CUPDATE ON ABLA REHOME: Charlie (continued)

I also wanted to pass on an advisory from uncle Charlie, which you may have known but I hadn't until we discovered it.   I'd encourage anyone hell bent on a good game of fetch, and with the process of coat management, to pick up a cheap pair of garden gloves - the ones that are made of cotton with a rubber laminated palm side.  They can usually be found for only a couple/3 bucks and are a good barrier against slobber so you can toss a ball freely.  Plus, the kicker is that those cheap gloves are also top shelf for more easily pulling out more of the coat - the rubber seems to max the pinch grip so more fur comes out in the movement - doesn't seem to make no never mind to Representative Carlos either.
 
Charlie's progress on his truffle tutorials are also goin' well.   Our teacher turned us on to making a canister from pvc drain piping that can be obtained for a few bucks at home depot.    She's given us some cosmetic swabs that she dosed with truffle essence she made.   Charlie's now to the point where he can pretty well find that wherever I've stashed is in the yard.   Hope to start some field training soon so we'll be ready to take our stabs at finding the real thing by this fall/winter when they're season is at the peak.  Teach commented that Charlie's really bonded with me;  I wouldn't have presumed that en total, but have noticed that he's settlin' in more, lettin' his hair down and waggin' his hind quarters more, per protocol. 
 
Also, Charlie pretty much brings in the newspaper every morning.  Lately I just tell him, 'get the paper', open the door and he comes back with it.  The only exceptions being that the sunday paper's got too much filler for him to grasp - somethin' I can empathize with on days not limited to the Sabbath - and if he even thinks he sees his nemesis Rocky B. Squirrel then all bets are pretty much off with the human news grabbin' his attention.
 
He's also interacting with lots of different dogs and lots of different deals, like water fountains and constructions noises, etc.  Have also got him to stop'n'sit whenever I pause walking, and/or whenever we come to an intersection.  So, Charlie's doin' real well and we couldn't imagine feelin' much better about that progress.
 
All the best to all of you and all of yours,
Paul, Maria and Charlie