Meg, I'm sorry about the reference from your old boss. It seems ridiculous that she agreed to give you a good reference and then doesn't follow through.
So, I have to share a quick story about Mr. Eli. He escaped from the backyard yesterday, and DH and I have been going ballistic trying to figure out where the hole in/under the fence is (luckily he's escaping into our back neighbor's yard which is completely fenced). I've been thinking that he's probably digging holes to get to the squirrels who are UNMERCIFUL to the dogs and tease them by cavorting in the neighbor's yard where they full well know the dogs can't get to him. So the three dogs have been supervised in the backyard since we can't find an escape route, so I was out in the back with the dogs when I let them out when I came home. There happened to be a squirrel waving its tail in the yard behind us, and the dogs were going crazy, and I was GOBSMACKED to see Eli make a GIANT leap, *shink* out goes the claws, and UP INTO THE TREE HE GOES! Dogs are NOT supposed to climb trees! And sure enough, he makes this flying-squirrel-esque swan dive into the neighbor's yard and takes after the squirrel. Mind you, this notch in the tree he can climb to is easily at eye level on me, and he's a small dog! I'm torn between being proud that he's so intelligent and frustrated because he's so intelligent! 
How do you train a dog not to climb trees?
I hope everyone's having a great day preparing for the holiday!
Lisa and:
URO1 'PR' AliAK's Vereesa Windrunner RL1, CGC, TDI - "Honor" - Alaskan Klee Kai
Victory At Marathon - "Nike" - Shetland Sheepdog
URO1 RBIS GRCH 'PR' AliAK's Ain't No Mountn Hi Enf, CGC, TDI - "Eli" - Alaskan Klee Kai
BIMBS BISS GRCH 'PR' Alaskai's Nikiski V AliAK, CGC, TDI - "Nikki" - Alaskan Klee Kai
Dubby - Holland Lop
http://lisa-itsadogslife.blogspot.com/