Hi Su,
It’s been just over 6 months since we adopted her, and so wanted to drop you a quick note to say that we are so happy Georgia joined our family. She has become one of us and gives us so much love every day. The kids (and everyone else who gets to know her) give her lots of love back too.

I wanted a dog who would fit into our world and she does, happily accompanying us weekly to the hockey arena, the soccer pitch and the horse barn. She has friends (fans, really) at all of them.  She has favourite dog friends in the neighbourhood and is excited to meet new friends every time we go to the off-leash dog park.  When we have to go somewhere without her she waits patiently, without chewing or barking, for us to come back home.

When she’s in our backyard, she calmly but assertively ensures no squirrel step foot on the grass and routinely patrols the hedges and fenceline, keeping an eye out for what could be a bunny or chipmunk.  One of the best (and slightly gross) unexpected perks is she will eat any bugs or spiders that find their way into our house! A friend describes her as the perfect property manager.

She’s come such a long way, from pulling us a lot on our walks, to being really relaxed and keeping whatever pace we set. She’s happy to run beside me on my jogs, or amble slowly along with my father. She listens and obeys so well we can now walk with her off leash in the woods without worry. She knows we’re part of her pack and doesn’t ever stray far from us.  I would never have imagined we’d have come this far in just a few months.

It’s hard to believe for a period of time she wasn’t part of someone’s family. We’re so glad her circumstances brought her to us.

I know you would agree that she’s the best and prettiest dog you ever had at your shelter, but because you can’t play favourites I won’t ask you to admit it.

All the best,
Catherine, Julia and Samuel

Hi Sue,

Oh my god he has settled in so quick!! I just wanted you to know, because I saw you getting misty eyed….  his tail hasn’t stopped wagging even when he got a good swipe from the kitty (they arent too happy, but they will get over it)
 
Do you have a rabies tag for him, or do I just take the papers in when I take him for a bath?  and don’t you dare tell me to do it myself, you have seen the size of him and I will not take him in the shower with me!!  I don’t think there would be enough room  LOL
 
Thank you for coming into my life and bringing Wyatt!
Barb

OUR SPECIAL STORY.

In the summer we lost our precious dog Mandy of Cancer and we were very depressed as was our 15 year old Cockapoo, Sara.

Sara had gained weight to about 27 lbs, had no energy,was sleeping all the time and really had aged.

After searching Pet Finder we adopted a dog through Susan Steiner at Camp Lots of Dogs in Myrtle, Ontario.

Susan met Sara when we went to pickup Molly our adopted beagle and she said that Sara would have to lose weight and raw diet was the way to go, as Sara was originally taking Eukenebia dog food.

We put Molly and Sara on a raw diet and also Sara had bad Arthritis so we got Dr Clarke’s Healthy Hips from Susan, as she had very shaky back legs from the Arthritis.

In about 4 weeks Sara went from 27 lbs down to just over 20 lbs, her shaking was reduced about 90% and she has so much energy she runs is more alert and happy and gained about 5 years on her life.

Molly our adopted dog remains at her current weight (20 lbs)  and is so happy to have found a home and we love her so much.

We strongly recommend adopting a pet through Susan Steiner and the raw food that she makes herself. She is very knowledgable on all types of ailments for dogs and is very loving and caring about her dogs and their placement and there is no where else we would go for advise or adoption in the future or for nutrition advise.  We continue to buy our dog  food through Susan Steiner.

Thank you Sue  for all your help and support,   we are so happy with both our dogs.

Donna and Allen Kozlov

Whitby, Ontario.

Hi Sue,

Just wanted to give you an update about our little Beagle Mickey. He has really become the most amazing dog we could have asked for. He has learned lots of new tricks and listens very well. He spends his days playing at the dog park and with ourdaughter. I cant believe I can off leash my Beagle!!!!! even on walks. He always heals, even if he sees a rabbit!!!

Hi Susan!

We’re so sorry we haven’t come to visit yet, but I just wanted to let you know how awesome Shamus (AJ/Bourbon) is!
He’s about 60-65 lbs and the vet was very pleased and excited to see what great shape he’s in, exclaiming “THIS is what a dog is supposed to look like! We’re so used to seeing overweight dogs, that some may think he’s underweight, but he looks GREAT!”
He hardly ever barks when someone comes to the door now.  He’s appropriately gentle with little dogs and children, and seems to have a particular fondness for elderly women.  We’ve taken him up to Muskoka a couple times, where he sticks close by without a need for a leash, and has learned to swim!  The first time he saw the lake he didn’t want to get his toenails wet, but with patience and persistence over the following day, and he was fetching a ball in water over his head!
Here’s a video of one of the first time he did this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzmJugTiWAQ&feature=channel_page

He’s perfected the art of attracting affection when we take him out with us to a patio for a coffee or a pint.  He lowers his head, pins his ears back, wags his tail, and gives boo-boo eyes to everyone that passes. The number of people that have been unable to resist petting him when he does this is phenomenal.

Although when I began tying him up outside of stores, he was a little upset, he now waits patiently and eagerly for my return.

We’ve had several parties at our house, where he has mingled calmly with over 30 people, new born infants, toddlers, and food everywhere.  I am particularly impressed at his instinct to give a friend’s 1 year old and 3 year old a large personal space, effectively ignoring them, even when they poke him or are very excited.

He has made being a dog owners so easy.  Although Jeremy likes to think that we simply have excellent dog whispering abilities, I am more apt to say that Shamus came to us perfectly balanced, and all we had to do was make sure he stayed that way, and built upon what you established.  Although Shamus is obviously a very loving and intelligent fellow, you and people like you in Ohio are the ones responsible for giving him the skills and second chance needed.

I think you would really enjoy seeing him again, and I will continue to try to get all three of us up to you soon!

Here’s another picture of him
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk131/better_red_than_dead/misc/skillz_card_small.jpg

Sarah (and Jeremy) Finney

Hi Sue just to drop you a quick email (I tried to call but you may have been busy) to tell you how much our friends and neighbours and kids love Miss Molly.

She is such a joy, sleeps through the night and is getting there on training to go to bathroom outdoors.

 She gets along with our neighbours dogs very well and loves long walks.

My spirits are so high now, I never felt so good and I owe that to you for helping me in decide if Molly was right for Donna and I and she is such a joy and loves to be loved.

We have long naps together and we love her with all our hearts and are getting a lot of love in return.

I have told my neighbours just how special your camp is and how much knowledge you have. There is no feeling in the world like giving a dog a new lease on life and that is what we have done for Miss Molly and what she has done for us.

Here are some new pictures of Molly with Sara and Fenix my 18 year old son’s Pomeranian.

 Take care and best regards.

Love Donna and Allen

Smitty, Hannah, Emma, Justin, Elliot and Topper all got homes!! All but Emma have been here a long time. Emma arrived last Thurs with Marlow, Lennie and Bogey who are here and SO CUTE!! Awesome dogs from Kingston Humane!

Please Check out the link http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ON258.html to see all the newly posted dogs who are arriving. All dogs b4 Remy are here already except Gwen and Pumpkin Pie – they arrive with the group on July 31st. From Remy to Peyton all are arriving August 5th. After Peyton to end are all arriving on July 31st so TELL EVERYONE!

Today Smitty, Emma (who was ehre all of 5 minutes it seemed), and Hannah left for new Forever Homes! Tomorrow will have Elliot and Justin leaving with their new people!!

We need help tho finding some of the others a home – they may be older like POLLY PUGGLES (12yrs) or maybe not so pretty like BELLE (7yrs) but with a soul that is gentle and kind if only someone would meet her. We have MOLSYN (6 yrs)who is also technically old for a Cane Corso mastiff but is so beautiful in spirit and such a hold on life it’ll knock your socks off. My HUBERT (hubie) is still here – since June 25th at least!! might be longer – a happier, more loving dog you’ll have a hard time finding! HOSS – renamed COOPER in hopes a name change will bring a better kharma – how stoopid is that?? He is the nicest dog here but he’s big and black and he is starting to disconnect from us and people who come by – like he isn’t trying anymore. My Lovely SOPHIE -  she is an easy, fun dog – she needs someone strong tho she she doesn’t need to be afraid. She has been a client of mine for 4 yrs b4 being one of my rescues and she is a GOOD dog.

Can anyone who reads this please send this link http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ON258.html to people you know – retired people who want a low maintenance dog, singles or couples who may have lost an older dog rescently – anyone and everyone you know – PLEASE?

Hi Su!
We had a great session with Jana on Tuesday night and have Ruthie on a
strict regime of controlled crate exits and her staying behind us when
we walk on lead. Jana had shown us most this before, but I will admit
I was not consistent and Ruthie got in a few too many ‘wins’! Anyway,
we are more motivated than ever and are so consistent now. Jana has us
on a schedule to attempt off-lead starting in August at the earliest,
and that teaching her this respect will pay off in the long run for
things like recall and off leash.

We have to completely ignore her for a week, just meeting her basic
needs but no cuddling, no talking to her or eye contact. IT’S SOOOOO
Hard! Anyway, we have notes up everywhere to remind us and so far
we’re sticking to it. So this weekend won’t work for coming to visit
cause we want to keep things really controlled and consistent for the
full week. Would we be able to come on the first weekend of July? We
can’t wait for you to see her…she has put on some weight and her
coat is nice and glossy.

Despite her exuberance and strong need to hunt squirrels (while
yanking our arms off) we love her to bits and are so committed to her
and making her happy and relaxed. She is already way way way better
behaved than most of our friends/family’s dogs, but we know her
potential and want her to be the best and happiest she can be. Our
lives are so much fuller with Ruthie in tow, and we haven’t doubted
our decision for a second.

Again, you are a special person to save these wonderful dogs, and we
will always be grateful to you for saving Ruthie’s life and trusting
her to us.
You’re the best!
Nat and Brett

Well the new dogs were picked up yesterday and they are a great group – fav always are the Blue Tick Coonhounds and Rosie is a total babe. No tas shy as many of the coonhounds that come in but a pleasure who likes to curl up in my chair or crawl up for a snuggle.

Lance is a gentle angel and Lexi – we butted heads at first but mine is harder and she caved pretty quickly – so quickly she MAY have a home TMO!! Justin and Hubert are gorgeous dogs. Justin needed a little sorting ut manners-wise with the others and is doing great. Hubert is qan oaf and very funny and happy go lucky. Ruby Ruby Ruby – definitely a 10-14 mo old female blk lab mix – now that she’s tired out tho she is much easier to have around.

Our Wyleigh got a home today in Kingston with Joanna & Tim – we’re all very excited for her!

Again, Sandra and John came too give baths, brush and take pics – thank you!

Rory is doing his community service hours for school and is doing a great job too!

Stephen & JJ came to visit, pick up food and as always Stephen gave a little extra to the rescues – thank you guys!

Hi Sue, thought I’d write you an update on how Harley is doing!

The first week was a little rought (as to be expected). He really tested his boundaries (i.e. seeing if he can jump up and counter surf, jumping on the furniture, etc). He also escaped from his crate the first day. How you ask? Well our crate came in pieces (since its the x-large one) and he is sneaky enough to stick his head through and pry the pieces apart so his body could fir through there. He ate a whole bunch of food off the counter, pee and pooed in the house then jumped through the screen of the basement window. Luckily he didnt go anywhere and a neighbor caught him for us. That night we fixed that problem but getting clips to secure the pieces together. The first week Harley also had bad diarhea so he did have a few accidents. He never chewed anything though but we did find out that he will destroy any toy except kong products.

The first week he also did not get along with Mavrick. He kept trying to bite him and fight really aggressively over the toys. Finally on friday Mav and him learned to play together. Now they play all day on the porch and enjoy each others company! Which we are very happy about.

The second week was much better. He seemed happier and started playing more and more with his toys. He is pretty good on walks except he barks at dogs from across the street. Probably because he wants to sniff them. He is stubborn like you said. On walks he will lie down if he wants something bad enough. We just pull him up and make him keep walking.

Harley really is a sweetheard. He loves to cuddle and follows us around the house. We love having him around. We keep getting comments on how adorable he is. We also keep getting asked if he is a pit bull.

Anyways, there is a quick update on him. I checked out your new blog site. Its great! I am interested to learn more about how the herbs can help emotional problems. Eventually I’d like Harley is be calm enough to be left to roam the apartment. But I think right now, he is anxious being by himself.

Hope things are going well at the shelter. I’ll keep checking your website for updated information.

Take Care,
Arianne, Kyle & Harley