Merlin's Hope Rescue

September 26, 2022

Congratulations Boo!
This is a long over due happy ending! Our little Sky-Boo would have probably been used as a breeder dog had her owner not passed away. A rescue scooped up the puppies and left four adult chows behind. Animal Services came in and found one in the home, one in a kennel and two loose on the property. They set up traps, and after a few weeks, Boo was safely secured. Soon after, she was released to rescue and taken to the vet for a health check. Her bloodwork came back heartworm positive and we started her on the long intense treatment immediately. Boo was a little firecracker ready to go, so keeping her calm was a challenge. A quiet home to recover instead of a house full of chows was what she really needed. I asked my awesome foster couple who helped with several dogs prior if she could stay with them after her injection when rest was vital. They were a bit nervous after seeing her wiggle out of her harness and collar, escape from my porch and climb a six foot fence….but they wanted to help so agreed to keep her for a week. That’s pretty much all the time Boo needed to prove what an adorable love-bug she was.
She happily stayed there for the rest of her treatments and recovery. Boo made it impossible for her foster mom to hold strong and “just foster”… she had her wrapped around her paw in no time. Boo became a very loving member of their family and a special part of their wedding. She means the world to them as they do to each other, a truly happily ever after. Congratulations Boo and your sweet beautiful family!

September 17, 2022

The Perfect Rescue Story that turned a broken sick dog on death row to happy, healed and homed in just 6 weeks!
This little dog was picked up by Animal Control in such bad physical shape, he was hard to look at. Euthanasia was his freedom from further pain and suffering. …However, a volunteer called us, and together we saved him from his scheduled fate. The next day he arrived in rescue, shut down, filthy, smelling horrendous, a living petrie dish for flies…he barely moved. That night, he was groomed, his overgrown nails clipped and was given a pain pill..it was the start of his new life and he clearly knew it! This Little Dude wiggled with excitement and relief. The next day he was transported to Montreal where he was already scheduled to see the vet the following day. Within days treatment was started for extensive infections in both his eyes and ears. A series of surgeries followed closely behind that included resolving his double cherry eyes, entropion, massive ear cleaning in unbelievable raw- bloody-infected canals, ingrown dew-claw removal, neuter and a full vasectomy as he only had one testical. He had an x-ray to confirm his broken tail had healed the best it could. We followed up with a specialist after his neuter to avoid the risk of cancer in the event his second testical was still inside. Literally from head to toe, he was treated and transformed. He arrived looking like this pathetic Little Dude who just layed still or walked with his head held low to a happy grateful boy who never stops wagging his tail. We still worried no one would look past his scared eyes, split nose and crooked tail to find him a loving home he was so deserving to have. As fast as his life spun around, he had the perfect family waiting for his availability!
A couple who had adopted two shar pei’s from us were following his journey. Their last girl was a “mill dog,” a female who was rescued from the torment of being kept pregnant her whole life. She was sweet but fragile and needed an extra special home.They gave Arielle the best life she so well deserved until she crossed the Rainbow Bridge..and now 2 years later, their home would once again become a safe and caring place for another dog in need.
They had been following Little Dude’s story and grew more and more fond of him until they just couldn’t wait to meet the dog they already loved. Our hearts are full with joy as we celebrate an incredible rescue effort. So many people volunteered and donated to help this Little Dude have a chance….Big thank you to the rescue at the shelter, the groomer, the transporters, the vets and his followers…but most of all to his new family who will let him be the incredible boy he is, and feel nothing but love and kindness for the rest of his life.
Little Dude…LD… Lost Dog to Loved Dog… a perfect rescue story and they’ll live happily ever after…a new beginning!
Congratulations EVERYONE!
Especially Little Dude and his amazing family!

This is a two part story….

Part one starts off pretty similar to most posts we write about dogs who come into our rescue. Flex was picked up as a stray by the SPCA. He was in sad shape, grossly underweight, itchy, infected ears and a patchy looking coat. The shelter staff took great care of him until we picked him up and begun immediate treatment for all….including a trip to the vet for entropion surgery. In no time, Flex knew he was on the road to wellness.

Part two….

Eight years ago…yep you read it right.. Dawn entered a local feed store making quite the impression. She was walking a very unhealthy obese Shar pei named Weeny, with a new unruly puppy in desperate need of entropion surgery and general manners! The three of them were spotted by Cathy who was biting her tongue at the “horrible abusive state” these poor dogs were in. A conversation was inevitable… but to both ladies surprise, it went in a direction neither of them could have imagined. After introductions were made, Cathy was relived to learn, no dogs were being mistreated, and in fact, a friendship was formed. Cathy soon became one of our biggest supporters and advocates. Every year she organizes a large artisan fair. She sells tables, gathers prizes to raffle, created an online shop and speaks about our rescue to everyone and anyone who will listen. This year, the ladies were scouting out locations and set up a meeting to see a new possible venue. Cathy arrived first, Dawn in tow….with Flex. Looking as handsome as ever, he strut right in and caught Cathy’s eye. One long look and she was like a school girl weak in the knees over a cute boy. Flex of course was his suave self and had her wrapped around his paw in no time. Earlier Cathy expressed interest in fostering, but the moment she snatched up his leash, we all knew she wasn’t letting go!

Finally….Cathy who was ready to defend the poor dogs in our care but instead foged an amazing relationship with us, has now officially adopted from us AND joined our Merlin’s Hope Family! Congratulations Flex, you have the best home ever, and to Cathy for believing in what we do and now experiencing it first hand. Happy adoption day!

PS :she couldn’t wait for the cone to come off..lol

HAPPY ADOPTION DAY INDY!

Indy’s story is full of challenges for this little girl. Her owners passed away leaving her in a very neglected state…. The adult children were fearful of her and called Animal Services to take her away. Once in the shelter, they shaved her matted coat completely off and monitored her behaviour. Staff saw a scared dog looking for attention and reached out to us before her time there ran out. When she arrived in rescue, she was nervous but a nice wee dog. Her foster mom met us at the groomers for a good scrub down. Indy’s skin was black with dirt and her fur was so greasy it left your hands coated with grime after a pet. Super clean and proving to be a sweet girl. We worked on leash manners particularly when encountering canines. Her reactiveness seemed to lessen dramatically and walks were becoming much more enjoyable. She was ready to find her forever home. A few folks came and met her….she impressed everyone with her eagerness to be pet and rubbed. Her lovely manners on a walk with a simple huff when passing another dog….yet nobody wanted to adopt her.
There was a perfect application on file for another dog in rescue. She had tons of experience with the breed but was determined her next chow would be blue or cream. Indy was red. Time passed, everyone seemed to want to surrender dogs, not adopt. The perfect applicant met with another rescue and considered another breed….but she stopped…chow chows held a special place in her heart. She found herself looking at our website again, and saw Indy’s big doe eyes looking back at her. Indy needed her. She popped us an email to inquire. We didn’t hesitate to set up a meet and a walk! Everyone was nervous and excited. Indy was her usual cute-as-a-button self….and best of all, finally she has someone who was willing to give her a chance to prove what an awesome girl she is. We are thrilled that her special someone loves her, and is willing to do whatever she can to ensure Indy has a safe, happy, caring forever home. Congratulations Indy, you deserve the very best, and with your new mama…we are confident you will be living your best life! Again, we are so very happy for you and your new mom!