And again with the bad habits...

Sorry again to Merlin's forever family...I told you he learns from those around him!  In my house, the love seat belongs to Tiny and Callie (no humans allowed)!  Callie took over Merlin's bed, so Merlin decided he'd take Callie's place on the love seat. :oP

I snapped a quick photo before I shoo'd him down.  See him below laying 'cheek to cheek' with Tiny...so to speak. ;) 

We generally do not allow fosters on the furniture in case their future families prefer to keep the furniture for the humans.  Merlin is very easy going and doesn't seem to care either way.  As long as he has something soft to rest on and plenty of love and attention, he's a happy dog!

Kid tested, Mother approved

Well, we knew that Merlin was great with kids (my neighbor's little girl climbed into the X-Pen with him on July 4th), but when I took him to the Marietta Farmer's Market this weekend for a little socializing, I got to see first hand how kids flock to him.  He doesn't seem to have a care in the world and just eats up the attention.

There were a couple of girls that just loved on him and even laid down next to him on the dog bed in order to pet him.  He was in hog heaven!  Err, dog heaven?!

I'm very happy to report that Merlin's adoption is pending.  Patti and Kim went to meet with his future forever family on Friday and Merlin will be getting a kid of his own to play with.  =)

Photos of Merlin from this weekend's meet and greet:

I'm here, and I want attention!!

Merlin certainly does learn quickly from his foster sisters!!  Tiny tends to be very pushy about getting the attention she feels is due her at all times.  She butts-in and nudges your arm or hand until you give up and pet her (high-maintenance dog).  :P

Normally, Merlin is just kinda there.  He's not real demanding, but does love to be loved on.  Well, today, that seems to have changed.  For the first time, he butted in between me and Tiny and proceeded to lay his head on my shoulder (I was sitting on the couch).  I guess he realized that if you want the attention in a multi-dog house, you better get in there and demand it.  ;)  Don't get me wrong, we give him plenty of love and affection, it's just nice to see him coming out of his shell and realizing that he deserves it whenever he wants it!  hehe

He's also learning that toys can be fun.  The past two evenings, I've seen him playing with our screaming monkey (that no longer screams thanks to a previous foster dog) and with the goose that miraculously still honks after 2 years.  With a little coaxing and some new toys of his own, I'm sure he'll be playing up a storm in no time!

Yep, definitely a bird dog!

Merlin could spend hours just staring out the window watching the little feathery creatures hopping about.  We have a feeder across the yard in good view from  the patio door and Merlin can often be seen staring out the glass panes with a smile on his face watching the birds as they eat and frolic around.

A few times, he's been lucky enough to spot the chipmonks and rabbits that make their way into our yard when the dogs aren't out.  He's gets REAL alert then and usually ends up bonking his head against the glass trying to see where they go as they shoot across the yard.

He's such a sweet, silly boy!

Revved up & ready to play!

I'm not sure what got into Merlin last night, but BOY was he in a PLAYFUL MOOD!!!  He started off by bouncing around a little...hopping side to side with a  big 'ole smile on his face.  He'd grab his blanket, shake it around, then crouch down (front legs spread and rear-end in the air).  He even honked the goose a little (and no, that's not a metaphor...it's a toy goose that 'honks').  ;)

When I opened up the backdoor for him, he shot out into the yard to run loops and get his energy out.  Every time he made a loop, he'd run back up to me as if to say 'why aren't you chasing me?!!' and then he'd be off again!  Of course my frantic yelling for him to stop or slow down alittle didn't do any good...the last thing I need is for a foster to get hurt.  But, you have to remember, these dogs are used to going top speed, and they are bred to love running.  There's not much use in me chasing him because he could lap me 5 times easily. lol 

In the end, he was totally fine and all my panicking was for nothing.  He came back in and quickly settled down...totally sacked out, he fell asleep quickly. =)