Rescue ~ Rehab ~ Rehome

Jinx

Jinx, now Jet, going home with his new mom. Also pictured is Sharon, H2H volunteer, on the left.

Zach

Zach is adjusting very well with us.At first Happy tried being sulky,then slightly growly,as Zach also was,but I've been working with them to correct this behavior.They both came around and Bashful,as always,is easy to get along with. After working Wednesday, we came home to three anxious dogs. We take all of them out at the same time,I take Zach and Happy, while Terry takes Bashful and I think this has helped them to get along better.When I took him to the vet, I saw one of the techs first,Lois,who I got Happy and Bashful from. Since she raises Chihuahua's she was a big help how much to feed Zach. Dr Peterson checked him over and said he was in great shape.Although she was taken by surprise when he growled at her,she took it in stride and laughed it off.We went into town the next day after we got Zach to get smaller toys for him to play with,of course everyone needed a new toy.The first night we had him,I was throwing some small squeek toys and when Happy and Bashful chased after the toys,Zach only watched,after throwing a few times more he started to chase also,but he'd stop about halfway,as if wondering what to do if he got the toy.Well not long afterwords he was getting the toys and bringing them back to us,as the boys do.We now have a large bag we keep their toys in and when it's playtime 'they go through the bag and like little kids until they get the toy they want to play with.(I can't seem to teach them to pick up the toys.) I'll never understand how anyone could have neglected him. He is fitting in here so well.I also got the Heartguard and Advantix while at the vets for him and he now has his own VPI ,Pet Insurance. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I can't thank Robin,Rowe,your family and you Heather for bringing Zach into our lives,he is a gem,so loveable and it feels like he's been here since we got Happy and Bashful thanks! Heather

Tugger

5/1/11: Hello there! I wanted to send you an update on Tugger’s transition into our household. We love him!! He is fitting in beautifully with the other two dogs – I think our Lizzie has already grown very fond of him. They are very playful with each other and don’t mind being close on the floor or in the bed. He absolutely loves to walk and is keeping us stepping on that point – he earns his name for sure. He uses the dog door like an old hand (he was a tad reluctant at first). It’s hard to believe it has only been a week…he seems so settled in. We had the vet out to the house to chip him so he didn’t get upset going to the vet office and he did fine. She’s a really cool person and they hit it off without a problem. We are really happy to have him here – thanks so much for making it possible. Warm regards, Sue April 2011: Tugger is an awesome dog! He seems to be fitting right in to our two other dogs. He played ball out in the yard today, took a couple of walks, inspected every square of the yard and is right now taking a nap next to my chair at the computer. We have a dog door insert in our patio door but it wasn’t big enough for Tugger so I ordered a bigger one. It came today so when we get it put in place tonight, he’ll be able to come in and out as he desires. He doesn’t know he’s big so when he acts like a puppy it can be a bit disconcerting but all three dogs are adjusting well. And he LOVES being brushed!

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

Maisy

In 55 years of breeding, training, and loving Labradors, I can honestly say that I have never had a better, more loving, smarter dog than Amber. As you remember, she didn't even know her name (so we renamed her) nor did she understand the value of human contact. The first time we saw her, Kay stayed out in the car while I signed papers. When I came out Kay told me that she had talked and cooed to her for five minutes, and the dog showed no response. Kay said that she might as well as had the radio on. Frankly, we were not sure what we had gotten in to. We were a little concerned if she would ever adjust to human contact. Well, within two days she was house broken and learning to sit. Now, after three months, she sits, stays, comes, retrieves, and a dozen other commands that I use for our convenience around the house. Regarding her responding to love, she has been amazing. The first two days, she wasn't at all sure what affection was, nor whether she liked it. On the third night, I as sitting in my recliner scratching her under her chin. I then began to massage her around the jowls and ears. Her eyes softened and she began to lean into me. Suddenly, she began talk to me with a very low- throated purring sound that sounded almost like a groan. I slid onto the floor with her and took her in my arms. For more that an hour, we "talked" with each other, and generally petted, leaned, stroked and loved each other. Since then, all of our lives have all been enriched. One of the pictures I am attaching shows her with her front feet on my lap. She does that on command and then just sits there and "talks" to me while I stroke her. You can see the love in her eyes. She is a delight. We tell all our friends that she is a rescue dog--She rescued us! Thank you for bring her into our lives. Chuck & Kay