These stories come from our wonderful rescue groups and new "parents".
This one from a huge great dane labeled cage aggressive and scheduled for euthanasia. It took many hours and days and weeks of work to find the right place for him, but worth it as you can see below
I just wanted to say thank you so much for introducing us to Smith, who we
adopted from Adopt A Lab in late August. Hopefully you remember him! It
has been a wonderful and crazy couple of months and I just wanted to say
that all the great volunteers with Adopt A Lab have brought such humour and
joy and adventure into our lives.
He has had many achievements during the past two months: he graduated from
beginner's obedience class (through http://www.especiallyforpets.
gained about 7-9 pounds (he doesn't look so skinny anymore and the vet said
his weight is now just about right!), he went on a grand trip through
Vermont for leaf watching including a stop at a local fair involving hot
dogs (yum), has discovered many local parks, bewitched our family, has
impressed everyone at the vet's office with his good behaviour during nail
clipping, and has such an impressively accurate internal clock that we no
longer need to set an alarm for the morning (he sleeps in our room and
always wakes us up at 7:15 sharp).
At first he really did not want to be left alone, and would get very upset
when we had to go out. It felt like we tried everything, but in the end it
seems all he needed was time. I think once he realized we were always going
to come back, he didn't mind so much when we had to go out. It's such an
improvement now--when I come home for lunch for example (I work nearby), I
walk in to the living room and find him lounging smugly on the couch, tail
wagging. He looks at me, stretches leisurely, and then (and only then!) gets
up for his lunch treats and bathroom break. A month ago he would have been
all worked up but now he is cool and laid back.
We are still working on some things with him. His response to commands when
he's distracted (usually by food, or rabbits or squirrels, or too many
people) is spotty, so we have him signed up for intermediate obedience with
the same great trainer that led our beginner class. But he is so smart (too
smart, sometimes!) that we know he'll keep learning as long as we keep
working with him. The other main thing is that he is such a
guarder--whenever the doorbell rings, or if a large person approaches us
while we are walking him, he gets very tense and sometimes barks or growls.
He's getting better however, and we'll continue to work to help him feel
more relaxed with strangers. We have also learned that he cannot really be
trusted alone around any garbage can containing food! We now keep the
kitchen trash on our 3-season porch so that was easily fixed.
He is so loving and affectionate and is always ready to run or play or
snuggle with us while we lounge. Everyone loves his happy disposition, his
mischievous antics, and his uncanny ability to hear a peanut butter jar
opening from three rooms away. Tonight he had us laughing like crazy--we
tried to play keep-away with his favourite toy (a stuffed rabbit that makes
a honking sound), but after only 3 or 4 throws, he realized the pattern, and
when I had the rabbit, he wouldn't try to come closer to me to get
it...because he knew I would just throw it to Dan, so he would stay near Dan
and try to intercept it when I threw it back! A clever boy for sure.
I have included some pictures (I am always the one behind the camera, but
you can see Dan and Smith together!)
Thanks again to you and everyone with Adopt A Lab.
Paulette, Dan, and Smith
A victory over black dog syndrome
Mary,
I feel in love with Dooley the minute I saw him this morning! He sat in the back seat all the way back to Charlotte, giving me a couple of kisses along the way, and was a great traveling buddy. We met his new father, David, this afternoon and Dooley was on his best behavior. David was so excited and loved the face, short legs, and the size of this boy. It seems like a match made in heaven. I called Kelly when I left them and told her how happy I was for both David and Dooley.
Did you see the scar around Dooley's neck? His neck was shaved, a small line evenly around his neck, where it looked like a chain or collar had been removed from his neck. Poor baby, I was sad for him. If only he could talk and tell what abuse he has suffered in his short life. Once David realized what had happened to Dooley, he was even more passionate about giving him the best home ever to make up for his past. Someone had obviously chained him and left him. I know Dooley is smiling tonight and soooo happy to finally be in a loving home.
I am so glad that I had someone to give Dooley a loving forever home, the second chance he so deserves!!!
Thanks,
Wendy
They said she had been running with a pack and was not adoptable.
Hi Sam,
I wanted to let you know how Chrissy's overnight went. First of all, you were right! She is the sweetest, cutest, EVER! I think she is going to make a great pet, given the right fit. She listened well and once she realized that I was supporting her, she went for a walk, she wolfed down a bowl of food and some water, and then she played! She was so funny! I had a couple of squeeky balls and she would chase them, then run up the garden steps and "hide" the toy behind the tree. Too too funny. She loved being inside, too, and chased another toy around, pouncing on it, and making herself comfy on this big pillow thing my dogs usually use. It was hard to see her go this morning but I know that she deserves her own family.
Thanks for caring for her so well in your shelter. She even smelled good! :0)
I did take one picture, but the camera is blitzed out on me.
I wanted to let you know how Chrissy's overnight went. First of all, you were right! She is the sweetest, cutest, EVER! I think she is going to make a great pet, given the right fit. She listened well and once she realized that I was supporting her, she went for a walk, she wolfed down a bowl of food and some water, and then she played! She was so funny! I had a couple of squeeky balls and she would chase them, then run up the garden steps and "hide" the toy behind the tree. Too too funny. She loved being inside, too, and chased another toy around, pouncing on it, and making herself comfy on this big pillow thing my dogs usually use. It was hard to see her go this morning but I know that she deserves her own family.
Thanks for caring for her so well in your shelter. She even smelled good! :0)
I did take one picture, but the camera is blitzed out on me.
And Chrissy's "partner in crime"
Cecily is very happy! I didn;t save the pix since they looked like they had been taken on a camera phone and not very clear. She had a brand new swanky collar, and huge bed and oodles of toys............. she is enrolled in a obedience class, as she is shy of other dogs apparently........altho she was fine here......... anyway, everyone in the class just LOVES her........next tiem I get an email, I will forward on..........
This lab hound mix was found living under a barn for several months, deemed unsocialized and not adoptable.
Hi Laura!
Barney's mom here (aka Stacey). Thank you SO much for writing! This definitely sheds some light on things--and explains his name--which fits him perfectly, by the way. I cried as I read your note and looked at his intake photos. My poor boy! He is thriving now thanks to you and everyone else who was involved in him finding his way to me.
I adopted him on 9/26, and when I took him to the vet a couple days later he weighed 62 lbs--a FAR cry from when he came to you. Vet said he still needed another 3-7 lbs on his frame. He's getting close--his ribs are almost invisible now, and I've even started cutting back his food a bit.
Each day Barney's personality comes out a little more. He's a playful, funny guy who LOVES playing with any kind of ball. Fetch is a favorite game--though he does have to learn how to "give" so I can throw for him! Coincidentally, I ride horses, so he comes to the barn with me several times a week. (Right after I got him, a friend mentioned that he had been appropriately named! Little did she know...) He's great with the horses, cows, dogs, cats, etc. The second day I had him he even came out on a trail ride with me! However, now that he's more comfortable with me and the property, he does show a bit of that independent side and goes out to explore on his own, which gives me heart failure! He's now relegated to the leash until he learns to come on command.
My last dog, who I lost a year ago at age 13, was very animal aggressive, so we didn't do much in the way of socializing. It has been a lot of fun for me to have an animal I can take places. Taking him to PetSmart on the way home from picking him up was a blast--probably more for me than for him! Last weekend he joined me at the huge local crafts festival where he gathered quite the fan club. Everyone wanted to stop and pet him and then would call his name when we'd see them again. Sunday he accompanied me to a riding clinic where he was just a doll. Everyone commented on how well behaved he is. (That's OUR Barney!)
He's still a bit shy at times--he'll cringe if I move too fast overhead, and he has some issues with certain types of flooring (or maybe it's the shadows or sounds). He won't go down the hallway to the back rooms of our house. But I think he'll figure it out at some point. We're making some improvement each day.
I think this week he has finally started to officially settle in. He woke up this morning (in bed with me, of course!) and decided it was silly time! We had a fun mush session, which was a great way for me to wake up and continue bonding with him.
So, that's the Barney scoop. Hugs and kisses have been delivered, and he sends happy waggy tails back to you and all who knew him.
Thank you again for getting in touch and for caring enough to help him find his forever home where he NEVER will have to sleep under a barn again. (IN the barn on a doggie bed, maybe... ;-) ) I'll friend you so you can keep up with photos and updates if you'd like.
Best,
Stacey
Barney's mom here (aka Stacey). Thank you SO much for writing! This definitely sheds some light on things--and explains his name--which fits him perfectly, by the way. I cried as I read your note and looked at his intake photos. My poor boy! He is thriving now thanks to you and everyone else who was involved in him finding his way to me.
I adopted him on 9/26, and when I took him to the vet a couple days later he weighed 62 lbs--a FAR cry from when he came to you. Vet said he still needed another 3-7 lbs on his frame. He's getting close--his ribs are almost invisible now, and I've even started cutting back his food a bit.
Each day Barney's personality comes out a little more. He's a playful, funny guy who LOVES playing with any kind of ball. Fetch is a favorite game--though he does have to learn how to "give" so I can throw for him! Coincidentally, I ride horses, so he comes to the barn with me several times a week. (Right after I got him, a friend mentioned that he had been appropriately named! Little did she know...) He's great with the horses, cows, dogs, cats, etc. The second day I had him he even came out on a trail ride with me! However, now that he's more comfortable with me and the property, he does show a bit of that independent side and goes out to explore on his own, which gives me heart failure! He's now relegated to the leash until he learns to come on command.
My last dog, who I lost a year ago at age 13, was very animal aggressive, so we didn't do much in the way of socializing. It has been a lot of fun for me to have an animal I can take places. Taking him to PetSmart on the way home from picking him up was a blast--probably more for me than for him! Last weekend he joined me at the huge local crafts festival where he gathered quite the fan club. Everyone wanted to stop and pet him and then would call his name when we'd see them again. Sunday he accompanied me to a riding clinic where he was just a doll. Everyone commented on how well behaved he is. (That's OUR Barney!)
He's still a bit shy at times--he'll cringe if I move too fast overhead, and he has some issues with certain types of flooring (or maybe it's the shadows or sounds). He won't go down the hallway to the back rooms of our house. But I think he'll figure it out at some point. We're making some improvement each day.
I think this week he has finally started to officially settle in. He woke up this morning (in bed with me, of course!) and decided it was silly time! We had a fun mush session, which was a great way for me to wake up and continue bonding with him.
So, that's the Barney scoop. Hugs and kisses have been delivered, and he sends happy waggy tails back to you and all who knew him.
Thank you again for getting in touch and for caring enough to help him find his forever home where he NEVER will have to sleep under a barn again. (IN the barn on a doggie bed, maybe... ;-) ) I'll friend you so you can keep up with photos and updates if you'd like.
Best,
Stacey
Hi Matt Just keeping you up to date. Troubador is doing great. I took him and Enli to the dog park yesterday and they were worn out by the time we got home. He has become my shadow.Every where I go he's right beside me.He's so cute. He follows the sit command very well.He seems to be getting more addapted day by day. I will send you pictures soon. If you give me the shelters info. from SC I can keep them updated, unless you want to.Just let me know.Thank you for giving our family such a sweet, beautiful dog.-Christina
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