12/11/2007

Hi, just an update on our newly adopted dog, Violet (formerly known as Oreo). She has ultra high energy and for a household of pets on low energy, this has brought quite a change into our house. Slowly, surely, she is gaining an understanding of what it means to be housebroken, although our house smells lately of carpet cleaner. She loves the two cats, but almost too much, so that the cats tend to avoid her as much as is possible. Violet loves to chew on rocks. We've taken to nicknaming her "iron-jaws" since she just won't give up anything she has in her mouth . . . but she ultimately does. Except for the rocks, we've been able to get her to stop chewing on everything. Oh yeah, and the chewed up twenty dollar bill I had to tape back together!

The other two dogs, Nyles and Scotty, are adjusting. Scotty, our "alpha dog" tends to help keep a lid on things. Nyles tends to ignore her. Nighttime is totally different as the animals all stake out a location on the bed and snooze the night away.

Violet enjoys her romps in the backyard and likes the trail that takes to behind the waterfalls. It's fun to see her suddenly launch herself from the bushes and attack unseen prey, and she streaks across the yard while the other two dogs are trying to determine what she is up to now. She's only fallen in the pool once and she was able to get out before I even got to her. She now gives the pool a wide berth.

All in all, it's been a lot of stress, a lot of cleaning, a lot of training, breaking up a few fights, but Violet is settling in very nicely and we wouldn't give her up for anything . . . especially when she snuggles up in your lap for the evening.

Marlin and Phyllis