It’s been just under three months since Kali arrived from Taiwan. That evening at SFO when we met her at the airport seems like ancient history given how big a part of our life she has become. Kali’s full personality continues to emerge. It’s exciting and gratifying to see her become more and more confident; not only in our house and yard but also around our neighborhood and out and about in town. She still gets anxious around other dogs – barking – but she’s doing better and just today on our walk she was much less stressed when we passed by other furry friends on our trail.

It’s been a lot of fun watching Kali and her little brother Smokey get closer over time. Within just a day after she arrived she and Smokey were co-existing without any problems. Within few days they were eating meals side by side. Shortly after that they regularly lay down next together playing kissy-face. Smokey, being only 10 pounds can get a little intimidated by Kali’s larger size but recently he’s initiated play with Kali and today they ran around the yard playing chase for the longest time switching off between chaser and chase-ee.

Besides the day to day routine stuff like walks, nap, eating, nap, kissy-face with Smokey, nap, working (napping) with Dad in his office, working (napping) with Dad in the yard, and cooking (watching Mom and Dad cook), Kali has had some fun times in America.   A few of her favorites so far are:

• Completed 6 weeks of on-leash training with Trainer Gary, Mom, and Dad
• Wine tasting with Mom and Dad (we live in the Livermore Valley home of about 55 wineries within a few miles of our home)
• Overnight trip to Pine Mountain Lake and swam maybe for the first time  (we don’t know)

Early morning along our walking trail

Chow Time

Kali and Smokey Kissey Face

Kali and Holly doing a title training

Wine Tasting (Kali had H20 and biscuits)

Kali and me after her “first” swim at Pine Mountain Lake (albeit on leash close to shore)

Tonight another group of dogs comes to America courtesy of Rescued Love From Taiwan (RLFT) and NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue.  Like Kali most of these dogs have families waiting for them and some will go to foster homes until adopted.   Being the proud Dad of a RLFT alumni I know the new families of this group of dogs, and future groups of dogs, will be fur-ever grateful and happy.