Well, as Jeanne mentioned in her phone call to you earlier, it
took about 15 minutes for Hogan and Luna (our young 4-legged dog) to become buddies.  Since then, we have had a couple of challenges, but everything is working out exactly as we had hoped it would.  Luna and Hogan tear around the backyard (him chasing her and then her chasing him) while Maxi (our 3-legged dog) barks out orders from the deck.  Maxi and Luna still wrestle (Hogan has not once exerted any force against Maxi - not even in play as Luna does) but Luna's extra energy is now being spent on Hogan.  This gives Maxi the break we were hoping for.

As far as challenges:  1) The 1st night Hogan was getting up about every 2 hours to be let out (he drank a lot of water and his tummy was a little upset too).  Solution - let him out every 2 hours (he did sleep through the 2nd night).  2) Hogan does not like our stairs to the 2nd floor - they are curved and have no risers so you can see through them.  Solution - carry him upstairs (he is a big boy and a little heavy!!!).   Last night Jeanne managed to coax him up the stairs with roast beef (it took two attempts as Hogan felt the initial offerings were too meagre) and today he has gone up on his own a couple of times. 

3) Hogan is excited at any chance to explore the neighbourhood.  We watch him closely in the backyard, but so far he has not shown any interest in jumping the fence.  If, however, the front door is left open a crack, he sees this as an open invitation to meet and greet with the neighbours.  Our old husky was exactly the same (every time he was liberated he would either follow some children to school or follow them home - always happy to see us and surprised at all the fuss) and we expect Hogan will be the same.  They have a "Littlest Hobo" streak in them and just love to get out and explore.  Our plan is to make sure the inner doors are always closed before we open the front door.
 

Overall, we are over the moon about Hogan.  All of our visitors comment on what a beautiful, calm and well-adjusted dog he is.  It is as if he had been with us his entire life.  Thanks again and we will stop by
sometime so he can say hello.

Update February '09 ...

Hogan is doing amazingly well and is coming right away when called.  He and Luna play, wrestle, run and jump daily.  They are both youngsters really, Luna at 18 months and Hogan at 22 months.  Maxi joins in from time to time but she cannot match their speed on three legs.  They are a happy pack.  The kids are thrilled and help take great care of them. 

All in all we couldn't be happier.  I still cannot believe he was at the shelter so long, such a good boy and so handsome!  Maybe he was just waiting for us?  Thanks for all that you do!

John, Jeanne and kids
 

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