Jack, formerly Ricky

From: Francesca McCrossan <francescamccrossan@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Date: Wed May 3, 2006 11:10:44 PM US/Pacific
Subject: [KBL] Lucy and Ricky

Hello all,

I just thought I'd give you an update on our two, Lucy, from the Shelbina Express who came to us a week ago Sunday, and little Ricky from the April Surprise, who arrived here this afternoon. My family (husband and 6 year old daughter) have gone from 0 to 2 Kerrys in under 2 weeks. And I haven't been a dog owner for over 20 years; and my husband has never been a dog owner. All I can say is, I sat on my couch this afternoon with the almost 3 year old Lucy and the 14 week old Ricky and felt truly blessed. What a wonderful gift to be able to love these two puppies. I want to thank all the rescuers, but especially my two Angels, Eileen Andrade and Sharon Ponsford. Sharon and her family fostered Lucy for several weeks before she was able to become ours; and Sharon went to the SF airport today to bring us Ricky. He is such a cutie that she almost took him home with her!

Eileen placed enough trust in us to ask us to foster-to-adopt. Ricky and we knew it was the right thing to do for Lucy, and for us. Lucy has been so shy and cowed, and not wanting to go near men, until she is with another dog. Then she is an absolutely typical, bouncy, happy, waggy wonderful little girl. What else could we do but get a baby for her to play with and mother and learn from? Ricky arrived and was immediately his wonderful puppy self. We took them outside to the yard and he jumped and played and ran around and Lucy was thrilled. She even let my father (a very big bad man in her eyes, but really an animal lover and dog magnet) sit on the couch next to her and holding Ricky, and they all had a snooze. What a transformation!

Eileen and Sharon have called daily and visited often and just generally made us and the doggies their concern, bringing us squarely into the middle of this wonderful, supportive, knowledgeable Kerry community. I look forward to learning from you all, keeping you posted on Lucy and Ricky (no, I'm not going to get a third named Ethel or a fourth named Fred; I'm adventurous, not crazy!) and hopefully meeting more of you for doggie play dates, support and mounds of accrued wisdom.

TTFN, Francesca

Ricky showing off his newly learned "Sit."

From: Eileen Andrade <gwsa@calmail.berkeley.edu>
Date: Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:32:23 AM US/Pacific

"Jack" is Ricky's new name and new family - as of last night.  It was a little difficult leaving him behind but he was having a wonderful time running and playing with Colette (12 years old).  I took my camera with me but failed to take pictures while I was there.  This will be a wonderful home for him.  It does seem like there is an opening yawning chasm in my office this morning where Ricky has been for the last few weeks.

Eileen

From: "W. Charles Perry" <charles@wcharlesperry.com>
Subject: Introducing our New Family Member!
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 08:48:34 -0700Dear Folks:
 
Meet Jack - Colette’s new bother and our newest family member.

This little charmer entered our lives last night when Eileen Andrade from the Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation visited our home for a final inspection to see if we were worthy of caring for his precious little soul.  He is full of terrier enthusiasm for life and everything in it – exploring every nook and cranny in our home and yard, playing with squeaky toys, fetch, and tug-of-war, making noise with his food bowl, and chewing leaves, sticks, rawhide, and ice cubes.

Cooper, our older poodle, does not know what to do with this bundle of energy that runs circles around him, hops on his bed, and tries to eat his food.  So far, he has endured Jack’s ceaseless motion with stoic forbearance.  Colette, for her part, has gone to bed late and gotten up early to feed, walk, and tend to his excretory needs.  She and Jack are on their way to becoming a model dog-person.
 
I will skip the long tail of how this came to be except to let you know that God has been kind to us.
 
Love,
 
Charlie