Brenly

I cannot believe that he has been with us for four weeks. Brenly is doing well and we are working on and continue to work on his recall, heel, sit, down, stay, off (4 paws on the floor.) David is working with him 3 x a day for about 15 minutes each time. Progress is being made but slowly. He is not off leash yet, although he did chew through one leash (while playing and before "working") with David in the back yard (guess who wasn't paying any attention - DAVID!!) and once David felt nothing on the leash, David continued to walk at the same pace and direction and Brenly just followed his commands like a good dog! Yes, he is still a wonderful dog and we love him ever so much! He is still silly and is a challenge. Sometimes when he starts getting his tail up high, David will tell him to get his tail down - Brenly just turns and gives him the "look." Usually when his tail gets up high, he starts his running wildly in the house, around and around and around! then we give him "enough" and generally he will settle right down. We are still working on "enough." Last Thursday we went to our house in Wisconsin and then had some friends come up and visit while we were there. He was very good with everyone. David's dad is 93 and isn't very mobile and sometimes Brenly would just sit by him and hang out with him. At the Wisconsin house we have a very big fenced back yard. Brenly loved to run and play and run, run, run. As a result of Brenly loving his fenced yard in Wisconsin we are going to put in a fence here. Brenly would absolutely love having a yard where he can run off leash, etc. Brenly is going to doggie playtime on Wednesdays - every week. He comes home a little bit tired and while he is away, both David and I have time to get some things done around the house! He is a "velcro" dog and wants to know where every one is and what you are doing all of the time. A pretty typical BC! This morning on our walk, he thought he spotted a couple of squirrels and he was focusing in on them - actually they were some big leaf maple leaves that were a little bit curled. When we got to them, I think he thought he was going to "get them" - and boy did he make a funny face when they were not squirrels! Thanks again for everything you have done to help us with Brenly.

Mick

adopted

Zip

Adopted

Phoenix

Phoenix has been with us for almost 2 years. We drove from Wisconsin to Missouri to adopt him, and never regret the decision. He and our other dog are great travelers, we take them everywhere and long trips are a breeze with them. Phoenix has grown into a very handsome and mellow young man. He is an agility dog as well as a therapy dog. The elderly love him. My son and girlfriend had a baby in June of this year and Phoenix is so gentle with her, never touching her face. He lays by her and keeps an eye on her. If she crys, he is first to see why she is crying. Sometimes I think if he could, he would take her out of the crib and cradle her. Phoenix has been such a wonderful addition to our home. We have another Border Collie/Aussie named Carmen and 2 cats, and everyone gets along great. Except for one of the cats, she will not give Phoenix the time of day, but that is how cats are. Most of the time, he is a quiet laid back guy, until he wants or needs something, then he barks orders at us, and he has quite the masculine voice. Does he get what he wants, I think not! But, it is fun trying. We tried Phoenix in sheep herding, but he did not seem real interested in them, he would rather have been exploring the field then chase sheep. Maybe some other time, he was pretty young when we tried it. I should also mention, Phoenix does not really like to get wet, or at least not his feet. He walks around puddles and loves to be groomed. Sit him down to be brushed and he turns for me when I have completed one side. We did have him groomed in July because he had such a thick, long coat. Phoenix and Carmen adore each other. She is definitely the alpha, and tends to tell him that every day. Sometimes she gets right up in his face, and being that he is so much taller then her, he lifts his head and turns away from her barking. Once in the yard, they run around and chase each other. You would think that Carmen would slow down, but honestly, I think Phoenix has given her more life. She is 10.5 years old, and chases after him like a puppy. Two years ago Phoenix gave us a new beginning by coming into our lives, we would not trade him for the world. Is he spoiled, you bet he is! Thank you, Kathy and Zorka

Bonnie

Good Morning! Well, school has started as of today! Bonnie spent her summer at home with the girls and now she will be headed to the office almost every day. Our staff will be very happy to see her! One of the ladies in our office brings a dog biscuit every time she arrives and Bonnie waits for her eagerly at the door like a happy Walmart greeter. Another individual is anxiously awaited for by Bonnie and is recognized by her car. We know when she has arrived in the parking lot because Bonnie is wagging her tail and couldn't be any closer to the door unless she were one of those Garfield suction cup toys. We are all doing well! Again, you are welcome any time for a visit! Bonnie is happy and healthy. She makes sure Kevin and I get our walk every day, and she lets me know at 4pm that I have worked long enough. She is a surrogate Mom to the girls and our Buddy. Best Regards, Bonnie's Mom