Hi,

We got Captain from the GSPCA last Febuary and we just wanted ye to know how he was getting on. We've renamed him Caiptín and he really is the best dog. It was a slow start for Caiptín as he had been in your kennels for 6 months. It took him a while to get used to being inside. The first week he barked when we came downstairs in the morning. I think he thought we were coming from the sky. He was afraid of doors, cars and people. I think the outside world was a lot for him to take in. After less than a month we were able to bring him for a walk off leash and boy does he love to run. After two months he got over his fear of the car when he realised that the car means a walk on the beach. He's a fantastic guard dog. He barks when he hears anyone coming to the front door even when in other people's houses. He's gone from taking two or three months to trust a new human friend to one or two meetings. He's still shy in new company but after a few sneaky sniffs he gets friendly.

We got a kitten called Taidhgín in April and it began his love affair with the cat. He constantly followed the kitten's every move pointing at it for about two months until he wore him down. They now play together Caiptín being nice trying to kill the cats fleas and Taidhgín thinking its a game. Once the cat gets bored it dives under the couch. We had a holiday on Inisbofin during the summer where Caiptín went on his first ferry trip. He's also got his spot sussed at my parents house in Clare on an armchair by the stove in the kitchen. He soon learnt what the smell of a rabbit, hare and pheasant is and will run in every possible direction to follow their scent. He doesn't chase when he finds one but freezes, lifts one leg and points. His most common point overall is the cat. Plenty of practice. In November we got a puppy Broc and they have great fun.

Getting Caiptín was definitely the best thing we did last year. He's great fun, gentle, loves his run and we wouldn't be without him. Thanks for everything and keep up the good work.
Lucy & Rónán