for the wonderful notes. I've been out most of the day to perform a wedding for a lovely couple. I came back in to read such an outpouring of love. (Waving at Leland -- and Callie sends playbows and leans to her "Unka" Angelo. She is certain she's in rarified company today!)

We're pretty sure Callie's mix is Kuvasz. She doesn't have collie "backs"; her shape, walk, and stance is pretty textbook Kuvasz. I've been lucky enough to rescue a couple of Kuvaszok, so I'm pretty familiar with their shape, fur, and ATTITUDE *lol*. She isn't much of a fur-niture person, preferring to take a position between us and a door or window. Her fur-sisters are Dora (a 10yo cattledog/springer mix, the queen of the pack), Ashley-Marie (a 6yo GSD/BC/Lab mix), Emmaline (half weimaraner, half Heinz 57), and Julie-Claire (a 10mo purebred border collie). Julie is learning to take up Gramma Dora's aide-dog duties, since Gramma is now of a certain age and thinking about retiring.

Our family includes one more: Maxie, an 8-to-10yo BC/pit(?) mix who is a sweet, smart, and gentle foster. Maxie's looking for a loving forever home, but another home doesn't come along, well, we've room, love, and time to spend with another eldergirl. Maxie seems to have had a pretty good home life until misfortune befell her furparents and they had to give up their home. (That's as much as we know.)

All but Emmaline and Maxie had really rough starts, but have repaid our love and concern with loyalty, comfort, love, and respect. I've had and trained dogs for thirtymumble years, even undertook years of lessons with training professionals and behaviorists. As much as I've loved and worked with my dogs who are now across The Bridge, no pack has ever taught me so much (or often challenged my knowledge) as this one. I've been very, very blessed to have the advice of a group of ladies who live with and train service dogs to assist them with their disabilities. One such lady crossed the Rainbow Bridge a couple of years ago. She trained service dogs and lots of different animals for Hollywood. She is sorely missed; I often ask myself still, "how would H----- handle this odd behavior?". I'd like to think I've listened well to her counsel.

As good as you might think you are, a pup can still throw you a curve, especially when you can't ask them about all they've been through, or why they seem to fear the oddest things.

As you might can tell, we use all-positive methods; encouragement, redirection, giving them jobs they like to do, and so on. It takes longer, but the results seem to last forever. Dear Callie had it the roughest of all our rescue-kids so it took a while to win her heart. She is spooky-smart and has become affectionate, confident, and even a lady with some elegant manners.

And oh what a heart she offers in return! As lucky as she might consider herself to find a place in the world where she can be herself, we consider ourselves luckier still. Neither collies nor kuvaszok just toss their hearts away. When she finally did, I was so blessed to be the one to catch.

Again, thank you everyone for making our day. Callie's fourth birthday present is special indeed. We're all so happy to have met you and hope to visit lots more.

Wags, leans, and yummy tossed biscuits,
James