Ted
Dear Foster Mom Kathy,
I really miss you, but I'm getting along pretty well at my new "forever" home. The nice people here pay lots of attention to me, and let me play ball inside and out. Thanks for taking such good care of me so that I was well enough to move to a new home! Yesterday I went to see the vet, Dr. Wendy. She is very nice. I was nice and calm and didn't even mind too much when she lifted me up and put me on a table. I didn't want to lie down at first, but then I got so comfortable while they were rubbing my tummy that I almost fell asleep! Dr. Wendy says that my weight is perfect! She can't believe how much muscle I've put on! She listened to my heart and lungs (that's when I got the belly rub) and said that everything sounded great. She did a dye test to see if my nasal passages were clear and I'm afraid I failed that. They are totally stopped up! That's why my eyes were watering so much. So, my new mom has to put prednisone drops in my eyes 3 times a day to try to open up my nose. I'm very good to her. I don't try to run away or anything. I just lie there and she puts them in.

I just love exploring my new backyard! There are so many interesting sights and smells! I have even tried to chase things that live under the leaves. I haven't caught anything yet, so Mom still doesn't know what they are. The cars that drive by don't scare me like they did the first couple of days. I have learned that they won't come near me, so I guess it's okay. You should see me chase the ball! Boy, can I run fast! And I get lots and lots of praise when I bring the ball back. As long as I bring the ball back, I get to chase it again! We only stop when I lie down. It's nice to just chill out and lie down in the grass and enjoy life. We do that sometimes, too. Well, it's time for my potty break. I'll try to keep you informed about what is going on here. Thanks again for giving me such great care! I couldn't have gotten here without you. Oh, I almost forgot! Mom is just amazed at how well I sit! Thanks for teaching me that, too. I will always love you. See you soon.
---Your special foster son, Ted
Update on Ted:
Hi Foster Mom!
You should see what I can do! I sit in a flash if my tennis ball is in front of me. And I can lie down, too! I'm even working on stay! I'm learning so many new words. Mom talks to me all the time and I'm finally starting to understand some of what she says. My "come" is getting really good--both with and without a ball in front of me.

I'm starting to understand that nothing bad is going to happen to me when I go near someone. I'm getting better and better on our walks. I don't have to be dragged to the park any more. I've learned that once we get to the park (actually, it's a park and greenway) that there are all kinds of wonderful smells. Even when we meet someone I don't shy away quite as much as I did before.

Yesterday we went to the vet again. I saw Dr. Beth. Boy, is she nice!...My eyes are better. They're draining like they should now. I just have to take Tavist twice a day for the allergies. She also gave us a new shampoo. Mom tried it out today. It smells good! I wasn't too sure about that water, but I did okay. Mom kept talking to me, like she always does, and with it being such a hot day I decided that the cool water felt good. Best of all, to get me dry I got to chase the ball lots and lots!

Mom says it's okay if you come over some time to see what I can do! She says I have a great nose. Sometimes she makes me stay and then throws the ball so that it lands where I can't see it, then she let's me go get it. I've found it every time! She uses words like "stay," "mark," "find it," "take it," and my favorite--"good boy!"

I'm learning how to play with Mom, too. She's funny. She gets down on the floor and pretends to play with my duck. I try to chase it and she grabs it from me. Then I get into a play position (least, that's what Mom tells me it is) and we try to get it from each other! I don't growl or anything--it's just fun! Hope you can come see me soon. --- Love, Ted

Well, Ted tells me it's time for supper! I, too, hope that you can come see him. He's doing so well. Thanks again for giving him such a good beginning! The folks at Concord Vet. are amazed. They can't get over how good he looks! He's really filling out--not weight wise, but muscle wise. Best of all, he's still the wonderful boy you know! Take care.
---Kathy A.

Gordon
I can't tell you how happy we are to have Gordon here with us. He is a pleasure to be around, wonderful with our grandchildren, has snowed our neighbors, etc., etc. He was worth waiting for. Just the dog we wanted. Thanks again for your compassion and commitment to our four-legged friends. --- Judge and Mrs. Maggie Little

Taylor
We just wanted to touch base with you about Taylor. We are so pleased to have Taylor as our newst family member. He has warmed up to us as his family and has made himself right at home...He is a healthy 89.9 pounds and we are walking just about every day that it isn't pouring down the rain. She says he looks great. His coat looks good, his is at a good weight, and we are going to try to wean him off his allergy medication, too.

For the first few weeks, Taylor stayed downstairs with our other dog, Bogey. But now, Taylor doesn't stay anywhere that we aren't. He sleeps at the foot of our bed on his bed. If it storms, he comes next to me and lays down. I'm sure to protect me and not because he is frightened. Ha, Ha. His great with our son. He and Bogey are doing very well together. Taylor has taken a liking to chasing our cats, but he hasn't caught one yet, so I'm not sure what he'd do if he did catch one. We think that a little obedience training would be good for all of us on the cat issue...Never the less, we are doing great and couldn't be more pleased to have Taylor as part of our family. It's still hard for us to believe that anyone could give him up, but we are so very glad to be able to love him now. We would like to thank everyone at TVGRR again for allowing us to be a part of this very important family. --- Sincerely, Kelly O'Barr

Flash (Sebastion)
Here is a picture of Sebastion, now "Flash." We adopted him December 22nd. He is doing GREAT! In fact, he is spoiled.

He gets walked anywhere from 2-5 miles a day. He is like a whole different dog. He has been to the Marriott Hotel. He goes to the gym and works out with me. He goes everywhere with us: to school; to get vehicles serviced - waiting with me in the waiting room. He sleeps with us. He just needed a little TLC. Thanks for your organization. --- Sharon Justice

Millie (Ruby)
We have an appointment with our vet at 5p.m. today...and if everything is as we expect, we think that Millie has adopted us! Neither or us cared for the name "Ruby." and...actually... after the first few hours with her at our home on Saturday, she seemed to respond to "hey, you" as well as anything...so we decided on Millie. And she seems to love it.

We almost called her "Shadow," - because she keeps right on Judy's heels EVERYWHERE. Needless to say, we LOVE her...and think that she is starting to have the same feelings for us. So far, so good. Not one accident...and her cough has ceased completely (we haven't heard it since Saturday on the trip home).
We'll keep you posted as our week progresses. And we will report the vet's findings too. Thanks again for your dedicated work. --- Judy and Tom Markham

Katie Mae
Katie Mae came to live with me in September of 1998, through my friends at Pellissippi Vet Hospital. Dr. Pat & Jan both knew alot about Katie Mae because of the important orthopedic surgery they performed on her leg. Debi Mitchell was fostering her at the time and investigated me thoroughly, maybe she used to work for the CIA? Katie helped me get through a very emotional time soon after she arrived and has continued to make me laugh. We've added a few other members to our family including KiKi Dee, a long haired black and white cat (from Fountain City Animal Hospital) and Kobe, a thin black Siamese type cat (from Tazewell Pike Animal Clinic). They all even have a new "daddy," my recent marriage to Clyde Lemarr has made all of us happy.

One of Katie Mae's most endearing habits is her fetish for socks. She prefers dirty ones but...she's more than happy to steal them from the clean laundry basket. Thank you for the work you do. I am blessed to be owned by a Golden.
--- Sincerely, Kathi Dougherty

Gracie
As you can see, Gracie is having a great life. She is still velcro-ed to Tom and loves to go anywhere he goes. He still goes with her twice a day to the park plus takes her on excursions during the day. She doesn't care where, just loves to go along to keep him company. She is very obedient and doesn't lef him out of her sight. She is very friendly to me and the other 2 dogs, but definitely a "daddy's girl."

They took several camping trips for a few days in the winter and spring, and after the last rental turnover in August, I'm sure they'll be out the door as soon as possible.

So all is well, keep up the good work. --- Judy and Tom Rikken

Jacob
Jacob...is doing really, really well. He loves it here...you can tell. I'll take him out to do his business and when he's done, I'll say, "let's go to Jacob's house," and he somehow walks me right back to the front door and will put the doorknob in his mouth as if to open it. He's eating good and has no cough. He definitely makes it known when he wants to play. He'll roll around on the floor on top of his rubber duck I got him - just to make it squeak...I'm so, so glad that Jacob is almost officially a part of our family. He most certainly acts like he's right at home and has been here all of his life. --- C. Whited