Chunky!

11-24-09

We picked up Chunky from the Enoch shelter last night. Her real name is Roxy or Bunny or something like that, but from the moment we pulled her from her kennel, she was Chunky to us! LOL
She'd been there for a few months, and wouldn't you know it, as we are driving home, 20 minutes after we pulled her, we got a call from the shelter saying that someone was there to adopt her!

So, rather than go to Apple Valley with the other shelter rescues we picked up today, Chunky got to come to my house. She'll go to her new home this morning.

She is a HOOT. She is an American Bulldog mix, only about 6-7 months old, and already 60 lbs! She is shorter than Luna though, so it's all muscle mass. And Chunky butt! LOL. She and Luna have been playing almost non-stop. They just love each other!

She's got a great personality, and is SO much fun. I wish that we were able to keep her longer than just an overnighter.

Oh, Lorraine just came and picked up Chunk while I was typing this. Luna is going nuts running around the house looking for her new buddy, crying. AWww. :(
Good bye Chunky! Enjoy your new life and your new home.

Miley and Ziggy

d

11-14-09

I just realized that I haven't written about Miley and Ziggy!

These 2 are brother and sister. They were owner released, kid was moving and couldn't take them with him. He really didn't want to give them up, and those are always the hardest for me. I would rather give a dog to someone than take one away. I can't handle those kind of tears.

They were kenneled in the office the first night, as we had no room, but the next morning we went and got them and brought them here.
Ziggy is a bit grouchy with other dogs, so he and Miley get the bungalow and side yard all to themselves. 3-4 times a day we lock all the other dogs in the house, and the doxies get the run of the whole yard.

They really are great dogs, and incredibly affectionate. I love playing with them, their personalities are so fun.

They are doxie mixes... we don't know what they are mixed with though. They are about the size of Beagles, and the color of Doxies. LOL.

I wish Ziggy wasn't such an alpha with other dogs. I'd love to have them in the house with us. They are a hoot, and I really like them.

12-21-09

We still have these two. They've gone to every adoption event with us, but it's hard when they need to be adopted together. Not many people want two dogs at once.
We tried them at HWAC, and they won't take them because they are a bonded pair.

We'll do our best here then. I hope that they get adopted soon. They've been here for too long already, and need a good home.

1-23-10

MILEY AND ZIGGY ARE ADOPTED!!!!! TOGETHER!!!

*doing the happy dance... doing the happy dance*

WOO HOOOOO!!!!

We had given up on them getting adopted together, and we testing them at being separated. It was ok for Miley, she went to a great foster home. It was a lot harder on Ziggy, but he adjusted as well.
They were split up for about a week or two, when we got the call that someone was interested in one of them, but weren't sure which one, so they wanted to meet both of them.
After the meeting, they decided to take them both for a trial run to see if they really wanted 2 dogs.
It went SO well, and they bonded so quickly. Their new family adores them, and they LOVE their new home.
I'm SO SO SO SO happy for them!

YAY!!!

*still doing the happy dance!*

Sweet Sacha

11-19-09

We brought Sacha home from the shelter today. Oh my goodness, she is a sweet doll. Love her little face. She is a 4 month old Dutch Shepherd.

She did NOT like her bath, and I'm pretty sure that my neighbors thought I was killing a dog over here. Sheesh, what a racket.

She loves Tevin, and is having a blast playing with the other dogs here.

11-20

Sacha was awesome last night. Never even whimpered in her crate. I got up once to let her out to potty, and she didn't complain about going back in her crate when she was done.

She thinks she is one of the pack already, and tries to be a big girl, doing what all the big dogs do. LOL

11-26-09

Sacha got to go to Panaca with us for Thanksgiving. We couldn't leave her here, and there was nowhere else to take her. So, she got to go with.
She loved it! And she was so good. What a little trooper!

We went Christmas Tree hunting up on Mount Wilson all day Friday, and she was so awesome off leash. She hiked the mountain all day with us.
I'm so glad that we took her. She was so much fun to have there.

12-08-09

Sacha got accepted at HWAC. It was really difficult for me to let her go. I've gotten really attached to her, and I wish that she had been adopted locally so I could see what she looks like as an adult dog. She is such a gorgeous little gal, with such a phenomenal personality.

Oh gosh, now I'm crying again. I'll miss my little Sacha.

Recycle boy, Syd

11-11-09

Oh Syd. Where to even start. LOL

Syd was a stray found in the mountains around Cedar City and was taken to the Iron Co shelter, and that's where we got him.

He was adopted by an eccentric (?) woman who traveled around in her motorhome. He's the type of dog who would love the nomad lifestyle, and it seemed a good fit.

She's had him for a couple months.

While Lorraine and I were in CA, doing the run to HWAC, this woman calls us and leaves a message saying that she can't keep Syd anymore and she has left him tied to the recycle bin at WalMart. We need to come get him immediately.

WHAT??

I immediately called Wade, and he ran out to WalMart, and there was Syd. The woman was there watching from a distance to make sure that we got him (rolleyes).

I got an E-mail from her that night that said that Syd was forced into being a bad dog so that she would get rid of him because she is involved in a government law suit and Syd knew too much.

Yeah. Cuckoo.

At any rate, Syd is here now, and is getting lots of love and attention from our gang. :) He's a sweet boy, very very loving. And obviously used to being around crazy people. LOL

11-18-09

Syd went to Apple Valley for awhile. He and Obi weren't getting along too well, so we thought it would be best to split them up. He LOVES it out there and is getting along great with the dogs that are out there right now. :)

12-06-09

Went and got Syd and Sampson from AV so that they could spend a couple days with us before going to HWAC. Syd was SOOO happy to see Wade. And he was so happy to come back home with us. It's good to have him back. He's such a great boy, and we love having him here. Just a big ol teddy bear with the gentlest personality.

12-08-09

Syd got accepted at HWAC. They loved him! I'm sure that they will find him a wonderful home where he will be loved like he deserves. I'll miss our boy though... goodbye secret agent Syd!

Big Blue

11-12-09

Blue was an owner release to us.
He needed more attention and exercise than his owners were able to give him. He is SO big!

He's about 10 pounds more than Amikah, but he's slender. He's just TALL.

He is only 11 months old, and is still very much a puppy.
He has no idea where his feet are. LOL.

He barked all night the first night we had him crated, so since then he's been sleeping on our bed with us and the other 2, no...3, no.. wait, 4 dogs. LOL. It's cozy to say the least.

He's doing really great here, learning what is expected of him in our house.
No chasing the cat, no putting paws on the counter (though he can put his head on the counter without even stretching).

He's a sweet boy with a lot of love to give.

11-19-09

Blue is adopted! He went to a family that will be great for him... a couple of kids, and another Weimaraner to play with! And he didn't bark at all his first night in his new home. Go figure, LOL.

Update, May 2011

Blue sure has been through a lot.
He was returned after his family had him over a year, because their son was diagnosed with asthma, and they just couldn't keep the dogs in the house anymore. Blue wasn't having any of that, and just couldn't adjust, so they returned him to us.

We had him for a few weeks before he was adopted by a family with another Weimaraner.
They had him for about 3 months before returning him to us. I guess 2 Weims in the house were more than what they had expected it to be.

We tried him at HWAC, and he didn't pass the physical test, so he came home with us.

What are we going to do with this big guy? He's SUCH a goof. Hopefully the RIGHT home is just waiting around the corner for him.

Updates

11-14-09

It's been quite busy here lately!

Amara was adopted! YAY! I'm so happy with where she is now. I think that she will have a wonderful life with her new family.

Charlie was accepted at HWAC this week. I was sad to see him go, but I know that they will find him a wonderful home.

We had Sampson here for a day, then he went to Apple Valley for a little while. I'm sure we'll have him back before too long, and I'll get a post up for him then.

Right now, we have 2 new fosters, Blue and Syd. I'll put posts up about them hopefully soon.

Luna has been adopted, but we still have her till she gets spayed on Monday, then she will go to her new home. I'll update her post when that happens.

It's been a whirlwind of activity here, and even though I am exhausted, I am happy.

Emotions

You know what... there is something in the demeanor of a dog when brought home directly from the shelter.

They have this look that they give you.
I'd like to imagine that it is a look of thanks.

That just hours ago they were in a tiny square cement cage with no air or light. And now they are being pet and loved on, with a few kind words. A bath, some good treats, and a place to run.
They have a look of gratitude on their faces that melts your heart. Literally melts it, and it leaks out of your eyes.

Just now, the way that Charlie is looking at me, laying his head on my lap while I pet his ears.... I wish that I could adequately describe the emotions that elicits.

Obi (Wan Kenobi)

11-05-09

Obi is an absolute doll.
I think they were a little surprised that we took him from the shelter, as he was "hyper and unmanageable".
Nah, he was just kennel crazy. After bringing him home and letting him run, he is actually a really great dog.
He is well behaved, and is willing to do whatever we want him to.
He gets along great with the other dogs, though he is a bit amorous with Luna. LOL.

Doesn't he look like a big, furry Jaxson?

11-11-09

Obi went to California with us to HWAC, and passed his temperament test with flying colors. They loved him.
But he failed the physical. They said that his left thigh muscle was bigger than his right. So that tells them that at one time he may have favored his right leg for some reason.
And they rejected him for that.
WHATEVER.

We had a BLAST with him and Luna at the dog parks and the hotel. They were so awesome. He is such an amazing dog. I didn't mind bringing him back home.

11-21-09

Obi is adopted! He fit right in with his new family. They said that his only bad habits are begging for food (shame on Joshua) and wanting to sleep on the bed (shame on us). LOL. They love him, and I think they will be a great home for him!

Charlie

11-05-09

We made a trip to Cedar today to pick up some dogs from a Shelter that was over-full.
Charlie is one of the dogs that we brought home.
We aren't sure what kind of dog he is, but looks like he's got some greyhound in him.

He is SO unbelievably sweet. Very mellow, a little shy. What an adorable dog.
I'm glad we were able to bring him home today.

11-08-09

Charlie has some pretty severe abandonment issues. He needs to know where we are at ALL times. We tried crating him on his first night here and he tried digging out of his crate, causing quite a lot of damage.
He now gets run of the house at night and seems to do ok, as long as I am sleeping on the couch. As soon as I go to bed, he just wanders the house crying.
When I sleep on the couch, he comes up and nuzzles me for a minute, then goes outside to sleep for a bit. Then comes in to see I'm still where he can see me, and goes back outside to sleep. He does that all night long.
We'll get it worked out to where he's ok with coming in the bedroom to 'check on me'.

He is a sweetheart, and I adore him.

11-11-09

Charlie got accepted at HWAC! YAY! I'm happy for him, and know that they will find him a wonderful home.

Adoption updates!

11-05-09

CeeCee and Kiya both got adopted today! YAY!! Click on their names to read their stories.

Macey

11-04-09

Macey was the only pup left from a litter that was at the shelter. They let us take her today so that she wouldn't be all alone in the shelter kennel.
She's only 7 weeks old, and is an absolute doll.
She is so sweet, and the girls just LOVE her.

Ginger is very protective of her.
Amara keeps trying to carry her around like a mama dog would. We keep having to tell her to put the puppy down, LOL.
Luna is very sweet with her, and Amikah ignores her completely. LOL

It's fun having a tiny fluffy yummy puppy in the house. Oh the puppy breath. *sigh*

11-05-09

Macey went to a different foster home today to enable us to bring a couple more dogs home. It was so much fun having her here and playing with her for the time that we had!

11-06-09

Macey was transferred to another local rescue who needed a puppy. She'll be well taken care of!

Amara, again.

Amara came back to us on Saturday. Her family said that they didn't think she was happy there, and they couldn't give her what she needed.
She is happy to be back with us, and is absolutely in heaven with Kiya and Luna.

You can read her whole story here, or just scroll down to the end for the update.


11-06-09
Amara was adopted! Her story is updated in her original post.

New Maggie picture

If you follow along on FaceBook, you'll see lots of photos of Maggie, taken by her dad Chris, and by her friends, Dan and Lisa.

I was told I could share this one here on the Starfish Journal.

Isn't she GORGEOUS?!

*photograph by LC Images*

UPDATES!

I've been so busy that it's hard finding time to do my updates!
(Click on the underlined names for links to specific entries)

First, and most importantly, Amara got adopted! This was a hard one for me, I was very very attached to her. I miss her terribly. We'd had her as a part of our family for too long... she left a big gaping hole when she left us.

Vanessa was adopted as well! She went to a great family in Vegas. I'm so happy for her!

Maddie and Lily went to their new home together!

Beavis/Travis was adopted at our last event too!

Jaxson is finally at his new home after having to wait for a little while here.

You all know about Mikey from my last entry, and be sure to check out Layla's entry to read the comment from her new mom.

I've been pretty relaxed about posting some new fosters too. If we only have them for a day, I've been not posting them here, though I should. We had Cheeto and Frito here overnight, and I never even got photos of them. They are a pair of brothers, Rottie pups, about 8 weeks old. They were fun to have here, though we had to keep them separate from the other dogs because they were SO small. Tevin had fun playing with them!

We also had Monty and Tootsie here for a little while, off and on. They came here to be bathed, and to play in the yard for awhile, then Wade and I just took care of them for 2 weeks while they were being kenneled. We walked them 4-5 times a day, and took them to the dog park, played with them, etc. They were Tibetan Spaniels, about 2 yrs old, seriously adorable. We couldn't bring them here to stay because they didn't get along with all our big dogs, but technically they were our fosters as we cared for them for 2 weeks before they were adopted.


It's been a whirlwind 3 months, let me tell ya! October 20th was H.A.R.T.'s 3 month mark. In that 3 months, we've saved 65 dogs! Imagine that! It is just amazing to me. A lot of hard work and dedication from a lot of people to make that happen.

We've had a couple set backs, but all in all, we are doing what we love. And it's worth it!

CeeCee

10-21-09

This little darling was rescued from the shelter today.
Surprisingly, she had been at the shelter for a long time... I can't believe no one adopted her.

She is only 3 months old, and is an absolute DOLL. She's the only dog I've ever bathed who wagged their tail the whole time, LOL.

Her name morphed a bunch when we first got her home, but she ended up with CeeCee aka CC aka Chocolate Chunko. LOL. She is a FAT little puppy.

We'll have fun with her while she's here. She sure has some spunk. LOL

10-27-09

CeeCee is a doll! She is incredibly smart, and has the best puppy attitude! She listens well, and responds to her name. She gets along well with the other dogs, and can definitely play in the big leagues with them! LOL
I'm loving having her here, she is so soft and cuddly.


11-05-09

CeeCee got adopted! YAY! A gentleman drove down from up north to meet Izzy and CeeCee to decide which one he wanted. Well, turns out that he wanted both! They both got to go home with him today. How cool is that?!

Kiya

10-20-09

Kiya was abandoned at Apple Valley with a note attached to her crate that said 'please take care of my dog'.

She is a Dalmation mix, about 5-6 months old. She is an absolute sweetheart! She has been a house dog before, obviously, and took up her position on the couch almost immediately. LOL

10-27-09

Kiya is one of the sweetest, most well behaved young dogs we've had.
She is so incredibly smart! She learns things super quickly.. I'm so impressed with her! She listens well, and has a great personality. She is SO loving. She likes to be a lap dog (or a shoulder dog, LOL) and wants nothing more than to be close to one of us.
She has such an expressive face too. I just love her.

11-05-09

Kiya got to go to her new home today. I think she is a perfect fit for them, and will fit in great. I got an E-mail already from her new mom saying that everything is going great!
They even sent me a photo already! Looks like she adjusted quickly to her new home!

Luna

10-20-09

Luna was a shelter rescue.
She's been at our Apple Valley place for about a week or so, but is getting spayed tomorrow, so we brought her here.

After her appt tomorrow, she'll stay here to recuperate, then go to our event with us on Saturday.
We aren't sure of her breed, but are putting her as an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix.

She is desperate for love, and is a little clingy, but oh so sweet. She was great for her bath, didn't wiggle or whine.

She is a doll.

10-27-09

Luna is a sweetheart. She has a different kind of personality than any of the others that we have here right now, but she is so fun. She desperately tries to please us, and will do anything we ask her to. She is well behaved, but oh so full of energy! She doesn't have any brakes either, and that can be a bit painful. LOL
She is learning her basic commands, and doing really well.
She is just excited to be here, and shows that through her actions.
She's got a bit more of a dominant personality, but Ginger keeps her in line. She loves Kiya and Amara and the three of them play almost non-stop.

Right now she is sleeping on the floor, with Amikah's head resting on her. It's so sweet, and I can't get my camera because if I move, they will get up to follow me.

11-13-09

Luna is adopted! We made it final tonight.
She is going to a perfect home for her. I'm so happy!

She went to CA with us, and HWAC rejected her because she plays too loudly. It was meant to be though, as her new mom called us while we were on the drive home and she is PERFECT for Luna.

She won't go home till Monday after she is spayed, but she got to spend the day with her new mom today.
After M dropped her back off at the house today, Luna ran back and forth between the front door and the back door whining. They bonded so quickly.
I'm excited for her, and am so glad that she wasn't accepted at HWAC!!


12-01-09

Lots to tell about Luna since the last time I wrote.
First, I have to say that the person who adopted Luna is quite possibly one of the greatest people I've ever met. She has an amazing outlook on life.

M had Luna for only a few days, when she had a pretty bad allergic reaction. She'd had a dog before, so she was surprised to say the least that she was having this reaction.
She called us, and we talked about it, and decided that we would take Luna back while she waited to get some tests done to see what was up, and if it was fixable.

So Luna stayed with us for a little while, and M would come and get her for walks, and to play a bit.

Well, the results came in yesterday, and M came over to visit with us, and discuss everything. Ultimately, M is NOT allergic to dogs, but her allergy is breed specific... to whatever Luna's breed is. (We don't know what Luna is, but her DNA test should be coming back any day now).

It was a hard decision, but Luna is back up for adoption.
Part of what makes M and Luna so compatible is their activity level. If M has to be medicated all the time, and dealing with hives and breathing issues, then her quality of life goes down, resulting in Luna's quality of life also going down. It wouldn't be fair to either of them.

I truly believe though, that Luna was in M's life that short while for a reason. Or several reasons. And amidst the heartache of letting go, there is joy.

Luna cried when M left the house. I did too.

But through Luna, we have a new friend, and a supporter of the Rescue. One more person's heart is touched, and through her... many more.


12-01-09
M sent me a letter and said that I could share it with you. It is meant to be put on her petfinder page, to let any potential adopters know how special Luna is. But I wanted to share it here as well.

_____________

"First of all, if you are reading this you already fell in love with Luna because you saw her picture and that incredible look of innocence on her face.

I had no intention of adopting a dog. I just lost my cocker spaniel of 13 years to cancer abruptly in March. They tried everything to save her but just could not.
Her death has been the hardest thing I have ever dealt with because she truly was my best friend. I told everyone I just could not get a dog again, not for a long while.

One night I missed her so much that I prayed to God to heal my heart.
Out of nowhere, I started to look for dogs to adopt.

Luna was the first one I was drawn to on Petfinder. I called H.A.R.T. the next day and she was still available = WOW! I fell in love with her immediately and agreed to adopt her. I received Luna the day she was spayed and was able to nurse her back to health.

In so many ways this was a blessing = seeing a dog come back from not feeling well and simply just having a dog in my home again.

On the third day as she was feeling better I let her sleep in my room and unfortunately developed a really bad allergic reaction. I just could not figure it out because I have had cocker spaniels most of my life and had no reaction like this.

I called H.A.R.T. and they agreed to hold her until I could get an allergy test done in addition to a DNA test of what Luna's breed might be. I continued to miss her but I knew for her and I to have the best life together I would need to find out if I was allergic to her breed. I continued to want to go over to see her and walk her and prayed for the answers.

I had the allergy test yesterday and I am allergic to something in her breed. We are still waiting on the DNA test to come back to see what breed she is as it would only be responsible of me to know this if I adopt again.

What is ironic is that some of the other tests for allergies they did on me are so serious that I have to carry an EpiPen.

I feel like dogs are our little angels on this earth. Luna literally may have saved my life as I don't know that I would have ever had this kind of testing done if I didn't have a reaction to her coat like I did.

Why she deserves the best forever home with you...Luna is a "healer".

Trust me, when you meet her you will know exactly what I am speaking of. She healed me in so many ways.

She gets along well with other dogs, make that all dogs! She loves people and will become your best friend instantly. She loves to walk, play, and be outdoors yet she knows how to sleep well! We even began training together and she did incredibly well.

She is simply a wonderful dog and I think it is so unfair for her not to have the absolute best forever home. It pains me that I can't keep her, however, I trust there is a plan in all of this.

I hope if you are reading this that you consider adopting her and you can provide her with the best dog life she can have as she deserves this. Please know that I feel blessed to have had her for the time I did and may you be blessed to have her forever. She will be loved and dearly missed by myself and her foster parents.

Thank you Luna for healing my heart.

God Bless,

M.

_______________________

And yes, I'm in tears. Thank you, M, for loving Luna. You made a big impact on her life, and she will always remember and love you.


2-18-2010



Lots of stuff happening with Luna. When we got her back from M, she just settled right back into our lives. A couple months went by... only a few people were interested in her, but none seemed like a good fit.
We were starting to think that Luna would be one of our permanent fosters. And I wouldn't have minded. :)

Last week, Lorraine took Luna to her house for a little while. I had been so busy, that I wasn't able to exercise her the way that she needed, and the dogs at Lorraine's get a bit more exercise. So she went there. She loved her daily hikes to the river, and was doing really well there. I missed her terribly.
When Lorraine took her home, I cried for 2 days. Almost inconsolable. I know, I'm hopeless. LOL

Then, yesterday, Luna went for a 'job interview' at the golf course. They needed a golf course dog, and Luna seemed like the perfect fit.
And it turns out that she WAS. They love her. :)
Her adoption will be finalized tomorrow.

Happy tears and crazy happy dancing here. This is a PERFECT fit for Luna. She gets to run/work all day while being with her owner, and then spend the evenings with the family. She has kids to play with!

OH I'm SO happy for her!!!



Luna's Story continues:

1-20-10

*sigh* This is one of the hardest things, emotionally. To be so excited about something, and so happy, then the very next day get a blow that knocks you on your butt.

Luna is back. It's awful, and has been very hard on the guy who adopted her. Luna became aggressive on the golf course. We are all shocked, and don't know how to even respond to it. This was SO not typical Luna behavior.

The guy who adopted her said that he thinks she bonded so quickly and so strongly to him that she became instantly protective. Over-protective. And he feels like she thought people were invading 'his' space, and she needed to protect him. She chased down a group of golfers, and actually cornered an elderly woman. He took her out of the situation, calmed her down, then took her back out again, and she did the same thing with a different group of golfers.

We were all discussing it, because it is SO NOT Luna behavior, and realized that he was working hard with Luna for a couple days, teaching her to chase and remove anything on the golf course. He was asking her to do that, and she did it. Too well. She was so eager to do whatever he asked, that even though she knew it was wrong to chase people, she thought that was what he wanted. They were on her course, and they were to be removed. That was her job.

Silly girl is too smart for her own good.

I honestly feel that is what happened.

So anyway, she is back with us, and settling back in. She's been a little off, I think she's adjusting to everything that she's been through in the last few weeks.

I'm prepared to accept her as a long term foster. When Wade and I were talking today about the dogs, he said 'our 3 girls and the 4 fosters'. Yeah. I think we might have both accepted it. And embraced it. :)
I won't stop looking for a home for her. But I'm not going to be disappointed if she doesn't find one. She is happy here. And we love her.


4-1-2101
Luna is adopted. For good. FOREVER.
It's official. She is staying with us... the newest member of the Freitas family. :)

Cisco

10-15-09

We got Cisco from the shelter today. He's between a year, year and a half old, an Australian Shepherd mix. Probably mixed with some Spaniel.

He is a big goof, and SO incredibly sweet.
He did NOT like his bath at all, but really enjoyed the toweling off afterward, LOL.

He seems like he may have a urinary tract infection ( he whines when he pees, and he only dribbles a little bit at a time) so we'll have to go get that taken care of.

He's getting along great with everyone else, and even though we introduced three new dogs today, everyone is getting along splendidly!

The last photo there is him looking in watching Josh make dinner tonight. LOL

10-22-09

Cisco is doing GREAT! He is so mellow and laid back compared to the other crazies in the house, LOL. He is completely housebroken (with use of the dog door), and is over his infection, though now he has a bit of kennel cough.
He's a big sweet boy, with a soulful face and I just love him.

10-24-09

It looks like Cisco has found a home! He went on a trial to see if he got along well with their pig, and it seems to be going great.
A note from his new dad:

A quick update on Cisco.
He is doing well and playing well with Toby. He stays away from Piggy as much as possible. Including crawling backwards out of his skin if necessary.
Another day or two and Toby will realize that Cisco is staying. The nice thing is that Cisco is not overly energetic especially for his age. They will play hard for about 5 minutes then take a 2 hour nap.



12-09-09

Merry Christmas from Cisco!

Maddie and Lily

10-15-09

Lily and Maddie were found tied to a tree together with no food or water out in the middle of nowhere. The county sheriff took them to the shelter. They were VERY shy and skittish and afraid of everything.
And they looked HORRIBLE. Matted and filthy and stinky.

We took them from the shelter last week to see if we could get border collie rescue to take them. While they were in our Apple Valley facility, a couple out there saw them and fell in love. They've been going over several times a week and interacting with them, playing with them, etc.

They completed the adoption process just this Tuesday, and Lily and Maddie now belong to them. They are a fantastic couple, Wade and I spent quite some time visiting with them in their home.

ANYWAY...

I took the girls to the groomers today, and they'll go to the vet tomorrow to be spayed.

When I picked them up from the groomers, I almost started crying. They looked like 2 different dogs than the ones I dropped off this morning. They are gorgeous.

And they are so incredibly sweet. Very shy, but sweet.

We have them here at our house, and they'll be here till they go home on Saturday morning.

Everyone, meet Maddie (the black one) and Lily (the white face).

10-17-09

Maddie and Lily went home today. Their new mom and dad picked them up at our house early this morning before our adoption event. They say that both girls are doing fantastic, and that they are SO happy!
YAY! I can't tell you how happy I am that they were adopted together. J seems to think that Maddie may be Lily's mom, and that is where the connection comes from. It is entirely likely, and makes total sense.

Thank you J and T for loving these 2 special gals!

MIKEY IS FINALLY HOME!

10-12-09

It took awhile, and a lot of bouncing back for the poor guy, but I believe he has finally found his home.

Go to his entry HERE and read the whole story.

Grab a kleenex first.

Vanessa

10-10-09

Vanessa is a sweetheart. I fell in love with her from the first moment I saw her cowering in her kennel at the shelter.
She was a stray, picked up on the side of the highway. From the looks of her, she'd been out there on her own for quite a while.

She was at the shelter for about 3 weeks or so before we were able to take her out. She's been out at our Apple Valley facility for about a week, and we just brought her home today.

We had an appointment to meet with a family from the Las Vegas area who were interested in adopting her. So she came here and got a bath, then we met them at the dog park.
They loved her (how could they not?) and we finalized the adoption.

They can't actually take her till she is spayed, so she will get to stay here for a few more days till all that gets done, then we'll drive her to them.

She is SUCH a doll. So mellow, and very sweet. She is well behaved, and she gives amazing hugs.
I'm glad that we've got her for a few days so I can love on her. And I am SO glad that she has found a home!


10-14-09

Vanessa went home today. They were so excited to take her home! She will have a wonderful life with them. Oh! And they changed her name to Roxy. ;)

Beavis/Travis

10-05-09

We got little Beavis today. His owner had to give him up because their other dog was being dangerously mean to him.
He is a Rat Terrier, is only 6 months old, and has quite the personality!

The other dogs don't quite know what to make of him, I think they didn't hear the 'Terrier' part, and think he's just a 'Rat'. LOL

10-08-09
Beavis got a name change. He is now Travis. We decided as a group that he needed a name that was more socially acceptable. Besides, we were tired of people asking where Butthead was.

Travis moved on to another foster home. He was doing great here, but we were a little full for a bit, so one of our other foster homes took him. He is doing great there!

10-17-09
Travis is adopted! He went to a great home with kids, and will be so happy there!

Zoe

9-28-09

Zoe is a little 9 month old terrier mix, and our very first ever lap sized foster dog. LOL
She is unbelievably adorable.

The big dogs and the puppies seem to really like her, and she can hold her own in the rambunctious play.

She was a shelter rescue whose time was up today. She was brought into the shelter as a stray, but this little gal has been a house dog before. She loves to be in the house, and feels right at home here.

I'm liking the little thing, LOL. She is so freaking cute.

9-30-09

Zoe was accepted at HWAC today! She was so cute on the drive to San Diego.. she rode on my lap for the second half of the drive, and loved every minute of it.

Update!

Jaxson is adopted!
To read the story, go to his entry HERE and scroll down to read his update.

Ozzie also got adopted! His story is at the end of his entry HERE.

UPDATE ON LAYLA!

LAYLA got adopted! Click on her name and scroll to the bottom of her entry to read her adoption story.


A very dear friend of mine gave me a hug today and said "it's always good when a starfish hits the water."


Amen, Becky. Amen.

*And there was MUCH rejoicing*

Troy update!

Wade and I got to visit Troy today. Click here to go to his entry and see his photo!

Jaxson!

9-15-09

We drove to the Enoch shelter yesterday, and this little guy was love at first sight for me. I have a special place in my heart for Catahoulas and he is a gorgeous one.

Jaxson will only spend 2 days with us now, then will go to Apple Valley, since we are full here. As soon as one of our fosters gets adopted though, Jax will come here with us!

He is the sweetest pup.. about 6 months old. He's got kennel cough pretty bad, and got antibiotics today.

9-22-09
Went and got Jaxson from Apple Valley, and brought him here so that he could go in to be neutered on Wednesday. Well, turns out that he still has a little bit of kennel cough, so no surgery for this little dude.
We'll just keep him here and happy till next week, then he will either go to HWAC with us, or be neutered and stay here. Haven't decided yet, and it will depend on when his cough is gone.

He is a sweet little guy, very mellow, and he just loves the other dogs. He likes to hang by himself outside.

When we brought him home, I was very sick so I haven't had much time to work with him on housebreaking. He has been doing really good so far, and I have high hopes that he'll be completely housebroken by next week.

9-26-09

We walked today in the Santa Clara Swiss Days Parade with 10 of our adoptable dogs. After the parade, we went to the park where the celebration was being held, and stayed there for a few hours with all the dogs, meeting people, and just having fun.

A young girl there saw Jaxson and just fell in love with him. She sat and loved on him for quite some time, then called her mom to come down and meet him.
We talked for a while, and by the time we were ready to go, they had decided to adopt Jaxson!

It actually all worked out rather well.. Jaxson can't be adopted yet, because he hasn't been neutered, but they can't take him yet because she's going to be out of town for a little while, and they have some fence work to do before they can take him. The timing worked out perfectly.

We'll just keep him here till everything is done, then they'll take him home. :D YAY for Jaxson!!

10-06-09

Jaxson went to his new home today! YAY!

1-06-10

Well, Jaxson is back with us. Rather than write out the whole story, lets just say that Jaxson required more attention than they were giving him, and found ways to get it that were not acceptable to his family.

I am glad that we have him back, and he was oh so happy to be back here with our brood. You should see he and Levi ripping around the yard!


Jaxson's Story Continues HERE

Tears

Some days are particularly hard.

Sometimes there is a definite reason for it, but other times emotions just run high, and the tears flow freely.

A very dear friend of mine, while drying my tears with a much needed hug, told me:

"Tear ducts are connected to the heart, and when your heart bleeds for these dogs, so do your eyes, that's all."

Perfectly said, Jim. And thanks for the bear hug.

I want to say thank you to all of my wonderful friends and family who stand behind me and encourage me with their love and their hugs. I couldn't do this without the support of so many dear friends.

Ozzie

9-07-09

Ozzie was a shelter rescue, and has been at our Apple Valley facility for a couple weeks. He was just neutered today, and we brought him home to hopefully teach him some manners and housebreak him by this weekend. He will have a better chance at being adopted Saturday if he's a little calmer, and a little better behaved.

He is a cutie, and wow is he ever vocal! I've never heard so much noise from one pup. LOL. He talks more than a beagle.

Right now he is crashed out on our couch, comfortable as can be. I like his personality so far, but it's hard to judge too much because he's on drugs. LOL. We'll know more about him when he's off his pain medication from his surgery today. ;)

The video is Ozzie meeting Vader.
Our cat, Vader is the most patient cat I've ever known. Do you think he sees his fair share of spastic fosters? LOL! What a great cat. This gave us all serious laughter fits.




9-24-09

I knew that Ozzie had been adopted, and that his transport was in the morning, so we had a bit of fun today with him. We filled up the kiddie pool, and I've never laughed so hard at a dog in the pool. He was a HOOT. It was a GREAT last night with the little Ozzmeister. LOL


9-25-09

Ozzie went to his new home today! Lorraine drove him to Fillmore, to meet his new family halfway. I was going to make the drive, but I was so sick the last couple days that Lorraine offered (well, insisted) to make the drive for me.
I'm so happy for the little guy. He is such a character, and has so much to offer his new family! I'll miss his attitude and playfulness, but most of all I'll miss him talking to me in the morning. LOL

Amara

9-2-09

Amara is the sister of the little stripey girl, Nanya. (info tidbit: Nanya and Amara are both Swahili names. Nanya translates to: "Love me" and Amara translates to "Grace" or "Paradise" depending on which online translator you use)
They were both in the shelter a couple weeks ago, and Nanya got adopted.
H.A.R.T. took Amara from the shelter, and she's been out at Apple Valley for a while because our house was Full. With a capital F.

Well, since Oscar got adopted, and Mikey will be going to Lorraine's house this week sometime, I picked up Amara from AV when I went this morning to pick up a couple of our boys for vet appointments.

Holy moly she's cute. When you first look at her, she looks black, but on closer inspection, she is black/gold. Her undercoat is a gorgeous golden/coppery color. It shows mostly on her neck and her haunches, but I think it's all over.

She has the cutest little bark too, LOL. She's still trying to figure out if the cats are scary or not.

9-16-09

Amara is so sweet. She is loving and quiet and demure.
Unless she is playing with Ozzie, then she's all piss and vinegar and teeth. LOL!

She can look right into your heart with her big brown eyes. Such a doll.

9-17-09

Amara got adopted! She went to a young couple here in St George, and I am so happy for her!
They took her camping this weekend.. what a great way to bond with her new family!

It was hard to say goodbye to her, I'd gotten quite attached to her sweet little face. Ozzie is a little sad as well, and quite a bit calmer, LOL.

I know that she will have a great life with them!

9-19-09

Amara is back with us. She spent a couple days camping with her new family, and they said she did really great, even off leash.

But after getting home today, they had a problem with their neighbors dogs and Amara barking at each other through the fence. This wasn't an issue that they were willing to try and break her of, and one that they didn't think would go away, so they brought her back to me. Hopefully they can find themselves a dog that doesn't bark when the neighbor dogs bark. We certainly don't have any dogs like that around here. LOL.

I'm glad that we got her back quickly, it's like she never left us. And she had a great little vacation, got to go camping. I bet that was fun for her. :D

10-17-09

I've been putting off updating this entry, because this was a tough one for me. I had gotten VERY attached to Amara, and it was difficult letting her go, even though I know that her new family is perfect for her.
What a great birthday present for me. My baby girl Amara got adopted!

She went to a great family with kids and a nice yard to play in. She'll get to go jogging with Dad, and play with the kids, and become friends with their cats. She seemed at home there almost immediately.

I was crying when I left her at their house, and cried all the way home. I miss her terribly. But at the same time, I am SO happy for her. She deserves a home like that.

10-24-09

Amara is back home with us. Her family called us and said that they didn't think she was happy. They tried it for a week, and decided that she didn't fit with them, and they couldn't give her what she needed.
So.. she is back with us.

She was so happy to be back, racing around the yard with the other dogs like a lunatic. LOL.
She loves Luna and Kiya and the three of them get along so great together!

I think I cried more when they called and said they didn't want her, than I did when I left her with them. What an emotional roller coaster!

Well, she is back with us now, and we are on the lookout for the perfect home for her. It's out there somewhere.

11-06-09

Amara is adopted!
Her new family came to the house and met her, and decided that she would be a great dog for them. We went to their home and finalized everything, and I think it's a great home for her!

They have some horses next to their back yard, and she was quite vocal about them, but it was something her new family was willing to work with her on.

I've gotten E-mails from her new family since she was adopted, and they say that she is doing GREAT. They absolutely love her, and she is fitting in nicely.
I'm so happy for my little princess. She deserves to be happy!