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

Fran, Buddy & Bentley
NOTE: told Fran to use the Good Dog Collar and a 6′ leash and tie Bentley to her so he has to follow her around when he started eating the couch cuz she stopped letting them on the couch cuz she was buying a new couch (as an aside – A NEW COUCH!! I CAN’T IMAGINE HAVING ONE OF THOSE!) )

Happy New Year and I hope you had a great Christmas. I have attached a  pictures of Ruby at Christmas. Hope you enjoy.

Steph

p.s. thank you for giving her to us. She is our baby girl .

As promised a million times, here are some photos of our new family members!

Again, thanks to all the incredible hard work you do on a daily basis, Petey & Rylee
have a forever home with a family that will love them forever.

We will never be able to thank you enough for making our home a happy one again.

Kathy

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.

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!!!

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

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

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer. Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2009 Rescue Me Dog; www.rescuemedog.org