughly enjoyed himself snooping around and meeting the clerk. No problems, happy and confident!

 

Next stop, the vet's. I took some treats along. I've been using his kibble for training treats. He's had some soft stools off and on and I haven't wanted to give him anything extra until that was dealt with. I got him some raw bones, but for the same reason, haven't yet given him one.

 

He waltzed right in and made himself at home. The waiting room wasn't frantic but there were plenty of people and other dogs/cats there and nothing bothered him in the least. His tail was waving the whole time and his demeanor was relaxed and happy. I did some little exercises with him and he was focused and enjoyed doing them. He even flopped on the floor and stretched out (with tail still thumping).

 

That attitude carried through to the exam room and vet as well. Even on the table he flopped down with tail wagging (all the closer to lick faces). He was very sweet and laid back about his exam and the vet was most impressed with him. She found him healthy and guessed his age to be around 8 months or so. We're making him a year old on January 9th, when we got him.

 

I noted that his weight listed on the records you sent was 31 lbs. on December 17th. Last night he weighed 36 lbs. so he's gained 5 lbs. since he was neutered.

 

So, just wanted to let you know how he made out. I don't see how he could have possibly behaved any better!

 

-Mason

Adoption Update: Smiling Mac goes Home!

Smiling Mac in his new home, on his new bed, with his new toy!! He's really smiling now!!!

In Memoriam: MABCR Pete Painter

Hi Sarah-

Just wanted to say thanks for the many years of wonderful companionship we had with one of the dogs we adopted from your Rescue. We took "Flash" from you on a rainy day in Va. about 11 years ago at a sheep trial event. he was a stray- not used to people, kind of aloof at the time, had no recall, and really had the weirdest saliva a dog could have (?)- all of those things changed over the years and we also learned that what Pete, as he was renamed, really wanted was a small dog to care for. He had a few (my daughter's dogs who stayed with us for a time) and another dog we got from you, "Snaggle" ( a sweet border terrier renamed Frank  sent to you from a shelter in NC) three years ago.. he really loved Frank and Frank loved him.

All around Pete was a wonderful, wonderful border collie and great friend. Sadly, Pete died about a month ago at  the age of either 16 or 17- liver tumor and loss of movement due to either  cancer and/ or arthritis. We made a very difficult decision to put him down in October after he able longer to metabolize any food or get up on his own. Our vet was great and really helped him through a tough old age for quite a while. We are still mourning his loss, but we know he had a great life and  we had a great life with him- he was such a wonderful part of out family- can not imagine him not being a part of it.

Just wanted to say thanks again for him, and also for Frank. He is also a really special dog.  We are thinking of adopting another dog..moving slowly though as we are still missing Pete.

Happy Holidays to you and yours. We are sending a donation in memory of Pete and for all the hard work you do.

Lori and Eric Painter

P.S

The picture is of Pete with one of his "charges"..my daughter's dog, Richie who lived with us for about 4 years.

Happy Got Day, Charley!!

Greetings from California on Charley's 3rd honorary birthday, and our 2nd "anniversary."  I remember every detail about the day I brought him home like it was yesterday.  

I'm sending two pictures of Charley -- he and I on the beach in Carmel, and a handsome mug shot looking out his favorite window.  Charley is doing very well these days, but we've definitely had some challenges this year.  Charley had a long bout with an unidentified illness/condition in November and December.  The poor boy had to be hospitalized to keep him hydrated.  We had test after test, but they never figured out exactly what was wrong.  And then this spring he had some mild seizures.  I think the seizures were caused by Frontline.  I did a lot of research online, and his symptoms exactly mirrored those of other dogs, about 48 hours after treatment.  Needless to say, we've moved onto a natural flea treatment.  As I look back, now wonder if his earlier health problems were also caused by Frontline too.  But we'll never know.  

The best part of the year was his 5-month cohabitation with a Great Dane, my niece's dog who lived with us last fall.  Though the Dane was 4 times bigger, Charley had no problem bossing her around. And Charley also found good use her.  He figured out how to stand in her shadow on walks in order to stay cool.  Smart boy!

Charley continues to be a loyal companion, a charmer and shameless womanizer, and a little crazy and obsessive.  He has a new border collie friend in the neighborhood who is the first dog who can out-maneuver him.  And he's perfected a new skill -- pitch-matching a howl to the sound of fire or police sirens.  One day on a walk, as an ambulance roared by, he sat on the sidewalk in front of our neighborhood restaurant and did a perfect long imitation.  He got quite an ovation from the people at the restaurant.  It's quite a skill he has.

I think of you guys often, and hope that border collies continue to find good homes everywhere.

-Thor

ps Barbara -- I get SO many compliments on the leash.  It's holding up beautifully.  If they're sold online, I could definitely direct people to the site.  I'll probably need a new one someday too.

Editor's note: the three-way leash can be purchased by sending us an email...we do hope to have an online store someday!

Adoption Update: Banjo!!

Hi Miss Sarah!

I miss you and I miss the farm, but I really love my Mom and and big sister Gracie.  It isn't easy being the only boy in a house with two women, but I'm so easy going not a whole lot bothers me.

Every day Mom takes us for a long walk in the woods and I love seeing all the deer and squirrels.  Once in awhile we get to see a red fox on our walks.  I thought he was a dog at first and I wanted to play, but mom explained that he is not someone I can play with so I just continue on my way now. That's OK with me because my big sister Gracie is my favorite friend to play with.  We love wrestling and running around in the yard. Sometimes Gracie is grumpy or tired and doesn't want to play with me, but I'm always able to get her in the mood. When we are done we like to cuddle with each other on the floor, especially in Mom's office.

Every couple of months we also get to take roadtrips with Mom to Grandma's house in Connecticut.  I really love riding in the car and Grandma's house is super fun.  There is a big yard there and always lots of people around who want to pet me.  Mom says I'm a love bug and that I think I'm a lapdog.  I just really love being close to my people. Mom doesn't let me in her lap or on the furniture, but I sneak up on Grandpa's lap when she's not looking. Shhhh.....don't tell.

I hear Mom telling people I'm smart as a whip.  I usually learn something the first or second time she teaches it to me.  While I was waiting for Gracie to get her shots at the vet, the vet tech taught me how to dance! I thought that was pretty cool and I heard the vet tell Mom how smart I am.  I just really love learning new things. Mom took both of us to training with Mr. Shawn at Best Buddy Dog Training in Rhode Island.  He's a really cool guy and taught Mom how to be a better pack leader.  My favorite command we learned from Mr. Shawn is "place".  You can see me and Gracie doing "place" on a bench in our pictures.  Mom works with us every day on our training and it's one of my favorite things to do.

Thanks for finding me a good home Miss Sarah!

Love,

Banjo

Adoption Update: Lucy!! aka Loosy!

Last year we took in a 'border collie' that really was a mis-marked cattle dog. A friend in cattle dog rescue took her and helped her find a great forever home...I love it when rescues can work together to do what is best for the dog. Here is Lucy's update:

M-

Thanks for your email, Lucy is doing really well!  Saturday mornings have become our time to lay around and watch movies together, so we're both happily doing that right now.  We're still running (when we can, the weather hasn't been so great but luckily today the sun is out and it looks like perfect running weather!) and she loves day care.  I had to switch her day care because I moved over to a new firm, but just this week one of the women at the new place was telling me how much everyone loves Lucy so it seems like she's handling the transition well!

She's been doing much better with sitting when greeting people, though I think that will be a life-long work in progress, she just can't help herself.  But, I suppose the upside is that she's a very polite jumper, if there's such a thing - she's never aggressive about it and just very gently places her paws on people.  She is getting much much better about at least trying to remember to sit though.

Overall she is really doing well and I love having her.  Sweet and silly is the perfect way to describe her, haha - I'm attaching a picture of her I took one night.  I picked her up from day care and she was just SO TIRED.  But we got home and as usual she wanted to bounce around, chasing the cat and shaking her rope.  I was just about to come play with her when I walked into the living room to her, dead asleep and clearly mid rope-chew.  Also she fell asleep with her butt in the air.  It was absolutely hilarious. (Oh, please ignore the beer bottle on the table.)

Thanks again for the email and I hope you and your pups are doing well!

Adoption Update: Hendrix (was James)

Hi Laura -

James (now Hendrix) is a riot, and a bit of an evil genius as well. I have about 218394792187 stories already. We enrolled him in a basic manners class that began with "parents" only on Monday. We're having a great time with him and can just sit and play with him and his toys. Here are some details on what's been good and what we're working on.

The amazing Hendrix:

• Hendrix learned his name in what felt like 12 minutes.
• He had his first vet visit yesterday and the staff were impressed with his demeanor.
• No accidents in the house!
• He completely understands how to get treats and food out of the Dog Spinny and is working on the Dog Turbo. No dog that has ever visited or lived with us has come as close to solving the Dog Turbo as Hendrix. He's very persistent as well.
• We have our last water at 9pm and bring it back out around 4am. Apparently he was thirsty and so he knocked over a plastic cup of water on the coffee table and lapped up as much as he could until I caught him and said "uh-uh." 
• He's a cuddle bug and always up for some snuggle time.
• He is very good at "go get your ball," fetching, and then "drop it."  Jessie taught him well.

Areas for us to work on together

• He's anxious in the car and a bit of a slobber monster. We hope 2-3x weekly short trips to the pet store, training,  and new dog walking areas will help.
• He's still a little nervous around new dogs and strangers. We are cautious about interacting on walks. We hope we can build his confidence through training, but haven't had a chance to look up other techniques yet.
• Although he can run on leash well, he's not mastered walking yet. We think he's overwhelmed by all the cars. So much for walk before your run! 
• Hendrix only goes in the back yard and not on walks. We're not sure yet what to do about that, but it's not a big deal since he's hasn't had any accidents.
• No more crate pads! He chewed his to pieces on the second day. It's all blankets all the time in his crate now. Live and learn.
• He's about 4 lbs close to outgrowing his current/travel crate, so we'll have to get a new one or two. Unfortunately, we're not sure how to get a larger crate to fit in our car, so it's time to whip out the tape measure.

Thanks,

Jen (and Clint)