From: Shirley [mailto:sde@rushmore.org]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 2:06 PM
To: Jeannine McCollum
Subject: Zoe


Hi! Thought I'd update you on Zoe. She's doing great. She is just the funniest little thing. I sure see why everyone that has one calls them a clown. I think I know what happened to her fur. She occasionally runs back and forth rubbing her sides against the front of the couch. My sister said that her vet told her that puppymill dogs who've lived their whole lives in cages sometimes rub against the sides because that's the only stimulation they get. I'm hoping that she'll find other things to do, so that her fur will grow back in. We got 8 inches of snow and the first day she wasn't crazy about going out into it but this morning she snow-plowed her way across the yard! I think I will shovel it out today. I adopted a 2 year old Brussels Griffon that was originally a rescue dog but has been in foster care for about a year. She is the same size as Zoe and also spayed. She's very well socialized and housetrained so I'm hoping that the two of them will be good company for each other. They get along very well, but both vie for my attention. Sleeping at night is a trick, with both of them plastered to me, one on each side. Zoe is eating well--Science Diet Mainenance small bites but she doesn't understand about chew toys and bones. I'm hoping she will get the idea from Rosie, the griffy. Of the two, Zoe is actually much more trusting and outgoing. After an initial cautiousness, she comes forward to greet people that come to the house, while Rosie will bark and hold back.

Adopting a rescue dog has been such a good idea. It was more work than just going to the newspaper and buying a puppy, but so much more rewarding. I'm convinced that these little dogs truly are just little people in fur coats. I really feel like I was meant to be their mom. Thank you for all the good work you do.

Shirley
 

From: Shirley [mailto:sdae@rushmore.org]
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 4:16 PM
To: Jeannine McCollum
Subject: Re: Zoe


Jeannine--
It's been awhile since I let you know how Zoe is doing, so I thought I'd take a few minutes and update you. As I sit here, she is asleep at my feet. Her coat has come in nice and thick and she's gained a whole pound since I got her. The Science Diet Adult Maintenance small bites are doing their job! I also give both dogs an occasional Heinz sausage treats. As you probably remember, at the same time I adopted a Brussels Griffon. They both keep each other company while I'm at work. Zoe still won't let me go to the bathroom alone. In fact, if I step out of the shower and she's not on the bathmat, I'm looking for her wondering where she is! They are both still a little shy of people at my house, but when I took them to my sister's house with all the chaos of extra people, dogs, cats and kittens, they are friendly and sociable! They're both healthy, but still seem to have delicate digestive systems. At least twice a week, one of them barfs on the carpet. Glad I haven't replaced the carpet yet!! I think both are still eating feces, but from what I've gathered online, that's fairly typical behavior and a tough one to eradicate.

Mostly they are just great fun, and such good company. Thank you for all your good work and for allowing Zoe into my life.

Shirley.