...I could hardly speak to anyone after we lost our beloved Foster in 2001, but I found great comfort in talking with NEOESR's Grannie Annie.  I told her I would love to have another OES -- I wanted another "girly boy" like Foster -- a male dog that loved to be touched and talked to and would sit next to me on the couch and on the bed --no macho, just mush.  Well, about a month later Annie found the PERFECT baby boy for us -- WILLOW --he lived with a family with many other animals and he was extremely timid and fearful.  Willow is very afraid of people but he loves animals.  He is extremely loving and appreciative with me and my husband.  Grannie Annie helped me for several months with all of my questions about how to make Willow feel safe and how to introduce him to friends who came to visit.  After 2 years in our home, Willow is finally relaxing more-he is sitting outside on the deck all by himself, as long as I leave the door open.  We need to ask everyone who comes to our home to simply pretend they do not see Willow upon their arrival -- hi is so fearful of people and only feels safe if he thinks he is invisible --he checks out our guests and eventually wanders over to them-- unfortunately, as soon as someone tries to touch him he cowers and back away--one or two guests have been thrilled to actually touch him, while trying to pretend they do not see him as he approaches them.  He entertains our guests with his antics of sneaking up for a close-up sniff and running away as they try to touch him.  He has come a long way and I know he loves his life with us.

Willow is also a stunning looking OES (maybe they all are?!).  He has two gorgeous china blue eyes and his first nickname was "China Blue Baby Boy".  He loves to snuggle up on the couch and sleeps on the bed all night!  His favorite activity is fetching -- he loves rubber balls, soft Frisbees, and toss rings.  If someone throws a toy for him, he will retrieve it and bring it to them for another throw, as long as they don't try to reach for him!  He is wonderful in the woods and loves chasing squirrels and chipmunks.  He is safe in his fenced yard and plays beautifully with all of the dogs who have come to visit him.  What a wonderful dog --our Friddle Frits, our Wootz, our Doody Wonks, our Baby, our Angel Boy.  We love Willow and cannot imagine our life without him --he has a soft and gentle personality when he can trust, and that is what he has discovered here with us on Cape Cod.