She has been listening to commands very well. We took her to the local dog park yesterday I think she may have thought she was in doggie heaven. She was sooooo good- never went out of our sight and always came running when we called her. I have attached some pics from our field trip. We have a beach directly behind our house and today was our first real nice day in awhile so we decided we would take her for a run down there- she went full speed into the ocean right upto her neck then proceeded to roll around in the sand. We have taken her to get baths but tonight was our first wash- defintely leave that to the professionals We bought her a bed but she only pretends to like it- as soon as we fall asleep she is in our bed We gave up on the crate training - we agreed it really wasnt necessary- she is well behaved when we are not home during the day. I think she likes to secretly play with toys- we have a few different balls that we find in different places when we come home We also have noticed her great intrigue in squirrles we bought her a squirrel toy which moves sporadically around hte house. She also has found a great hiding spot for her bones… under Shauns pillow (I think it is hillarious 
Mahkayla is beautiful. I am including a few ‘new’ photos of her below. We recently picked up some kittens and their mother off of the street. We got them cleaned up and adopted. Mahkayla was absolutely nuts for one of the boys (which we named Michael)…so much so that we almost kept him. However, as we already have a full house, we felt it would be wrong to the guys to bring on another family member.
The first two photographs are of Mahkayla and Michael. The last photo is a shot that I took of her while hiking in Inwood Hill Park. Chanthee and I like to hike with her - and get some of that energy out. The nice thing about the Daylight Savings is that we have now gone out three days in a row up into the Hills. You would never guess you are in Manhattan…now if only the ground would harden up.
Take care,
James
She just thinks the world of Jim and is constantly kissing him. Sunday I walked the two of them on a 2-dog leash, and a neighbor stopped to say that she couldn’t believe it was her first day here, because she was walking so well w/ Mojo. So far she is very easy to take care of, and the expressions on her little face are just so precious and entertaining. I’m constantly shaking my head and laughing. Then hugging her after she starts wiggling and wagging. Then Mojo wants to be hugged and I become a sandwiched between two kissy dogs. Life is good.
When I got to my new home in Portsmouth, I met my new brother. He’s a shepherd mix named Mojo. Boy, is he FUN. He likes to play with me and is very gentle, even though he’s a lot bigger than me. He told me he was lonely during the day before I came along, and now he’s as happy as I am. We are inseparable! Our favorite game is steal the bone. Bone tug of war and nip the ankles are a lot of fun, too. Mom & Dad laugh at us a lot, so we’re all having fun. They have these rules, though, which I’m not used to. For some reason, Mojo & I have to “sit and stay” while Mom is fixing our yummy breakfast. That’s hard to do! I also don’t get this “lie down” thing during their dinner. What’s the point? There are so many other things to do besides that! (Like sit by the table and look pathetic so they’ll give me food. It doesn’t work, though). I finally learned what “In your bed” means, and its not in Mom & Dad’s bed. Its so big & comfy, though, so I sneak up there when they’re at work. Shhh - please don’t tell them! I also like to look at the world passing by through the big picture window in the living room. I’m kinda short, so I have to get on the couch to do that. That’s against the rules, too. 
I don’t tell them I do it, but they are very smart. I have to remember not to knock the sofa pillows on the floor and leave tell-tale nose prints all over the window. Maybe then I can keep it a secret. Mojo seems to know all these rules. He’s very smart, so maybe he can teach me the ropes. Otherwise, Mom & Dad are a lot of fun. They give us LOTS of hugs and kisses, and praise when we do things they like. I like that. We go on nice walks together, and the neighbors are very impressed that I walk and behave so calmly. I’m feeling very good healthwise, because of your help curing me of heartworms. That was difficult to go through, but thanks to you, I’m running and playing again. Alyssa, I heard that instead of birthday gifts, you asked for donations for my heartworm treatment, and Kristen, I understand you matched it. You are really super people, and changed my life for the better. The world is a better place with you in it, and I wish there were more people in the world like you. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Can you believe it was a week ago today that we adopted Beau Jingles? Just wanted to let you know how happy we are to have him in our lives. He is such a great dog and we instantly fell in love with him, and he with us! We seem to have gotten past the house breaking incidents and he’s loving his new digs. We will bring him to the vet on Tuesday to get them acquainted.
Thank you so much for all of your help.
Mimi Stearns.
