Sadly this did not come with a photograph

Thank you to each of you for the efforts to bring Tara (formerly known as Stony) to me.

She is just about the perfect dog.

Shortly after we picked her up, my sister and I stopped at Panera for an iced tea and to give her a few minutes to sit in the fresh air with us. A two year old little girl came over to say Hi. Stony (as she was known then) sat next to the little girl and laid her head on the girl's shoulder as she was petted. Who knew an Aussie could behave like that? Certainly not my previous two that all considered excellently behaved dogs!

On the way home we stopped at the nursing home where my Dad is recuperating from an illness. Stony showed no fear of wheelchairs or walkers. And walked up to people and gently sat next to them to be petted at every opportunity. She brought tears to our eyes when we went to the room next door to visit my Dad's friend, who is bed bound at the moment. Stony put one paw on the side of the bed and slipped her muzzle under the man's hand to be petted. No jumping on the bed - just an ever so gentle suggestion that petting might be in order.

No question she will be a therapy dog.

Sunday afternoon we went out to visit my Dad's girlfriend's 10 month old German Shepherd. (I must admit I was a bit nervous as Kaiser is a bit rambunctious). Tara ( as she is now known) quickly "explained the rules of play to Kaiser in a gentle but firm manner. They ran and jumped and had a ball together.

In the park, Tara has ventured into the brook and had quite a fun time splashing around. She even tried to introduce herself to one of the mallards in the pond.

She is friendly to everyone but slightly hesitates when men approach her. However, if they let her come up to them she is fine.

(BTW - she is named Tara for several reasons - Tara is the Buddhist Goddess of Peace (and is believed to have enlightenment) which my Tara certainly demonstrates. The name ties to my previous two dogs Scarlett (whose brother was Rhett) and Miss Melanie (for you GWTW fans). It also ties to my Irish heritage.thank you so much for the wonderful gift of Tara.

Fondly, Carole Wilson Strickroth