Tails of the City

MEET SOME LUCKY DOGS WHO FOUND FOREVER HOMES IN 2009

All year long, every year, dedicated shelter workers and rescue volunteers work tirelessly to give every homeless dog a good shot at a good home. We asked local rescue and shelter folks to tell us successful adoption stories about special dogs they were able to place in 2009. Meet those lucky dogs below, and resolve to do what you can to help the effort in 2010! Whether you adopt a furry new family member, donate money, volunteer time, or foster a canine in need - you will be helping to save canine lives, a worthy goal indeed.

Georgia Lee

Adopted via Pets Unlimited

www.petsunlimited.org

Sweet as a peach, little Georgia Lee was a two-year-old Terrier Mix with lots of heart and an endearing underbite when she came to Pets Unlimited. Hit by a car and found by Fremont ACC, Georgia had suffered spinal fractures that left her broken in body and spirit. She was devastatingly shy, in pain, and overwhelmed by the urban environment, but that made our staff work even harder to help her recover. After spinal surgery, physical therapy, acupuncture, and healing behavior modification, shy Georgia was ready for adoption and found a wonderful owner to show her how beautiful the world can be in a loving home. Nowadays, the trust is back in her eyes. Since her adoption, we have seen her for vet check-ups downstairs and continue to marvel at her progress. We think Georgia Lee knows it too, because as she wiggles her greeting up to us we're sure she is saying "thank you." - Ariana Luchsinger

Sammy

Adopted via San Francisco Animal Care and Control

www.sfgov.org/site/acc_index.asp

Sammy (a one-year-old Spaniel mix) came to Animal Care & Control when his owner's landlord ordered him out. Sammy was quickly adopted by Susan Bluer and her spouse, Jennifer Mannix, after they decided he was the most adorable dog they had ever seen. Susan and Jennifer weren't exactly in the market for a dog - but it was hard to say no to Sammy. Now Sammy has changed their lives for the better. His teachings include focusing on the present and appreciating the simple things in life (cookie? walk? chewy thing?). One of his special habits is laying his head on the driver's shoulder while riding in the car. Susan and Jennifer started their life with Sammy by taking classes with ACC behaviorist Belinda Ryder-Loomis - more for them to learn about dogs than for Sammy to learn anything. After all, he's perfect.

JACQUES

Adopted via Humane Society Silicon Valley

www.hssv.org

Animals seem to know when they have been rescued and they provide so much love in return. After being confiscated from his owner for neglect of his basic needs, Jacques was transferred from a regional animal shelter to Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) in Milpitas. Initially, this adorable 9-year-old Cocker Spaniel suffered from a mysterious medical issue, likely due to stress, and was having difficulty adjusting. With a special diet and loads of TLC from HSSV staff, vets, and volunteers, Jacques' health improved. His new owner, Nicola, a law student, was looking for a social dog who could get along well with her parents' dogs and horses on their ranch and accompany her on horseback rides. After meeting with Jacques several times, she knew he was the right match. Luckily for Jacques, Nicola is home a lot of the time, so now he gets the love and attention he deserves. His smile says it all! - Kelly Grant

BUG

Adopted via Wonder Dog Rescue

www.wonderdogrescue.org

Bug came to foster parents Cliff Moser and Lisa Gonick through Wonder Dog Rescue. Within two weeks they couldn't live without her, despite this one-eyed ball of energy being quite a handful. In May, Bug lost sight in her remaining eye. Despite Dr. Cynthia Cook's swift diagnosis and surgical prowess, Bug remained blind. Soon afterward, Bug punctured the eye and it had to be removed. Turns out her eyes were nothing but trouble for Bug. "Ugga-Bugga" leads the pack with her tenacious attitude and plows forward fearlessly on walks. Cliff and Lisa tell me, "Nobody can tell she is sightless, and when we tell her story people stare transfixed and say: 'She's amazing! How does she do it?' We say, "Dogs live in the now, today, not in the past. We humans have the baggage about being blind. Dogs just make it work for them. They love life and love us and that's what counts." - Linda Beenau

Lolo

Adopted via Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls

www.badrap.org

Lolo won our hearts when she limped into Oakland Animal Services. She'd been separated from her grieving owner, whose home had been foreclosed. His biggest hurt seemed to come from losing his beautiful dog, though. Finding Pit Bull-friendly housing is hard enough, even harder for a suddenly homeless senior citizen, so he was forced to let her go. To make matters worse, Lolo had blown one of her knees and was about to blow the other one, rendering her nearly unadoptable from a crowded city shelter. She really got to us and we found ourselves begging up big donations and bigger favors, including a foster home willing to go the distance with her recovery. Lolo's first donor was the producer of the Rachael Ray Show, who made the contribution in honor of Rachael's famous Pit Bull, Isaboo. Lolo sailed through her double knee surgery (thank you, Dr. Schwach!), and just as she was learning to walk on brand new knees, an Oakland couple raised their hands and volunteered to be her family. Lolo now lives a few miles from her first home. We only wish there was a way to let her former owner know that his sweet friend is doing fine now. - Donna Reynolds

FOZZY

Adopted via the Milo Foundation

www.milofoundation.org

"Just add water," were the words written by Lynne Tingle, founder of Milo Foundation, when she rescued Fozzy, a beautiful 4.5-year-old Labradoodle-Airedale mix from the Merced Shelter last October. Fozzy had been adopted out once and returned for running off — she just didn't like being left behind. A once-in-a-lifetime dog is what Linda Goldfarb of St. Helena always called Ashby, a puppy she rescued off the streets of Berkeley in 1994. When Ashby passed away in July, Linda promised her husband not to consider another dog until the spring. But in August Linda glanced at the Milo website and saw Fozzy, who could have been Ashby's sister. So after a phone call to Lynne and a meeting with this special canine, Fozzy joined Linda's life. She now spends every moment with Linda and her family, romping in the vineyards of St. Helena, playing in the snow in Tahoe, and reveling in her role as the "twice-in-a-lifetime" dog. - Ashley Baker

JACKSON

Adopted via Tri-Valley Animal Rescue

www.tvar.org

Last spring, an older Malamute mix named Jackson was surrendered to the county shelter with a swollen leg, sore paw, and eye growth. Tri-Valley Animal Rescue (TVAR) volunteers were concerned about his future and not sure about allowing themselves to get too close. Yet Jackson quickly endeared himself to the volunteers and shelter staff with his gentleness, soulful eyes, devilish antics, and sheer size — we bathed him in a horse stall! Although he won us over, he didn't have a chance at a new home until his medical issues were resolved. TVAR stepped up and paid to fix his torn ACL and for other medical treatment, making Jackson ready to find the perfect home. His new owners appreciate his many qualities and quirks - such as being afraid of the dark (they installed a night-light). Since being adopted, Jackson has even shown himself to be a great community service dog by sniffing out a huge bag of Ecstasy hidden in a bush, which was handed over to the police! - Sue James

BELLE

Adopted via The San Francisco SPCA

www.sfspca.org

Belle was one of five puppies in a litter of Australian Kelpie mixes that came to the SF/SPCA from another Northern California shelter. Shortly after her arrival, she was diagnosed with distemper, a disease that can be fatal in dogs. Thanks to generous help from SPCA donors, Belle was treated in the SF/SPCA Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center's shelter medicine wing, where she beat the odds and recovered fully. Without the care she received at the SF/SPCA, Belle would be considered unadoptable at many other shelters and could have faced euthanasia. Instead, she found a loving home. She loves walks and playing in the park and at the beach with her new family. Although a few lingering effects cause her to easily grow tired on her beloved outings, her guardian has just the thing to help her get home: a ride in a child's red wagon!

MAX

Rescued via NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue

www.ngrr.org

Max is one of more than 400 homeless Golden Retrievers that NorCal Golden Retriever Rescue (NGRR) rescued and adopted into new forever homes in 2009. He was found running alongside the 880 freeway near Hayward and was taken to the Hayward Animal Shelter. Weighing only 46 pounds, he was underweight and terrified. In the shelter, Max declined rapidly, was deemed unadoptable, and was scheduled for euthanasia. As a last resort, NGRR was contacted. We were able to match Max with a new mom who provided the security, patience, and love that had been missing. He soon gained confidence and started trusting. Once nervous and scared near people, Max did not like to be touched. Now his true golden personality shines bright. See a video of Max and his family at www.ngrr.org. - Kathy Quiroz

Remy

Adopted via Hopalong Animal Rescue

www.hopalong.org

In early 2009, Remy was brought to the Oakland Animal Shelter along with her eight babies. The puppies were no more than a few days old. Shelter staff called Hopalong Animal Rescue and asked if we could take all nine dogs, because the pups were too young to be exposed to the illnesses commonly found in a shelter. We went to meet Remy, who was a very proud mama, happy to show off her babies. She was such a good mom, in fact, that all of her babies survived. For the next two months, Remy and her babies lived in a foster home we found for them, where they received lots of TLC and socialization. At eight weeks of age, all of Remi's pups were adopted. A few months later, it was finally Remy's turn for a forever home. She was adopted by a wonderful couple in Oakland. Remy can be shy when meeting new people, and her new owners have worked diligently with her, teaching her that new people are OK. She is now a very happy, spoiled, and well-loved girl. - Erica Anders

Scooter

Adopted via Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation

www.arf.net

This bouncy pup had quite a journey before ARF rescued him: Picked up by animal control in the Central Valley's August heat, Scooter remained friendly and good-natured despite the pain of a serious injury. Knowing that euthanasia was likely once he returned with the animal to the municipal shelter, an AC officer enlisted his personal veterinarian for help, convinced that the extraordinary little dog was worth saving. And so he was! Scooter arrived at ARF with an amputated leg and heartworm disease, but that didn't keep him down. He charmed his foster family and became a staff and volunteer favorite. ARF worked long and hard to find a family for this spunky pooch who loved everyone. Scooter finally found his forever home, complete with his very own doggy play pal. Now he spreads his zest for life everywhere he goes! - Melissa Adkins

Rosebud

Adopted via Grateful Dogs Rescue

www.gratefuldogsrescue.org

What started off as just another unwanted tan Chihuahua has become the center of new adoptive parent Shayla's world. Rosebud came to San Francisco Animal Care and Control in a cardboard box - scared, confused, and shy. When someone at San Francisco Animal Care and Control reached into the box, Rosebud snapped at this terrifying unknown hand and was therefore deemed unadoptable and put on the euthanasia list. Grateful Dogs Rescue was called in to test the newest "Death Row" dog. After just a little get-acquainted time, our volunteer discovered a sweet, misunderstood dog. Foster parents Thomas and Colleen stepped up to bring sweet Rosebud into their home, and once there she really blossomed. She was super sweet with every dog she met and overly affectionate with her incessant kisses. Now she lives with Shayla in a "forever home" filled with smiles and kisses, her memories of boxes and shelters left far behind. -Michelle Douglas

BUSTER

Adopted via Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

www.peninsulahumane.org

With approximately 4,000 annual adoptions at our organization, so many are special — but one, in particular stood out in 2009: Buster, the first graduate from our TAILS program. TAILS (Transitioning Animals Into Loving Situations), a new partnership between the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA and our county Sheriff's Office, pairs dogs who have questionable adoption potential with inmates in a minimum security facility. Except for one weekly structured obedience class, inmates are entirely responsible for the dogs' care, socialization, grooming, and exercise for the entire eight-week program. Buster, a year-old Pointer-Pit mix, began the program severely shy and withdrawn. The day he joined the inmate population, he urinated submissively while being carried into the facility. By week five, he galloped across the play yard to meet our trainers. Buster's complete transformation in just eight weeks demonstrates the huge potential of shelter dogs with issues, and how unique partnerships can play a significant role in our life-saving work. Buster was adopted just days after his TAILS graduation. - Scott Delucchi

MAX

Adopted via Marine Humane Society

www.marinhumanesociety.org

Before arriving at the Marin Humane Society last spring, Max had been confined to an outdoor run for three years, alone and unloved. This skinny and extremely shy sight hound had never even experienced a human's gentle touch. Lucky for Max he eventually found a wonderful home with the Core family of Los Gatos, who describe Max as "an absolute ham." This once shy dog has found a new girlfriend in the Core's three-year-old Pit Bull, and also enjoys hanging out with the family Border Collie. From shy, skinny sight hound to sneaky sock-stealer (we hear he's constantly stealing socks in the house), Max serves as a wonderful reminder of how animals can learn to trust humans again, even after enduring such misery. - Carrie Harrington

NATHANIEL

Adopted via Furry Friends Rescue

www.furryfriendsrescue.org

As a couple walked by a Hayward dumpster this past October they heard a weak whimper for help. They peeked inside and were shocked to find a tiny, emaciated, almost hairless and dying puppy. They took him to the Hayward Shelter, which saved his life by providing the sweet four-pound Chihuahua-Dachshund Mix with vet care and feeding him multiple meals per day to bring him back to stable health. After two weeks at the shelter, Furry Friends Rescue (FFR) was notified, and took Nathaniel in. He was then up to six pounds but still very skinny and suffering from Demodex. Lisa, an FFR volunteer, fostered him at her home in San Jose, gave him plenty of TLC, and continued with his weekly visits with our vet. About a month later we met a very special and experienced family - Thierry, Julie, their kids, and dog, Frances. They all fell in love with Nathaniel's sweet and friendly personality, despite his unattractive skin condition that needed more treatment. Despite terrible odds, brave little Nathaniel, abused and dumped to die, found a wonderful home where he is adored and will be cherished for life. - Victoria Yang