We saw this picture on the Terra-Blue web site. How could you possibly resist this face? So, I made an email inquiry, which led to a phone conversation between Ivan's breeder and first human Mom, Joni. This picture was taken when he was 3 months old.

Ivan had been training to be a show dog, but had some sort of flaw that disqualified him. So Joni was looking for a "forever home" for Ivan.

Brian and I set out to prepare for Ivan's arrival. We bought bowls and toys and bones and food and everything we could think of. We even bought a cage, which Brian had to test to make sure it was big enough for Ivan. We dotted our "i"s and crossed out "t"s and waited for the big day to come.

Ivan was making a big trip from Ohio to West Springfield, MA, where we would be picking him up and bringin him home.

On Saturday, Ivan met his first new playmate, Kayly. They had a lovely time romping in the yard and playing. Unfortunately, that day Kayly got hurt when she skidded out in the rain and onto some rolled up fencing in the yard. She had to go to the vet to be stitched up.

After Kayly, Ivan went to visit Georgie and Gracie, who I guess would be his aunts. Gracie didn't take too well to Ivan and bullied him around.

Last stop was to Marcia's so Ivan could meet Sam and Paige. By that time, Ivan was grouchy and very overwhelmed. We'll have to try that introduction again Later on.

Ivan and I prefer to spend calm quality time together. At first we allowed Ivan to climb up on the furniture. But when he started doing that at other people's houses, we decided that was a bad idea.

The first week proved to be challenging for everyone. Ivan is very unhappy being left in his crate when we are not around. He destroyed his blanket and barked incessantly for hours. But when we are around, Ivan is a delight!

Halloween 2002 Ivan went trick or treating with Brian and his nephews. He was a good boy.

November 1st Brian and I started obedience training (Ivan starts on November 8th). Since Ivan was such a terror in the crate, we decided to try to leave him out while we were gone. We returned to see everything in order. Hurray for Ivan. We thought we had licked the separation issue.

The second weekend was much calmer. Ivan went to Ern and Kristie's house to meet Blitz and Girldog. Everyone seemed to get along great. He even calmly sat by on his tie out and watched Brian film his new episode of Dudeworm.

We were finally working in to this new life with the dog and thought the adjustment period was over. Not so fast!

We decided to try a new tactic with Ivan on week 2. We would give him lots of distractions (stuffed Kongs, marrow bones, etc) and leave him out while we were at work during the day. We thought we Ivan-proofed the apartment. Not so grasshopper!

I came home Monday afternoon to find that Ivan had somehow gotten my favorite Michigan J Frog baseball hat, and had mangled it. But, that's what dog's do when no one is at home, right?

Apparently not just when we're at work.

Tuesday morning brought new surprises. I woke up to find Ivan gnawing at a bag of vacation souveneirs from the trip to Pennsylvania. The bag was chewed, but the contents were in tact.

The living room throw, rug, however, is another story. Why he decided to chew on that, I'm not quite sure.

The cats have adjusted better than imagined, though. Floyd has established that he is Alpha and not to be messed with. He will go so far as to lay in Ivan'd path, so Ivan had to either go the long way around to his destination, or else stay put until Floyd decides to move. Mr "E", on the other hand, is still a bit shy around Ivan, except at meal time. Then his is first in line in the kitchen, meowing his little black head off.

Ivan has taken to chasing Mr "E". That's a big no-no and something that we're trying to correct right away.