Dear North Star Border Collie Rescue,
Well, we are officially outnumbered. (A dog in every room. I love it.) We finally we are able to log in to write a little something about our baby Devlin. He is the funniest and funnest dog ever. He is happy and healthy, wild and winning, calm and cute. We will treasure him always. I only wish I would have adopted Blaine at the same time!!! Thank you, Carole (and Mark).
As our second miracle (Nicodemus was the first), magically born the exact week Nica fell ill for the last time, Devlin quickly won our heart and was meant to be with us. I love his "broken" (One up. One down, Reverse. Flip. Repeat.) ears, his solid body, and his beautiful black and white, shiny paint job. He is calculated and seems to care about every intense move he makes. Devlin is a thinker, and seems to be a good listener—on occasion. I've always thought him calculated, even in his earliest videos at Carole's home. (He listens well; except when he is showing off in front of his new baby brother, Enzo (Elvis). Maybe he is getting into "that stage" or something, but boy has he challenged us this month! Still a good puppy, but sometimes "bad in good company", if you know what I mean.
Devlin is keen on the task at hand, he crouches into position and awaits his turn for the throw. His eyes are glued and the bottom jaw trembles with excitement. At the very sight of his bright orange ball launcher, he tenses up in anticipation. He does not get distracted with other goofy, clunky dogs (or people) pestering him at the dog park. He is on point. He is there to do his job, and you best let him do it. He waits for that darn ball constantly. He gets up at 5am to potty, he looks for his ball. He goes to poop, he holds on to it and watches me. He has 2 "house" balls, and 1 that remains in the car for the "puppy park." In Devlin's world, it goes: 1. Ball 2. God 3. Frozen liver snacks.
In fact, Devlin is always busy. He loves to push the Staples "easy" button (randomly now), he is obsessed with HIS dimpled purple/white ball collection (the typical green tennis ball is now amateur), and he weaves strategically in and around my feet by hand commands. And likes to dance and give bear hugs. I hope he learns his way on a sheep farm or in a freestyle stage one day soon, because he is good at being his breed; the breed that we all have come to know and love.
Devlin enjoys the water, just like "Jordan." (What about Katie or Blaine? The other babies??) I believe he will do very well at the beach, swimming or blowing bubbles. I cannot wait to travel to the west side of the state to see him splash in the waves! In the interim, he plops in his small blue pool in the backyard. Or he jumps into the sloppy mud, just to be funny and get a "raz" out of me. Covered from head to toe this past Friday, this handsome black and white smooth coat Border Collie was completely black with soil! Then it dried, and he had a gray face and legs. But, he sure did smile a lot when he saw me looking at him with one eyebrow lifted. It could have been my imagination, but he did appear softer that evening.
This (big) little guy has lots and lots of exercise. And more and more activity by the day. He likes to go to the dog park. He likes to run and walk, and has pretty decent recall. In fact, many people were impressed with his behavior in puppy class. He does well at the self dog wash, smells good like "Sugar Plum", and considers the blow dryer a chance to relax. Well ok, he's not perfect...he not only took a bite out of my only white sofa bed—he grabbed for a complete submarine sandwich size chunk a month ago. Oh well, who needs a couch anyhow?!
Keep watching for Devlin—and come back and visit—as he is getting as large as "Clifford the Big Red Dog." Especially next to Enzo! Don't you think? (See photos.) We are busy writing our stories and working, but we will stay in touch. As per my earlier email, Devlin found a look alike in Colorado, and he was featured on "Wordless Wednesday" on an award winning pet blog.
When you have a minute, take a peek:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1NfqlB/ch ... lost-twin/Until we see each other again, please consider following "@nica_knows" on Twitter and "Like" his page on Facebook, where both Devlin and Enzo will play an integral role in the story and future book(s)... Our web and blog sites will also be something to read, and we would like the North Star family to be involved in all the excitement when the book is released and promoted.
We have room in our hearts and home for more fosters...and would be happy to volunteer as available. In fact, we own 5 crates, one of which is 10' x 6' and is nicely set up to play in the basement.
Wags,
Christina, Azella, Devlin, Enzo (+Nicodemus RIP)
I saw this quality in him the moment I watched the adoption video online. His "paint job" stole the show, but his calculated integrity stole my heart immediately. 
