Holiday Greetings

I've been pretty busy the last few days, but here is a sampling of the email and photos I've been so happy to receive over the past couple of weeks. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my former fosters happy in their new homes.



Baron is a wonderful dog. He was buddies with Bear (See, A Solstice Miracle, below) when I had them both. Baron came to us from the Culpeper shelter and he had a badly injured tail, which we had removed at the same time he was neutered. So Baron was tail-less, had tipped ears, and a bit of a prey drive, so he took a long time to be adopted. But it often seems that those who take the longest find the best homes. Baron's family writes:


"Just writing to wish you a merry christmas and wishing a happy new year. I hope all is fine and you are doing well, Baron and Crystal also says merry christmas to you, they are doing very well also. Thanks again for such a wonderful boy, we love him very much."




Laredo (formerly known as J.D.), is a beautiful golden retriever. Laredo's family didn't send a digital picture this time, instead, they had this portait made and wrote:


"My family loves me so much that they had this portrait painted of me by students at Very Specials Arts. All the best, J.D. (a.k.a. Laredo)



Here is Samson, the dog with pneumonia featured in my first blog posting. His adopter writes:

"Santa Paws came to see Samson because he has been a very good boy. He got lots of toys and gift certificates to Petsmart. I was so excited to show him off to his whole family. On Christmas Eve, all of his grandparents were here for dinner and were able to meet him for the first time.

He is never aggressive [at the dog park], but doesn't like the dogs who pick on each other. He often will herd the dog who is being picked on away from the other dogs. It is incredible to watch.

His coat looks great and on Sunday, he will be getting a 48" crate as he is still a growing boy. The extra 6" will benefit him while he is crated. Other than that, things are great. You can see how he loves to be around everyone and often waits for people who leave the room to return. I am looking forward beginning obedience school after the first of the year, if not for the pure satisfaction of showing his progress!"

And this from Dax and Celia's new home (photos are mine):

"Happy Holidays and peace to you, all the pups, your partner and family! Peace to all from Celia and Dax, who are anxiously awaiting Santa so they can bark at him as he comes down the chimney!"

"Gretel will soon be 12 years old on the 1/1/09. So far she is in great health. She still chases her ball some and loves to take the usual 20 minute walks 2x per day. She is ALWAYS ready to get in the car to go anywhere. Even on business trips, she is with me whenever the logistics will work that I can take her. She is superb in travel and motel, hotels. But during the summer she prefers her air conditioning and comfy pads every where in the house. Thanks for making this so."