For our dear friend, Iran:

Our friend, Iran, had to fly to Mexico on Thanksgiving Day. He is there applying for permanent residency in the United States. In the meantime, his wife (already a U.S. citizen) is finishing up her final college courses in nursing here. They have only been married two and a half years, and this is the first time they have had to be apart. It is so hard on both of them. The girls and I went to Lisa's home last night to visit her and while we were there, we took a photo so that Iran can see a RECENT photo of his beloved wife. So, Iran....this post is for you! Here is Lisa...unbelievably lonely without you. I'm so glad you got her a puppy before you had to leave. Even if the puppy IS making her tear her hair out in frustration at her WILLFUL behavior(!), still Violet is company for Lisa! Iran, you did an EXCELLENT job choosing the puppy. She is incredible. NOTHING frightens or unsettles that little pup! She is rock solid confident! She is also very strong willed...which, as I told Lisa, is actually a good quality. Once she is grown up and TRAINED, she will be an awesome dog! But, for now, she is just a baby and needs to be allowed to be a baby...can't expect too much from a young puppy, because they just don't have the emotional maturity yet to act responsibly!