Hi Terry:

Want to let you know that Champ is doing just fine. Has he had Heartgard? If so, when? If not, I’ll start him inasmuch as his test is clear.

We had a battle yesterday morning, and guess who won? We were walking and he was in the act of lifting a leg against some vine, and like a shot he was into the vine before I could stop him. He definitely had something in his mouth and I told him to drop it. Naturally he didn’t. So I grabbed him snarling at me, and held him down by his harness and opened his mouth, almost. No way was he going to open that mouth. Finally, I got it open, and finally fished out what he had picked up. A chicken breast bone. So he learned who was in charge, snarling and all. After that we calmly proceeded on our walk.

He is a neat dog and I am very happy to have him. He can’t chew his itches, so the raw areas are getting better. Also, I had medication from before and that has helped to heal it. We are getting along just fine. The cats, he ignores them and they ignore him. Found out he loves to play in the hose when I am spraying down the flowers. I wondered if he has been swiming? Anyway, last night, at my daughter’s, my granddaughter (who is a wheel chair person) and I were talking and I told her about how he loves to play in the water and he probably would swim. It suddenly dawned on me that they had a pond. He was outside with there Jack Russel Terrier (Rascal) and Rascal was standing looking into the pond. I took off and sure enough, he was in the pond and didn’t know how to get out. He was clawing at the edge when he saw me. I reached in and pulled, and out he came. He didn’t mind at all, then he and Rascal went back to chasing each other. He also ignored the cats at my daughter’s. He and Rascal had a tremendous time. He is in whatever room I go to, following close. I think you are right about someone trying to debark him. I guess I was meant to have him.

About a month later:

Thought I’d give you an update on Champ.

Champ is a GREAT dog! What a personality he has. The first couple of days, he didn’t demonstrate too much, but as he became surer of his surroundings and the house and the yard and the long morning and short evening walks, the more he blossomed. We’ve had a couple of tussles, like the chicken bone episode (and if there is a chicken bone somewhere in the grass, he’ll find it, so we stay out of the park and I watch his little nose like a hawk). But now he has learned already, what is allowed and what is not. What an intelligent guy he is.

His scratching has stopped and his hair is growing back in the areas he had chewed raw. He wore the cone while in the house for about a week, and although it is handy, it hasn’t been required since. He sleeps on the foot of the bed. I have him on a allergy diet, grain free. His weight is down to 20#. We had two housebreaking problems, done while I brushed my teeth in the morning, so now as soon as my feet hit the floor, out he goes. No more problem. At first he ignored the washed stuffed animal basket, but now he picks out what he wants and tosses it about. He has a blast barking at the dogs in the park behind the property. He loves to play in the hose when I am watering, but I must be careful not to drown him in his enthusiasm.

I would like to encourage those who are reluctant to go for a “used” dog to believe. Believe that they need a real home, they need proper food, attention and know that they are loved. Everything else will fall in place. I’ve been obtaining rescue dogs and cats since 1980, I’ve not regretted a single one.

Thank you for Champ.