A letter from Camp Fraser, from Jude

Jude sent us a write up about his first few days as a Mountain Dog in Fraser Colorado.   He apologises for his typing as he is not used to the new keyboard and screen yet.   Here is Jude: 

 When they first brought me home, I met Bella and Lily (their son's goldens) who were with us for 2 weeks at "Camp Fraser." They helped me learn the ropes of how far we could roam on the 10 acres, how to walk off leash on the neighborhood dirt roads, and where the ditches that still have water in them can be found. We had some wonderful mouth wrestling tournaments, and took toys out of each other's mouths with no growling (sharing is great)! I also went on a trip to a local pond for a short swim.

On our first morning walk, we all 3 saw a coyote in an open field, ran about 20 feet, stopped and came back. They could hear the coyote yapping back at the house. Other critters that I have met so far include a couple of mountain squirrels (much cuter and nicer than the city variety.) I also saw a group of seemingly lost pronghorn through the front window. We don't how they got to the forrest from their open ground sage-covered habitat, but they were sure fun to see in the area in front of the house.

We received some paperwork from GRRR, indicating that I am about 4yrs and 5 mos. The tattletales went on to say that I enjoy soft toys, shredding them is part of the fun.  I like to shred dog beds if they are not up to my standards. 

Sooo, they say, nothing but balls and Kong Air toys for me.   Yesterday they gave me a real beef bone. I  carried it around for a bit, chewed on the yummy outside and then took it out to the deck.  The humans go curious and may have stumbled on my hiding place, in an area next to a basement window well.  I buried it for safekeeping, just like the dog in the insurance commercial! This morning, when I went out for my potty run, I checked to make sure the bone was still there.    I don't know if I can trust them or not, so I will keep an eye on it.

 Tuesday Bella and Lily returned to Denver, I went along for the ride.  By the time we got back I was  exhausted and a bit confused about not having my cousins here anymore.  Now that I have been here a while, I have started having more facial expressions when they speak to me, letting them know what I want.  There is a hanging screen in front of our French doors and I have no problem going out the split, which then closes again with magnets. It's like a large, soft doggie door.   I like staying on the deck enjoying the fresh mountain air, the wonderful views, even if my peeps are in the house.

I have met most of the neighbors, and 2 of the dogs.    Cody, a neighbor's GRRR dog, and I will be best friends soon. I really like people and especially enjoy playing with their dogs.   I am already considered part of the family, and I am so glad that I agreed to come and live in Fraser. After the 4th they are planning a road trip to visit their son in Omaha.   I will meet the whole family, including their small dog Zoe, this weekend.   I really enjoy riding in the car, and I am going to have fun going on a  9 1/2 hour trip.    Once I train them how to take care of me and let me out once in a while.   Roads may come and roads may go, but potty stops are pretty much everywhere.
That is all for now, thanks to all the GRRR volunteers that worked to give me a nice home with nice people to share it with.  

Jude G. Retriever