It has been so long since I have provided an update on Lesley. In some ways, there isn’t much to report—Lesley settled in so very well and is just such a gentle dog. There’s been no drama—no neuroses to conquer, no bad behavior to correct. She and Leonard are great friends and she’s a natural addition to our family and lifestyle. There’s just a whole lot of sweetness in this Houndie Pie.

And yet, Lesley has some interesting idiosyncrasies:

· She loathes—I mean really hates—water. Any variation of it. She would sooner go into oncoming traffic that risk being rained on by a sprinkler. With many trips to Sea Ranch under her belt, Lesley is just getting her sea legs now. She will let the waves break on her feet but they have to be small ones.
· She loves the very edges of cliffs and bluffs. She stands on the very edge and then tries to take one step further. Robert and I joke that we should have named her Vista because she sure does seem to love a good view!
· She is a heat chaser like I have never seen. She will seek out the hottest sun and lay directly in it. When she’s had enough she goes in for just enough time to cool down and then goes right back out again.
· When not in the sun, she sleeps on top of pillows. Her 48 lb self tries to curl herself in the tightest houndie ball and balance on an 18 inch throw pillow.
· She has the greatest sigh ever and is quite vocal in her relaxations.
· She never ever licks but she is a big cuddle bug. She makes sure we have a daily snuggle session by following me into the bedroom and jumping on the bed and splaying out when I sit down to change.

Lesley has really touched our hearts with her quiet self. Salem was right when she first described Lesley as a thoughtful artist. That is very much her way. She’s very well mannered and has become a terrific off-lead dog. It’s such a delight having her with us and we just love the Pork Chop (her first and most often used nickname). We’re very grateful to Salem who cared for Lesley and to Jayne who guided us to this very wonderful little hound.

Grietje and Robert

22 July 2011

---

Lesley has been with us for almost five months and what a difference those five months have made. She has completely settled—not just in her home, but in the fact that Lesley is now embracing the fact that she is a very much loved pet. Her sweetness appears to show no bounds. She, however, has definite boundaries when it comes to running. She’s got the looseness and energy to do the miles but Mummy’s focus competes with her need to sniff every little thing. I believe 4.5 miles is her no-sniffing limit. On a recent run, she just decided she had had enough of no-sniffing and just stopped. I had to laugh and we're working on finding a compromise. Lesley is also immensely curious. There’s not a back yard that she won’t go into. She’s also walked right into a swamp; I had to swim across and get her back. Don’t ask—my off-lead hopes were very premature. She’s playing daily with Leonard and it is fun to watch them. Leonard’s only chance is to bite at Lesley’s ankles as she zooms by. She passed intermediate obedience and shakes and high-fives with the best of them. Today, our little family lounged by the pool. I thought you’d enjoy these photos, and an earlier photo of how Lesley prefers to use the treadmill. Grietje 21 May 2010 We arrived home on Friday and the initial meeting with Leonard went very well. I suspect they will be fast friends. In fact, it’s wonderful to see Leonard playing again. Everyone was quite tired so we kept it quiet that night. On Saturday we went for a good walk and stopped at an enclosed school and let Lesley off lead to “run it out.” That little hound can move! She responds to her name and for the little training she has, her recalls are quite good—granted, the treat when she arrives helps. Lesley comes barreling at you—full speed and then suddenly slams on the brakes. She also got the chance to meet my parents, who will be her babysitters when Robert and I are on the road or working late. As expected, she charmed them right away. On Sunday we started Lesley’s running program. We did a run/walk pattern so as to get her used to it. That too went well. Right now, little Lesley is curled up on her dog bed in the den sound asleep. Lesley is quite the snoozer! I am so glad to have gone to Tennessee to meet Salem who took such good care of Lesley, and to meet Ms. Lesley herself. I knew within minutes of meeting Lesley that she would come home. We also decided to keep her name as Lesley. We were thinking of renaming her Lily because she is such a sweet little flower, as the name suggests. But in tribute to the history of her name and the fact—even with all that sweetness—there is a spirited-ness about her (like a good Scot), we’re keeping the name. It suits her. I was having dinner with a dear friend and we were talking about Naomi’s passing. She said, “Naomi, in dying, released her rescue halo and it’s floating over the United States waiting for just the right hound to land on.” It was such a nice idea and it has provided much comfort. And, she was right. The rescue halo did land, and it landed on Lesley. Thank you Jayne, for letting us adopt Lesley and thank you Salem (you really are an angel), for sharing your time with us and being your wondrous hound luvin' self. We feel truly blessed. Take Care and Merry Christmas! Grietje and Robert 22 December 2009