
          Marty 
          has been part of our family for three weeks now.  He is now completely 
          house-trained and is walking well on leash!  What a smart boy!  He has 
          met most of the dogs in the neighbourhood and has learned how to play 
          with them.  The children come over every morning and evening to say 
          hi.  
          
          His 
          morning walks have become his favourite.  He runs to the door and sits 
          waiting for the door to open.  He likes to run through and roll 
          in the long grass.  When he hears "where is our Marty?" he pops up his 
          head and comes running back to us.  
          
          He 
          loves to curl up with us in the evening.  He watches Wexford for his 
          cues on how to behave.  He loves to give kisses and we give him lots 
          of hugs!  It has been a seamless transition for Marty.  What a joy he 
          is and has adopted us as his forever family!  Thanks again for 
          allowing us to adopt him.
          
          
          Update June ‘09 ...
          
          Hello, 
          my name is Marty and I'm writing to you to thank you all for the 
          kindness you showed me while I stayed with you.  I was sure lucky to 
          have you folks around so that puppies like me can find a great home.  
          My Mom and Dad are great.  My mom takes me and my big brother Wexford 
          for nice long walks and lets me play with a lot of other dogs!  We 
          have really great children in the neighbourhood because they come over 
          and play with me too.  My mom keeps telling me not to jump on 
          them.  She says that I have learned 'Off' really well (I guess it's 
          because I hear it so often).  I'm really trying my best to do what she 
          asks.  I now know sit, stay, come and down.  The stay command 
          though needs work.  My favourite game is Marty in the middle (I think 
          the game used to be called Monkey in the Middle).  My big brother is 
          sooo patient with me.  He is quite calm and good natured.  I couldn't 
          ask for a better brother!  
          
          
          
I've 
          been to see the doctor twice now and all my shots are up-to-date.  I weigh 12.8 kilos!  The doc thinks I'll probably weigh about 50 to 60 
          lbs when I grow up.  I have a new leather collar and a name tag with 
          my name and phone number on it (in case I get lost).  Well, I 
          have to go now - I'm off to Nova Scotia for a holiday with my family.  
          Dad says we're going to three different beaches so I can run and play 
          in the ocean!  I can't wait!  I'll send some pictures when I get back.  
          Mom says we don't have the right equipment to download pictures on the 
          computer but when we get back from the trip, she'll sort that out.  
          Thanks again for everything!
          
          Marty (PS - I told my Mom what to write ...)
          
          
          Update June ‘09 ...
          
          Hello 
          Again Folks at the SPCA!
          
          I'm just back from Nova Scotia!  Wow what a trip!  I slept almost all 
          of the way in our SUV.  I loved driving!  The ocean was a little 
          frightening at first, especially the seaweed!  I barked and barked but 
          Dad and Wexford told me it was just a plant!  Imagine that!  On my 
          last trip to Crescent Beach, we were there all by ourselves (my Mom, 
          Mitch, Wexford and I).  I have attached some pictures that you may 
          want to put on my webpage.  These are pictures of me (of course) and 
          my big older brother, Wexford, and some of the kids I play with.  I'll 
          have more pictures of my trip to Nova Scotia later.  There are a 
          few shots of our arrival in Nova Scotia too.  Thanks again for all of 
          your interest in my life long journey!  Take care and keep up the 
          great work.
          
          Love Marty!
          
          P.S.  I love hugs and kisses - my family give me lots of those!
          
          
          
Update 
          July ‘09 ...
          
          My mom 
          finally sorted out the picture taking issues.  I've attached a few 
          pictures of our trip to Nova Scotia including me playing on Crescent 
          Beach in Nova Scotia (that was fun!).  I learned how to retrieve 
          sticks from the waves in the ocean.  The rest are photos of me and 
          some of me and my big brother Wexford taken on Canada Day.  He says he 
          likes me but sometimes I drive him crazy!  Mom and Dad took me for my 
          operation on July 6, 2009 and everything went well.  I'm 33 lbs. now 
          and a growing concern.  Things are back to normal and Mom says that 
          she is going to take me to some classes so I can learn more about 
          manners and agility training. That's all for now.  Gotta run (Ha!)
          
          Take care and thanks for everything!
          
          Hugs & Kisses
          
          Marty
          
          
          Update September ‘09 ...
          
          Hi 
          All at the SPCA!
          
          I didn't want you to forget about me!  You remember me, "Smarty 
          Marty".  I'm 7 months old now and am a growing concern.  I have 
          been with my family since May 2, 2009.  I've had a vacation in Nova 
          Scotia, had my operation and been on many walks with my family.  I've 
          also met a few friends along the way.  And, I have participated 
          in and am pleased to say that I graduated from my first Level 1 - Good 
          Manners obedience class through Carolark (Centre for Applied Canine 
          Behaviour in Kanata)!  My mom was only
          hoping that I wouldn't get kicked out!  She says that I do need some 
          more work though so she has registered me for Good Manners and More - 
          Level 2 classes starting later in September.  My big brother Wexford 
          is sure pleased to see improvement in my behaviour though he keeps 
          saying that he can't wait until I grow up.  I'm not sure what that 
          means but I guess I'll find out when I grow up!  Well, I know Mom has 
          some pictures of me graduating from the Level 1 class that she will 
          pass along to you for my webpage.  Bye for now, my Mom's calling me 
          and my recall is really great now so I can't let her down!
          
          Take care and thank you for everything that you do at the SPCA!
          
          Marty
          
          
          Update April ’10 … 
          
          
          Just to let you know that Marty is doing VERY WELL!  He and I 
          were enrolled with Carolark's training classes (Level 1, 2 & 3 and 
          Rally O Basics) for most of the fall and winter months.  The training 
          has
          worked wonders and once he "matures" he'll be even better.  He is now 
          fully grown (about 60 lbs.) and very friendly with adults, children 
          and other dogs.  He has lots of energy and with a consistent 
          schedule is thriving.  We can now let him off-leash (supervised of 
          course) with little or no worries.  He is no longer in a crate 
          when home alone during the day.  We have a great time on our hikes in 
          the woods.  Marty enjoys everything in life!  He is a happy dog!  
          Wexford is still going strong (Marty keeps him young).  I'll give you 
          more details later.  Take care and thanks again for doing what you do.
          
 
          
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