Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year!!! Thanks for the video camera Grampa...enjoy our New Year's Eve storm video!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Yesterday, Howard, Daphne, Mark and I celebrated Christmas with our families. After opening and destroying some of the many (and still unopened) presents, we went for a nice walk and came home to get ready for company.



Daphne and Howard had fun opening their presents. At first, Mr. Howard wasn't quite sure what to do with his present, but as soon as he saw Daphne tearing the paper off hers, he caught on quickly (as usual). So...Howard grabbed his gift and retreated to his favorite spot on his favorite couch and started tearing!!

His first present was a lion! He nuzzled the orange fuz and before he tore poor lion's head off, we gave him his next present!!

The pictures really tell the story of Christmas morning. The rest of the day was spent with family. Howard was such a good boy even with little 16-month old cousin Braeden running around. Of course, dinner was a treat too...dog food with a bit of prime rib roast, green beans and some homemade gravy courtesy of grampy.

Howard and Daphne's day ended with an early bedtime as Mark and I went to visit the Olson side of the family at Auntie Janice's. We knew Howard was tired because when we looked back as we were going out the door, he didn't even get up to follow. Normally, as soon as we walk out the back door (even just to go outside for a minute) he's behind us scratching to come too. Of course, the five hour nap made for a midnight burst of energy, which daddy helped to cure with a quick round of play. Both Howard and Mark fell fast asleep in the living room. A perfect day, as Christmas should be!

If Howard had a myspace page...

It has been nearly a month since Howard came home. In the last few weeks, we have all been getting to know each other. Sometimes, I find myself making mental notes of Howard's unique, funny and yes, patience-challenging qualities.

So if Howard had a myspace page his profile would include a current photo.... and the following:

Name: Howard

Male -Bullmastiff
7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 years old

(dependimg on the moment)

Massachusetts

Quote: I love to eat!!!

Mood: Happy

Nickname(s): Tank, Destruct-o, Stink-butt, Fartboy, Mr. Howard, Howie-wowie, Buddy, Handsome...etc.

Hometown: Attleboro, Massachusetts

Favorite Food: Anything...

Favorite Activities: Eating, evening walks with mom, couch wrestling with dad, stealing toys from Daphne, playing, ripping, tearing and destroying toys!

About me: I am a middle-age bullmastiff who was rescued by two wonderful ladies in Connecticut. My former life was....not what it should have been and I needed lots of medical care to get me back on the road to health and well-being. Thanks to Sandy, Mari and Caren, I had eight large, ugly cysts removed, parasites killed, thyroid treatment, and most importantly, my faith in people renewed and my big old heart repaired. After two months at my foster mom Mari's house I was adopted by my new family. I now live in Massachusetts with my new mom, dad and sister, Daphne. I also have two grampies, two grammies and many aunties, uncles and cousins. I have been here for a month now. I have met so many new people, all of whom love me because I'm adorable and sweet (if I must say so myself). I am so happy now because I finally know what it is like to receive unconditional love.

Home Alone (Sort of)!

Last week Howard had a successful first work week as a part of our family, and we are happy to report that he adjusted unbelievably well. He learned our workday routine very quickly and seems to appreciate it. The morning routine has two parts, part one: is a 6:15 breakfast, courtesy of Mark, outside to do his business, and short rest. Part two: before I leave, he goes into his room where he gets a kong and then naps until his petsitter, Sheree, arrives.

Throughout the week, Sheree was nice enough to call me (the nervous nelly of the family) to give her report. Each day, when Sheree arrived, she would peek in the window of his room. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, he was alert and looking back at her, letting out a single WOOF! When she looked in the window on Thursday, Howard was sound asleep in his chair, curled into his signature sleeping donut. She came in the house, turning off the alarm and Howard was still....sleeping!! She called me to say, "hey... great guard dog!"