Bernie

Hello RMGDRI group

This is Jerry and Judy in northwest Montana reporting to you that Bernard (we call him Bernie) graduated from obedience school. We picked Bernie up in Blackfoot, Idaho on May 8. His coat completely cleared up after a few weeks in our house and it came in perfectly smooth and clear. He is very energetic and runs at high speed in the yard and can jump onto the deck clearing all the steps in a single bound.

He really benefited from the obedience class. He is very protective of Judy. Once, we went to the house of Judy's friend. Jerry was driving. Judy got out of the car and the friend's Golden Retriever came to greet Judy. Bernie must have thought, "That so-and-so is going to attack my Mommie." He tried to attack the dog through the windshield. He didn't hit it; he just pressed on it and shattered the windshield. As you know, he's aggressive toward cats and small dogs. He learned to be polite to other dogs in obedience class. He still needs more socialization but that will have to wait until spring. We are pretty snowed in here now.

Bernie is a very smart dog. He learns quickly, though he would take control if we let him. He watches television and gets very excited when he sees dogs on the screen. When he sees a full-length shot of a person on the 62" screen he runs up and sniffs crotch.

You recall that we have another RMGDRI rescue named Reina. She is doing well, too. She's getting a few gray hairs but really enjoys her stuffed animal babies. The attached photo shows Jerry putting Bernie's graduation cap on him and Reina helping celebrate with a stuffed animal toy.

Thanks for all to contributed to Bernie's life.

Jerry and Judy

Luci

Happy Thanksgiving to all the volunteers at RMGDR. We adopted Luci in August of 2009. She was a small mantle pup with unruly ears and big white feet. Luci has grown to be just over 90 pounds and is a sleek and petite date. She loves to run and has a beautiful gait, interrupted by literally kicking up her heels in joy. Luci loves her many toys, her big sisters ( our college age daughters) , the dog park and sleeping on the couch. She recently learned to ring our old fashioned doorbells with her nose in order to get treats, attention or just go out. So thanks to the family who had the courage to give Luci into the safekeeping of RMGDR and thanks to Laura R. who fostered our girl until we could bring her home. She is an absolute delight.

Betsy F.

Jupiter

He's doing great! He and Lucy get along really well and are already acting like siblings. The toe is healing well. No one can believe he's a rescue- he's so friendly and sweet. He's the perfect dog for us!

Kathy

Lancelot

I'm so sorry that we haven't given you any updates on Sir Lancelot until now. We LOVE him!! He is such a smart and sweet snuggler. He loves to curl up on our laps on the floor, and he is always trying to get as close as possible. It's really cute. He is doing really well with his basic commands. He knows: sit, down, stay, place, and paw. His crate training is also moving along wonderfully. We're even starting to see him go into his crate on his own . . . every now and then. He is doing really well with house training. He's pretty good about going to the door when he needs to go out. His accidents in the house are becoming more and more rare, and they usually only happen when is excited or distracted. ;) I would say he is about 95% house trained. He really is such a special little nugget. We are so happy to have him in our lives, and we are so thrilled to see that his brother Arthur was adopted also. :)

Thanks again for all of your help and for bringing him into our lives.

Laurie & Shelby :)

Barkley

Barkley is now Tonto. I decided to rename him because if he turned out to be a barker, I could not figure out how to stop BARKley from BARKing.

He comes to Tonto. We hug in the morning and at night. We hug at night and then he goes to sleep. We hug in the morning and then he eats his breakfast. I feed him lunch and then he comes to me for a hug.

In short... we were made for each other.

He is off the leash on the property and never leaves my side. I washed my Jeep this morning. He really doesn't like the hose. But he did well. He won't come out of my car UNTIL the leash is attached. This is perfect. He's eating well. Sleeping well. So sweet. Made friends with Terri's Portuguese Water Dogs. They are now brothers and sisters.

He has been to campus with me yesterday and today. When I leave him in my office, he gets a bit wimpy, but he doesn't bark. When I come back to my office he has his ears flapped and he's wiggling. Then we HAVE to hug.

I take him to all my classes. He just lays down by the teacher's desk while I hold class. The photojournalism students have named him as the Photojournalism Mascot.

When I'm walking him on campus, he never pulls on the leash. Always walks on my left side. Nudges me often with his head while we're walking... needing a pet between the ears. He never moves toward oncoming students when we're walking. Always a gentleman. I have him trained with hand signals to sit, lay down. I have him trained to "hurry up." I take him outside and tell him to hurry up and he pees and poops. I walked him through a flock of pigeons on campus. These pigeons are very human-oriented. We walked right through them and he couldn't have cared less. Didn't take after any of them.

Here's the best part... He really loves me. When we hug he moans.

Everything is great.

I'll keep you posted.

Kenn

Brock

I wanted to update everyone on Brock's progress. He is doing beautifully! Brock is a wonderful, loving dog who tries only to please. He is genuinely a gentle boy who is adapting to his new surroundings very well. He tends to be a bit protective when it comes to anyone coming up the driveway and he will bark (ex: imagine the ruckus when the big trash truck came before dawn shining his amber lights just outside the windows! All three dogs went bullistic! It was hysterical!). But, Brock really doesn't bark too much. It's not something I would have a concern where neighbors are annoyed.

He loves going on hikes in the forest. We take the horse trail and he just struts along so proudly, having to examine every piece of horse poop or deer dropping! His leash is quite long so he has the feeling he is not restrained too tightly and he listens when he's called to. We still need to work on his overexuberance when he sees a little creature scurrying up a tree! He definitely has the advantage over me if he decides to run! The good thing is I don't have to exert any energy, he pulls me up the hill easily!

Brock is just a joy. He is a big, wiggly, bundle of love. The fact that he doesn't have a tail is a great bonus, too, as his head is big enough to knock over just about anything on the table. He doesn't need the extra appendage on the other end! And he loves to take up most of the bed, but he is learning that his place is at the foot so he does allow me a little space. Maybe you can tell that I am completely infatuated with this little guy!

Anyway, things are really going well and Brock is a wonderful addition. I thank you again and look forward to further updates!

~ Cheryl

Mia

We are doing fine. She has met several of the neighborhood dogs and has chosen her favorites as the two Ridgebacks living across the street. We’re hoping to get all the dogs together for a play-date at the local soccer field which is fully enclosed. She’s been wonderful with my two cats, and they don’t seem to mind her presence at all. So, all is well there. I think she may be gaining a little weight – which is a good thing. She won’t hold still long enough for me to get a good picture of her, so I’ll keep trying and will send them once I’m able to get a good photo. She is a real sweetheart, and I’m really enjoying her company! Bye for now, Tina

Kahlua

My husband and I adopted Kahlua in March of 2009 and we have all become one big happy family! I send Kahlua's foster mom an e-mail update every few months and I don't think I have ever updated you guys!
When we first adopted Kahlua she only weighed 82 lbs...last week she was weighed and is now a healthy 106!
Kahlua is loving the family life! We love to snuggle! Most nights she sleeps at the end of bed and as soon as my husband gets up for work she crawls to his side of the bed and sleeps with her head on his pillow! Every morning I open my eyes and Kahlua is nose to nose with me and gives me a slobbery good morning kiss!
She has overcame her separation anxiety and no longer barks or cries when she stays home alone! When my husband and I come home she is always watching for us in the window and you can see her excitement! She jumps all around in the window and is just so happy we are home! She always gives us the best welcome home greetings! It doesn't matter what kind of day you have - when you walk thru the door Kahlua makes your day!

Kahlua also no longer has aggression towards other dogs! We go to the local dog park on a weekly basis and Kahlua loves it! She loves to play in the stream with other dogs but has the most fun running thru the water and sniffing every bush she passes! She also goes to a doggie daycare. I started taking her to Camp Bow Wow where she could play all day instead of being home alone. I started taking her to daycare last October and she was a little skeptical at first! She hid in the corner and refused to socialize...now I drop her off once or twice a week and she can't wait to go play - she doesn't even say goodbye! They have an indoor and outdoor area where she runs in and out all day and plays with 15-30 dogs everyday!
Kahlua is amazing and my husband and I would be lost without her! She has turned into a huge part of our family and I can't imagine our lives without her!
Thank you so much for matching us with such an amazing girl!

Jessica & Chris

Sullivan

Sullivan is an absolutely incredible dog! He walked into my house and my life as though he always belonged there, and he's already very much a "momma's boy." I've attached a few photos from our recent hiking trip on Mount Lemmon; Sully happily wears his very own backpack and carries his own water and treats when we go hiking. He's become a favorite at the local dog park and gets along with everyone there, and the good people at the local Petco and PetSmart now know him by name.

Thanks so much for all that you do for these big babies! I really can't put in to words how blessed I am to have Sullivan in my life, and it's all thanks to the good work of RMGDR!

Thanks again!
Sharon and Sullivan

Sarge

Sarge is wonderful...!

He is the BEST running companion I could have ever asked for...! We have the most beautiful trail, the highline canal, literally steps from our door. He & I make a nice little 2 mile jog every morning right after walking the kids to school. We are in a routine & he does not let me out of it : ) We just started using a gentle leader for our run this week on Monday & he is remarkably almost completely tolerant of it. He still wants to have the leash in his mouth though, pretty funny to see him 'leading' himself down the trail, me following on a loose leash...! People stop me even while I'm running w/ my ipod on to ask about him b/c he is so uniquely handsome & wonderfully behaved. He easily weighs as much as I do. He is so cute, he loves our kids & all the neighbor kids who are constantly in & out of our home. He loves to be outside with them while they ride bikes, scooter & play.

We got him a HUGE 4ft long open wire crate which he sleeps in on a bed with a big royal blue blanket that he brings in & out of his crate & out into the living room to play/ lay with on his other doggie bed. SUPER cute...! He LOVES the food I make for him & is a very polite boy always sitting when I present him with his bowl of food morning & night. He uses a sleek furniture like brown raised feeder & loves his treats. We could not be happier...!

Thanks again!
-- Briana

Shaq

I sent you a few pics of Shaq in his new home.

1. The three of us.

2. Danny and Shaq having quiet time in the morning watching TV. Shaq LOVES the Love Sac. It's his favorite place to cuddle.

3. All tuckered out after a hard night of playing.

We're so happy to have Shaq in our lives. We can't imagine a better dog for our family. Shaq has been a bundle of energy ever since he entered our home. He greeted us with kisses as we picked him up to bring him home, and he hasn't stopped since! Shaq's favorites include napping in the Love Sac while being cuddled, playing with his rope toy, running around in the backyard, rides in the Element, morning walks, and being anywhere Danny and Jenny are. He had his first trip to the vet in Utah on Wednesday, and she said he looks great! Last night was the first time we've left him alone for a longer period of time (while we went to class), and when we got home, he had taken the laundry out of our hamper and set it all around our bedroom. He didn't chew anything - he just made sure our scent was all over the room so he could remember us until we got home :) He has been spoiled rotten with all of the visitors he's been getting. Our families came over the first night we got him, and our entire living room was filled with people. Shaq ran from person to person, relishing all the attention he was receiving. Danny and I comment several times a day that Shaq is such a good dog and a great fit for our home.

Thank you RMGDR! We love the new addition to our family!

Danny and Jenny

Jezebel

I have attached a pic of Jezebel. She was 10 months last week, as far as I could figure) and weighed in at 110 pounds!
She is big, beautiful, mellow, and a great dog.
Cheryl

Lollipop

I know I haven't written in a long time. Just wanted to let you know that Lolli is doing great! She's sitting right next to me as we speak. We finally got her to a groomer and she did great with that, too. I was a bit worried about it but, the groomer was not. She loves traveling with us. Just this past week we took her on a camping/fishing trip and she was a kick to watch. The outdoors was her playground. She sleeps on her pillow in our bedroom every night and doesn't move till coffee time each morning. She joins us for our daily walk and we are now working with her to stay close by when we remove her leash. She's a fast learner, let me tell you. She sure is a wonderful companion. All our family members love her, too and she's finally getting use to seeing them. Ok! Just thought you would like to know how she's doing and wanted to say thank you for getting us together. WE LOVE HER!!!