Hard to believe it is 2011 already! I guess it is way over due for an update on sweet little me!

Friday night we had a "DogTown Reunion" at my house. I really think it is just an excuse for the ladies to get together and have a bottle of wine or two but I must admit it was fun!

I am getting a lot more outgoing. When the guests arrived, I greeted them at the door and allowed them to pet me.

We sat in the livingroom with a nice warm fire going. You see, a big snow storm was rolling in and mom knows how I like to stay toasty warm in the winter. I am so glad my mom has not sent me to the groomers for a trim yet as this winter coat that I wear keeps me warm when I have to go outside to do my "business".

We socialized, Abby and I played and Abby cleaned my face for me also. Everyone thought that was so cute.

I met a new friend, Ali, and we snuggled for a really, really, really long time on the couch together. Ali knew exactly how to give a good doggie massage! AAGGGHHHH Heaven!

Hope all of you at Best Friends are doing well and make sure to say Hi to everyone down there.

Love Velma!

P.S. I am going for my annual check up this week.

HELLO DOWN THERE!

Velma here! Just thought I would give you Utah folks, at Best Friends, an update on me. Since I last posted, I have been very busy.

We made it through the summer, if you can call it that! Rain, rain, rain.............which, by the way, I am not a huge fan of!

I have been to the groomers and I got all "gussied" up with a bath and hair trim. My coat is coming back in nicely - which is good because I heard the winters can be C-O-L-D! My mom has a wonderful gas fireplace and she has our doggie bed right in front of it! Where do you think my favorite spot is in the house????? Move over Abby dog and Lois cat.............. Yes we all share this pillow!

I have discovered my favorite toy................are you ready???? You will never guess!?!?! It is a rope! It is the size of me but I manage to drag it around everywhere!

Last Friday, we had a DogTown reunion party! All the gals that went down to volunteer in the Spring came over. It was SO MUCH FUN! I was a little nervous at first as all these women were laughing and having fun. Then I decided that Lauren's lap looked pretty comfy so I stared her down until she decided to give me a snuggle. Man does she give great massages! Once I figured that out, I spent some time with Jess, Loralee and Coreen. My mom eventually brought my quilt (yes - I have own quilt) out to the living room so I could curl up and be in the heart of the festivities.

Jess is coming to visit all of you in a few weeks. She is going to bring you some pictures of me. I know that you all think I am a special girl................and just to let you know - I AM. I am well loved here in Canada and appreciate all that you did for me at Best Friends and my mom and I are both thankful our paths crossed and that we met!

UPDATE FROM THE CANUCK!

Sorry folks...................I know it has been awhile since the first update............but this girl has been BUSY! My home is quite large and I have to do a lot of investigating. Here is my update as I know you humans at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary are a little curious on how I am adjusting. Plus - I am a little popular...............I actually have a "Following" with my blog. I think you humans call them "groupies".

It has been just over a month since I landed on Canadian soil. I must say that it has been very interesting so far. My yard has lots to investigate and interesting smells to tickle my nose. I especially like taking a sniff of the daisies that my mom has planted. Sometimes I give them a little chomp too! ;o)

I got a brand new collar..............a beautiful purple to go against my gorgeous rust colored coat! I also got my VERY own name tag that has my name and phone number on it. I had mom take a picture as I am so proud of it!

Abby and I are best friends. She is a very confident girl and has helped me immensely to open up. My mom realized (as she is involved in rescue also) that I definitely needed a home with another canine. I give Abby kisses all the time and the other day I gave Bella, the cat, a big old lick and for some reason she gave me a funny look!

Oh, Oh..............I met my new Vet a couple weeks ago. He said I am in very good shape for my age and that is a big THANK YOU to Best Friends for fixing my teeth and my lump!

I have maneuvred the stairs also but my mom doesn't really want me going up and down them all the time...........something to do with my lllllllllloooooooooonnnnnnnnnggggggggggg back and short legs. So when it is time for me to go upstairs, I get a lift to the top of the stairs and the same on the way down.

The other day my mom doggysat a dog that she once fostered. His name is Rio and he is H-U-G-E. I have to say though he is one of the kindest dogs that I have met. He was very gentle with me.

I have really come out of my shell. I now play with the rope, carry the ball and squeak the odd toy. My little tail is always going! I guess that means I am really really happy.

It feels so good, after all these years, to find someone to give me all the TLC in the world and provide me with a forever home.

Saturday is "Beauty Parlor" day for Abby and me. I am going to get a bath and my hair styled. Abby is going for a trim also so she doesn't look like such a rag-a-muffin!

I just want to say THANK YOU Best Friends for rescuing me and allowing me to live out "a dog's life" for my senior years. Say Hi to my caretakers at Old Town and the Laundry Room staff.

Well gotta run...............................I hear the treat bag rattling!

I AM CANADIAN!

Howdy Folks!!!! (That's a Calgary greeting we use here in Cowtown). Just want to let all of my friends and caregivers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary know that I am doing great.

I arrived onto Canadian soil Tuesday, May 25th at approximately 11:45pm. I was very lucky and got to ride first class (well that's first dog class)......................in the cabin. My new mom, Kathleen, bought we a wonderful carry-on crate that I snuggled into for the flight.

I was a very popular girl at the Phoenix airport too. There was a lady that works there that actually writes articles about rescue animals and she gave Momma Kathleen a card so she can email my story to her!!!!

After my exhausting day of travel, I arrived at my home in Edgemont (a district in the City of Calgary). I must say............a pretty swanky neighborhood. And............my yard........my yard is HUGE.

The first thing I did was meet my new canine sister, Abby. We became instant friends. Then came Lois, my feline sister...................who thinks she is a dog, and Bella, another feline sister. Last, but not least, were my two human siblings......................Garratt and Amanda.

I was a little nervous the first night and did some circling around the kitchen island. Once I realized that I was OK, I settled in for the night. I have a nice bed in the kitchen that is just for me. I do share it with Abby though. We also have a big community cushion in the living room that I share with Lois and Abby.

Abby thinks I am a pretty cool Daschund. She gives me little kisses all the time and makes me feel at home.

I have had a few people over to visit me and I am getting braver every day. Today when my visitor came, I actually came to the hall by the door and watched them come in. She brought me freeze dried chicken treats and all I can say is YUM!

Can't say I am liking the weather in Calgary right now. It is SNOWING.........YES SNOWING......the end of May and SNOW! Once the snow is gone, Momma Kathleen and I are going to work on some housetraining.

Fire place just got turned on, so I must run and find my spot on the community pillow.

Love you all at Best Friends and bow wow for now,

Velma Louise Carbury