Rescue ~ Rehab ~ Rehome

Hannah

Hannah was in rescue for awhile but it was worth the wait. She is now with a family that loves her a lot!

Homer

In February 2010, mere days after losing the family's canine patriarch - Boots the big black Lab - we faced the challenge of deep and debilitating depression on the part of his companion, Lady Jane, a petite yellow Lab mix. There was only one solution and, despite the fact that grief was consuming all of us - Lady, the five kitties and us humans - our first stop on that rainy Sunday morning was the Haven-to-Home website. While our preference was a small dog, easily handled during one of my fibromyalgia or MS episodes, we kept coming back to a short-coated collie who had been running feral for at least six months on the periphery of a farm near Turbotville. Collie, we said. Large, we concurred. A feral history, we mused. Let's call Linda H., we decided, and see if we can arrange a meeting between Homer, as he had been named, and Lady Jane. Homer had edged his way into the hay piles of the farm's dairy barn during the coldest nights of winter and the caring farm family ended up setting out a blanket in the garage for the collie. However, since their other three dogs did not particularly appreciate Homer, the family was very close to taking him to the SPCA when devoted trainer Mark C. stepped in and, impressed with the dog's inherent potential, requested their approval in trying to find Homer a permanent family through Haven-to-Home. Fortunately, they agreed. We met Homer on Monday evening at the farm. Although he was nervous, he and Lady connected immediately. Mark was impressed that Homer leaned gently into my legs (even though I was holding my walking cane) in a curved stance that apparently indicates trust. After assuring Homer we would take very good care of him, we signed the required adoption paperwork and prepared for his homecoming several days later (following his neutering surgery). Within five minutes of arrival at his new home, the two dogs seemed joined at the hip - loping around the dog run like two ponies on a single harness; cuddling in a tangle of intertwined limbs; sharing grooming duties as if they have lived together for one hundred years. Their mutual adoration and respect has continued to escalate to the point that we are often reduced to joyful tears just watching them play, enjoy a snack and sleep within inches of one another. And there was an unexpected bonus; almost immediately, aspects of Lady's personality that had been displaced by her self-motivated service in a caregiver and guide dog capacity to Boots for several years (as his eyesight and mobility decreased) began to blossom once more. She has been rejuvenated and, consequently, given a second chance as well. Sonny-Boy (his new personality-appropriate name) also loves his five kitties and they vie for the coveted warm spot of his tummy during nap times. And, as for the fibromyalgia and MS episodes? Well, who could have imagined this dog's sensitivity as he tries to find ways of corralling his owner to a comfortable place, sometimes just before a major bout of pain or paralysis swoops in. Paging Dr. Sonny! It is obvious that Sonny was abused in his early days; he is terrified of many noises, by fast movements and by things with the potential to be used for hurt. We work diligently with him and, thankfully, he is gaining more confidence every day. It is also obvious that this handsome and gentle dog was given a second chance through his good fortune to "connect" with Haven-to-Home. Mark looked beyond the rough spots, recognized the strong and hopeful heart pounding within and did everything right on behalf of this intelligent dog. In one of those strange twists of fate, we just happened to be in a vulnerable place (missing Boots) at a life-altering juncture (realizing that sometimes the only cure for grief is a huge commitment to another being). Truly, the best thing we have learned from Sonny-Boy is that love given is love reciprocated. It sometimes takes a little while for a dog who has been mistreated to learn how to trust unconditionally once again, however, it can and it does happen. This, alone, should encourage everyone to follow their heart, support Haven-to-Home in every possible way and never hesitate to adopt the dog who touches your soul even if he or she seems to be too big, too small or a different breed than you had in mind. We will always miss Boots, but the void has been filled by an incredible dog who is a loving partner to Lady Jane, as well as to every other member of our family - kitties included! April & Barry James

Hank

Just want to do a Hank update!  Tom is SO SMITTEN with this dog!!!!!  You know, Hank is the SMARTEST dog Tom has even seen!!!!  LOL 
He does seem to be house trained as of yesterday - there were no accidents at all!   He scratches at the door to go out, and they also watch carefully for the signs of sniffing around.....you know those signs.  Getting him on a schedule is also working well.
 
He's getting VERY comfortable in his forever home.  He's doing well with sleeping in his crate at night, but seems to prefer curling up wherever Tom is for naps.  We were over there late yesterday afternoon and Hank had just finished a big play streak!!  Tom said he raced around with his toys, so he slept while we were there.  He also LOVES Scrappy the Cat.  Scrap is very patient with Hank too, but if Hank gets too rough, Scrap lets him know.  I think they will end up good friends, if Scrap can  hang in there through the puppy period!!!!  LOL
 
Tom's keeping the name "Hank" as it suits him!!!!  He does already sit when you tell him......because when we went in yesterday, he greeted us and I said sit and HE DID!!!!!  I was surprised.  He did seem calm at the Adopt A Thon, but we knew he would have playful periods and HE DOES so he is a normal pup.  Tom loves to watch him grow more and more comfortable with his home.  He does NOT like to be within eyesight to do his business, so they got the longest retractable leash they could find and now he is able to get into the trees a bit farther from them and he is doing fine with that!!!!!
 
I just wanted to let you know, this seems to be a perfect match for Tom and for Hank!!!!!   Thanks for recommending them for the adoption!!!

Hershey

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to adopt Hershey. He is so sweet. His previous family clearly loved him and trained him to be a polite dog. At first, Hershey stuck to me like velcro, but he is adjusting to his new home much more quickly than I expected. Now he will stay by the kitchen heater and keep napping when I leave the room. And he is much more willing to hang out with the other members of the family. This fall I am working from home, so Hershey and I spend a lot of time together. By January, when I go back to teaching, I'll have him used to spending time alone. (He's already practicing when I run a few errands each day, and he's doing fine.) We have a high-school-aged neighbor who is home schooled. He misses his beagle, who died of old age, so he'll be walking Hershey in the middle of the day while we're at work. Hershey is very smart, and we're enjoying teaching him new games and commands. We take him jogging and walking several times a day. I can't believe how beautifully he heels, almost without being told. My children (ages 9 and 16) enjoy cuddling and playing him. Hershey is perfect for us. Thanks so much to Hershey's previous family and to his foster mom for taking such good care of him. Here is my son with Hershey curled up in his lap. Thank you again! From Hershey's new family.