SCOUT

Dear Elizabeth,

When I arrived at your house last Saturday, what I wanted to find was another Scout. Scout and I were so connected and my heart ached so badly to have my dog back. Instead I found a little light colored, adorable puppy but she wasn’t Scout. I was a little worried that I couldn’t love another dog as much as I loved Scout.

By the time we arrived home, this new little puppy was winning my heart over. And now one week later, I cannot imagine life without her. She is quite perfect!

We have named her Juno Bear.

She has settled into our home quite nicely with a crate in our bedroom for nighttime sleeping. She has another crate in our laundry room for daytime naps and when we cannot keep our eye on her. We have cleared out our laundry room and installed a wire gate so that Juno can see us when she is in the laundry room (which is quite close to our kitchen/family room). There is a dog door from the laundry room to a small side yard so she can be in or out. She learned how to use the dog door quickly and seems delighted with herself that she can go in or out as she pleases.

Juno is just as you described her. She is a sweet, quick learner that knows when to have fun and knows when to settle down. She enjoys the many people that she is meeting and also enjoys play dates with our friends’ dogs (she plays very confidently and happily with other dogs). Our neighbor who raises puppies for Canine Companions for Independence is getting her next puppy (15th puppy!!!) on 12/19. I cannot wait to have this new puppy and Juno meet each other. They will be spending a lot of time together playing!

Juno has been to work twice with me. The first day she spent 4 hours there and the second day she spent 6 hours there. I have a large dog playpen that Juno hangs out in during the workday. She seems to like being in the playpen and doesn’t complain at all about being in there with her bed and toys. The staff and kids can take her out with my permission. The kids at work adore her and one girl who suffers from anxiety cried with happiness when she held her. The staff are in love and I think that Juno is an instagram sensation at the moment. Juno is learning to “ring” the bell when she needs to go out to potty.

Juno also brings so much happiness to our family. Dylan, my youngest in high school who recently lost his best friend to suicide, cuddles with her the minute he walks through the door after school. Dylan’s heart needed this dog so badly. Bob, my husband, is smitten. Devon, our daughter in college is counting the days until she will be home for the holidays so that she can meet Juno. And my oldest, Jackson, loves to play with her.

Juno is learning about living with a cranky, old chihuahua. She bows and asks to play and is very gentle with Zoey. Zoey will play for about 10 minutes each day. Juno is respectful and walks away when Zoey lets her know that she is done playing. And Juno loves to chase my son’s cat. The cat is still not quite certain what to do about this new creature in our house so he just looks for the highest spot that he can get to in the house and then curiously watches her.

I cannot thank you enough for helping me to find this most wonderful puppy. I do feel like it was fate that she came into my life. I already love her with all my heart. The hole in my heart that Scout left behind is quickly filling with the love I have for Juno.

Sunday we will go to our first puppy social. And I’m hoping to start in puppy training classes next week (although many of the puppy classes are full because…well…December seems to be puppy season) – I’m still looking for an open spot in a class.

I hope all is well with you. Please tell Candy that “Amor” is well loved and cared for.

With much affection and gratefulness,

Sandy