Julie

November 11, 2002

1.5 years


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.
November 6, 2002

Saturday with Rafe


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!
March 21, 2002

Rafe Report



Just had Rafe in for his heartworm check and realized

I had not let you know about him for a long time.


He continues to be himself, just on a larger scale.

He is now taller than Mark, so probably about 28

inches at the withers, and around 74 pounds.  We think

he looks a great deal like his dad, especially the

picture on your web site with Omar coming straight at

the camera.


When we went into the vet clinic, he lost it in the

waiting room—there was another dog on the other side,

and he really wanted to go over and play.  They put

him in an exam room, and he was delighted to see the

vet techs—stood up on his back feet, then sat, shook

hands, and kissed them as they removed his blood.

They were impressed—also enjoyed how gently he took

biscuits.


We are working on taking the dumbbell, and his

approach is certainly different—no objections to

taking it, but then he just lets it slide out and fall

on the floor.  Usually a little touch under the chin

reminds him, and he is always agreeable about it.


The tennis ball is still the greatest thing in his

world, so we have "bait" when we need it.


Cheers!
September 1, 2001

Greetings from the road


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!
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