Julie

Can't believe Rafe is already one and a half--it just

doesn't seem that long since I saw the little head pop

up over the side of the mattress that first night we

had him.

The little head is bigger, but still beautiful.

It was a nice afternoon (finally), so I decided to

take Rafe for a walk on one of the bike trails (a

former railroad bed that is now gravel and dirt,

running though fields).  We drove over to the starting

point, parked, and headed past the other cars toward

the trail.  A middle-aged couple were unloading their

bikes from the back of a truck, and she just watched

him coming and then said, "What a beautiful . . .

companion."  Then she added:  "He is just too

beautiful to be called a dog."  Rafe naturally went

over to them, kissed their hands (very politely, for

once, did not jump on them), and made friends.

Needless to say, we are now keeping him for at least

another week.

Cheers!

We are visiting a friend who has had horses and

shepherds for years, and thought you would like to

know her reaction:

     1) he has the best head I have ever seen

     2) he can always stay in a crate at my house--

        but you will have to fight me to take him

        back

     3) there is only one thing wrong with him:  my

        name won't be on his papers

Last night he met the horses.  When he was lifted up

to see my horse god-daughter Tariat, he kissed her--I

think she was totally bemused.  He is also fascinated

with Gunnar the Dobe, Uncle Goon (probably because he

never saw one before).

He is still having problems with car sickness, but his

Uncle Mark did too at that age--probably has something

to do with inner ear development.

Please tell Tiffany she did a great job on the house

training.  Rafe is now sleeping 7-8 hours at night,

and heads for the door whenever he needs to go out.

Cheers!