Thursday: It was another beautiful, sunny day here in Victoria. We've been blessed because it hasn't rained one day since the boys were born on June 12th, so we spend the best part of each day playing with them in the back yard. What an absolute joy it is to watch Jazz with the puppies now that they are so grown up. She keeps a close watch over them and is ever so gentle with her admonishments. They also feel her presence. When squabbles arise all she has to do is walk over to them and they immediately stop bickering with each other. If she has a stick or food- today it was carrots - she gladly lets them take it from her. And when she puts out an alarm bark for some impending danger -a dog barking in the neighbourhood, or some other strange sound- they stop instantly whatever they were doing and run for safety, which is most often the deck at the back door.
I'm missing Bodhi as I haven't heard from his new mom today -just a little separation anxiety- but I know they need their time together. All the boys are ready for their new homes and we have only four days left before some of the other boys begin to leave the nest. So we are enjoying our last few days with them. Mantis will leave on Tuesday - well he's sorta leaving: he's staying right here in Victoria. But The-Cute-Little-White-Guy, as I've come to call him, aka Mannerheim's Peace of Mind, will leave with me on Wednesday - another ferry trip to the mainland where he'll have a brief overnight stay with his Dad, Perkins, then hop a plane to Montreal early Thursday morning where he will be met by his new mom, Carol-Ann, for the last leg of his trip to New Hampshire. There he'll live in the country with an older Maltese and two little Pug bitches who Carol-Ann refers to as "Miss Alpha" and "Miss Alpha-in-Waiting". They rule Carol-Ann's roost and undoubtedly will teach the Cute-Little-White-Guy his place in life while he's still little. And he won't really mind because even though he's quick to stick up for himself -especially his apples- he doesn't really like to fight with the other boys. And when he's all grown up and twice the girls' size, he'll feel like a king. And then on Sunday the 8th, pending completion of the home check which I expect to go exceedingly well, little Valentine, AKA red collar, AKA Mannerheim's Peace of My Heart, will head off to Kamloops, BC where he will help heal the hole in his new mom's heart who very recently and unexpectedly lost her special Dobe, Jasper, to what was very likely sudden cardio. He has his life's work ahead of him but I know he's up to the task. So with three boys going in little more than a week, big changes are in the offing, and while the nest won't be completely empty, the absence of their presence will be heartfelt.

Sunday: What a fun but busy day. Mantis, after being away overnight with his new mom and dad, came over for a few hours and Nathalie helped me with some of the boys while I taped their ears and after everybody was settled, Nat and Pat stayed for a nice salmon dinner. And after being away for only three meals, Mantis had already learned to eat like a civilized Doberdog, taking his time instead of inhaling as they do when they're part of the pack. So Mantis hung out with Jazz and the adults all evening and like a real gentleman, slept quietly under the dining room table while we ate supper. He's such a good boy that he sleeps with his crate door open and never made a potty-boo-boo the whole time. And I had a nice little note from Bodhi in Cleveland:

Hi!! Today was just an exhausting day. First I get up in the morning, play a little bit, and then when I'm ready for a nap, my new mom starts messing with my ears. What's the deal? When are you people are going to leave me alone???
By the way, I woke this morning A MAN. My new mom told me I better not start doing the humpty-hump. What's that mean?
Then she takes me shopping. I'm getting used to all these people. And these other funny looking dogs. I haven't seen a lot of dogs that were cute like me and my brothers (except for cousin Rally). Anyway, I'm more comfortable with it -- not to mention that I'm A MAN now -- so I don't hide behind mom all the time or try to jump in her lap. We got all sorts of new treats -- including this really yummy big rawhide bone. Yum yum gimme some!
Then mom leaves to go grocery shopping. Her mission is to get me peanut butter. Get this -- she comes home with everything BUT peanut butter. So she gets home and takes me to the park across the street to play. She got me this neon frisbee and ran me ragged! There's this air show thing going on in Cleveland and these cool loud jets -- the Air Force Thunderbirds -- were flying very close... they literally buzz my new house and most of the neighbors have to cover their ears. Mom was so impressed that I wasn't phased by it all. It's hot today and I was so tired from playing that I went inside, drank some water, and passed out right there by the water bowl. Next thing I know, mom is sitting on top of me, and she's trying to do that crazy stuff to my nails again. Can't I catch a break? She screwed it up yesterday so I was doubly nervous. But I gave in (did I mention I'm a MAN now) and let her do one paw. She didn't trim them very much but I let her do a little bit with that nasty vibrating machine to each nail. I think she's gunshy and afraid to do much more anyway. Thank God she used the sander, because she's a little scissor-happy with those clippers. Because I was such a good boy, I got to chomp on my new rawhide bone. She is feeling very good about herself over this whole thing. Well, I think that's it for now. God knows what dumb stuff she'll try with me tonight. I'm going to take a nap, and maybe, just maybe, this time she'll let me. I've done a terrific job of messing up her house and her carpet so hopefully that'll keep her busy for a couple of hours. Oh, and she's says thanks for sending my umbilical cord. I knew I forgot something when I left home. Mom won't let me play with it (sigh).
Love ... Your little MAN...
Bodhi