Hello Larissa, Melanie, Aileen, etc,
On Sunday, I wrote you a great big email about the joys of adopting Bonnie (now answering happily to "Jessie" ) but my computer crashed and I lost the email before I could send it. I could hardly believe the coincidence of receiving a message from you today, checking on her progress.

When her foster carer handed Jess over to me, she commented that I was really lucky to be getting such a wonderful dog. She was spot on! Jess is an absolute delight. Apart from being beautiful on the outside, she has a beautiful nature, she's as smart as a whip (learns things instantly - like my putting my walking shoes on means she goes walking; and my putting my good shoes on means she's being left and so she gets huffy and moves into the lounge room to sulk.) She keeps us entertained with her love of squeaky toys - which she tosses in the air, catches, and then puts her head down and bum up while she chews and chews on the squeaker. I'm quite used to the sound but many times people have been on the phone to me and have said, "What on earth is that sound?" Another thing she does is talk/grumble if she considers she hasn't been patted long enough. I have my elderly mother living with me now, and I think Mum is as besotted as I am with Jessie.

I was interested to read that the foster carer trained Jess to keep out of the kitchen. She has never set foot in my kitchen - unlike all my previous dogs. It's a good rule!

Jess has a bed in the family room and a bed in my bedroom - I thought it might be over-kill to put another bed into my home office, so she just sleeps on the carpet when I'm in there.
Talk about a doting owner - I have photos in my handbag of my dog and my grandsons. Depending who I'm talking to, I proudly show the appropriate photos! You should have seen the petshop owner (who has 2 GAP dogs) and me when I was buying a new weatherproof coat for Jessie. We held her photo against the different colour coats to check which would suit her best. It was a good call - she now looks particularly swish in her bright blue coat.

I was amused when I was at the dog park the other day. A child came running up and asked if he could pat Jessie. "She's shy", I said, "Be gentle." He patted her and then typically for a child had to go the extra distance - "Can I ride her now," he asked. Er - no.

Of course, I'm a huge fan of the GAP program - I'm constantly telling people about it (although it's surprising how many people have heard about the green collar. The program has been doing some really successful marketing lately.)

I'd researched things thoroughly before I applied to have Jessie. My belief that a GAP dog was the breed best suited to my lifestyle - and who would enjoy living with me - has been confirmed. I've found my perfect match - and NO, you're not getting her back. EVER!

Cheers - and many thanks,
Michele

Great to see them find loving homes.