November 15, 2007 – Rainy, cold. Good writing day.
  Gretchen Pinkel, the owner of Kee-Pin Labs kennel of Argyle, N.Y., and Lenore’s breeder (her dogs are quite wonderful, and Lenore is an amazing creature) sent me this poem:

   “Lenore, Lenore”
 
    A lab puppy of much adore 
    Oh but when Jon’s not looking
    she is off munching & crunching
    a delicious delicacy of donkey dropping!
    Oh Lenore Lenore
    You are lab puppy for sure!

   
  Thanks Gretchen, for the poem and for Lenore. It is true, I am much smitted by Lenore. Can’t remember when a puppy took me by storm like this. Lenore is sweet, she has a ton of personality, has charmed the socks off of Izzy and even the imperious, workaholic Rose, who actually licked her yesterday, and she is remarkably calm, and responding well to the calming training we are doing. She has, with Izzy, begun hospice work, and she is dozing by my side as I write this. She is also a hellion.
  She has reinforced my love of acquiring dogs from great breeders, training them conscientiously and patiently, and entering a relationship in which she and I can do many things together, some of which will be revealed to me in time. A good relationship with a good dog is a miraculous thing, and it takes careful thought, hard work, much love, patience, and self-awareness on the part of the human.
  I am fortunate to have a dog like this, and will strive to be worthy of her. Oh yes, this week Lenore managed to get to sleep in bed next to me for the first time. I thought it would take a few months longer.