Well, Turbo/Alex (we call him Alex) joined us on Saturday night (01/08/05) and as of Tuesday morning you would think he's always been with us! Alex is one of 10 pups that were abandoned in Northern Minnesota with their Mom. Alex is 14 weeks old, neutered, UTD on all shots and weighs about 35 lbs. I can't imagine what these poor pups have gone through and can't wait for him to find a wonderful forever home.

Alex has wonderful social skills. He is very respectful around our two Goldens (2 yrs and 12 yrs) and wants so badly to play with them. Our Goldens have not yet let him join in the fun, but Alex is patiently waiting!! Alex has adjusted surprisingly well. Every day brings a new experience for Alex. Learning how to play tug-o-war, learning to sit, picking up a stick and running with it. The first time going up the stairs was hysterical - he went up one, went back down. Went up two, went back down. And on, and on, until he got to the top. I just sat at the top of the stairs and encouraged him - and laughed!! (I know the poor guy was exhausted!!) The first time we turned the tv on with him in the room was even more funny. He barked, cocked his head, barked some more and he literally watched the tv for over 30 minutes!! Good thing it was before the Vikings game came on so he got used to it!! It is so fun to watch him grow. He is not afraid of anything, but responds very well to voice commands.

We continue to be amazed at how well behaved and mellow Alex is. When we first get home from work, or let him out in the morning he is very excited, but within 5 minutes he's calmed down. His favorite activity is to eat, and then to immediately lay down and have someone rub his belly (yes, he is a boy!). We have one chair in the house that the dogs are allowed on and that is now officially Alex's chair. He loves to sit next to you on the chair and be rubbed. He often falls asleep this way and yes, he snores a bit!

Being a puppy, Alex is not housebroken. We're working on it and honestly we have not had an accident in the house when he is out with us. We keep him in a small bathroom at night and while we're at work, and he goes on the papers. Amazingly, he does not bite or nip or anything along that line, it truly is amazing. He's very gentle, understands no, and comes when he's called. He loves people and dogs and will always be in the same room with someone (human or dog). He has learned to play with lots of toys and retrieves balls already. We have gone for a walk every day and he loves walks. He really likes to hang out with the big dogs and keeps up very well. We're working on that pesky leash!!

He'll be a wonderful lifetime companion for a very lucky family. More updates to come.