After a week with Sam, Katy and I wonder how we ever lived without him. He's doing great and is unbelievably well behaved. A couple of walks a day, along with lots of play and learning leaves him pretty well tuckered out-- as you can see from the pics. Katy has taken to calling him "Velcro" because he sticks so close to me every step I take. It's utterly charming, though we're also working on short periods of separation (and by short I mean about 10 seconds at a time!).

Samuel Jenkins (as his prison trainers called him-- and we do too) loves to be petted, scratched, and brushed. He likes to run and jump and chase bees and butterflies. He is absolutely perfect at bedtime and waits like a gentleman to be let out of the house. He's learning to play fetch (he's great at the getting, only so-so at the bringing back), tug of war, and walking on a loose leash (which he does very well until he sees a squirrel or bird). And because he loves to jump (as high as my head from a dead standstill!) we're going to ease into frisbee when he's feeling more comfortable and less distracted (he's not especially interested yet) or maybe some low hurdles. But we're taking all of it slowly, as the distractions in and outside the house are still many. I can't wait to take him on his first trip to the dog park (we have one of the best in the state nearby), but am trying to be patient as that might be too much for him. A few more weeks, perhaps-- and I'll post a full report of the visit.

We're also learning about the things that frighten him. He was a little freaked out by the tongs I use when I grill and the sight of me with a power drill in my hand had the poor guy cowering. But a bit of sniffing of the object in question usually sets him at ease.

Oh, and did I mention that he is pretty much the cutest dog ever and makes us laugh about 50 times a day?

I hope Sam's fellow parolees and their families are half as happy as we are-- I'm sure you are. We should have a reunion some time: the Coldwater Class of August '09.

Click to view attachment
I said he was cute, right?

Click to view attachment
He's happy to sleep in my office while I work.

Click to view attachment
And then there's the lounging around.

The last picture says it all!!!!!!

That is just great! Love the pictures Sam looks very happy and content.

We love updates too so please keep them coming!

What a wonderful update.. We love hearing them.. It is so important that these dogs become ambassador for stray prision program. We feel it is a win win situation.

These once unloved and unwanted dogs were in danger of being killed, because they were unlucky enough to be born into a situation where they did not have a loving human guardian in an overpopulated throw away world. Many of these animals did not recieve the training and love needed to be wonderful members of a family.

The Prision program matches these dogs with inmates, that may have never experienced unconditional love and trust.

Simply Awesome!

Thanks for the great update! Love the pictures and yes... he is soo darn cute!