Meet...

Note: We've reversed the order of this page - it now reads from newest (top) to oldest (bottom). Clicking on any thumbnail image will load the full size picture. Enjoy!

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Maine Get-Away: Marshall vs. The Atlantic

 

A much needed rest for us - and an introduction to the Ocean for Marshall. He took to swimming immediately and couldn't get enough - even though he quickly found out that every trip into the Atlantic resulted in a trip to the  shower afterwards. He was one tired pup at the end!

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Marshall's Newest Friend

      

Jeffrey's co-worker Kimberley has an amazing, outgoing son named Lukas - who has fallen in love with Marshall
(it's very much reciprocated!). These shots were taken from a picnic at the DeCordova museum and sculpture gardens -
great places to play hide-and-seek.

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Marshall Visiting His "Cousins"...

 

We also made the trip again at Easter (2007) - good grief how much these girls have grown!

After Sofia's birth, we went to visit our newest goddaughter (and Sammy, Stacy, and Dan too!). Marshall loves kids and babies -
it's so cool to see how he becomes extra gentle around an infant - and then pounces Dan to have some fun rough-housing

Back in Upstate NY for a summer weekend - a combination wedding anniversary and Marshall's birthday celebration.

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Marshall The Posing Ham...

 

Some random shots from 2006 - Marshall is a ham and knows exactly when the camera is focused on him.

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Marshall's BFF (Best Feline Friend- Sadie)

We do believe that cats and dogs can coexist peacefully- and in Marshall and Sadie's case, happily!

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Marshall's first snow & holiday...

Marshall was romping through a field (Marshall's Field ... get it?) one day, and digging around the snow on the next. He loves the snow and has proven quite adept at bounding along the top of it! Below, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Marshall was quite the little show-off.

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The first months...

 

Marshall is a little bit of a ham - he knows when his picture is being taken!

  

Marshall and Sadie get along wonderfully ... as long as Marshall remembers that Sadie rules the house. She reminds him of that once in a while. But for the most part, they play together and seem to enjoy each other's company. Sometimes, if they know we're not looking, they even snuggle.

Marshall really likes kids - especially Olivia.

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The First Days at Home...

[LEFT] Marshall has a special area set-up in our side room where his crate, water, and toys are. He seems to like it, although he's already started to figure out how to open the gate! [CENTER] Marshall and Sadie are getting along great. Both are equally fearless and curious, which hasn't led to any fighting yet. Even over a much cherished ice cube. [RIGHT] Marshall has no complaints with brushing or baths!                                   

 

The first day has been awesome. He's already taken to his leash and collar, is eating on schedule, and has let us know when he needed to go outside. There have been a few accidents, but he did sleep through the night without needing to go out This is one smart little guy...  he's even started to play fetch and retrieve... but he's also figured out how to jump off of the sofa and open his gate. With this kind of intelligence and a strong rambunctious playful nature, we're sure that enrolling in puppy kindergarten next week will be good for us all.


[LEFT + CENTER] Harris and Ria came to visit - with Scooby. Everyone was excited, including Sadie. Marshall loves people.  [RIGHT] A very full first day leads to a much needed nap. This is our little angel!

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Going Home!

 
[LEFT] Jeffrey couldn't resist the Harley hat - our little guy is gonna be a tough guy! [CENTER] Charlene Bessette, the breeder (right) with her lovely daughter, Kayla, who gave Marshall so much time and love. We can't begin to thank them enough for raising such a wonderful pup. [RIGHT] The 45-minute ride home was a breeze - Marshall wanted to watch out the window to see what was going on - in between kisses and hugs.

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Pre-Adoption

On Marc's first visit, there were three little guys vying for attention. On the next visit, Jeffrey joined and together we were "picked" by a very forward, not-so-shy, little guy.

On our next visit, we brought Aunty Heather to meet her new fuzzy little neph-dog. He had grown so much - as did his personality.

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Phoebe's Gift to Us...  An odd title, but it will make more sense in a little bit.

When we lost Phoebe on June 24, 2005, it was a deep wound that left a big scar. We know we'll never replace her, but we also realized pretty quickly that we - our house, our lives - had been forever changed by her. Phoebe introduced us to the "dog owner" experience and through it, brought so much love, joy, and happiness into our lives. We decided about a month after Phoebe's death that we wanted - and needed - a little fluff in our lives.

We started thinking about schedules, seasons, timelines, and potty training, and figured out that the middle of September would be perfect. We were lucky to have found a breeder who had several pups from a litter of 6 which would be available right around that time. The breeder and her family own a grooming salon and gift shop, as well has breeding Bichons for over 20 years. When they're at their loving home, they are surrounded by people of all ages, other pups (Shih Tzu, King Cavalier, and Pugs) and a couple of cats. When they're at the grooming salon, they are exposed to more people, noises, and lots of other dogs. We knew that our little guy would be getting a perfect start in this world.

Now, about the title... "Phoebe's Gift."  Our little girl gave us the gift of love and taught us that we would always be "dog people." Whether or not this is a cosmic sign of being "the right time and place," or just a tear-inducing coincidence, the mother of this litter is named Phoebe. Need I say anymore?