Well, mom cleaned me up. Of course, she gets me all clean and brushed pretty, then let's me go outside to do one of my favourite things - lay in that sweet spot that is half shade, half sun and just soak in the delightful spring weather. I think that mom was a little mad that I'd ruined all her hard work, but one look and a quick wink and I was back in the good books again.

I've trained mom and dad to let me in when I'm ready now. See, before they were trying to get me in before I'd fully basked, but now they just let me hang out until I give one bark. They're quite cleaver!

Last weekend I got to be the extra special guest at a birthday party. Dad's niece had her fifth birthday party and she specially requested that I come to celebrate with her! I got a whole afternoon of kids adoring me, and adults petting and loving me! It was really a fantastic day! I almost swore that it was my birthday, especially when one of the kids spilled some lasagna. I bet that you never would have guess that I'm a professional lasagna picker-upper! Yep. Not one adult was able to clean up the dropped bits before I got to it. Oh! Did I mention that I climbed up and down the carpeted stairs many, many times? Even mom didn't know that I could go up and down the stairs so much to play!

Mom finally got around to taking some more pictures of me, just so that you can see how much better I look with my coat coming back in. She's making sure that this time, my coat doesn't get all matted and gross like last time. Whenever she brushes me, I dance with joy! It's so nice to be with people who love me. You could find out what it's like to be loved unconditionally too. Just come and meet me, or any of my wonderful friends at Misty Creek. I know that I could show you the real meaning of "love," not to mention "cuddles" and "nap time!"

You'll be pleased to know that my pretty coat is starting to grow back in. Mom thinks that it will be short for the rest of the summer, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Now that the warm summer sun is coming out more, I'm spending more time outside. After all, someone has to keep watch over the yard. That grass may move without my keen attention!
Mom also got a futon to set-up her “reading room.” Well, she likes to call it a reading room. I'm pretty sure that she wanted me to have another cushy place to nap. I mean, not nap. Guard. Protect. Heroically protect, in fact. Yes, I'm heroically protecting the futon from, well, from the unseen forces of evil. Remember, I've got great guarding skills. That futon has not once gotten up and walked away! That's all because of me!
I do keep a good eye on my foster parents though. They're safe every night because of me. I sleep right outside their bedroom so that nothing can come to them. And if anyone tries, they have to trip over me to get to the door!
Mom and dad have been bringing me around their nieces and nephews more. In addition to my 8-year-old girl, I have a 5-year-old as well! The love just goes on and on.
Mom's been brushing my teeth lots lately and giving me big teeth cleaning treats, and I think it might be helping. She's also been doing what she calls “modified obedience training” so that I learn to be the most perfect gentleman. I don't sit because it can be hard on my hips and she's careful about that, but I'm learning really well and she's so proud of how hard I try and how good I am. Dad's been taking me out for walks lots too. He thinks that it's so great that an older fellow like myself has so much boogey.
Mom says that she's going to take new pictures of me after a bath this weekend. She's been really nice and worked really hard to make sure that when my coat is all back, I look like a show dog. Bath time is overdue and it means EXTRA brushing which I like as much as cookies.
Yeah, mom and dad take good care of me, but I'm looking forward to being someone's forever friend. With all of my many talents and the way I devote myself to making the people around me happy I know that I would be the best friend you could ever have.

I can’t say that the past few weeks have been as eventful as when I first came here. I’ve been keeping up regular visits with my foster grandparents. They’ve even been taking me to the park.
My foster sister runs until she’s ready to fall down. Thankfully, I’m smarter than that. I take advantage of the nice, warm sunlight and bask in how lovely it is getting. My coat is coming back in, but not so quickly that I have to worry about being too hot while out in the sun.I have a little girl now who comes to visit me once a week. She’s just lovely. She’s only 8, but she knows what I like. The cuddles are so darn good that I dance for her when she comes over too! I’m now in charge of training a puppy as well! That’s right, friends of the family just got a puppy and I’m his role model. Apparently no one read the fine print in my contract. He’s a bit of a pain and is constantly in my face, but when he gets to be too much, I lay down on him. The people all think it’s funny. I think it’s necessary. He is cute though, and I do like looking after him while he’s sleeping.
Foster mom says that I’m a totally different dog from the one who came out to them at first and the lack of hair has nothing to do with it! I’m still the same gentle, kind soul, but she says now I have heart. She and dad are always saying how happy I am now and they smile a lot watching me be silly. I guess they realized that I have lots of life left in me and lots of love left to give. Would you like me to show you just how much love I have to give? I bet you’ll be surprised too!