Well, he’s been here almost a month and I really cannot believe what a great dog he has turned out to be. I would have to say that Jack ranks right up there with the world’s best. He is just about completely house broken and uber intelligent. He can already sit and lay flat on command and knows the meaning of just about all his other commands. He can retrieve already, a feat it took my Golden about 6 months to learn. But best of all, Jack is a constant companion and loyal to the nth degree. He doesn’t chase people but makes every effort to befriend them all. He loves my friends and they love him. What else could you ask for in a dog.

Jack’s only issue is that he hates the crate. It is his most dreaded word and once you say it, his eyes droop down, his shoulders fall, and he will usually make a slow move trying to get out of your reach; an effort, usually in vain, to stay out of the dreaded land from where he thinks no dogs return.

So, if I had to choose, I suppose I would rather have a dog that loves you so much he can’t stand to be away from you, rather than one who is crate obedient. But I’m not quite sure how it is all going to work out when the time comes for him to be in there for an extended period. We’ll see next week when his first day crating challenge takes place. He really is so well behaved that he may even get to stay out by himself all day. His fave place now is lounging on the bed, although for the first three weeks he would be napping by your feet or otherwise following you around the house. He still will move from room to room with you unless he in his fave spot. He naps most of the day, but when it’s time for a walk out into the park, he is a bundle of energy. I suppose it’s all pent up and after about a 10 minute turbo-romp, he’s completely content.

So here’s Jack’s two favorite places. The bed…. and the park. Hard to believe it’s the same dog.

and I have to show off his “official portrait” …

or two…..