Lucky

Hi Martina, Lucky here! Just wanted to let you know that I am doing really well. Karen and Wayne say that they couldn't love me more, so I guess that I have them under my paw. We have been attending obedience classes. Tomorrow night is my last class! I really enjoy the socializing, but Karen and Wayne try and work with me the rest of the week. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I won a certificate and dog magazine last week because I had the Fastest Sit. I had to run from the trainer to Wayne and sit down. I was a little sneaky though as I sat down before the finish line and slid across on my bum. Everyone laughed! I like doing funny things to get people laughing! Anyways, another dog, Sitka, says that he is going to beat me tomorrow night. We'll have to wait and see! We go for a lot of walks. My favourite is at Rebecca Spit. When it was warmer, I would go for a swim. I'm a really good swimmer. Sometimes, I meet other dogs and we have a good run. My mistress has introduced me to many other dogs and I like them. Only one little mutt next door thinks that he is top dog in the neighbourhood. We will have to work that out. Hope you are well. Say hello to Elvis and any other pup that I knew. Keep in touch. Love Lucky

Levi

Levi was an older dog who was found as a stray and never claimed by his previous owner. He was adopted through the OOHS Retirement Home Program and is now being loved and cared for by hs new guardian. Here is an update! Here are a few pictures of Levi. In the middle is Maggie (9yrs) and Monty (10 yrs) on the end and they're his new pack members. Levi never did answer to his name so I asked Monty is we should call him "Huck". Monty's ears went up in approval. I asked Levi is he wanted to be called "Huck" and he wagged his tail and came running over to me. He has since answered to "Huck" so that is his new name. There have been ups and downs here. I do believe Huck was an only dog as he ignored my two and had no dog manners. My two didn't like that and there has been a lot of growling, snarling and even one big fight......no one was hurt as I stopped it quickly. But, as everyday passes Huck seems to realize he is a dog and is interacting with my other two a little better. My two big dogs got into a fight with each other for the first time so there is still some stress. Huck is smart and catches on fast. He loves to chase a ball and bring it back as well as shake all the other toys around no matter how big they are, and yes, they are big for big dogs. You were right about being fed people food as when I eat he looks at me as if he expects me to feed him as well. He has a voracious appetite and eats (only dog food) with a lot of zest. He found his voice and has quite a bark for a small dog but he doesn't do it unless the others are barking at something. I do believe he went to work with his former person(s) as every morning he goes out to the car with me and waits for me to open the back of the car for him to jump in. Huck is very intelligent and learns fast. He has found his place in the pack and there is still some teaching to do but I’m confident they will all live together in peace and harmony in the not too distant future. He is learning to be a dog and interact with Monty and Maggie. He is such a cutie pie. My big dogs are still pretty mellow around him for the most part. He still has his morning cough and we, at work, decided he either lived with a smoker or he smokes at night while I sleep. He is thriving and loving and I can see why you are so fond of him. He is good about coming when I call him so I let him out front a little more each day with me supervising of course. They are only allowed out front when I go and get the paper and mail. He still wants to go to work with me in the morning but yesterday I told him to stay inside and he finally did after a few trys. Again, a quick learner. I hope you are all well and bless all of you who care about our beloved animals. Claudia

Darla

I've had Darla for about a month and she's a great dog. Loves to ride in my truck and be petted. You can't pet her enough. She minds very well. I take her most places that I go. If I don't take her, she’s fine in the yard. She doesn't seem to mind at all. We go to the river and follow a trail that goes to a bridge that crosses the river and then come back on the other side. About three miles. I take her off the leash when were on the trail and she sticks around me all the time. I take her there 3-4 times a week. It was pretty much for her, but it's good for me to walk and run to. Great companion. Here's a few pictures. -- Jim

Hamlet

Just giving a morning report, Sunday morning. Hamlet seems to be completely house-broken, no tendency to lift his leg on the furniture. He slept peacefully on a blanket on the floor next to the head of my bed, and told me it was time to get up at 6am sharp. We immediately leashed up and went outside to the enclosed grassy area, about 40' x 40' where I turned him loose to do his business. Then we did a leashed walk around the cabin on the fire road, maybe 1/4 mile, with him watering every bush along the way. Back in for a little breakfast-he seemed famished, so I gave him 1 cup of dry food, after 3 cups in the evening, which he toyed with for an hour or so--probably a bit nervous. He's earned a new nickname: "Joe the Plumber", aka "Hey Joe" due to his intense interest in the workings of indoor plumbing. When I was washing my hands at the bathroom sink, he was entirely fascinated, insisting on getting his paws in there too, watching the water disappear down the drain, then nosing around under the sink to find out where it went. So I flushed the toilet for him & that was high adventure! With his paws on the edge of the bowl, his ears pointed toward the swirling water, he watched it, then searched behind the toilet to find out where it all went. After that he climbed in the tub, checked out the drain, then went into the laundry room where his food & water are & upset his water bucket so he could watch me fill it again at the kitchen sink, with his paws up on the sink of course. Another short walk followed with my breakfast & him curled up on the rug next to the table, after a discovery of how fire in the stove makes the kettle hot, and my cup of coffee too hot to interest him. Now as I'm on the computer he's curled up on the floor beside me, napping but listening to the keyboard and the wind outside. Every time I get up he is instantly up and following me around. Earlier, he did take my winter boot into the bedroom with the thought of settling down for brunch, but didn't make a 2nd attempt. Good information for me to know regarding leaving him alone…if ever. Tomorrow we'll go into town for a quick visit to get some more dog food plus some rawhide chews. Get him used to coming & going, returning here after leaving. He seems very relaxed but energetic, fearless, extremely affectionate and very alert. He understands "NO" quite well, at least for changing direction or intent, like with the trash bag, etc. I'll update you in a few days. Thanks again Ron I've re-named him "Joe", as he didn't seem to care for "Hamlet" anyway--for calling him, it's "Hey Joe"! I gave him my old dog's heavy-duty nylon collar, including the stainless steel name tag she had. I metal stamped "Joe" on the front below my name, address & phone number, as well as "Joe Dog" on the back. That way, if he's lost & picked up, someone can just contact me directly even if they don't do the chip ID. Joe has graduated from leash school with flying colors. He sticks around the house with me, inside or out. When we do walks he of course sprints ahead, but stops and waits for me every 100 yards or so. I switch directions a lot to reinforce his watching. He always keeps eye contact when zooming around. In the mornings I just let him out early & in a few minutes he's ready to come in for breakfast. After breakfast he does yard patrol again for 10-15 minutes while I eat. Then later in the morning we do a bigger walk, plus again after lunch & again after dinner. He curls up under my feet while I'm on the computer, and sleeps well through the night without needing to go outside. I made the back of the truck into a kennel with a top for shade, for when I go to town. That way he's comfortable, content and secure while I'm doing errands, he never needs to stay home alone. Ron

Mabel

Porter (FKA Mabel) is an AMAZING dog! She has really brought a lot of joy to our family. She can be quite mischievous...seems to enjoy chewing things up and digging holes...but she's such a love bug! She's always going to be a dirty, roll around in the mud sort of dog...but she seems to enjoy living the more "pampered" life of sleeping in beds, playing all day with her big sister Ziza, chasing tennis balls, chewing bones, neighborhood walks and even geo-caching! We love Porter so much and feel very lucky to have her! Here are some photos of Porter and her new sister Ziza for your website. Thanks for everything! Chenin at left- Ziza and Porter Smile for the Camera!