Posts Tagged ‘ happy tails ’
About four months ago, I was walking the bluffs in Carpinteria with my almost-thirteen-year-old border collie mix, Quan, and my parents’ Labrador/Pitbull mix, Bessie. A fellow dog lover asked if I’d be interested in a purebred Rhodesian ridgeback puppy. Up to that moment, I had not given any thought to getting a second dog. It didn’t seem sensible, given that I relied on my eighty-year-old parents to care for Quan when I’m traveling for work, and the dogs were too big for my mom to handle by herself. I declined the offer.
The word “puppy” however, had peaked my interest. A puppy would be nice – but not one that would grow into a large dog. “Find a little dog,” a voice in my head suggested.
“A little dog? I’m not a little dog person,” I thought. After more reflection, I realized a little dog might be a perfect solution. I began looking, but was unable to find the perfect fit until one day I decided to visit Dr. Otto to see if they knew of a little dog.”
I went to Carpinteria Veterinary Clinic and asked Dr. Otto’s sister, Jean, if she knew of anyone with a small dog for adoption. She responded with a big, enthusiastic “yes!”. Jean knew a dog foster family caring for Wonton, a DAWG-rescued puppy. I called the foster family and visited Wonton that afternoon. It was love at first sight and even though he came with a mended broken leg, I was elated to submit an adoption application that was soon approved.
While I could see why he was given his original name, Wonton just seemed more like a Charlie to me. Charlie has adapted quickly to his new home and canine BIG sisters. He especially loves Bessie, and spends lots of time nuzzling her and chewing on her ears while she sits like a patient momma. With his boundless energy and infectious playfulness, he’s even inspired my old lady Quan to join in the fun. More important, my mom and dad absolutely love Charlie. Mom is in charge of him on our twice-daily walks at the bluffs, parading him around proudly and introducing him to everyone we pass. Because he weighs less than ten pounds, she can easily handle him. He spends time with her out in the garden, and I often hear her talking to him.
Charlie has filled a special place in my heart. After he came home, I found out Quan has a large mass in her lung. She’s still acting like a vibrant and healthy dog, but I can’t predict how much longer my beloved Quan will be here. Knowing that Charlie will be with me for a long time is comforting, and will definitely ease the loss I must face. Having Charlie curled up beside me when I sleep gives me peace, and the sweet nuzzles in the morning warm my heart. How could I have lived another day without him? Thank you DAWG for rescuing him when he was just a puppy in a box.
Mia Girard
Charlie (in arms) with some of his new canine and human family members.
I have hundreds of dogs. When you spend time at DAWG, you can’t help but assume ownership or at least concern for every dog that comes through our doors. Every one of them has made an impact on my heart, but only one was able to capture it.
Blackjack’s past is mostly unknown, as with most DAWG dogs. Shortly after beginning my job at DAWG last year, I was contacted by his adoptive family and informed that he was going to be returned to the shelter for aggression and fear. I soon found out exactly what they meant. At our first meeting Blackjack ferociously growled and wouldn’t let me go anywhere near him. No one would have guessed that nine months later we would be attached at the paws.
Over the next couple of months, I decided to commit the limited free time I had between law school examinations and multiple jobs to take Blackjack on excursions to the park, beach, and around DAWG. I was determined to socialize him, however possible. After a few months, and much improvement, it was clear that I wasn’t letting Blackjack go anytime soon.
The day that I became involved with DAWG as an adoption attendant in 2010, my dad warned me that I was not to get emotionally attached to any of the residents. By Thanksgiving, “Gramps,” as Blackjack calls him, refused to allow Blackjack stay the night at the shelter because Gramps didn’t want him sleeping alone.
On December 12th, 2010 Blackjack officially became part of my family, and he hasn’t left my side. We take daily trips to the beach (he starts whining the moment he can see the ocean whether we’re stopping or not), park (he loves playing lacrosse), and downtown (he’s the first in line at every water bowl).
Blackjack still has a long way to go. He still is hesitant of strangers, has some food aggression issues, and is still learning to be polite around other dogs. Nonetheless, Blackjack has come so far and learned so much, and unexpectedly taught me more than I ever thought an animal could. He teaches me to cherish the town we live in and the people that surround us. Blackjack lives in a dog’s paradise with the ocean to swim in and the mountains to run up. I’m so happy I get to share every experience with him.
We have his whole life to enjoy our favorite places. I can’t wait to see how Blackjack improves over the next months and years. You better believe we will be throwing an amazing party for his second birthday at the end of May; to celebrate not only his existence, but DAWG’s part in saving him and his siblings, and giving him a second chance when many others wouldn’t. It’s DAWG’s commitment to giving second, third and fourth chances that makes the hundreds of adopters like me so fortunate each year.
Emily G.
Here at DAWG we love hearing the happy ‘tails’ of our adopted dogs. If you have a story to share about a dog you’ve adopted from DAWG, please email stories@sbdawg.org!
Hi!
We recently adopted our new doggie in December and he has been the perfect fit for our family. Below is our story!
We adopted Jackson in December as a Christmas gift to the family. While we have our hands full with five kids, a cat and a bunny, we were ready for our family dog. Jackson has settled in amazingly. Such a happy, energetic, smart dog. Within the first week, we had him responding to his new name (Joel just did not fit him), basic commands including sitting, shaking, and laying down, and has been the greatest addition to our family. He starts obedience training next week and then we are going to sign him up for agility as he is the most natural jumper. I have never adopted a dog, always got puppies from breeders. This lil guy knows he is loved and is in a safe home – and he has given us so much more back in return.
Attached are pictures of Jackson on his first night home and on New Year’s Day on his first hike in the Santa Barbara mountains.
Rhonda and Ben, and kids
Here at DAWG we love hearing the happy ‘tails’ of our adopted dogs. If you have a story to share about a dog you’ve adopted from DAWG, please email stories@sbdawg.org!
Just wanted to let you know how Lola is doing… she’s growing! She’s a total sweetie and we love her so much. She’s still in the clumsy puppy stage, just now she’s a lot bigger and heavier with it!
She gets along great with the other doggies and she’s learning all about affection and cuddles – her verdict? “Affection? Yeah, wow! I’m for it!”
All our best wishes for a wonder and happy New Year.
Warren & Alison
We wanted let you know that we are very happy with Luke. He is such a great dog and we are really glad that we decided to adopt him. He was “dog of the week” last week on sb.edhat.com by the way. He’s very well behaved, cuddly, energetic, and even great with kids (which is surprising since he is only about a year old).Here are some updates from Mickey's new family. Lovely! Thank you for sending these!
If you have a happy ending of a DAWG dog you've adopted, please email stories@sbdawg.org
I wanted to send you this email to Thank You for connecting our family with Mickey. We love him so much and he is such a joy to our family. Mickey has been with us for 2 months now and we couldn't imagine our lives without him. Attached are some pictures of Mickey with his brother Jacob that I wanted you to share with other families that are considering adopting a pup or other animal from DAWG. Although Mickey was closed off to us for awhile he has seen been open and loves and cuddles with us all. Mickey is a great pup and again Thank You DAWG for giving us our boy.
Crystal C
Here are some updates from Molly's new family, who've renamed her Mia.
We thank them for sending us Mia's happy ending!
If you have a happy ending you'd like to share of a DAWG dog you've adopted, please email stories@sbdawg.org
Here are a few more photos of Molly…and one of my bunny, Jasmine, perusing the Sunday ads =)
Molly (now Mia) is just a total love bug…..
She went with myself and Mocha to a BBQ at a friends house Saturday.
She was the hit of the BBQ, everyone wanted to hold her and love on her and she was just so sweet about it, giving kisses all around….
A co-worker here at work bought her a darling fleece halloween outfit and of course she had to model it before all my other co-workers….everyone fell in love
with her…
I am in love with this little girl!
Take care,
Deb
Here is Mia in her outfit that a co-worker bought for her. Styling and nice and cozy and warm =)
