VACATION -- Luna and I spent three days at the Oregon coast with family. It was great - hot dogs on the beach, board games in the evening (I didn't win even ONCE) and lots of good food and fun. Luna did pretty well with the six adults and three kids but I have to say -- they did better with her than she did with them. I completely bombed the introduction - I went down early with the idea of getting her tired on the beach before she met everyone for the first time. Instead, the beach was crowded with dogs and people and by the time the rest of the group arrived, Luna was so crazy that I just put her to bed in the car. The next day we walked on the beach early with just two other people and that was much easier. Then, she spent part of the day well away from everyone (but on full alert) quietly watching what was happening. Everyone totally ignored her and just went about their business. We went out for lunch - she was in her gated off back-of-the-car with three strangers in the car and she handled that OK. The next day she finally was calm enough to sniff and meet some of the people - although I have to say not everyone wanted to meet her up close and personal. She did pretty well all things considered. I told my sister if her family was staying another 2-3 days, Luna would probably be just fine but - their vacation was over in a blink of an eye and they headed back to Colorado.

When we returned, I asked JoAnne if she could find me a large, calm dog for Luna to live with and JoAnne came through with bells on!! I explained to JoAnne that I think part of Luna's issue is that she is so nervous about what she doesn't know that MIGHT happen and MIGHT be bad that she just works herself up. She needs someone like John Wayne. She needs someone to say: "Wolves running off the cattle? Mean railroad people trying to steal our land? Locust eating all the crops? NO PROBLEM little lady, there is nothing there for you to worry your pretty little head about. I have all that under control. The only thing you need to worry about is what to fix for supper." Of course, from a dog it would probably sound more like "Someone walking across the street? Dog two blocks away coming toward us? Not to worry, I have it all under control". JoAnne suggested thatwe foster Toby for awhile. Toby is a Great Dane/Lab mix, 2 years old, good with kids and other dogs and people. He came from a family with five kids who are in-between houses right now and were not able to keep him with them. Luna spent the first night rushing Toby and air snapping next to his ears, nose, shoulder etc. She never actually touched him although it looked like she was flinging her 62 lbs. directly at his 96 lb. body. I swear, he didn't even blink. She was like a pesky fly that he couldn't even be bothered to swat away. He is so calm and has such confidence. Next thing I know, they are curled up together on the bed - then outside barking together - then both following me around like shadows. Toby went walking with us yesterday and met our other friends. We had a great Saturday walk.

Right now both Toby and Luna are flaked out on the floor (waiting for me to finish this and do something a little more exciting). This weekend was a dog adoption weekend so Toby was down at PetsMart both yesterday and today from 1-5pm so he is tired from all that stress. I tried to talk JoAnne out of showing him this weekend because I really want to keep him for awhile but at least JoAnne said if Toby is adopted that she will find someone else to be with Luna until we can get Luna a little calmer around new people and dogs.

It was a good weekend for adoptions - YEAH!!! several dogs and cats starting a new life with their new families. It is always such a great feeling to watch everyone walk away happy. My little foster kittens all went home with someone - honestly, it is so hard to resist a kitten!!