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Little Dude
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! -
Kola
Happiest of endings for our sweet Kola Bear!
Kola was a breeder dog left to fend for herself after her owner passed away. She survived several months foraging and hunting until finally trapped by a professional. Animal Welfare Services picked her up and she was kenneled for over a month until the Ministry of the Solicitor General gave the okay for release. When the basic vetting was done, we learned that Kola was both Heartworm and Lyme disease positive. Merlin’s Hope agreed to take her and began the long process of heartworm treatment immediately.
Kola went from freedom-to-kennel-to-foster-home (with me) and adapted nicely to each environment. The lengthy heartworm treatment takes at least 4 months and includes strong precisely-timed injections on three different days. Because she needed to be closely monitored after each injection, I accompanied Kola for her eight hour stays at the vet clinic. During those vet visits, she gracefully allowed the vets to check her heart and gums every 30 minutes. She was incredibly patient throughout this 4-month process which also included limited exercise as running, jumping, and playing could cause serious complications.
Kola was the perfect foster chow, but yet there was zero interest in her. Neither her beautiful blue coat, those big pleading eyes, nor her gentle demeanor was fetching any interest! Eight months later – just when it seemed that Kola’s time would never come – three lovely applications came in at once. It was a tough choice, but a special lady well-known to rescue recently lost her beautiful rescue chow. Her heart and home felt empty without the companionship of her furry friend. She was ready to adopt again and our little girl was a perfect match.
We couldn’t be happier for Kola as she will now have lots of walks and the undivided attention of her savvy chow mom. She will lack for nothing and be close enough that I can visit! After those eight long months, Kola holds a special place in my heart. I am thrilled she is quickly settling into her forever home where there is nothing but love and happiness. She deserves nothing less, as does her devoted chow-mom. Congratulations to them both!
Kola may comeback temporarily should she come into heat or in September when it is safe for her to be spayed. Until then she will enjoy every day in her forever home!
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Flex
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
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Indy
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! -
Pepper
Pepper had no idea what he did, that was so terrible for his owner to dump him at the shelter. Based on his behaviour and the intake information, he was deemed “rescue only”. Forever Homes Rescue stepped up and committed to him. When their volunteer finally coaxed him out of the shelter, he relaxed a little but he was still untrusting and very unsure. They took him to the vet for entropion surgery and the removal of an extra dew claw. They did all they could to help this boy, including contacting a breed specific rescue. For that, we are thankful, and particularly thank Sara Saintbury. Dawn met Pepper several times and understood the little ques he gave that told her he was a good boy. Sara believed in him too, but just couldn’t crack his tough shell. Everyone agreed, his best option was with Dawn, so we accepted him into our rescue program. His report said, “not good with other dogs” and he was heading to a house where he would have to cope with three, including Diesel. Diesel was a big tough male who went a little crazy at the sight of another dog. Dawn’s been working diligently with him but bringing another male in the house might be too much. Too much fun that is! Diesel surprised everyone when he instantly made a new friend! Raisin and Peach didn’t mind having another handsome boy to boss around either. Not only did Pepper crack the pack, he made it better. He comforts the dogs if he thinks they’re in distress, he brings Diesel’s energy down instead of up in uncertain situations and after Peach’s passing, has made his way into Dawn’s heart to help it heal with a little less pain. He’s a completely different dog now than when he first came into rescue. He’s not perfect, but he’s perfectly loved.
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Cindy
A very long over due post…
Cindy’s happy ending according to me, Debbie, her forever mom.
Cathy originally adopted Cindy to a fellow who lived up the street from us.
She became well known around the neighborhood because she would dig her way out from under the fence and roam the streets freely. She often found her way to our house where she’d stay until picked back up.
Cindy and her sister Jet were surrendered to me after a friend spotted Cindy walking along the train tracks! Their owner was facing copious amounts of life changes and the added stress of an escape artist dog just became too much. Cindy’s adoptive prospects were grim since she scared just about everybody she met.
Late one night, the dogs got excited by the front door likely over a bunny. The barking escalated and I hollered from my bedroom. I got up after a Yelp and sent all 7 dogs out back while I cleaned up a bit of blood. One by one I brought them in for inspection. Jet’s ear had a tiny pierce but she was absolutely fine. What wasn’t fine was Cindy who was missing. She dug a nice hole in a matter of seconds and crawled under the gate. We panicked. Got dressed. Grabbed car keys. Both of us flew outside to find her. ….sitting at the top of our driveway. She looked at us with pleading eyes, I opened the porch gate and she happily came in. There was no other place she would rather be. This is her home, and she wasn’t leaving. It’s been at least two years and she’s never done it again. Cindy chose to stay and we love the scary little escape artist. This has always been your home. -
OScar
With over 36,000 hits and looking as handsome as ever, OScar still didn’t find his forever home. This poor old boy just needed someone willing to join him on a couple lovely walks a day and a place to rest his furry head. He was no trouble, not demanding….really when he wasn’t walking, he was pretty much sleeping!
We reached out to a fellow who sadly lost his buddy (possibly to bloat such an unexpected passing) and asked him if he would be willing to to foster. He agreed and Oscar moved in. Several weeks later, we picked OScar back up to do some follow up vetting and hoped he still had a place with his foster Dad. As it turned out, Foster Dad was missing his furry house guest and anxious for his return! When he said those sweet words, “when’s my dog coming home” ….our hearts exploded with happiness! OScar had a person who cared, loved and missed him…and of course, a forever home! It’s a special person who opens their heart to an older animal and is willing to care for them for whatever time they have. OScar we are so happy you found your special person! And….you get to enjoy long country walks every morning and night around your amazing country property….a perfect life! Congratulations Bill & OScar!
