My heart is warmed by your observations on Fozzie and I am so glad he made a good impression on you! I really got some new insights on him from talking to you (just as Florian got some on postmodern dance from talking to Mike :)) and this post gives me even more. That’s a huge gift! Honey was such a sweet little thing to let him into her home with no complaint and tolerate his stiffness, and you were all so great to welcome us scraggly travelers 🙂

Fozzie looks like a sweetie pie, what a lucky foster fail 🙂

In my dog’s case, I try very hard to be her biggest cheerleader but could probably stand to ramp that up a notch. We are all our puppies have. They deserve the best.

I’m so thankful to have learned to realize how much dogs do to fit into our lives. They also suffer and can be afraid or neurotic. But they have to manage it without the power of speech, understanding that comes with reflection, and years of therapy.

I too am thankful to have the company of dog lovers who understand the high expectations we put on dogs to live in human society and are grateful for their efforts.

And I’m thankful to “know” Kenzo and Viva through the eyes of someone who loves and appreciates them so much.

I hope 2013 holds many joyful moments for you and your family.

People ebb and flow in their moods and behavior too (says the woman married to a mercurial husband). Maybe Morgan just has that kind of personality.

As for Kuster, you know none of us believe any of the funny stories you say about him. He looks just perfect in the pictures. 🙂

Hope 2013 brings you much joy and 365 great photographs.

Most of us would not want to schedule surgery to be able to see our animals through other people’s eyes. But it sounds like that aspect was really useful for you. You really learned a lot from having the dogs in other homes.

I’m also very pleased with Honey. She used to have problems hearing “no means no” from other dogs. My little girl is growing up. 🙂

Hope 2013 brings you much joy and lots of adoptions. 🙂

And the last thing we need is to feel guilty about feeling guilty, right? 🙂

I think feeling guilty is a side effect of working hard to do the right thing all the time. Maybe it just needs to be tempered with a little love and self-acceptance?

Blessings to you in the New Year!

Jodi, why did you have to compliment Mike in the comments? Now his head is going to swell and he’ll get a big crush on you. 🙂

I sometimes wonder if we listen too much to the opinions of people who don’t really like dogs and that makes us more critical.

Honey’s greeting style is enthusiastic. But we’ve gotten her to keep four on the floor (for the most part). But some people are overwhelmed just because her butt wiggles like mad and she can’t get close enough. My dad, for instance, would much rather she’d sit still like a statue and let me pet her all day with moving a muscle.

I find myself worried about her enthusiasm even though that’s one of the things I love the most about her.

Can’t wait to see what the new year brings from Chez Kolchak and Felix!