Dear Sandy, Max, Trini and Tak,

Your visit last week to Boulevard was a huge success.  I have heard from many teachers, parents and administrators that it was even more wonderful than they had anticipated. You have such a relaxed and engaging manner with the students.  One master teacher emailed me to say that in 14 years at Boulevard this was the best literacy experience ever with a visiting author.  The dogs are a huge draw but your message and skill to convey it to a wide range of ages and abilities is what makes it so special.

Happy summer,  Anne

Our Newest Arrival: Trini

On Friday, November 25, 2005, we adopted a new family member, Trini. Trini was rescued by the Mid South English Springer Spaniel Rescue Organization from a shelter in North Carolina. She had been abandoned without tags and brought to the shelter by a dog warden. As soon as the shelter got her, they called English Springer Rescue of America (ESRA), and Trini was taken from the shelter and put into a foster home. Then Rescue called us. Trini was ill, and her ESRA foster families took great care of her. She and her foster families corresponded with me, and right after Thanksgiving, she joined our family in Ohio. She is a wonderful, affectionate girl who was born with only three legs. In spite of being an amputee, Trini has incredible spirit and speed. She can outrun Tak and Max in the short run! We love her and admire her spirit. She made her first school visit on December 1, 2005, and was a big hit. We look forward to giving her a great springer life and will update you all with pictures and her adventures with the boys, Max and Tak.

We felt that adopting a three-legged Springer was a tribute to our Annie, and we know that Annie would approve of this lively and loving girl. Trini is now the main character in Forever Home, the story of her search for a place to belong. (See our home page for more.)