Just wanted to give you an update on how I am doing. I am sitting in Ann Marie's lap dictating this letter to you. Wow this has been a busy week for this puppy!

They put me in a cage at night, during the day when no one is home, and other times when I am being mischievous, or they need to get something done. I have to be watched when I am out of the cage because the baby gates they have up don't keep me in the kitchen because I squeeze right through. No bars are going to keep me from going exploring! Especially, when Murphy is on the other side! But they tell me to go back and I do. Who is training who?

Good news - the crate training is working! I only wet my cage the very first night when I got here. It has remained dry ever since. I still wet the floor once in a while, but the humans have to remember to take me out 30-45 minutes after I drink or an oops will happen. One night I was sitting by the door and they let me out and I went outside. This morning I did the same thing and they didn't pay attention and I went on the rug by the door. It takes team work - I did my part and they screwed up. But guess who got in trouble! Ann Marie mentioned to Paul later that maybe I was trying to let them know I needed to go. We'll see if they learn to read the signs. I sure hope so.

They have taken Murphy and I on several walks. I love this outside exercise. I keep up with Murphy even though he's not particularly friendly. They keep telling me it has something to do with the fact that I nip and bite at his ankles. If I behave Murphy and I walk down the sidewalk quite nicely together. If Murphy gets too far ahead of me I run like crazy until I catch up. They laugh at me because my little butt goes right then sways left and back and forth. Who cares and long as I get where I am going. I also like walking right behind or beside Paul's feet.

There's a fella named Steve who left a plastic golf ball outside that Ann Marie found. Paul gave it to me to play with. I love playing soccer with it. I chase it all over the kitchen. When I need something to do someone will roll it across the floor and the game begins. I'm pretty good at this game if I say so myself! I also love the red bull beanie baby that Mom gave me. In fact I am including a picture of me with it in my new bed. It's just my size.

I got to go for a ride in the car Thursday. They took me to what is called a vet. It was fun seeing all the dogs, except one. I went up to one and jumped to play and he growled at me. I yipped and ran away and everyone in the waiting room was laughing. Murphy justs runs away when I approach him, so this growling thing was scary! Also some of the tests they do aren't any fun. You remember getting your temperature taken as a baby - yuck and ouch! But I weigh a whole 3.1 pounds now.

Speaking of growling, let me tell you about the red headed girl named Carolyn. She was telling me no and I wasn't listening so she got down in my face and growled at me. I stopped whatever it was I was doing. Growling gets my attention. It is not a positive thing! I haven't seen her today. They say she is in Washington D.C. this weekend. Whew - no growling for 3 days! Yippee!

Ann Marie's lap is nice and warm and I am falling to sleep. So I will end this for now. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Muffin