Olive

I have been meaning to send an update on Olive for you and the great folks at New Leash on Life. Olive is doing very, very well. She's eating and enjoying her dog food, and I found the same sorts of treats she was getting in the program, which she loves. She still loves to play most with her ball that her trainer gave her, and she also likes tug of war with a fun nylon toy she picked at Petsmart. I took her to the vet to get her flea, tick and heartworm meds and the vet found she had an ear infection. We've been treating that with a yucky wash and ointment, and now that's all better. In one of the pictures, you can see her in a little coat I got her for a camping trip 2 weekends ago. It was cold, but she did well with her little jacket!

We go on long walks every day, and Olive's best friend in the neighborhood is a long haired dachshund named Leo. She and Leo visit every view days. Olive's leash walking is much better thanks to the tips from the program. She now just pulls when there's a bunny in view - and I can hardly blame her for that - she IS a hound dog, after all. She's so far been really unsuccessful in her bunny chases. One was in our yard the other night and she's looked for him every night since - he was, of course, too fast for her... but she came close.

Olive sleeps with me - she's the kind of dog you just can't help spoiling. She and I are very similar in the morning - neither of us is much interested in getting up. So, while I get ready, she lounges in bed. Tough life.

We are great pals, and I'm very grateful to her trainer and to the program for all the hard work with her. She continues to do well with sitting and laying down - evidence of her good training. She's very proud of herself when she does that.

Many of my co-workers and church friends are interested in the program. I would love to collect donations - either in kind stuff like toys and treats and food or money - whichever is most helpful. Should I talk with you about that or someone else from the program? I can be contacted at the other e-mail address you have (which I use more often).

I hope you'll share the update with the program and her trainer so that he knows she's doing well. I know it was hard for him to say good-bye to his buddy, as it was hard for Olive. She's happy though, and I'm thrilled to be her human.

Warmly,
Greer

Benny

When we first got Benny and left the shelter, he wasn't at all too sure about entering the car but now loves to get in the car and go for a ride. He's adapting very well and even ignores the two cats in his new home. He has a dog pillow that is "his spot", which is where he sleeps. 

Every morning he greets everyone as if there's no one on earth he'd rather see. He makes my days easier just to see his happy and hopeful attitude. He's a real gentleman about everything, very quiet and unassuming. Even so, he loves to play tug-of-war with a piece of rope and if he can wrest it away, it the game suddenly changes into one of 'keep away'. One can almost hear him giggling and laughing when he manages to take the rope and runs away as if saying "catch me if you can", knowing we can't. He teases by getting close and just when anyone reaches for the rope, he's off again, daring any and all to chase him. He will lie down with the rope between his front paws and wait till someone gets close then the chase is on again. To be fair, after a few chases around the yard, he allows us to "catch" him and take the rope from between his paws, which starts the game all over again at that point. However, Benny is not being possessive, he is actually playing. Upon going outside, after taking care of any business, he will go get the rope and bring it to us to grab, which is how he starts the game. If we are not ready to play, he will drop it and just be with us. He is not even possessive of his bowl or chewing bone, toys or his pillow. 

We're considering going back in a few months to get another dog after Benny has settled into the routine here but you can be sure we'll get one that has prison training. It's wonderful program and I'm sure it helps both the animals as well as the inmates. With Benny as an example, I can confidently say this has produced at least one awesome dog and I'm sure if he could say so, Benny would second the motion. 

Thanks for all you have done. Benny is a wonderful buddy. 

Benny's family

Marty

When I attended the graduation ceremony for the dog training program in Holdenville, I never dreamed I would be adopting a dog in the next few weeks. I was just so excited to get to go and see the shelter dogs get adopted.

After the adopted dogs were given to their new families I asked if I could help bring in the new dogs. I brought in a dog named Marty. I fell in love with him on the way in.

I got home and could not stop thinking about Marty. I told my husband about him and asked what he thought about getting another dog. We have a beagle named Riley that we got from the Ardmore shelter. I just knew that Riley would love Marty and they would be best friends. My husband knew how bad I wanted him so he gave in.

I picked up Marty eleven weeks later and he has been such a joy to all of us. It took a few days for Riley to get used to someone new in his house but now they are best friends just like I thought that they would be.

The training that Marty received has really paid off. He is such a well behaved dog. We have enjoyed watching his unique personality. He turns circles every time I come home. He loves to chew on rawhide for hours. He sits and watches every move I make in the kitchen. He is always ready for a treat.

Our family is complete now with the addition of Marty. We are so glad that he is a part of our lives.

Debi 

Ardmore, OK