Soleil is a wonderful little boy coton living in Virginia.

Dear Sara:

A quick note to say hello to you and my coton family! Life in Virginia has been good. The weather has been unusually warm. Yesterday's day time high was 53 degrees! I have never experienced weather so hot in my life.

Arielle is a good mommy. I get a bath once a week and my eyes are cleaned daily. I can now sleep from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., without a potty break. When grandma's alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m. for work, I am ready for a day of play. It is so funny watching her (half asleep) trying to hold me while preparing food for me and the two funny looking animals they call "Lou" & "Buddy."

Lou looks like a multicolor coton and is very delicate. Buddy is very big and has a funny looking body - short legs and stubby tail. Although it is hard for me to tell, I am told he has a pretty face. His face looks like a mountain lion - whatever that is.

We have taken our first ski trip to Vermont. The snow was beautiful and I felt like I was back home in Quebec. The innkeepers are very nice people and Michael (one of the innkeepers) took me out for a walk several times a day, while my new family went skiing during the day.

I have learned to be very quiet in my Sherpa bag, so my family can sneak me into restaurants. In the airports, I do my peep and poop (just like people) in the rest rooms. When people see me acting so responsible, they think I am so adorable!

As you predicted, I am now a teenager. My mommy tells me it is too soon for me to be thinking about the beautiful Diva. However when she is ready to breed, I will be ready! After all I am the son of Ninja - the famous French lover!

Our trip to California was canceled, so I will have to wait awhile before I can see the Pacific ocean and play in the sand. My family is now planning a trip to Florida and another ski trip to Vermont, so I am becoming a very good traveler.

Let me tell you about my newest tricks. As you can imagine I am a quick learner. When I feel like it, I will retrieve a frisbee. Last night for the first time I was able to hold a small rubber ball in my mouth. Whenever I show my family a new trick, they get so excited and praise me. I have even "trained" them to give me a beef jerky treat when I do my "business" outside or in my dog run.

My family does not have a digital camera, but they have taken many photos of me. As soon as the film is developed, we will send you some. I love to see new photos of my family, especially my mommy and daddy. So when you have time, please post some new ones on the website for me to see.

Well, I think that is all the news from here. I close with my love. I will never forget you or your kindness, care, wisdom and most importantly your love. Yes, I am a pre-spoiled puppy and now I am a very spoiled teenager! Please say hello to Paul, I miss licking his chin!