612 Dec 2007

Hi Marilyn,

I'm so glad you are taking an interest in Dodger's progress. We are so happy with him! He weighed in at 5.5 lbs when we first got him and now he's almost 9 lbs! Such a "big" boy! He's got to be the sweetest dog on earth and when I take him out in public, everyone loves him and he loves everyone! He loves other dogs too and is not too aggressive, not too submissive, but just the right kind of dog - enthusiastic without being overboard.

We've had a private trainer come into the house a couple of times and he's really impressed with Dodger's progress at only 4 + months of age. He can "sit" "down" "drop it" "leave it" "go to your bed" "stay" (for a little while anyway) and he's pretty good on leash training, though I often take him out and just let him be a puppy and sniff everything in sight. He has run of the downstairs while we are at home, with gates preventing him from getting upstairs (not puppy-proof up there), and he has lots of favorite toys. He is habitually cuddly, always wanting a lap, anyone's lap will do. He loves squeak toys, often roaming around squeaking them incessantly! He found an old catnip mouse (from our former cat) and he loves that, too, thinking he's a cat. Like, he likes to perch on top of the sofa looking out the window (how very cat-like!). He also seeks out sunny spots on the floor. If I'm around the house and haven't heard from him in a while, I know that he's into trouble! His form of trouble is to rip apart his pee-pads. It is the only form of "illicit" amusement that he seems to get into these days. I don't mind really. Being a first time dog-owner, I truly understand the phrase "the dog ate my homework" as a very real excuse! He eats his meals like clockwork (9:00, noon, 5:30) as if he can tell time. It is really freaky. He also loves snacks. Healthy dog treats, ice cubes and carrots! We've got him a little parka for walks in the early morning when it is still cold out, as he doesn't have much fur.

I'll try to get pictures to you , we'll probably do a lot of pictures once I finish with the puppy-proof decorations (they are all above his reach). Gosh, the days are flying by as they always do in December. Hope you are doing well and hope the other little sisters of Dodger found happy homes.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Molly