Most important, a big thank-you to Fred and Brooklyn and Tegan for your spring fling icons. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Spring brought many new and unfamiliar experiences for our sweet Roy. Some days even presented multiple challenges and on those days, Roy looked as if he felt somewhat like Job. Just one example: FM shares a fence with neighbors along one side of the lot. They replaced the fence this spring. The residents welcomed the crew of workers with unbridled joy and enthusiasm - more people to play with and a bigger yard! Not so Roy. He obviously viewed the strangers as the advance guard of Attila the Hun and went outside only with reluctance. Adding further injury, Roy had to endure a 30-foot lead until the new fence was installed and the back yard was again escape-proof. As much as possible, FM gave Roy privacy as he went about his business - but he was not a happy boy.

What else has our Roy found disconcerting this spring?

1. We passed by someone who was energetically raking their yard a few weeks ago. Roy was so startled that he bolted and, without FM's firm grip on the double lead, would have become airborne. He just panicked, poor guy. We stopped about 50 ft. up the sidewalk and had a reassuring discussion about the non-lethal nature of rakes.
2. We started our 4th Obedience I class. There was one difference between this session and the previous ones, however: the instructor was a man with a loud voice. Roy signaled some discomfort in the first class and an increasing level of unhappiness in the second class. So, we dropped out. We will look for other less threatening ways to continue Roy's socialization.
3. On another of our walks, Roy started to roll his eyes and back away from the side of the road. Why? Water running in the gutter was noisily falling down a storm drain on its way to the River.
4. With spring, the hose is hooked up and FM is using it, the watering can, wheel barrow and various garden tools. Roy has greeted the appearance of each new object with eye rolling and a hasty retreat to the other side of the yard. One night, he was reluctant to come into the house because, to do so, he had to step over the hose.

And do you know what? Roy's behavior is completely normal for an undersocialized dog. He views everything that is unfamiliar with suspicion and, depending upon the situation, varying levels of fear. Look at it from Roy's point of view. This is the first time in his life that he has seen a rake - much less one being used, a wheel barrow or a hose. He's never heard water running into a storm drain. The good news is that over time, Roy has met and conquered so many challenges like these. One of the biggest hurdles he has surmounted is attending Meet and Greets. He is now quite comfortable in a heretofore highly stressful situation. After about 1/2 an hour of looking around suspiciously, he relaxes; he watches everything intently; he smiles; and he even tolerates pats from total strangers. And that pesky hose? After 3 weeks, Roy doesn't give it a second glance!

June 2nd is going to be a big day in our house. Its Roy's 8th birthday and we will be celebrating! Send our dear birthday boy your good thoughts!

P.S. Just a few miscellaneous pictures. The first one is Roy happily sitting on the bench at the vet (ear infection). The second is at a recent Shakopee Meet and Greet with Roy's BFF Fred, Fred's nephew Captain in the foreground, resident Cubbie and Roy.

Thanks so much, Janell, for the spring fling icon. You make Roy feel so special!

And a happy belated St. Patrick's Day to everyone! We celebrated! FM couldn't resist including a picture of the residents (Bear 10-277, Cubbie, and beautiful Zozo 12-108) along with several of sweet Roy. (You can tell a bit of peanut butter was a reward, can't you!)

Today's update is about a subject that - with most dogs - is taken for granted. But not with our Roy. It's about tail wagging!

1. FM previously commented about Roy's morning routine of waking me up. Well, that routine was interrupted because we had a temporary foster, Abel 15-024, who slept next to FM's bed. Roy couldn't get close to FM! Once Abel moved to IA, however, Roy resumed his morning ritual enthusiastically. First, he "tests" FM - "Is it time to get up?" If "No," back to his kennel. If "Yes," color Roy happy. His head is up. He wags his tail. He welcomes hugs and pats. He gives and gets kisses. Roy is indistinguishable from the residents in his celebration of the new day.
2. FM gathers up a leash and baggies whenever it's time to go out. (FM continues to leash Roy so that he exits through that right angle turn at the back doorway calmly and without bolting.) This action is Roy's self-initiated signal to come over to me - wagging his tail and smiling, ready to be leashed. Then out we go.

We attended the Shakopee Meet-and-Greet this past weekend. FM has noticed that, at the last several Meet-and-Greets, Roy seems to have a real Jekyll-Hyde dichotomy going on. For the first 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour, Roy is uncomfortable and nervous. He doesn't make much eye contact with people, hunches his shoulders, and his tail is firmly between his legs. By the end of the Meet, however, Roy relaxes and we see an entirely different dog, as evidenced by the pictures below: a calm self-possessed guy.

*Thanks to Carolyn and Fred for the pictures!

And so our brave Roy is continuing on his golden journey. There were few smiles and little tail wagging several months ago. But Roy's whole demeanor is changing now, ever so slowly but surely. Smiling and tail wagging are daily occurrences. He seems more content. He has moments of happiness. Kudos to Roy!

Most important, a big Thank You to Cindy, Krae, and Lilly Red for your valentine. It arrived just after FM sent in the last update and so our thank-you was delayed. We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Events of this past week provide perfect examples of the progress that Roy continues to make as well as his residual - albeit shrinking - "I'm afraid of the world" view. He sure keeps FM on her toes. First, the yin. Everyone came in from their constitutional in the back yard the other morning. As always, Roy was last. He came around the side of the house, paused, looked straight at me, and headed back for another circuit around the yard. This has never happened before. By the 3rd circuit, FM is muttering, "What do you want? An engraved invitation...?" Finally, FM realized: the dryer vent, next to the back door, is spewing clouds of steam. Whoa! Scary! No way was Roy going to go through that! With the dryer paused, Roy came into the house with a "What took you so long" look. And so our world continues to turn. LOL.

And now, the yang. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see Roy at the Shakopee Meet and Greet. He met lots of people - some for the second time - and has progressed to the point that he looks at me somewhat disdainfully when I ask him if he wants to settle down on his blanket for a bit. Fred visits with Roy at each outing, providing gentle pats and whispering nonsense to him. Roy has become very fond of Fred. In a sea of unfamiliar, Fred is a safe harbor. Sarah met and spent a lot of time with Roy and he gradually relaxed with her also. These efforts are so important as we try to demonstrate to Roy that the world is a good place and that people are kind.

Amid all this positive reinforcement, Roy actually began to enjoy himself, enabling Cindy G to take the loveliest picture ever of our sweet boy.

And, finally, we have added foster Abel 15-024 to the crowd on a temporary basis. Unfortunately, poor Abel came down with pneumonia and felt just lousy for several days, coughing and wheezing. Abel chose to lay down and be close with Roy during much of this time. It sure looks like Roy is offering doggy comfort and compassion to the sick guy, doesn't it. Good for Roy!

Apologies from FM!! The residents and Roy were most upset that FM's list of requirements for Roy's Forever Home was incomplete. After reading through it, they all informed me that for a Forever Home to be considered, that Home must have PEANUT BUTTER which is liberally dispensed on a daily basis. So, consider yourself warned!!

Roy completed his second round of Obedience I this past week. After the proficiency exercises, the instructor announced which dog had taken first place and received a blue ribbon and then said, "And second place goes to Roy, even though he can't sit or lie down." So, once again, Roy was "in the money." (Very low bar.) Very funny.

When we arrived home from our last Obedience session and let everyone loose in the back yard, Zozo (12-108) was so overjoyed to see Roy that she wouldn't leave him alone. (We do call Zozo "Flirty Myrty" because she has always been a real "girly girl.") This was Zozo at her best. She just kept nuzzling and kissing Roy. So fun to watch!

We celebrated Roy's Obedience accomplishments with doggie ice cream that night after dinner.

By way of background, when Roy arrived here, he ate in his kennel in the bedroom with the door closed. FM gradually started moving the dish further and further out of the kennel until Roy was eating in the bedroom itself. The next step was to open the bedroom door at meal time. Until last week, that was as far as we had progressed. But look at the picture: Roy is eating his ice cream in the kitchen along with the rest of the guys. He really wanted that ice cream! Another step forward!

Lastly, we loved the time we recently spent at the Shakopee Meet and Greet. Thanks for stopping by to see Roy and the other guys there. Roy was at his photogenic best.

Shakopee Event Manager Carolyn said that we should entitle this last picture "And I am just going to stay here, cross my legs and patiently wait until my forever family gets here!"

A quick note to Zach and Kelly: So glad you stopped by to see Roy! Terrific to have a chance to meet you!

Roy is welcoming in the new year by demonstrating an increase in confidence and comfort when confronting unfamiliar situations. At the recent Edina Meet and Greet, we started the afternoon in "our" quiet corner with Roy lying on his blanket. After about half an hour, Roy sat up and began to take an active interest in his surroundings.

Shortly thereafter, Roy's special friend, Nicole 13-351, and her forever mom came to visit and say Hello. It's almost uncanny watching Roy and Nicole together. They draw comfort from one another and bolster each other's courage. With Nicole there, Roy got up, stepped out of his corner and stood next to Nicole and remained by her side throughout her visit.

Later in the afternoon, as the crowd thinned out, Roy - still standing - felt comfortable moving into the open portion of the meeting room. F, a RAGOM volunteer, provided hugs and pats and encouragement. Roy was watchful, but fairly relaxed. How about that for courage and determination. Another step along the path.

(*Thanks to Cindy G for usual outstanding pictures!)

We will be at the Shakopee Meet and Greet this weekend. Our mantra all week has been "No more corners!" Hope to see you there.

Roy's recent growth bolsters FM's conclusion that Roy is ready for his next big step - going to his forever home. Roy is a special love and will need the following:

1. A fenced yard. A fence is for Roy's protection and safety. If he got loose, FM is certain he would panic, bolt and that we could catch him only with great difficulty, if at all.
2. Another dog or dogs. Roy needs another dog to pattern himself after as he continues to learn "normal" behaviors.
3. Roy would do best in a FM-only home or a home with adults only. A home with older children who are dog-savvy is a possibility. Concerning children, FM's reasoning is that Roy still startles very easily and, when afraid, will bolt. Quick movements or actions are scary to him. Roy's world now is relatively slow-paced without a lot of noise. He prefers consistency and thrives in a predictable environment.
4. Roy needs lots of love, attention and a forever home that will have zero expectations of him... thus being able to joyfully celebrate each step that he makes along his path.
5. Roy needs a forever home which will structure Roy's world so that he continues to be challenged to work through his fear of all that is new and unknown, so that he can become all he can be.

A big thank you to Zach and Kelly for your thoughtfulness in sending Roy a Christmas card icon. We appreciate your generosity and would love to meet you at an upcoming Meet and Greet if you are in the Twin Cities area.

Another big thank you goes to everyone who stopped by to say "Hello" to Roy at the recent Edina Meet and Greet. Knowing how popular this site is, we arrived at Chuck and Don's a bit early to stake out a not-so-busy corner with our blanket. For most of the visit, Roy lay quietly. He was watchful, but made little eye contact with you as you stopped by to see him. But each of you treated him with such care and kindness, complete with gentle pats and soft words that FM saw the results of this loving attention with Roy by the end of the afternoon. Not too long before we left, Roy sat up on his blanket. He started to look around at his surroundings, quite unafraid and really trying to figure out what was going on with all the people and dogs. He obviously felt more confident. WOW!!! FM was amazed. Thank you. Thank you.

Roy continues to show signs that he is becoming more comfortable in his world here at home too. Although his kennel and his bed in the kitchen are still his go-to places, he is comfortable on a bed in the living room now also. He is sitting up more often and for longer periods of time. In fact, FM was sitting at the kitchen table having a few crackers with peanut butter this week. As previously mentioned, peanut butter is a favorite with all of the dogs (and Duddie, one of the cats)! Everyone perks up when the lid is twisted off the jar. Well, Roy is now no exception to that statement. All of a sudden, as I sat there, I realized that Roy was sitting up - about a foot and a half away - and was looking directly at me. He wanted some peanut butter too! And this sweet boy got some - a heaping tablespoonful. Another step forward: he initiated the interaction and told me what he wanted.

When Roy arrived here in July, he was on two anti-anxiety medications. This past fall, with Dr. C's agreement, we weaned him off one of those meds, Alprazolam. He remained on an average (based on his weight) dosage of Fluoxetine. We have now reduced the dosage of Fluoxetine - just slightly - and he seems to be tolerating this with no adverse effects. In a few weeks, we'll see if he tolerates another small reduction. Whether he is ready is up to Roy. We'll take our direction from him.

And so, sweet beautiful Roy continues to emerge from his "old" world of fear. Ever so surely - he is entering our world of hope and love. Roy is our miracle and we are grateful every day that we are to be able to witness and celebrate his journey. He spends a quiet moment cuddling with Sidney the cat below.

First and most important, a BIG thank you to Zach and Kelly O for sponsoring Roy. Your kindness and generousity is much appreciated. It is people like you who enable RAGOM to provide the care that so many of our dogs require. You are an integral and vitally important part of our effort. Thank you.

Roy continues to be our social butterfly as he gets out and about. Unfortunately, right after I so happily stated that he was not vomiting in the car as we go to our various engagements, he started in again. So, we're now using Dramamine and it works like a charm. Thank goodness!

On October 26th, Dylan (13-379), a pup from Roy and Nicole's (13-351) last litter at the puppy mill, hosted a one-year birthday party for his 7 littermates, mom, dad, and assorted other dogs and families. What fun! A beautiful day and a beautiful celebration in a large fenced back yard. The tunnel was a favorite for the pups and kids. Amazing how many could fit in at one time - it reminded me of the clowns cramming into a small car at the circus and then all tumbling out!

Roy and FM wrapped up our first Obedience I training session on Wednesday morning. This last class was a test of all the commands we have been taught in the 10-week period. Despite no "sit" and/or "down" (lack of trust) - except when he chooses to do so - Roy has "heel" and all the exercises that we do in tandem down pat. FM gave this some thought and concluded that with this behavior, Roy is really saying, "You're the only one I know here and maybe you will keep me safe in these unfamiliar surroundings with all the strange people/dogs. So, I'm sticking close to you!" And, bless him, he does. Well, the unexpected outcome yesterday was that despite his "shortcomings," Roy came home with a blue ribbon. He scored top in his class! Never mind that the bar was low - we celebrated with doggy ice cream for everyone. We proudly hung his blue ribbon on his kennel! And we start our second Obedience I session next week.

FM had a contractor ("IW") here at the house in the kitchen for about 3 hours this past week. Roy retreated to his kennel in the bedroom when IW arrived and remained there for almost 2 hours. Roy then approached us and stood in the hallway. His dilemma was clear: he wanted to join us all in the kitchen, but was afraid to pass directly by IW to get to his safe-place bed. FM asked IW to move out of Roy's path and after some encouragement, Roy did join us and laid down. How about that! He didn't want to be by himself. What a brave boy.

Lastly, knowing that Roy is happier and more relaxed when he wakes up in the morning than at any other time during the day, FM is trying to extend that morning feel-good time as long as possible. Well, FM got a big reward today. As he does every morning now, Roy came out of his kennel - wagging his tail - and came over to the bed for some pats and happy talk. But - Newsflash! - he then gave my hand several kisses. A first! FM admits to a few tears!

And so, ever so slowly, Roy continues to emerge from his puppy mill background into a happy world of tail wags, smiles, kisses and love. FM sees him snuggling with the residents more and more often these days. He even got a face wash from Bear (10-277) several days ago which he endured with perfect equanimity! Welcome to our world, Roy!!

First and most important, a big thank you to Jennifer, Jackie, Paul, Kara, and Chuck for your thoughtfulness in purchasing a paw print for Roy at Goldzilla. It sounds, Jennifer, as if you had a similar experience with your Riley and I can appreciate the time, patience, and love it took for him to trust you. Roy is also a special boy - he just steals your heart - and I celebrate every step forward that he makes. Thank you all for your generosity in helping RAGOM continue its good work!

And Roy does just keep growing and developing. Take walks, for example. Everyone wants to go on every walk! But FM only has so many hands and leashes, so we go on our walks in shifts. When it is resident Cubbie's and Roy's turn, I'll call Roy to come to the front door to be leashed - and he does! He has started to really enjoy himself as we explore. He still likes to be about a 1/2 step behind me, but FM attributes that to caution. He has, however, picked up his pace to a definite - almost brisk - walk. His head is higher. We vary our routes and often walk by the River so that we see other people and dogs. We're going between 1 1/2 and 2 miles a day. This is a different boy than the one that accompanied me on our first walk almost 3 months ago!

FM is trying to reinforce those aspects of the obedience training that Roy is ready to handle. He walks very nicely and follows my lead on varying our pace (fast and slow) and going in circles (to the right and to the left). "Sit" and "down" require far too much trust at this time, so we're working on "come." Per the instructor, FM only uses the command when she's certain that Roy will be successful. For example, after Roy has been out in the backyard, he always returns to the back door and is the first one back into the house. So, FM is now saying "come" to coincide with his return and reentry. Similarly, when FM takes Roy's meals to the bedroom, he has started to walk along with me of his own accord. Again, FM has started to say "come" as we leave the kitchen. Most of all, Roy has relaxed a lot in the training classroom and watches what is going on around him quite closely. Progress for our boy!

Another area that Roy has worked on diligently in the last few months has been car rides. When FM picked up Roy from boarding initially, he jumped right into the car. Was FM happy or what! Well, not so fast. What FM took for comfort with the car was probably Roy saying "I'm more afraid of being left behind than I am of getting in the car with you!" About two weeks later, when I wanted to take Roy in the car again, he made it clear that FM could go by herself. So we embarked on a desensitization program. We started by sitting by the car for 15-20 minutes, moving closer and closer to the car as the days went by. We finally got in the car and sat there. We kept doing that until Roy stopped shaking, rolling his eyes, and panting. Finally, we started going for short rides. These rides brought on several bouts of nervous vomiting, so FM quickly learned to schedule our excursions when Roy had an empty stomach! Fast forward to now: Roy still has some discomfort getting in and out of the car, but he rides very nicely now. He looks out the windows for a bit and then lies down for a snooze. No more eye rolling, panting, or other nervous behavior. As the picture below shows, he's less than wildly enthusiastic about car rides, but this good boy has become a very pleasant traveling companion.

It is so exciting to see the progress that Roy continues to make as he learns what its like to live the Golden Life. Here are several examples:

1. Several weeks ago, as previously noted, FM was delighted to see Roy coming out of his kennel in the morning - wagging his tail - to join the pack as they woke up and got ready for the day. Well, Roy is now experimenting with the idea of becoming my alarm clock. Every couple of days, Roy will get up about 1/2 hour before our normal wake-up time, come out of his kennel - wagging his tail - and look to see if he can garner any it's-time-to-get-up support from the residents. No takers and FM does her best not to laugh. A disappointed Roy goes back into his kennel. But boy, is he happy when it is finally time to get up!

   In fact, when we do all wake up, Roy is now coming over to the side of the bed to get his share of pats and "good morning" from FM. He's asking for the love. Wow!

2. FM also previously noted that when she came home from errands, Roy would get up from his bed in the kitchen and give me a few welcoming tail wags. Roy is now taking this behavior one step further: he comes out into the hallway - tail wagging - for a quick "hello" before going back to the kitchen.
3. When Roy first arrived in our home, he flatly refused to take any treats from my hand. (He still won't take the regular dog biscuits unless they are laid down by him.) Finally, after about a month, however, Roy started to take high-value treats - chicken, deli turkey, Natural Balance dog roll - from my hand. We then tried to add peanut butter to our repertoire of high-value treats. Initially, after a few preliminary sniffs, Roy refused the dollop of peanut butter proffered on a kitchen spatula. When he wouldn't take it, FM smeared it on his paw. Fast forward to today: Roy gently licks peanut butter from my finger. And he obviously considers it a real bonanza when he gets the empty jar to work on:

   

4. Originally, when it was time for walks, FM would take the leashes into the kitchen and get Roy ready for his daily exploration of the neighborhood. Not so any more. Now when it's time to go out, Roy promptly comes to the front door to be leashed - sometimes even before I call him.

Each of these seemingly small steps is momentous. Ever so slowly, Roy is setting aside a lifetime of puppy mill experiences and, at the same time, replacing them with new behaviors that, if he had been well socialized as a puppy, we would expect as a matter of course. The characteristic that I observe in Roy that gives me so much optimism for his continuing growth and development is the same one I saw in resident puppy mill girl, Zozo (12-108): Roy is very curious. It is this inquisitiveness, coupled with the fact that he intently observes everything that is going on around him, that I believe fuels his courage to keep making these baby steps forward.

Roy will be at the foster tent at Goldzilla from 10:30 - 11:30 on September 14th. Come and say hello. He will be apprehensive, but a few gentle pats will help him to further grow and develop. You'll be able to find us easily. This handsome guy will be surrounded by the residents for moral support - so look for the crowd of us! In case you've forgotten, here's what he looks like!

A final note: On the 14th, there will be a large board (near the baseball backstop) with the pictures of all available dogs. You can help by purchasing a foster paw print sticker at the merchandising tent (available in increments of $10, $25, $50, and $100). You will then place the paw print sticker next to the picture of the dog you'd like to support. You will also have the opportunity to write a note to the dog you select - which will be posted on his/her page after the event. Whether you select Roy or one of the other deserving fosters, thank you for your generosity.

The date - Tuesday, August 12, 2014 - has been circled, starred, asterisked, exclamation pointed, and whatever else FM does when there's a date to remember and celebrate in our home. Roy made a giant step forward on Tuesday! After breakfast in the morning, the guys gathered around for some love. This involves quite a bit of jostling of one another and jockeying for position because (how did this happen!) FM only has two hands and everyone wants the pats. All of a sudden, FM realized that there was an extra Golden Retriever in the mix. It was Roy! Entirely of his own volition and despite an aversion to being hemmed in by the guys, he waded into the group to get his share of hugs and kisses from FM. FM didn't call, cajole, or offer bribes/treats to him. Until Tuesday, FM has always been the one doing the approaching. Most times - attribute this to his background - Roy acts as if he tolerates the pats, but doesn't really welcome the attention. Not so on Tuesday. For the first time, he joined the pack because he wanted to. He sought out the love. What wonderful progress for this special guy.

Roy continues to be super busy. He's working very hard at this business of socialization. He attended another playdate - with about 8 people and 9 dogs. A lot of activity for a shy guy like Roy. Thankfully, Whitney (13-317) and Nicole (13-351) were there and gave him some special attention. Also in attendance were two of the youngsters from Roy's last litter: Dylan (13-379) and Chester (13-378). Energy - energy - energy from those 8-month-olds! It was a family reunion!

Last Saturday found Roy at the Plymouth Meet and Greet - where he met head-on his reluctance to be with strange people in unfamiliar surroundings. Everyone was understanding and he did just fine. Admittedly, he was very glad to get home and snooze the rest of the day!

Thought you'd enjoy a few pictures of Roy. He's appropriating/chewing bones and, in this case, a Kong with greater frequency now. He also recently de-eared a stuffie - with great enthusiasm and intensity.

Resident Bear (12-108) joined Roy on "his" dog bed one evening and FM was fortunate enough to capture the first time that Roy has initiated contact/a snuggle with one of the guys. Another baby step forward.

Lastly, FM thought you'd enjoy seeing more positive body language from Roy - head up, shoulders back. It may be a long journey, but Roy has started down the path toward becoming all that he can be.

Send sweet Roy your good thoughts and wishes as he continues to grow and develop.

Roy is gradually settling in to his new routine. When he arrived, so many things were unfamiliar and, hence, scary to Roy that he would bolt with some frequency. For example, he became fearful when he was surrounded by the residents and could not see a clear path to one of his safe spots. This situation has largely resolved itself as Roy has become accustomed to and comfortable with the residents. When he gets jostled and hemmed in by the guys now, I can almost see him take a deep breath and just go with it - knowing that he'll eventually get to his safe place. An example of an ongoing anxiety-producing situation for Roy is going outside from the kitchen. This involves two doors at a 90-degree angle within a small space, plus the residents who love to go out and crowd around FM before the doors are even opened. After some trial and error, we've worked out a "last out - first in" system. Roy waits until the guys are out before he cautiously crosses through those scary doorways at his own pace. Returning, the guys wait (as in "WAIT!!") until Roy slowly navigates the pesky doorways/right angle turn to get back inside. FM's frame of reference for the challenge a doorway can pose for a puppy mill rescue is beautiful resident Zozo (12-108 - from the MO mill) who still rolls her eyes as she passes through one particular doorway in the house. Roy is doing just fine!

Roy attended his first Meet and Greet at Chuck and Don's in Edina this past Sunday. He approached the car ride and event with great trepidation. However, thanks to the understanding RAGOM folks and visitors who joined us at the Meet and Greet, he coped wonderfully. He slowly relaxed, largely due to all the other dogs nearby and the kind words and gentle hands that helped ease his anxiousness. In fact, one of Roy's sons, Dylan 13-379 - came out to the event to say hi.

Roy (right) and his son, Dylan (front left)

Perhaps the most heartwarming moment of the event was when a lovely little Golden girl - Whitney 13-317 - who came to the event just to say hello to everyone (she has found her Forever Home) recognized a fellow puppy mill survivor in Roy. She approached and stayed close to Roy. It was clear to all of us that they drew comfort from one another in these unfamiliar and busy surroundings.

Thought you'd enjoy a few more pictures of this beautiful boy (even though he's squinting in the bright sun). The bone picture was taken within the last week and records the first time that Roy showed any interest in bones/stuffies since he's been here!

A final thought: what I have the privilege of seeing with Roy is a guy who, despite being unaccustomed to and therefore afraid of so many things and situations, is slowly putting one foot in front of the other and meeting head-on the numerous new experiences and challenges confronting him. It's not always "pretty" and it's not always "graceful." What it is is unbelievably courageous. Send sweet Roy your good thoughts.