More Alumni Animals - Dogs
ABBY
It took the Grabowskis many months of working with her to overcome Abby's fear of people, especially men. She remains shy of new people, but warms up quickly. Abby loves to play ball and go for runs with her dad, and her tail never stops wagging! Here she is seen with her forever mom and dad, her human sister Steffi, canine sister Gracie, and feline brother Buster.
SHIRA and her pups
Update April 2002 - we got this from Cheryl - "Shira and
Shana are fine! Shira is eating alot and has gained back a few pounds she had
lost when she had a kidney problem around the first of the year. Shira just
wants to be inside - that's her idea of a happy life. Shana is just
happy-go-lucky, not a care in the world. Bill says if Shana was a person
she'd be riding a Harley. Bill says Shana is his 'Little angel who fell from
the sky'. I just laugh!
Shira's progress is slow and measured in small things. She and Shana have
playtime everyday and they are wild together. Shana pushes all the cats as
far as she can - the only one she doesn't do that to is Rose.
We bought plastic pools as soon as they came in this year and then it turned
cold and the water froze (we just put a little in it). Shana would jump in
every morning, break up the ice and play with it - throw pieces around.
The photo below where Shira has her head through the gate is the gate she
used to walk through when she was first here because she was
so thin.
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Update April 2005 - Cheryl updated us with some current photos of Shira and Shana. She keeps in touch with all the people that adopted Shira's pups and gave us this photo of her with Garth.
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Update July 2005 - Cheryl sent us this photo of 2 more of Shira's pups, Scout and Izzie (they were called Faith and Bella). She says:
They live in Pennsylvanian and have very loving parents. We were so lucky
in the family's SPCA found for Shira's family.
MOCHA
Mocha was adopted by Gregory and Mary in November
2000. She also has their two children to keep her entertained and to
throw tennis balls for her. Now that she has discovered them, she thinks
there is nothing better than chasing tennis balls all day!
CHESSIE
Chessie was adopted by Harold Jones in September 2001.
She is now a well-loved member of his family and has Harold, his wife and 3
children to take care of...and she has them to take care of her!
LILY/LUCY
Lily was adopted by Jennifer & Lenny Postlewait in
August 1999 and renamed to be Lucy. In Jennifer's words:
"We had adopted Isaac (Jake) from the Maryland SPCA in September of 1998. My
husband and I had just moved to the area and with so many places to hike and
walk, we wanted a canine companion to share it with. Isaac was a handful!!!
He was a 7 month old Lab/Akita mix and he was very high energy. By August of
1999, we had moved into our own house and realized we had room for another
dog. We looked and looked for the right temperament that would mesh with
Isaac. We went to the Pet Supermarket in Fairfax, Virginia to check out the
pets for adoption. We looked, but felt most of the dogs were too similar to
Isaac. Then I happened to look out the window and I saw this little red
hound/Viszla mix cowering by her foster parent. She was absolutely terrified
of everything going on. We went home and got Isaac to see if the two
personalities matched. Of course, he was more interested in everything else
going on, and she was too terrified to care. But later that week Lucy (her
name was Lilly) came home. She seemed to be more afraid of men and wouldn't
go near my husband. We left the leash on her so we could catch her to come in
for the first week. Within two weeks, Isaac and Lucy were inseparable. Today
they are best of friends. We all go camping together and sometimes all share
the same sleeping bag! Lucy is still shy around everyone but us, although we
have been working to socialize her."
BENNY
"We are the family who adopted Benny and we just wanted to send a little note to let you know he is doing great! Benny is adjusting well and getting used to having people come over now. We made a web site for Benny and wanted to share it with you: www.unimind.com/benny. He really enjoys being the 8:00am alarm clock & likes to get our daughter, Emily, up for the day. He has learned how to sit, sit pretty (on his hind legs only) and shake a paw. Whenever we get our keys, he is ready to go on a walk or ride in the car. We really enjoy Benny and think he is a wonderful addition to our family. We appreciate all the help and advice we received from Nancy and Lisa. The tips they have given us have worked well! We are very happy to have gotten Benny and look forward to many years of love and companionship!"
BENNETT/BENNY
Bennett was lying badly injured at the side of a road
but his fortune turned around when a kind person found him and bought him to
a vet's office for treatment (click here). Once he
was healed, he was adopted by Mr & Mrs Rutledge in December 2000. They are
retired so have plenty of time to devote to making his life wonderful. They
renamed him to be Benny and he is now living the life of Riley right on the
beach!
TRAVIS/BISMARCK & SASHA/SCHATZI
Travis (renamed Bismarck) and Sasha (renamed Schatzi)
came to live at their “forever home” with Scott and Sheila Koch in December
1999. The hard times they had in their past lives are just a memory, as they
now have lots of toys, companionship, frequent walks to exercise their
people, plenty of tasty food and treats, several canine friends, a fenced
deck with a great view, and a big golf course to run on (only when there is
no one else looking). After “boxing” with one another all day, barking hello
to the mailman, and warning potential intruders that this is their home now,
they collapse on their beds upstairs with their people. It's been a good day
when they grunt as they curl up and go to sleep. Sometimes they even let
their people sleep a few minutes past sunup before telling them it’s time for
a walk!
NIKKI
Nikki (a West Highland White Terrier) was adopted in
March 1994 by Angie Gittles. In Angie's words:
"Nikki was born in December 1992 in a puppy mill somewhere in the Mid-Westie
(oops...that's Mid-West), and later 'shipped' to his new owners in the state
of Virginia. In early 1994, Nikki was given up to the SPCA of Northern
Virginia for adoption after nipping at the child in the home. The SPCA had a
difficult time placing Nikki, because he did not make a good first
impression. He barked at everybody, was not readily friendly, and did not
seem to care for men. We went to visit him at his foster home, and the rest
was history. Nikki was adopted and came to his forever home on March 12,
1994, where he earned his nick-name "Nikki the Wonder Dog" (because we always
"wondered" what he was going to do next!). Soon after, I became actively
involved in Westie Rescue. Please visit us at
http://www.capitalpaws.com."
Socks was adopted by Shirley Tiegden of
Alexandia in June 2000 and was renamed to be Rhett Butler. In Shirley's
words:
"'Socks' is such a special little guy! A little boy in a fur coat that spends
his days and nights making mine brighter and more fun to look forward to. He
loves, entertains and protects me. He is funny, tries so hard to make me love
him (it didin't take much) but he plays, teases and begs for approval and
praise. He accepts cast off toys and dishes, has adopted the house cat Shadow
and is forever trying to make her like him. He readily accepted the
responsibility of protectorate of the house and its human, makes friends and
admirers of all my neighbors and those we meet elsewhere. One of the last
weekends I felt less than well, his devotion was awesome. I had to find the
energy to join him outside so he would go out. He is not "a pet"; he is a
companion, a family member who gladly takes on his responsibilities to
contribute to being family. As I write he comes in to check on me. How anyone
could not want and need such an addition to their life is sometheing I'll not
understand. A small exchange for housing, feeding and giving love that you
get in return so unconditionally. "Socks" or Rhett Butler keeps me young,
gives me joy and purpose, and helps me make new friends."
In the words of Socks:
"I am a Briard, a noble canine of French ancestry, formerly employed as
herding aid of animals; also adept at keeping humans safely where they should
be. After several transitory homes I have come to live in the historic Mt
Vernon area of Virginia. My housemates are a confused human who named me
Rhett Butler (rouge if I ever heard of one), but now knows I respond to the
affectionate name of "Socks" that identifies my four white paws. She also
refers to me as Mr Wonderful (when I do all my comical tricks) or her Little
Bad Boy when I eat the cat's food. The other housemate, The Shadow, an aloof
gray and apricot feline is a real source to display my affectionate side; I
wash her down daily.
At my new home I get my lamb and rice kibble twice daily and fresh ice water
as soon as I consume it. Some mornings I have to remind my human of my
vitamin wrapped in cream cheese. I have acquired a lavender hedge hog,
chartreuse tennis ball - one for inside and one for the yard - as well as
other toys with which I entertain myself and my housemates. My favorite is a
cooked marrowbone after dinner in the back yard (with human company, in the
event I need some exercise and wish to play soccer).
It took me almost two weeks to make my housemates understand that I too
should sleep in the master bedroom. My position is on the floor next to the
bed. The feline gets the pillow on the bed. It is now my duty to awaken the
human. A few quick licks or a cold nose in the proper area tells her the
alarm is due to go off and that I need a walk to my favorite pole. I ensure
that this is a pleasant start to the day by performing aerial circles across
the family room prior to "Sitting" at the door for the leash. I greet the
neighbors with a friendly enthusiastic wag of the tail and when petted a warm
lick.
Although my weekends are a bit boring, sometimes they start out with an ice
cube to capture & consume, then a snooze; now that Shadow has become
friendlier, we do have a romp now and again. Evenings, however, I entertain
any and all by displaying my skills batting balls, presenting "babys" for
love, and watching TV (letting those dogs on it know I live here). My
rubber band legs never cease to amaze my housemates, I also give wonderful
hugs, standing on my back legs with a snuggle of nose wherever it reaches.
Rolling on my back, I juggle my stuffed toys for all to see what wonderful
paws a Briard has.
My new human needs lots of attention/affection, I help with her grooming,
watching the bathroom door, licking toes while she reads and letting her know
that meals smell good and it is the appropriate time to go for a ride.
I have taught my human dog language: pacing=I need to go out, paws on car =
let's take a ride, longine eyes=let's play or maybe just love on me. I am
happy when I hear my human laugh and when the feline gives me a lick back. I
have gained about twelve pounds, and my fur is getting longer and fluffy. In
closing, you other orphans, keep with the help of the SPCA of Northern
Virginia and others; you too will find a home, that you can bring love and
happiness to."
BELIEVING IN A MIRACLE
By Juli Boyer and Nancy Herndon
Who says there isn't a dog for every human and a
human for every dog? one of the most rewarding experiences for animal
volunteers is finding the special person for a "hard-to-place" dog or cat -
especially when the connection is made in the least likely circumstances and
when least expected, as it was in the case of the Rottweiler, Miracle whose
picture and story were featured in the summer 2000 issue of
Paws To Consider. Miracle had
been rescued by the Northern Neck Humane Society from an extremely abusive,
neglectful situation in July of 1999 and subsequently turned over to the SPCA
of Northern Virginia in December.
After extensive medical treatment and obedience training by Lisa Reid in
Sperryville, Virginia, Miracle was ready to be presented for adoption.
However, because of the lack of socialization in her past, as well as her
energy, strength and incessant barking, she generated no interest at the open
houses over the next months.
Here's where that Special Person comes in - actually Miracle was blessed by
the intervention and caring of two special people: Debra Barnes,
Humane Investigator and President of the Northern Neck Humane Society, the
group that conducted Miracle's rescue and prosecution of her owner, gave a
lecture to an AARP Widowed Persons Service Group, The topic was helping needy
animals, including cruelty investigations. After the meeting Debra was
approached by a gentleman who had been touched by Miracle's story and was
quite interested in meeting her. He was a retired police officer, who was
experienced with larger breeds and would have alot of time to spend with
Miracle as his companion and friend. Since he had been alone for several
years, he was ready once again for the companionship of a dog.
Since this man was known to Debra Barnes, as well as the Animal Control
Office, Keith Hogge, who helped with her rescue and rehabilitation for 3
months until the case went to trial, the process necessary to adopt Miracle
went quickly. Tom Wyand was anxious to meet his new companion, and so it was
that on November 11th of this year, Tom and Miracle met for the first time at
the home of her foster family. Miracle took to Tom immediately and curled up
with him in the car on their long ride home.
So, Miracle has come full circle. Life in the Northern Neck area of Virginia
was harsh and cruel the first time around, but now that's all behind her, and
she's living the good life now with Tom at his two-acre home in Lancaster,
Virginia.
UPDATE July 2006 - Sadly, Tom died in May. Since he had no family, Miracle ended up in a rural shelter, where another miracle occurred and someone recognized me as a former SPCA dog. So she is now back with us looking for another home
UPDATE July 2007 - Miracle passed from this life whilst still in our care, To read more, click here.
Joey (a Jindo) was adopted by Melissa
and Andrew Cober in October 1999. This picture was taken on a weekend getaway
to a cabin in West Virginia. In Melissa's words:
"He is "hunting" for squirrels although the squirrels were too fast for him!
Right from the beginning, he has got along famously with our German Shepherd,
Sasha . He is the most cuddly dog I have ever met and has been a wonderful
addition to our household!"
Coco was adopted by Elise Rengers in August 2000 - just in time for the two of them to go to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria's "Canine Games" where Coco had fun on the obstacle course and got a canine massage! Elise renamed him to be Cody because she has a cat named Coco.
Sept 2001 - we got this from Elise - "This is an update on "life
with Cody". My beautiful black German Shepherd has been with me for a year
now. Cody is short for Dakota. He responds perfectly to his new name because
it sounds similar but is much more masculine - He is such a manly man ...
Cody is an alpha male who had gotten into several fights before he was
adopted. He & I took the obedience training with the Northern Virginia Dog
Trainers Association and even won FIRST PRIZE at graduation. He now
understands that I may be small, 125 pounds to his 95 pounds of pure muscle
but I am the alpha of this pack. Since Lisa of the SPCA trained him, he is
used to small strong women telling him what to do. He now sits calmly in the
shade while I do my gardening instead of lunging at the neighbors as he use
to when he first arrived - protecting his territory.
Cody's house buddies are my 3 cats. They have adjusted so well to each other
that he even lets them eat out of his food bowl first. He waits calmly and
patiently until I come and scoot them away. But his favorite
play buddies are his lady friends, Nala - the Husky with the blue eyes,
Chiquita - the black Border Collie and Freda - the young German Shepherd.
Below are two pictures of him playing with his new cousin, Freda at my
sister's farm. Being an alpha male, he does not have male friends. But HE
LOVES THE LADIES especially if they fuss at him, the alpha ladies. He just
smiles ....
After the death of my Golden Retriever last year, I thought that I would
never fill the void. I realize now that I will always miss her, Rachel, but
our home is in balance again. I love Cody, he is family."
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Sept 2002 - Cody came to our Dog Wash
held on 14th Sept and had a great time playing with a hose:
February 2004 - Freda (pictured above) needed a new home and has now
moved in with Elise and Cody!
July
2004 - Cody has passed on due to a large tumor that the doctors found in
his chest cavity. He did not show any distress or pain until the last
week. I sat with him holding him as we put him to sleep. It was
gentle and peaceful. I want to thank the kind people of the SPCA of
Northern Virginia who rescued, trained and allowed me to adopt that big black
handsome German Shepherd. He & I enjoyed four wonderful joy filled
years together. I truly appreciate the calls, condolences and loving
support that I received from these same kind individuals at the NVSPCA upon
Cody’s passing. I will be back to adopt another male dog to keep my
remaining female dog, Freda, company. I will return to this fine
organization because of their knowledge, support and commitment to animals
and their adoptive families.
Lady was adopted by Carol Levie (who
is now one of our volunteers) in November 1999 and was renamed Shayna. In her
words:
From Sticks to Steaks… Lady was rescued by the SPCA in
October ’99 from a neglect situation. Malnourished, pregnant, and with a host
of other ailments, Lady was treated and released to a foster home for a few
weeks.
It was love at first sight and, in November, Shayna (which means “beautiful”
in Yiddish) became the newest member of the household, joining Mack, an
11-year-old Samoyed/Shepherd mix, and Domingo, a 3-year-old cat. The first
few months were not easy for us. In addition to Shayna’s on-going health
problems, behavioral problems started showing up as soon as she settled in.
The worst was her prey drive, making life miserable for Domingo. It took more
than six months, but the two have finally reached a workable peace.
Shayna is really enjoying life now! (The “steaks” are a bit of an
exaggeration, though!) True to the German Shepherd temperament, she loves to
work. She has graduated from Basic Obedience, both in a group class and in
private lessons, as well as Sub-Novice and Novice Obedience group classes.
Shayna’s really found her calling in Agility; she’s completed the basic level
and is currently enrolled in intermediate level.
It’s been a tremendous amount of work, but the results have been worth every
moment. Shayna has blossomed into a magnificent, happy, and well-adjusted
dog-a far cry from where she was less than a year ago!
Sept 2002 - Shayna came to our Dog Wash
held on 14th Sept and was a little camera-shy that day:
DESTINY/NELLIE
Destiny was adopted by Chris & Susan Collins. In their
words:
Destiny was a woefully sick and abused Australian Shepherd/Lab mix (although
nobody could tell at first, as she had no coat at all) when rescued by the
SPCA in Northern Virginia in August 1997 at Bailey's Crossroads...she had
about a dozen different illnesses...when we adopted her in March 1998, she
was a beautiful soul, but still a bit ragged and in need of intense
medication...now, look at her!! Her pink, inflamed belly is now lush with
beautiful hair, and any other bald patches are a thing of memory...Susan or
Chris will take her for a morning walk of an hour or so...same in the
evenings...and her diet has resulted in a thick and luxurious coat...she is a
great soul, who loves our two rescue
cats, as well. Nellie, virtually given up for dead a few years ago, now
enriches so many lives.
Update
October 2003 - Here is Nellie with her new brother, McDuff, who Chris and
Susan adopted from another organization in May 2003.
BUFFY/BONNIE and
LUNA/ZELDA and HIGGINS
Here are Bonnie and Zelda with Zelda's mom, Patty.
Patty writes:
"No dogs on the couch... unless an extra blanket is needed. Bonnie and Zelda
came into our lives in August 1998. Zelda (black) was adopted by Patty and
Dave Szurek and Bonnie by Patty's parents Gloria and Bill Thomas. They were
rescued together by the SPCA from the Shenandoah Shelter where they were
about to be "put down". They boarded with each other at the shelter and they
love each other so. They are a couple of the most adorable, loving little
dogs who ever roamed the earth!"
In
December 2000, Patty & Dave adopted another lucky dog into their family. They
were fostering Higgins, a very sweet brown Beagle/Hound mix, when they
realized the best home for him would be their own!
TRIXIE
Trixie was adopted as an incredibly cute young pup in
1998 by a man named Bob Pratt. As you can see from the picture, she is still
incredibly cute. Bob and Trixie now live in Maine where Trixie goes to the
beach regularly and chases moose!
BENJI
Benji was adopted by Sara Poole and her husband in
March of 1996. Sara writes:
"This is Mr. Benji Poole. Benji was an abuse case. He was tied to a pole with
another dog under really horrible circumstances. He was rescued by a person
that saw the animals and cared enough to get involved and save them from
their circumstance... It took him over 6 weeks in the hospital before he was
well enough to be put up for adoption.
When I walked into the adoption event in Old Town Alexandria, there were a
ton of perky, lovable dogs. Benji sat in a corner shaking and panting, he was
totally beaten up by the world and a nervous wreck. Poor guy, he hardly had
any hair on his legs because he basically lived in standing water around the
path that him and his friend wore down around the post he was tied to, and he
was at least 10 pounds under weight. Benji was only 1 year old - but he had
lived a lifetime of abuse...
For some reason, I knew he was the pup for us. The first month was hard,
Benji didn't trust us very much, but with a lot of love and patience, he came
around!
This dog is now happily living in McLean, Virginia with plenty of toys, long
walks, and love. He is a source of constant companionship and joy for us, he
is truly a member of our family."
FLORA
BERT/FRODO
Bert was being fostered for us by Tim and Janet. They
decided he was a keeper in January 1999. Now Bert (who they renamed Frodo)
has a wonderful life with their other dogs (including one or two fosters),
cats and horses. Here is Frodo looking very content with Tim.