The rescue group said his former owner had died about 2 years ago and the wife kept him, but sort of neglected him. He was kept outdoors, not played with or exercised and he started digging and wandering off (surprise!). Sort of a classic case of one person in the marriage wanting the dog and other didn't. So I guess she did the right thing by finding a rescue group and getting the dog into a better situation. But I just can't imagine a better behaved dog after being neglected for 2 years!