Happy Endings. . .

Thought I'd give you a report on Sumter's first week in his new home.

At first he was timid about going into the door to the house. After a few days, when we return from our walks and we say "Sumter, let's go home" he walks up the driveway and up the steps. I think we can consider him completely house trained when it comes to taking care of his business outside. Most times he responds well to sit.

He is still very timid about getting into vehicles but we will work on that. Once in, he behaves very well and seems to enjoy looking out the windows.

Getting him into the kennel during the day is a tug of war. He turns into a greased little pig. I'm afraid he may have won that battle. However, Bob is able to get him into the kennel at bedtime and he rests all night and is happy to greet us in the morning. I have had to really puppy-proof the kitchen and dinette as he wants to pull and tug at anything he can reach. Puppy stuff that I'm sure will subside in time. Trying to teach him "down" and "stop" - sometimes he listens and sometimes not. It will come around.

He must have spent a lot of time being able to go out whenever he wanted to because he gets real excited when he sees the leash. We try to get him out on the long rope/leash once or twice a day to let him run around and get exercise. He has a good time playing with one of our neighbor's dogs. He is a quiet dog and he rarely barks.

He did very well at the vet's office the other day and Dr. Young was very pleased that we decided to make him a member of our family.

All in all, he's a great puppy and we're glad you introduced us.

Johanna Garrison