Bart and Kip, adopted January 2009

This Christmas was wonderful for the boys. Joan and her daughters, who adopted them as puppies and had to surrender them after a family crisis, have kept in touch and sent presents. This year they sent gifts, including one from Elli, a sheltie adopted from another rescue. They LOVED the treats. We think Elli and Bart would like the toys, if they ever got to play with them. Kip loves toys so much. He's always got one in his mouth. When you call him, he goes back to pick up a toy before he comes. I often say he's like a woman with a purse, he won't go anywhere without his toy. In any case, it was so funny to watch him as Christmas Day progressed, taking command of all the toys. The photo of Kip shows that eventually he ended up with all three, giving a low growl if anyone (canine or feline) came near so that he thought a toy was threatened. The next day I noticed Bart and Kip in their crates. Kip had all the Christmas toys with him and a pile of other toys right outside of his
crate. When I shared this story with Joan she said that this was classic Kip, that he often had all the dog and cat toys in his crate, and sometimes people toys as well.
So, Kip is still the clown. He makes us all laugh so much, with his toys and with his howl whenever someone scratches his hips or tummy. And he is the ultimate couch potato. Though he will get off the couch if we insist, clearly he is out of sorts when he has to. Bart, on the other hand (as his picture suggests), is such a serious, sensitive dog. He doesn't so much look for affection as give it. Alvin, Makaya and I each think we're Bart's favorite because of his seeking each of us out to put his head in a lap. And he has become the therapy dog. Kip doesn't have the talent, though he greets most of the clients and makes them laugh. In fact, all three dogs come out to greet clients, then when I send them back into the private side of the house Kip and Elli go easily, then spend the time hanging out together. But when I'm coaxing the dogs out of the office area, Bart lies down. (He's learned from Gandhi, passive resistance.) It's like he's saying "Mom, I really want to stay," an
d, unless there's a compelling reason not to, I let him stay. Much of the time he greets the client and goes to sleep, unless or until the client is crying. When someone cries he comes over and puts his head in their lap. A few people are oblivious, but others have thrown their arms around him and cried into his fur. It's so touching it makes me cry.
And here is a photo of Makaya with the three dogs on Christmas. It only took 14 pictures to get this one (LOL).