Since returning back to our apartment in China, we have had lots of Noah time. When we returned to AS, we rushed over to our student's house to pick up Noah (our dog). We received a picture halfway through our 6 week vacation, so we knew she was no longer a puppy, but when we got there we barely recognized her. She was huge!! From a dog that we could easily carry in one arm, to a mammoth pouch that could nearly pull us home. It has brought a big change to our lives. She needs lots of outdoor time, but is very protective over us (maybe afraid we will leave her again), so we have "gotten our exercise" to say the least. Many trips up and down the 92 stairs and numerous walks around our campus, the track and the lake near our school, and also up and over the mountain beside our home has brought a new appreciation to having a pet. This is certainly more time and effort then Tippy was in MN, but also a lot of ma fan (trouble/annoyance).

It is not because we do not love to walk around and spend time with Noah, but because of the extreme fear of dogs and people's reaction to Noah. Even when she was a little puppy (3lbs.), some people would cower in fear of being bit, but now that she has grown to be able to above their waist when jumping up (only friends though as she is well behaved), so many people will divert their paths or scream in fear even if Noah is 10 feet away. To us this is quite an irrational fear, but for so many Chinese this is a fear born of instinct and necessity. As most dogs (probably nearly all in our area) are not vaccinated, if they are bitten they must go to the doctor for a series of shots or injections. You would think Chinese people are quite acquainted with injections and IV's as they receive one every time they go to the doctor, no matter the what the problem is or its severity. But no, they still run and hide when they see Noah coming...the curious dog that wants to say hello to and sniff everyone (a very bad combination). But our favorite people are the ones who will call her over and then when she is about 5 feet away will start to scream. All of this has led us to put Noah on her leash almost all of the time.

Today, we took Noah to her doctor to get her operation, so that we would not have more mafan to worry about ie puppies. This means that we need to take her on the bus, not an easy task at all. We have to pick her up and carry her on conspicuously as many bus drivers are afraid of having a dog on-board and try to find a seat away from people. Inevitably, we end up near someone who is deathly afraid and try to assure them it is okay. As the bus fills up and people are packed on, Noah gets more excited, so we have gotten her to stick her head out the window, the only place she is happy and people are not so terrified. After the 30 minute ordeal, we are at the animal street, where they sell all kinds of animals and plants too. Our friend is with to interpret, since we have no idea how to ask about the operation.

After 15 minutes of talking, we find out that it cannot be done in Anshun and we will have to travel by several buses to GY to have the operation this weekend. Or we can just keep her inside for the rest of her life to make sure she cannot become pregnant (the doctor's advice). It should be quite the adventure, and she will probably come back to AS in a cone collar--something else scary for the students and people to see. We still do not know what to expect from a Vet clinic in China...it could be interesting. We have heard from friends that they do the operation and you take them home right away, even before they have woken up...so I am looking forward to carrying a limp 35 lb. dog on the bus...let's see if people are still afraid?!? It will certainly get some stares!!

We hope you are blessed in your daily encounters and activities and that each moment is a blessing...we send our love.