From: Martha T.
To: Linda Rogers
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Subject: Update on Bailey

I just wanted to send a brief note to let you know that we are completely smitten with Bailey. He's perfect. I keep waiting for him to turn into devil-dog, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm convinced he's brilliant; he's always watching everything we do. In fact, I think the best description I can give him is "thoughtful." He just seems to be thinking all the time. He hardly cries at all at night--a couple of yips and a bark, and then we don't hear anything out of him for the rest of the night.

We took him to the vet yesterday and he checked out just fine. Everyone there was taken with him. The receptionist carried him around to show him to the groomer and the rest of the staff in the back. I had your folder with me and they were most impressed with the information you had provided.

I just wanted to say thanks again for making this such a pleasant experience. At no point did I doubt that I was getting my puppy from someone who truly cared and worked hard to breed healthy dogs with the right personality. Oh, and by the way, I think you have ESP. You hit the nail on the head in pairing us with Bailey. He is perfect for us...laid back, affectionate, smart. I couldn't ask for anything more.

I'm attaching a picture of him that has all of our friends falling in love with him even though they haven't seen him yet! Thanks, again. --Martha

From: Martha T.
To: "Linda Rogers"
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005
Subject: Re: Update on Bailey

Hi, Linda. Happy New Year to you, too!

We continue to delight in Bailey and just love him to death. He went to the vet this morning, where he got his last round of shots. He weighs 22 pounds and is getting taller every day. Physically, he has the graceful moves of a poodle, but in looks, he seems to be a true blend of both retriever and poodle.

I have not revised my opinion of him: he's a genius. He is now 14½ weeks old. He barks to let us know he needs to go outside and hasn't had an accident in 10 days. He obeys the commands "sit" and "lay down," understands "no" (although he makes it clear he wishes he didn't!), and he's adjusting well to the leash. He's even learning to distinguish his toys' names: he'll go find his tug-rope and bone when we ask him where they are. He sleeps quietly in his crate at night, and now goes into it by himself (although we bribe him with his favorite treats). We do keep him in his crate when we are away because I'm still not sure just HOW housebroken he is. I'm sure one reason he's learned so much so quickly is because we have all been home for the holidays these last few weeks, and he's had tons of attention.

Genius aside, he is a normal puppy, playful and mischievous. He loves tormenting our ever-patient cat, and he's a great paper thief. We don't need a paper shredder anymore because Bailey has taken over that job. Doing laundry has become an adventure because Bailey grabs items out of the pile and scatters them all over the house. Yet, for the most part, he's still an incredibly laid-back puppy. He loves sleeping at my feet when I'm working at my desk, and he is extraordinarily calm in the car, lying down beside me or my husband in the front seat, content to nap with his head on our leg.

Everyday we fall more in love with him than ever, and we cannot imagine our lives without him. Thank you, again, for picking the perfect puppy for us!

Martha.

From: Martha T.
To: Linda Rogers
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005
Subject: Bailey T. 10 month update

Hello, Linda. I thought you might want to see how much Bailey has grown. Bailey's personality is delightful. He's never pushy but lets us know very clearly what he wants. His leash hangs from a hall tree and when we walk by, he cleverly blocks our way as he stares up at his leash. It doesn't take a mind reader to know exactly what message he's sending. He does the same with his doggie treat jar and the bathtub (he prefers fresh running water from the bathtub tap). Did I mention he may be a wee bit spoiled?! The one thing he does that amazes me is that he has learned how to wipe his feet when he comes in from outside. We leave a towel on the floor by the door when it's wet outside, and when he comes in, I'll say, "Wipe your feet," and he turns round and round on the towel to wipe his feet.

We've discovered a place nearby that runs a doggie day camp -- complete with fenced in pasture to play in and pond to swim in. Once a week, Bailey goes to doggie camp and plays with all his friends. The owner says Bailey has a great temperament and gets along with all the other dogs.

In July, we sent our 16 year old to camp and Bailey went to doggie camp, so that my husband and I could take a week-long trip. It's honestly hard to say who we missed most, Bailey or our son! So you can see, Bailey is very much a part of our family. We cannot imagine our lives without him. Thank you, again, for doing such a superb job of picking the right puppy for us!

Martha.