LIFE IS GOOD!

Look at me now! Not only am I sweet, cuddly and playful, house and crate trained, I'm getting FLUFFY!!! I'm such a good girl in the house that I get to sleep in bed now. My foster mom says it's too crowded, but I love cuddling with her and the other dogs, so I say the more the merrier.

I'm learning about being loved, pampered, and having fun. My foster mom is teaching me some things, like sit and come. I get treats for both of these! Some things I'm figuring out for myself, like if I go over there and sit, when she opens the door where the treats are kept, I might get one just for being smart. I've learned to jump right up in the back of the car when we're going to the forest preserve for our daily walk. I love riding in the car, there's no time to waste waiting to be lifted in. I've learned that toys are not quite as much fun after you take the stuffing and squeaker out. I still love my pheasant though. And, last but not least, I've learned that if you wiggle around too much when you're laying on the couch, you fall on the floor. This has happened several times, but it just feels so good on the couch, I can't help myself!

Life is good! I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

GREEN GRASS AND A WHITE COUCH...My Foster Mom must REALLY love dogs!

Hi, it's me again, Hope. If you've been looking at the pictures from when I was sad and scared at the shelter, you may not even recognize me. It's really me, having fun with my foster family.

We go for walks in the forest preserve every day, and sometimes we go places where I can run off leash. I love playing chase with the other dogs! There's a sand pit at the high school that makes me act silly. I love running in the sand.

I noticed that the other dogs like to sleep on the couch or the bed, instead of the floor, or dog beds, so I decided to give it a try. They're definitely on to something!

I AM CAT SAFE!

Hope and Olivia (my cat) are becoming great friends. You will never met anyone more protective of their cat than I am, so I'm watching them carefully, but Olivia is the instigator. She hides under the bed, then jumps out at Hope. Hope sticks her head under the bed, with her tail wagging wildly. I tried to get pictures, but it's a pretty fast paced game!

The good news is that when they're not playing, Hope ignores her.

CAN SOMEONE PAT ME ON THE BACK?

Hope is doing great! She was fine in the crate while I was at work yesterday.

She loves to play fetch, and her favorite toy is the stuffed pheasant. Phoebe is still playing hard to get, but Lucy actually played with her last night.

I've been so anxious for everyone to be able to see how cute and sweet she is. I'm so proud of her!
-Karen

GOT HAIR?

Hello,
It's Hope again! I have been saying my prayers and asking for a little assistance in the fur department.. I guess it was better for me to have a new foster home instead. I understand, I really do. It's just that I have been doing everything that I can do to grow some hair. My coat is a million times better than it was when I was found, many months ago. I would love to be able to shed my hair EVERYWHERE! Just like the rest of my foster siblings! I've heard that IBR has some experience with helping dogs with serious skin and fur conditions. I 'll wait a few days to see what Lisa has in store for me. BUT, if I don't hear anything soon...I will need to go to my backup plan! Shhhh...I'm going to order that can that sprays hair onto a human's bald head. Think it will work?

A MESSAGE FROM HOPE!

Hope here. Saturday, March 24, was the first day of my new life in Illinois. It got off to a slow start with a long ride in the car. Then, I was put in another car without my life-long friends Strength and Courage. I was sad and scared and cried in the car. I shouldn't have worried. I made new friends as soon as I got to my foster home, and one of them is a cat! The dogs here are very nice, they share their toys, treats and dog beds. They are even sharing their mom, until I can get one of my own. I love playing with toys, going for walks and getting my belly rubbed. I even got to run inside the safety of the fence at the high school. My foster mom laughed at me because I have little bursts of puppy energy, and knock myself down sometimes when I'm running. I've met some of the neighbors, and everyone says I'm sweet and adorable, even though I'm still missing some of my hair. I'm very happy here, and am being a good girl. I haven't had any accidents in the house, and I sleep all night in the crate, without a peep.