Annie had a wonderful vacation with Auntie K. She obviously was in good hands and we think she came back even more confident, even more interested in what's going on around her. Apparently while she was with Auntie K, she was able to continue her dining habits of choice - that is, eating while standing on the couch. Go figure. We can't remember how she taught us this, but she apparently taught Aunt K the same thing. And she was able to find a special love seat to call her own on vacation, no roughing it for this little girl!

We've recently added another foster dog to our house and Miss Annie is not at all excited about this newest addition. The newest foster is a rambunctious puppy who hasn't quite figured out that Annie is the queen of the house yet. Annie was not very happy the first day, but slowly, the puppy has convinced her that it's fun to play chase in the yard and the two of them have been seen almost playing, almost. I think in another week, we'll see Annie joining in more in the backyard puppy romps.

What we are really enjoying is how much more engaged Annie has become. When you call her name, she slowly comes to be petted. If you're petting another dog (except the puppy), she comes over and gives a nudge to be part of the lovefest. She continues to slowly blossom and enjoy herself. If you think you might be interested in helping Annie continue to grow and enjoy life, please contact your Placement Advisor!

Good news, Annabelle fans! Miss Annabelle is starting to get into the swing of things and enjoy life's pleasures. She now comes readily when you call her -- well, about 75% of the time. And that's a huge step up for her, since it's taken her a while to really trust that venturing towards us will be a good thing. She greets us at the door and comes to be petted every time. She's even ventured into the kitchen now, another huge step. Most dogs love the kitchen, but it's taken Annabelle some time to feel comfortable and she's still not all that excited about it. Too much noise, I think. And she now comes into the house (after strolling in the fenced yard) easily.

One of the best things to watch is Annabelle running with the resident dogs in the backyard. I think she really enjoys that and she can really get some speed for a medium-sized girl! She also loves to run towards her FD who has become her best human buddy. She likes FM, but she loves FD and keeps an eye on him wherever he goes. If he goes outside without her, she finds a spot where she can get comfortable and watch him out the window.

Annabelle has not destroyed a single thing, hasn't had an accident, and I don't think she's barked at all. She's a creature of habit and loves her special bed. When she can, she enjoys a nap up on the couch and she's almost come to grips with the ceiling fan. Big steps for our little girl! If I had to name the most impressive change in Annie, it's that she is slowly starting to engage with us more and more. She's still a bit suspicious of company, but she's actually starting to enjoy her world and we think she deserves that and more!

I'm so pleased to share more information about Annie. We're just so impressed by this little girl and how much she's grown over these months. She has the absolutely best happy dance when you come home; it is almost so surprising to see her get so excited and animated. She's such a calm dog usually, but when you come home, she pours on the welcome. Now, that's not to say that she won't panic a bit later if there's a sudden, loud noise or something she hasn't experienced before. Annie has come to trust us most of the time, but she's just not too sure about the rest of the world.

I've attached some photos of Annie doing her daily inspection of the backyard. She loves to stroll the yard with us and seems to enjoy the outing no matter how hot it is. Not all of us are that excited about the humidity, but she doesn't seem to mind. When we first started walking the backyard with her, she followed at quite a distance, darting around in case she needed to find a safe spot. Now, she gladly follows us and allows us to reach out and pet her and have those one-sided conversations that people have with their pets. She doesn't exactly romp with our pack, but she follows them closely and no longer seems to wince when they invite her to play or romp around. She's not about play -- yet -- but these dogs keep trying and as she slowly relaxes and builds trust with us all, I bet someday she'll play one of their silly dog games with them. Why, we've even seen her sniffing the toys in the dog basket, so we know she's curious about it all. I think she just doesn't have any experience like this and still hasn't quite sorted it all out.

Annie is now very excited about her food and time to eat - she's figured out the pattern of this routine and knows where to be and when. Although she does like to sleep in, she gladly gets up when the other dogs start doing their "Feed Me" dance. We've been very pleased that Annie has started taking treats from our hands now. Little steps for this girl, but very positive growth. She sailed through July 4th fireworks without too much problem, although the first few rocket noises did cause a bit of panic. After that, she settled into her favorite dog bed and called it a day.

Attention, Fans of Annabelle! We have great news! After lots of thinking and conferring with experts, we decided to try Annabelle on some anti-anxiety medications, and they have really helped her relax and have opened the door for her to enjoy life a bit more than she had been. The medications are very cheap - only $4 for a month's supply and she takes just one pill a day. She takes it easily if it's folded into a small piece of cheese. No problem at all. With the medications, she now goes in and out of the house much more easily, roams the backyard with the rest of the pack, and welcomes us home looking eager to be included in the pack welcome home dance along with the resident dogs. The difference is night and day -- we're so glad for the advice we received and feel that Annabelle is now going to be able to enjoy experiences that will build her confidence so she can become a welcomed four-legged family member. I don't want to get too far ahead of Annabelle on this; we're talking big steps for Annabelle this week, but she still has some ways to go. But I know there's a fan club of Annabelle supporters and I wanted to let everyone know that this little sweetheart is on the road to enjoying life.

Annabelle is still showing us great house manners and has not had any harsh words with any of the resident dogs. She eats her food with much more relish than she did initially and has even been seen carrying a toy around and chewing on a Nylabone.

We're so pleased about Annabelle's week - I hope these photos give you a sense of what this sweetheart is up to.

Foster mom has told me that I am WAAAYYYYY overdue to send in an update on myself, so I'd better get busy. I am still making baby steps, but some days it is two steps back and one step forward. My tail is up more now than it is tucked between my legs like it was when I first got here. When my resident brother and sisters are getting pets and lovin', I come over now for my share also. Foster mom and dad had company a couple of weeks ago, and boy, did foster mom see changes in me. When Erik came in, I came up to him for some pets, which surprised foster mom. When he sat on the loveseat, I right away jumped up there with him and stayed. I must have thought that the loveseat was really comfy, because ever since, I think that the loveseat is mine, mine, mine. I have taken up residence on it. This couch stuff is pretty cool. Sometimes I share it with one of my resident brother or sister, and then other times I just take up the whole thing. I still pace some, but since I have taken up residence on the loveseat, I do not do that as much. I have put on some weight and do not look so skinny as I did when I came. Once in a great while, I will eat just outside of my crate, but for the most part, I will not eat unless I am fed in my crate. You cannot watch me while I am eating or I will not eat. I came in with Misty 13-404, but she has been adopted by foster mom and foster dad. I follow Misty more than I do the resident brothers and sisters, so I really need to get into my very own furever home with a big, confident dog, so I can learn to grow even more. Please contact your placement advisor if that furever home is yours.