HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SUGAR AND OPIE!

I know it has been a while since you've heard from us but we hope you haven't forgotten us yet!

We celebrated our first Christmas together. Santa brought lots of treats and toys in our stocking and what he didn't bring our grandparents and aunts did! We only fought twice over the same toy. It was a puppy dog that barks and pants when we squeeze his tummy.

We went with Mom and Dad to the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina in October. The folks wanted to go away but couldn't stand the thought of boarding us so we rode along. We threw up on the way down but mom anticipated that so our parents just pulled over and pulled off layers from the backseat we were sitting on. We got to sniff a lot at the rest stops on the way down and got distracted a few times, but we didn't runaway or anything (we know how good we have it).

The first night in a new place was rough. Our parents would not let us on the bed since it wasn't ours... something about having manners when you're in somebody elses house. Anyway, Opie cried all night and that got on my nerves but mom kept giving me treats for not crying and the next night he didn't cry and we were both good all week. The cabin was decorated like the old west and it had a nice deck we could hang out on and not get out. It also had a fun backyard and mom and dad took us for lots of walks and rides.

We had fun. I saw fire for the first time and I couldn't keep my eyes off it! We wore costumes on Halloween. Opie doesn't like to dress up like I do, so he wore a bandana and I wore a flag costume.

We helped mom carve the pumpkin but we really wanted to eat it. At night, all we did was bark at it because it looked like it came to life!

We didn't want to go home and neither did mom. We did much better on the ride home though--we didn't throw up at all!

Mom makes us pose for pictures and she thought the shower curtain in the bathroom would be good for a summer photo...in air conditioning of course--hey, we'll do anything for a treat!!

I absolutely hate the vet so I destroyed this toy but not until mom got a picture first. She made sure the vet got one for her Christmas card this year. She says we have to be extra-nice to the vet since I am so bad there, but I don't know what she is talking about. Hey, they are the ones always coming after me with fingers and sharp stuff, it's just self-defense!

My folks say they love me all the time and I let them know I love them, too. I even like my brother most of the time.

I remember all of you. Mom says your names to me and I always look around for you and my dog friends. I'll never forget you! You gave me the gift of life.

My folks say that Opie and I give them the gift of love and happiness, so I guess I am just giving to them what you gave me--a chance to give. Ya know mom says we are all born with that gift just not all of us get to use it.

Thank you for giving me up to get a second chance to give and for taking care of me until I found my forever family. I love you and my family loves you, too!