Best way to kick off a week! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!
Honey was picked up by Animal Services emaciated with a severe urinary tract infection and diarrhea. She weighed a mere 9kg! She was so weak, she could hardly walk. They put her on antibiotics right away and contacted us for help. Together we got some of the basic vetting done such as blood work and vaccines. There was a kennel cough outbreak in the facility that delayed our visit but gave her time to build her strength up. When we arrived to assess her, she met us with an affectionate wagging tail. Unfortunately we were full and couldn’t pull her until we found a reliable foster. The pressure to move her became critical as her name was on the euthanasia list but we were determined to make something work. Honey had a guardian Angel, a past adopter agreed to temporary foster her. They definitely got more than they signed up for….Honey started her heat! Thankfully they endured, and several weeks later she was spayed. (They managed to survive the cone of destruction!) Once healed from her surgery, she would be ready to find her forever home….except she was already there. Life with Honey was as sweet as it can bee but this little household star already had a new name, Ginger! Congratulations Ginger, you will be forever treated like a movie star! We are grateful for the support for this lovely little girl and thrilled she’ll always have exceptional care! Congratulations!

BEST WAY TO START THE WEEK! Chance is HOME!

Chance, what an ironic name for this poor boy. Late December 2024 a benevolent social worker reached out to us regarding a chow when the elderly man she was checking on needed to be hospitalized. An ambulance arrived and intended to drop Chance off at the shelter on their way to the hospital. When the paramedic tried to help him into the vehicle by coaxing him with food then pushing his back end up, he nipped her hand. Animal Services were called for assistance and deemed Chance aggressive as they too had difficulty lifting his rear up and into a crate. As a result, they put him on a bite hold for ten days and scheduled him to be euthanized immediately after.
The social worker followed up with the shelter and our rescue hoping for a miracle. This was a 10 year old dog, grossly neglected with a bite against him.
His life with his owner likely started off pretty well but sadly deteriorated over time. He went several days without food, his water source was a broken toilet bowl, there were no signs of dog dishes or time outdoors. Chance had no choice but to use the very small living space as his bathroom and sleeping area. He had a piece of a blanket and leash matted into his fur along with urine and feces. This poor dog had huge bald spots where fur should have naturally been. The shelter’s vet suggested he had dermatitis or alopecia and noted how thin his body was. The vet also noted how aggressive Chance was as did the shelter staff when we followed up.
Once Chance’s bite hold was over, we acted quickly to ensure his safe release. We arrived at the shelter hoping they could put a harness on him before he left. No one was comfortable handling him in that manner and Chance wasn’t exactly making a good impression on anyone. The girls had serious concerns about my safety managing him and gave me every guilt free reason to just walk away… even encouraged us to go for lunch and think about it. We left but didn’t feel good about leaving him there even though we still hadn’t met him. Respecting their advice and experience we concluded that; if Chance actually got into our car… but was as difficult and unadoptable as they claimed, we would feed him a delicious roast beef dinner and humanly euthanize him with kindness and dignity.
Chance did get into our vehicle but neglected to show us any signs of aggression! Instead, Chance tried to show us what a good boy he was by leaning in for attention, pawing us for pets and patiently waiting for his leash to click on. We gave him a couple weeks to show his true “aggressive” nature, but he poured on the charm wagging his bald tail non stop. It wasn’t easy for him at first. He wanted to be outside but with no fur coat, he was freezing and whined….Chance got a fancy new jacket. Initially he rationed his food by dumping his bowl and hiding it under his blankets. When it kept getting cleaned up and fresh food appeared regularly, he finally stopped and only buried his chewy bones. Chance met several people who dropped by, greeting them with the same happy wagging tail and often offered “Chance hugs”. He walked like a dream prancing happily along clearly enjoying the outdoors. Everyone fell in love and hoped that someone would give Chance a chance.
We did everything we possibly could to make his life better from a well needed bath to nose to tail vetting. His skin is fine, it was was scrapped and tested and with excellent nutrition, his fur is visibly growing in. Chance had a major tooth pulled during his teeth cleaning and blood rechecked. His only, and biggest problem was, he was desperately lonely. He whined to be petted and was torn whether to enjoy the outdoors or our company. He needed more…and deserved more…..and now he has it all.
A previous adopter just lost her beautiful girl unexpectedly leaving her devastated and bewildered. Her empty home was a constant reminder of how lonely life is without your best friend. She reached out to us and asked if it was too soon to consider another dog. We replied, “the best way to honour a dogs life, especially a rescues, is to open your heart and home to another dog in need. You’re not replacing your dog, your honouring your dog, expanding your heart and filling it with love”.
We discussed Chance knowing she followed his story and had a huge soft spot for him….but it was still early and there were many things to consider especially with an older dog.
After many texts, calls and messages, we knew Chance was pulling at her heart strings. We as a rescue committed to supporting him financially for any major vetting for whatever time he has left to enjoy his new life.
Saturday morning Susan picked up Indy’s ashes and brought her home full of mixed emotions. That afternoon, Chance walked through her door and right into her heart.
After a nice walk, he curled up on his dog bed and had a very peaceful nap…he was relaxed and exactly where he was supposed to be. In case Susan had any doubts, they faded quickly when she received her first Chances hug.
Thank you Indy for giving your mum signs to move forward…she is in good paws, he will take care of her.
Congratulations Susan and Chance who rescued each other.

On a side note, Chance’s previous Dad is still in the hospital. He asks about his dog and has been assured he is in the best care.