Hi
Tonka - Mess - Obi & Buddy
Hi everyone!
I
thought it was about time for me to send a happy endings letter myself, seeing as I do have 4 UCHS alumni in my family.
As you can see from the pictures, Mess and Tonka, the first two UCHS animals to be adopted into our household and the felines that rule the roost, are fit and fabulous. They love each other and they love our newest member, Buddy. Mess and Obi haven't quite figured out their relationship yet but lately it's been one of quiet indifference and Tonka finds great pleasure in playing his surprise attack game with Obi. The cat
s have become master cat burglars, breaking into just about any closed door or cupboard. Mess particularly enjoys finding the paper towel and then shredding it into a snowy mess. We have attempted to put them on a feeding schedule rather than being free-fed, but they have thwarted this plan several times, first by ripping open their hidden bag of food (see earlier cat burglar comments) and then by threatening to trip me while walking down the stairs if I do not fill up their food bowl. Tonka's greatest pleasure in life is snuggling between mom and dad at night and having dad roll over on top of him. You haven't heard purring until you've seen a squashed Tonka. Mess and Tonka have come a long way from being abandoned in a car and a dumpster in mid winter respectively.
Obi, the first UCHS dog we added to our pack has been nothing but trouble since day one. The Labrador star of Marley and Me has nothing on my Obes. Although we are long past the days of destructive separation-anxiety (we replaced door handles, door trim, mattresses, cat beds, two wire crates and curtains just to name a few items), he is still endlessly energetic with the attitude of a spoiled child. We recently moved from a home outside of Guelph where Obi had to say goodbye to his good friend and neighbour Rex (and Rex a very relieved good-riddance to Obi) to an apartment inside the city limits and, in truth, I think this is the best place for him yet. We go out for a 45 minute walk on a nearby trail in the morning, a half hour brisk walk around the neighbourhood at lunch and an hour long evening stroll after dinner. As I type, he is briefly tired out and sleeping peacefully at my feet with his canine sister. Now don't get me wrong, he is a wonderful, free-spirited, youthful, joyful and sweet-hearted dog. I just keep waiting for age to come along and help me settle the brute down. As I have said many times, dogs are either born with looks or personality and Obi is VERY handsome.
Finally there is my Buddy girl. My nine year old final addition to my current family is as perfect today as she was when she was "just a foster dog". Buddy loves people, dogs, cats
and even the pesky squirrels that cause her brother to "wig out" during out walks. Although she is around ninety pounds, our sweet girl has never outgrown her desire to snuggle up in our laps. Her medical problems keep mounting but thankfully, with my job at a vet clinic, we are able to keep on top of the latest tests and treatments available. Despite her chronic ACL tear, her arthritis, her thyroid and skin problems, Buddy never has a down day and is a soft and sensitive dog. She hates the cold and the rain but loves dressing up and has a small collection of sweaters and jackets to ward off the elements. She also hates her muzzle which she now has to wear since we moved but I ordered a custom made, soft leather, hot pink one online that should be arriving soon. No one said the B.S.(L) law couldn't be fashionable.
Allison
Ticker is no longer ticked off…he is now Oscar
It's been approximately a week and a half since I adopted Ticker and I am pleased to say that he has settled in extremely well! He has been renamed Oscar and is making friends with Gerrard - a three year old beige tabby, Callie - a red Australian Cattle Dog from Upper Credit Humane in 2008 and Bill - a blue Australian Cattle Dog cross from Meet The Pack Rescue in 2009.
I had some minor concerns about how well Oscar 
would adjust to two dogs since nobody knew if he liked dogs. Callie and Bill are curious about him but his attitude is "talk to the paw" when it comes to them. He struts through the house (literally struts - as if he owns it!) and is very relaxed. His favourite place to be is on the dryer where he has a view of the yard and garden and is out of sniffing range of the dogs! He has his beloved Mr. Pig with him there on his new bed where he enjoys his alone time . Oscar is very social and enjoys laying on the couch, especially when I am working on the quilt (see photo). With lots of big sunny windows to lay in and toys to 
play with, he's a happy (constantly purring!) dude. He and Gerrard had a few little hissing incidents the first and second days and that was it. They're not best buddies yet but I can see it coming soon!
Thanks again to all the staff who spent the time to talk with me about the personalities of the different cats and assisting me in choosing one who would be a good fit in our home.
Sindee
Callie
Back in January 2008 I adopted Callie the Australian Cattle Dog that nobody seemed to want. I saw her picture one day while considering adopting another Australian Cattle Dog. When I read her story I knew I had to meet her. It seemed as though she was a misunderstood Cattle Dog and some of her
"problem" behaviours were nothing more than frustrated Cattle Dog antics. I visited her a few times and made the decision to give her a chance - I'm glad I did!
At the time of Callie's adoption, I had a purebred Cattle Dog named Cairo who was six years old and became Callie's new play, hiking and camping companion. In addition, I also have a cat named Gerrard. Six and a half months after adopting Callie, Cairo was diagnosed with cancer and died a few weeks later. Callie was a huge help to me in the following weeks as I dealt with (and still am dealing with) Cairo's death.
Callie came to me with a history of being a soccer ball and frisbee athlete/fanatic. I am pleased to say that both of those sports are still a huge part of her life. Now she is also a camper and hiker who loves the great outdoors. Every car ride is a potential adventure to her.
As for her "problem" behaviours...she occasionally still grabs at ankles and pant legs when overly excited, but only if there isn't a toy close by to grab instead! None of her other problems were evident after adoption. Again, I think that she was just acting out some of her frustrations. She consistently displays her Cattle Dog smarts and quickly learns commands and as is typical of the breed, will show attitude as well!
Callie has a stuffed soccer ball in the house and three outside ones and an outdoor frisbee that she cannot get enough of. In the hot weather, when it's too hot to walk or hike, I fill up the pool for her and she has a pool party, which is actually her splashing most of the water out of the pool!
Callie now has a new "brother"...a Cattle Dog mix named Bill who is approximately two years old. He is originally from North Carolina and was transferred to a Cattle Dog rescue here in Ontario. His personality is submissive which is a perfect match for Callie's dominant attitude. They are best buddies and she has helped him adjust to life in a house after being a stray. The two of them get along with Gerrard the cat and are adjusting to our new addition from Upper Credit Humane Society - Ticker the cat. (more about him another time)
The attached photo is from our trip to North Carolina/Tennessee/Georgia to meet the people who originally rescued Bill and arranged for health care and transfer to Ontario. Callie and Bill both enjoyed the mountains!
Sindee, Callie, Bill, Gerrard and Oscar.
Hi Guys! All in all things are wonderful so far...we love him to bit! |
Hello everyone,
Genevieve a.k.a. Optic has been with our family for almost two years. My husband Ray adopted her as a gift to me for my birthday. We came into the Erin Humane Society location to donate money for the cost of the surgery to save Ge
nie's left eye after she nearly lost it in a shooting accident.
We fell immediately in love with the cat that no one else would adopt because she was "broken".
Genie was quiet and friendly in her adopted home at the Humane Society. She gave no hint of the character she really is, nor of her incredible personality. Genie is 
VERY talkative and lovingly demanding. She will occasionally go on a day long "hunger strike" if she feels that she is due wet cat food rather then her usual menu of Whiska's Meaty Dry Formula. Genie enjoys being cuddled on your left shoulder, pressed up close to your head, just in reach for her to wash your ear and neck. She really loves a good "fight" every morning to exercise her nibbling abilities - which is the only exercise Genie wishes to participate in. We have purchased many different cat toys for her, trying to peak her interest and get her moving around a bit more. Genie looks at them with utter disdain. She will only play with a toy if there is one of our kids at the other end of it moving it around for her.
Here are some pictures of our lazy, wonderful, loving tub of lard for your enjoyment. Thank you for taking such good care of her while she waited for her new home and family.
Elizabeth and Ray and kids
My family adopted CJ the bouvier last January and saw that the happy endings was back up and running, so here is his...
Although he is 9years old now he is still very young at heart. It did take him time to get settled in to his new family- but he is now over the anxieties he initially had. He enjoys going to the barn where he runs around for hours and goes on hacks with the horses and most of all rolls in all the
wonderful smells of a horse farm. Last summer he did agility classes which he was very good at and seemed to enjoy the confidence building! Since we adopted CJ we have also gotten two other family members- Parker a bouvier and Finnegan a dachshund. He has learned how to play since having them, as we don't think he knew how to play prior. We are very thankful to have him in our family!! He is such a wonderful cuddly guy!! Thanks for everything you did for him :)
