Summer is wrapping up and we are closing in on National Puppy Mill Awareness Week, September 20-27th. I will be posting regular updates for the rest of the month that will be posts from our core team that you can share on online to raise awareness. If any of you would like to write one or two paragraphs of your own and paste along with the link to this petition that would be awesome. Here is an update on the progress on some of the 101. Go to facebook.com/Freethekees for regular updates Jules has spent time this summer helping his mom recover from pneumonia and also going to training class. He is an excellent nurse and a very smart student, too. He graduated Basic Obedience with a score of 92%! He's now in Intermediate Obedience and Basic Agility and Rally (doing great in Rally!). Keep up the great work, Jules! Jules also became a god-dog to baby Georgia. He is wonderful at that post, of course! He's also enjoyed some time camping with the fam. Sapphire got a new adopted brother, Liam. They are a sweet pair, and I loved spending the afternoon with them in July. Sapphire also conquered a fear. She walked in thunder and heavy rain!!! She had a bout with the sick tummy, but has recovered. We hate those icky days! Sapphire also got into a bit of trouble with burrs in her fur. Ugh. No fun, but Mom and Dad worked hard to take of that problem so no harm came to our precious gem girl. Percival's mom, Jean, broke her wrist earlier in the summer. He also got to practice his nursing skills. Percy enjoyed a little hotel stay with the fam while floors were being redone at the house. He had great time meeting new people, running with Dad, eating out at restaurants, and just enjoying being the "only kid" for a few days. Good times! Kacy is doing so well that she is starting training classes, too! You'll be awesome, Kacy! Vreede is doing great and went on her first visit as a Pet Pal. She made many new friends! She has a new foster sister, Rainy. She will update more on Rainy in the near future. Princess Gracie and Charlotte had a reunion in July. They enjoyed spending quality time together. Gracie has mastered "Stay behind the blue line." This, I think, is a really unique accomplishment! Bitsy has graduated to no crate sleeping, which is a big deal! She is also playing with toys that her brother Jack brings to her, always supervised by Rootmotor, of course. LOL Bitsy is becoming the best Kees when she gets groomed. She loves it! The grumpy news is that Bitsy is on a diet. A little too much of the good life. wink emoticon Bitsy has also been traveling. She attended the Keeshond Club of Canada national specialty, was in the Companion Parade and visited with Noelle. Noelle's Facebook page has over 200 members! She's such a celebrity. Her sister Oowie has been battling some health issues, and Noelle is a great support to her. They love their fresh veggies together. Noelle is now happy with kisses and kuddles, and sleeping next to Mom. Great progress, little one! She had a trip to the groomer, then had a very exciting time at the KCC national, and in the Companion Parade. She spent time with Bitsy, Chai, Greta and other Kees and met many interesting people. Casper has enjoyed his lazy summer immensely. Vacation time has been awesome!! Camping, munching on chewies, swimming, running on the beach, lounging in the sun and just being happy! Joop is enjoying his walks and trips to the dog park, and just being a family man. Of course, his little Tara is his #1 project. LOL Lizzie is still recovering from her spine disorder/injury. She is progressing and we're praying that she will completely recover and that it is not a lifelong problem. Lizzie and Jack celebrated their first birthday on July 26. Jack is gaining by leaps and bounds. He's doing well in his obedience classes, although there are few hangups. That's OK because he's rehabbing so quickly! He is able to go around town meeting people, enjoying coffee walks, mingling with crowds. He's really amazing! However, the garden hose is a monster. frown emoticon We know that it was not a friend to the dogs at the kennel. Georgie is his fantastic self. He's still afraid of the hair dryer, but his coat is so beautiful! He likes his mom's bananas...and watermelon...and...and....and. wink emoticon Reggie doesn't slow down. He's training on pedestals, getting soda and beer from the fridge. Next, we think he'll be enrolling at the Cordon Bleu! Mary is an astounding Mom and trainer! Audra went to visit Bitsy in late July. Wow! Was that a reunion. The Moms think they're probably sisters. The girls are sure of it, in one form or another. smile emoticon It's always an amazing sight to watch the reunions of the close relatives. Audra and Christian are very close, too. Audra sent Bitsy a thank you present, too. Bitsy was very touched by Audra's love and thoughtfulness. Audra and her brother Bas took a small excursion out the gate that the landscapers left open. Thankfully, Mom Zandra was right there, and Audra came running back to Mom when called! What a smart and good girl!!! Sunny had a spa day and looked gorgeous, of course. However, she and her Aussie sister Maggie had an unapproved excursion into the woods without Mom and Dad. YIKES! We are so thankful no great tragedy occurred, but Maggie did have some paw injuries. frown emoticon Newest release, Benjamin Button is progressing nicely. His ultrasound test results are encouraging. We are hopeful that he will continue to get better and better. Surely, his sweet face will melt your heart. Kirby is phenomenal in his training. He's mastered the bongos now, too! Kirby and Kass represented the 101's in the Cape May Independence Day Parade and are going to do the same at The Rusty Nail pageant on September 12th. Those two are exceptional ambassadors! Mom Sandi is the best "soccer mom" for their activities! Kaiba and her sister Kaidee got a pleasant visit from Patti Hansen. Kaiba has graduated two obedience classes and is now working in agility. You go, Girl! Well, Teesha stole the show at her parents' wedding. LOL Andrea and Teesha are surely the most beautiful bride and bridesmaid pair ever!!! What a joy to watch the video of Teesha running on the beach during "her" honeymoon trip in Nova Scotia. My heart is overjoyed when I look at her pictures and video! Cubby and Solomon had a wonderful vacation with Keeba, Mom Becky and Dad Bret. Jan Wells loved meeting all of them. I can attest that they are a wonderful family. I love them all so much. I haven't yet met Keeba, but, God willing, we will remedy that soon. Sweet Isabelle is recovering from surgery on her patella. It's all too common among the dogs from Marjorie's Kennel. We hate that they have to go through it, but we feel blessed to provide comfort and care for them, which they NEVER would have received otherwise. Cleopatra has hit a bit of a backstop, which is not uncommon. We know that she will work through, as many of the others have done and continue to do. It is not an easy process to recover from experiencing Marjorie's Kennel. But we are here for the long-term, for every dog! Lewis (WA) has a foster sister, Lucy, visiting him for awhile. He is enjoying this time with her! Lewis also had Sebastian over as a weekend guest a few weeks ago. Sadly, Lewis lost his 2L friend Elise just a few days ago. Our hearts go out to Elise' family, friends and loved ones. She was a wonderful lady. Honor is doing so well, especially now that he has Kim and her pack to guide him along while Dad Jeff is traveling for work. What a handsome and good boy he is! Zac is in a contest. Be sure to vote for him! https://www.myrescue.dog/zac Charlotte got a new brother, Finn! He went from Texas all the way to Ontario. Denise Sharp coordinated this amazing effort with the help of about a dozen or so volunteers, including a Pilots n Paws trip from Nashville to Buffalo. Charlotte thinks it was worth the work! She loves playing with Finn, who is just about the same size as she is. Sebastian is doing so well with his mom Mackenzie! They ran a 5K!!! Awesome!!! He got a gorgeous medal for his accomplishment! Sherman won first place in the Pet-A-Pawlooza contest at McLendon Hardware! Yes, he is always a winner!!! He donated his winnings to help Cindy Ehlers after her loss of Tikva, then the horrible accident which totaled her SUV and claimed the life of her sweet Zippy. Brontë and brother Bradbury had a meet and greet with Libbie, Dianna and Nina at the park. Always a good time when Kees get together! Gracie Lulu is doing great! She's even gotten a job helping Dad with his work. wink emoticon Gina is really working hard...she got up on the sofa and let Mom pet her head and rub all over. Gina was smiling the whole time. We have pictures!!! smile emoticon We know that you are only going to get better and better Gina! And as an enticement...treats from the Chicken Fairy!! Keep up your progress, little lady, and the Fairy will send more. wink emoticon Sochi, Sherman, Sebastian and Lewis (WA) had a reunion at the PCKC meeting. They are regular congregants! Many thanks to all of you who continue to share and network our mission for publicity. We will #freethekees