Hi, I wanted to send you guys an email to let you know how Nibbler (formerly Nika) is doing.

When I first got Nibbler (at the same time that Mashka was adopted - June 08), Nibbler had severe separation anxiety. She couldn't be left alone or she would destroy her surroundings. Even though Nibbler was getting a lot of socialization with Mango and Mashka and with lots of people and dogs at the embassy, she still always seemed to have that fear that she would be abandoned. It improved a little bit over the following months. But by the time Nibbler and I were ready to leave Moscow in September, it hadn't improved a whole lot and I was really fearful that she wouldn't fare well on the flights and wouldn't deal well with all the changes.

Yuri and Valeria were both an enormous help preparing Nibbler's documents. And Valeria went to the airport with us and really held my hand and even stayed with Nibbler after I had to go through the gate. They were fantastic.

I'm proud and pleased to tell you that Nibbler did extremely well on the flights. We transferred in New York (they let me get her out and walk her a little) and we ended up in Cincinnati that evening. We stayed overnight at my Dad's house (my parents fell in love with Nibbler immediately) and then we started out early the next morning for a 3-day cross-country road trip to Phoenix, Arizona.

I have never seen such an inquisitive dog as Nibbler. Most dogs would just sleep on such a long trip. Nibbler would sit at the window and look out at all the changing scenery for hours. I think she actually enjoyed it. Three days later we arrived at our new home in Phoenix. For the first time Nibbler has her own back yard and even has a doggy door to come and go as she pleases. There is a local dog park that was ranked number one in the country last year, Nibbler loves making friends and especially swimming in the lake.

The amazing thing is that Nibbler no longer suffers from separation anxiety!! I don't know if the trip convinced her we wouldn't leave her or if she is just more comfortable in Phoenix. But she hasn't had any of the anxiety issues she suffered from in Moscow. So she no longer has to be crated during the day, she has the run of the house. She even chased away a burglar within the first few months of us being here!

I have found that I am just very attached to Nibbler. The first time I dropped her off at her daycare (which she loves, by the way) for a 4-night stay, I started crying when I drove away. And I realized then that I hadn't been away from Nibbler for more than an evening since I got her. She really is my little buddy, my every day sidekick.

Nibbler has just been the perfect dog and we love her so much. The road wasn't always smooth, but we got there and I would do it all over again to have Nibbler. She's just a wonderful, extremely well socialized, (mostly) well-behaved, gorgeous little girl. So I just wanted to thank Moscow Animals (Katya and Isabelle especially), and everyone who played a part in saving Nibbler's life and getting her into mine. I can't imagine life without her.

Note from Moscow Animals: Please have a look at the entire page - Nibbler goes on many really cool adventures with her owner and her doggie friends. We get new photos from Laura all the time, and they are just too great NOT to put on Nibbler's page!

You can see more photos of Nibbler (and her new brother Hemi!) in the Moscow Animals Picasa photo album!

UPDATE 1: Nibbler's "Four Paw Adventures", February 9, 2009

Nibbler now does "Four Paws Adventures" once a week. Basically, she either goes on an excursion to the dog park or goes hiking in the mountains. And Melanie (her pack leader) puts pictures on the website every week. So if you'd like to keep up with Nibbler's adventures, keep this link: http://fourpawsadventures.com/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=36155 Here are some photos from Nibbler's fun day on February 9:

I got it! I got it!		See - I got it!

UPDATE 2: Nibbler's First Birthday, February 16, 2009

Nibbler turned ONE on February 16 and - can you believe it - got her very own doggie birthday cake! This must be a first for any dog ever adopted from Katya's shelter! She also went hiking with her friends on the same day:

Wow - what's this hiking stuff all about!?		Yes, that's me - the Birthday Girl!

UPDATE 3: Nibbler's Adventures February 2009

UPDATE 4: Nibbler's Adventures March 2009

UPDATE 5: Nibbler's Adventures April 2009