We visited with Ike this morning. He came running out of his kennel and jumped up on us. He was very excited to see us, but also to get out of the pen and sniff at all his new friends. We went outside and he stayed very close to me, getting rubbed on but then walking off to do his Ike stuff, you know, eating rocks and such : ) but always coming back to see his momma. He would also go up to his trainer to, so Shane and I were pleased to know he does like him. The trainer said he can tell he is an intelligent dog - shocking!!!!  He was absolutely disgusting and smelly and trainer said he was shedding like crazy.  Hooray for us! They only do that twice a year, how fabulous would it be for my house's sake if it is now!! Next visit we are going to actually do a trial run with him on his lead. Today was just visiting/free time.  He said Ike has been the talk of the town and folks have had their pictures taken with him. The best part was at the end the trainer wanted him to get back in his pen and Ike did his usual.....pretending not to hear.....some things never change  :)  We love and miss our pal but can tell he is doing fine there so we are more at peace. His sister was very interested in his smell on our sweatshirts when we got home. She kept waiting for him to run around the corner and pounce on her!