Nice to have this thread pop back up! I love talk about dogs and to hear others' stories.

My Ellery, now 8 years old, is getting along fine. He had severe separation anxiety (he was already two years old when I got him but had evidently never been taught that it's OK to be alone sometimes) but keeps improving- he will now go spend time in a different room from me and just check on me from time to time. Mostly, if I can't take him along when I leave, I have a friend who takes him in, and he's fine with that.

One peculiarity he has: food is not a motivator to him. In fact, he usually has to try a tiny bit of food - and I mean, tiny! - before he decides after a couple of bites that it is, #1, edible and #2, good.

He responds well to voice and nuance, a smart and affectionate dog. I just wish I could tell what he's thinking when he stands in front of me and stares into my eyes!