They're settled!

Zoe did well on the flight home, and Kirsten was amazed at her good temperament. "She's the perfect dog, Mom. She is so quiet. Just follows me around, snuggles, goes for walks to the office with me, and sleeps well." I suspect they're perfect for each other.

Those two have lots of time together. Jen, K's roommate, comes home Saturday from NC. Meanwhile, Zoe hops into her rolling carrier, shops Whole Foods, and runs other errands with K. She sleeps in her little brown bed atop a sheepskin (how's that for plush?) close to Kirsten's bed.

During daytime naps, Zoe can be found burrowing into a down comforter on the bed beside K. I laughed at the photo of her snoozing beside K's screen, set to the latest episode of Big Bang Theory. She's chosen a favorite spot on the LR couch, too.

Zoe barked a few times during the night last weekend when people were coming home late. "We got up at 4:30a.m. and stayed up for a few hours after being interrupted so many times!" Kirsten reported. She didn't want to put in her earplugs while Zoe was adjusting to the apartment. A few "shush"-es, and Zoe quieted to lay back down.

I told K, "She'll be as quiet there as she was here. Give her time to get used to it." K's quite strict and stays on top of things, so Zoe will learn her new habits quickly.

The heat stunned Zoe the first day. "She just moped behind me on the leash, not sure what to make of it all." She was probably jet-lagged, too. A few days later, she's up and at 'em. The little gel collar helps cool her down, and everyone has air-conditioning in homes and shops. The weather has let up, falling from 100+ to the 90s, which helps man and beast. (Ok, they are neither man nor beast.)

People are friendly in Austin, tho who could resist this face? "With Zoe, people are friendlier still," K says. She loves her little friend!

Meanwhile, Missy's gone for a few long walks and is regaining her vigor on bike trots. We rode 5 miles along Burke-Gillman trail yesterday to the Riverfest in downtown Bothell. Missy ran alongside for 2 1/2 miles or more. People kept stopping to pet her. We popped her into our wicker basket for the ride back. She promptly snuggled into the bottom of the basket and slept. She slept well last night, too! Good doggies!