I don't have time for an extended post, but I just wanted to note that Stevie has been backed! According to Mark, he just stood there as Robyn sat on him. Didn't twitch an ear. Which is, of course, just what you want.

Photos of our new dogs. Griffin goes about 110-120 lb, Phoenix about 70. Good size dogs!

 

Two bits of news: first, we've adopted two more dogs. Griffin and Phoenix, a 3-year-old male rottie and a year-old female shepherd/rottie mix (they're father & daughter). As happy as we are to have another rottie, and a sweetheart at that, I was sad at the reason they joined us: their family was struggling in the recession and needed to find them a home where they could be cared for, have sufficient room to run, and be away from people who look at rotties with suspicion—I gather the neighbors considered Griffin to be a threatening beast, when in fact his a big snugglebunny. They'll have a good life with us, and our vet appointment to have them vaccinated is already set for Tuesday (and we'll see about getting them both fixed at that point—the world has enough homeless puppies right now without adding more, and especially not inbred ones at that.) For all the friends who think we're crazy, I just want to assure you: Five dogs IS our limit, and we won't be adopting any more. (We may, however, be altering the layout of our laundry room to make it easier to get dogs from house to back yard. I KNEW we should have put a door instead of a window in that wall!)

Second bit of news: Stevie's training is progressing very well. So well, in fact, that Mark says Robyn will likely back him in the next few weeks. Also, they've been working him with ground driving and he's doing fantastic—looks as though he'll be a natural in harness. Guess I need to start driving lessons...