Cassie

Randy and I have been meaning to send you a big "thank you" note for quite some time.  The one-year anniversary of
Cassie (formerly B.B.) coming home to us was just the kick in the pants I needed!  When we first saw Cassie, she was
quietly huddled in the arms of her foster mom's mom at a Petsmart adoption event.  One look into those brown eyes
and I was hooked, she was coming home with us that day!  Since then, January 4, 2003, Cassie has wormed her way into our hearts with her blooming independence and intelligence. Cassie never seems to be afraid of anything except maybe that darn vacuum cleaner making all of that racket!  Cassie learned the command "leave it" in the first session we
introduced the term.  And believe me, that comes in handy with a little Hoover vacuum like Cassie around.  She loves
to be the first one to the door to greet us when we come home, the first to the door to go outside every morning,
and even the first to announce the mailman's arrival with her barking.  After making sure she has thoroughly
announced anyone's presence on our doorstep, she turns around, gives a couple more little huffs, and looks proudly
around as if to say, well, now I've done my job and its time for a treat.  Who am I to resist such personality?

Even though Cassie lost her left hind leg during her homeless period, it doesn't seem to make a difference to
her.  She tears up and down the stairs, chases squirrels just as well as her sister Riley, and has learned to take
running jumps to pop up onto the family room sectional sofa.  Cassie is really good at turning into a whirling
dervish when she suspects food or treats are due her and likes to stare down neighborhood cats by leaning up against
the fence while on her one remaining back leg.  The only thing that has her stumped is how to get up onto the bed
which is just too darn high for her.  So, Cassie very nicely waits beside the bed until someone comes along and
lifts her on top so she can curl up and catch 40 or 50 winks.  And let me tell you, how such a little dog can take
up so much room in the bed is beyond me but she does an outstanding job. 

We brought Cassie home so our other rescue, Riley, could have a companion.  It seemed kind of touch and go for a
while, but Riley has grudgingly learned to put up with Cassie.  We found out that Cassie is something of an
instigator in that when she wants to play, she starts batting at Riley with her paws until Riley finally gives
in.  Thankfully, Riley is pretty patient as Cassie likes to shove her way to the front of the attention line no matter
when and where it happens.  They have learned to get along quite nicely and that certainly helps us feel better when
leaving the house every morning to go to work.  Then when we come home, they are both standing on the sectional with
the noses poked through the curtains watching for us to pull into the driveway.  What a sight, I wish I could send
you a picture!

OK, so this has gotten long enough already.  I am totally smitten with Cassie and even Randy likes to give her a good
scratch under her chin.  We cannot imagine life without her.  When she cuddles up against me and lets out  her sigh
of contentment, I feel the exact same way.  Thank you for giving so much of yourselves to help find new homes for
these angels in curly fur coats.

Randy R & Sue D
On behalf of Cassie (formerly BB) & Riley