A new Bedlam Farm Posse is shaping up, Gus is joining the pack.

This morning, we put Gus out with the big dogs for the first time, today marks his first week with us. Red accepts him fully, even when he chews on his claws, and Fate still keeps her distance, grabbing Gus’s toys whenever she can and hiding them around the house.

Yesterday we realized that every one of Gus’s toys had disappeared, we found them all in a corner of the room behind a plant.

Gus is more of an indoor dog than the border collies, he loves to hang out inside with us. The border collies are more outward focused, they love to sit by the pasture watching the sheep. But Gus also loves to be with the dogs and stays with them whenever they are outside.

I am worn to a nub after the very successful refugee children retreat at Pompanuck Farm, the dogs have all made a complete recovery.

I think we have another dog content to be near the house and with no interest in the road, but it is only a week so we have more to learn about him.  Dogs are pack animals, they love to stay with their pack.

This morning, Gus tried to run with Fate out around the sheep. She made it about 20 feet and by then Fate was almost out of site, and Gus sat down looking puzzled.

Today, another chapter in the of Gus and of me. At 1:30, the Mansion residents will read the stories they have written in our workshop together, I will read some of them, and some of the authors will read their own.

There will also be a Fourth of July party preceding the readings, thanks in no small measure to the gifts and cards and photographs you have sent. Gus and Red will be the attending therapy dogs, I get to be the story reader and also a judge, we will pass out ribbons for the best stories.

Your messages and gifts to the Mansion residents have had a profound effect on life there. Thanks again, you can write to the residents care of The Mansion, 11 S. Union Street, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. Here is the latest list of Mansion residents who wish to receive your messages: Bruce, Allan, Sylvie, Jean, John Z., John R., Alanna, Peggie, Ellen, Joan, Brenda, Connie, Alice, Madeline, Mary, Barbara, William, Brother Peter, Diane, Helen, Jane, Dottie, Anna, Richard, Gerry, Charlotte, Arthur, Shirley and Robert.