Dear Leisa,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wally has truly become a member of the family. The kids just love him and he loves them. Here's a few pictures of our big fluffy boy.

Take care,
Wendy

Hey!

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving. I cannot remember if I sent these to you already...Here are some of Kaitlin's latest pics. She was introduced to her electric toothbrush about a month ago, and actually seems to enjoy that a few times a week. We are gearing up for a fun Christmas and then big time obedience school in January. She already has the "sit" and "down" commands learned pretty well. We are ready for more of a challenge. Santa Claus may even bring her some agility tunnels... Enjoy the pics.

April

Hello All!

Just an update with our Javi. We absolutely LOVE this dog. What a joy he is. He is everything you guys claim a Havanese is and more. We have so much fun with him. He is very smart and athletic, I always tell people that he's a Boxer stuck in a Havanese body. He looks so "fluffy" but that's so misleading. We love to check the website for updates and the new pups are adorable. I'll send a new photo soon. Thanks so much!

Alecia

Hi Leisa...My neighbors have fallen in love with the puppies. This morning we were "pottying,"when I heard Sylvia say, "They are so cute." I picked up Campden and took him to her to hold. We chatted for a few minutes while she loved and kissed Campden. When I got back to the puppies "potty," Beckham looked as if she had lost her last friend. I, of course, picked her up and told her I love her and kissed her until she started giving me kisses too.

I have expanded the exercise pen by four panels, which makes the pen quite large. They seemed to enjoy it though the photo I took of Beckham this morning looks as if she is being tortured. It breaks my heart to look at it; I promise I am not hurting her!

We made the total transition to the Science Diet last night. They seem to love it as you can see from the "eating" photo. No tummy aches or elimination problems. I am very happy about that.

I am doing fine, but must admit I am wondering what on earth I am doing wrong with the pottying. Sometimes, I "catch" the signs and we are successful and both are praised effusively. Then I turn around and the next minute they are pottying on the kitchen floor! All is complicated by Beckham knowing she gets to go outside if she responds to "Do you need to potty?" Wherever Beckham goes, Campden is quick to follow whether he needs to potty or not. Dick assures me that this is a long process and I shouldn't feel like a failure. Can you give me a clue about the length of time it usually takes the puppies to "get" it?

Other than the pottying, they are a joy. They've been brushed each day and, as it is accompanied with compliments and kisses, they seem to be enjoying it! I am really pleased with that. I would so love to be able to manage the daily brushings so that they can have long coats. We'll see. At least I know there is an alternative if I cannot.

They do not seem to mind the crate and they are going to bed eagerly. I take them out around 11 even if they have gone to bed at 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. They go back to sleep readily and we usually have only one trip outside (around 2:30 or 3:00 a.m.) during the night.

That about brings you up-to-date on our lives! I did get another pink pig and they love it as much as the first. I found the hedgehog, but have not given it to them yet. I think Campden is going to be my "fetch" champion. He just loves miniature tennis balls! He's got the run and get part down well. We'll work on '"bring it to mummy" next.

Take care! Love to all the four-legged angels at your house and many thanks to the humans,
Sheryl

Dear Leisa,

Just a quick note to let you know we had Molly spayed last week. She did great and is already back to her normal crazy self. Dr. Landrum also fixed her umbilical hernia and pulled her baby canine teeth. Apparently her permanent ones came in and the baby teeth never fell out.

She is a wonderful dog and we are so pleased with her. She is the sweetest little girl. My neighbor has fallen in love with her so every time Dave is out of town, she takes her over to her house for a few hours so Molly doesn’t have to stay by herself all day.

Becky

Hi Leisa!

We hope you are having a good Fall season. New pups? We are sending this latest picture of Sydney as she nears her first birthday. She's awesome! Her eyebrows are so special. Makes her look very smart. Having trouble with keeping her off the furniture but she's totally potty trained. She sits, goes down, rolls over and stays with a treat thrown way out in front of her. We use the word 'free" to release her and she loves ice cubes! Her bunny is still her favorite and it's neck is now torn. We play with Linda Kaplan's Ziggy almost every week. We hope you are all well!

Take care,Holly.

 

Hey Leisa!

I must say that I am so in love with this little puppy. She is doing awesome and is settling right into our lifestyle. She is such a trooper and has only had one accident in the house and it was on the first day home. We are on a regular schedule now and she really seems to be understanding the concept of going outside to potty. My other guys love her and are so gentle when they play with her. Manny is so smitten with her and he just follows her around all the time. I put their crates side by side and they lay so that they are almost touching noses - pretty darn cute. Bella was and still is a bit depressed with Cali being here but we have given her extra love and she is slowly warming to her. I get so tickled watching Cali play as she has no idea she is little and growls and barks and pounces on all her toys. She does have a bit of a temper and gets mad when she does not get her way - so fierce!!!

I will take some pictures this weekend and try to get them on the computer. I do not know much about technology so I will have to get my neighbor to teach me how to get the pictures from my digital camera to the computer so be patient with me OK. She is a doll and I feel like she has been here forever.

Anyway - all is well and Cali is one incredible baby and we love her very much. I know it must be a mixed bag of emotion when the babies leave but rest assured that Cali is well loved and cared for here with us. I really enjoyed meeting you and wish we could have sat down and hung out a little more to talk dogs and other junk but maybe next time.

Talk soon
Andrea

 

Hi Leisa,

We have a winner!!! Abby is such a delight!! We enjoy her more every day!! She has such a magnetic personality!! Everybody loves her!! I’m sorry about not sending you any up dates recently, but you know how life goes……..
Our lives have taken a new direction……

We (Fred, Abby and I ) are now living in Knoxville, TN. We moved the first part of August and are living in an apartment in Knoxville waiting for our house in Macon to sell. We will be traveling back and forth about one weekend a month to check on the house.

I came back to Macon the 3rd week in August so Abby could be spayed. She had her procedure done on August 20 and is doing great. I felt more confident having our veterinarian in Macon performing the surgery. She had her little “hernia” taken care of and a chip was implanted in her too.

Abby travels so well…We received a “doggie seat” as a gift and it is the greatest thing. She sits high in the car and can see everything. We’ve traveled 3 times back & forth to Michigan and have made numerous trips to Knoxville.
Abby weighs around 71/2 lbs and learns everything so quickly. She is 99% trained and is sitting on command. She does very well with “come” – mostly depending on her mood. She is excited about going into her kennel, especially when coaxed with a doggie treat. :)

If she is a bit apprehensive or a little bit “spooked” about something, she prefers to eat her food off the floor, otherwise when everything is on schedule and going well in her world, she eats her meal within 30 seconds!!

Have you heard how Abby’s brother Riley is doing?

Karen

 

Hi Leisa!

Riley is so much fun and growing fast! I am attaching pictures of him going for his first bike ride in a puppy backpack and chilling in the backyard with Julie and his brother dog, Spike. The cats love him, too, but they draw the line at a group picture. Say Hi to Delilah and Heffner for us! Hope you are having a good summer.

Kathy and Julie Brown

 

Leisa and Michael,

All is fine here in the Mitchell household! Thank you and Michael so much for your dedication to Sydney and the family! You’ve done such a great job. We appreciate the DVD, the pictures, the calls and most of all, Sydney. She did great in the car. She slept and she was curious all at the same time.

She’s exhausted now and it’s only 830pm. Once I get used to her sleeping like a baby, I’ll sleep. She sacked out after getting the lay of the land here. She loves her crate (her doggy den) and while the rain stopped us from peeing and pooping in the right places tonight, we’ll be back on track tomorrow I think. I’m dedicating the day to be at home and consistent.

I think she got sick of me picking her up every 15 minutes to use the “potty place” under an umbrella as it was raining so hard!

Everyone says “HI” and “THANK YOU.” Take care and we’ll send pictures tomorrow. We hope you had a nice afternoon.

Holly and the gang

 

Tiffany-

I am 8 months old now and boy have I grown. I weigh 20 pounds. I have been to 2 obedience classes and can do lots of tricks like bow, shake, fetch, spin, crawl and walk backwards. I love my owners a lot and sleep with one of them at night. I am very affectionate and love hugs and kisses. Hope you are doing well.

Bailey

 

Dear Mommy Ingrid,

I want to let you know that things are going very well for me. I have gone to my new vet who pronounced I am incredibly handsome and incredibly healthy. I now weigh almost 10 pounds and my new mommy says I grow daily. I really like my food and gobble it up as soon as the bowl hits the floor. I'm starting to get the idea that Mommy Judy and Daddy Ed don't like it when I "go" in the house. I don't understand that because I, myself, prefer the carpet. They get very excited and give me a small treat when I "go" outside -- go figure. I find it hard to understand people sometimes.

I am extremely energetic - especially in the mornings. Mommy and Daddy moved
my crate into their bedroom and I sleep pretty peacefully and alert them with a whine when I have to go outside. Before I go into my crate I get to snuggle in their bed for a while and I really like that. In fact, during the times when I am not extremely energetic, I get lots of snuggles and hugs. I have met and kissed many of the neighbors here and they really like me. I'm pretty popular with anyone who comes to visit.

In a couple of weeks I will begin a Puppy Kindergarten class where I will learn a few basic commands and play with other puppies. I bet I'll be the star.

Love and lots of kisses,
Bogey

 

Dear Mommy Ingrid,

Remember me? I had my first birthday last month. I wasn't real sure what it was all about, but I got extra treats so I thought it was great.I haven't lost any of my puppy energy, enthusiasm or curiosity. I particulary like to jump up and take things that I shouldn't have. This causes Mommy and Daddy to stop what ever they are doing and spend time playing chase - - they pretend to be stern and say "no! no! bad doggie," but I thing it's fun. I can now jump up on the kitchen counter and the bathroom counters. Unfortunately, Mommy and Daddy have learned not to leave anything to eat on the kitchen counter. I am still fascinated and motivated by food. There were some workmen at the house a while back. I was able to eat one of their lunches before they learned to leave them in the truck. I enjoy taking anything I see, and I am quick and sneaky. Some all me a thief. I give them my "cute puppy" look however, and they scoop me up and love on me. I have learnd that most people do fall for the "cute puppy" look!I did go to doggie obedience school. I learned a lot - - I am very quick to learn. But I only passed with a C-; Mommy said it was a sympathy grade and I only passed based on personality and lovability. I decided I didn't want to "sit" on the night of my final exam. Also, when tempted with a treat from someone else, there was no way I was going to "come." I pretty much do things on my own terms.Since I am the only doggie in this family, Mommy sometimes sets up "puppy play days". I usually have more energy than the other dogs, though and I wear them out.I wanted to let you know I am well-loved, cared for and pampered. Plus, I'm just as cute as I can be. Please say "Hi" to Mommy Lois for me.

Love, Bogey