Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Joy
I thought I would provide you an update on Nadia (formerly known as Ana) and Tasha (formerly known as Kelly). Both are doing very well. Nadia’s eye sutures came out about 2 weeks ago and we are waiting to see if they contract more with the scar tissue. If not the left eye will need to be tightened up but my vet wants to watch for another 6 weeks.
Both are in obedience school and are at the top of their class. Nadia can do a full minute sit/recall and both do over a 100 yard ‘come” on the first command. Tasha does sit/recall but only about 45 seconds right now. (at the end of the 3rd class) we have 3 more weeks in basic to go. Then I am looking at agility for Tasha. I have never seen a BRT as fast and agile as she is. She plays with one of my barn staff’s australian shepard mix. They go racing around the horse riding arena (all sand) and then to a sliding halt.
Nadia is very protective and attached to Hagrid and he is just loving it. I was picking up them from the groomer on Monday and they always get put in “luxuary suites” while they wait for me to pick them up. One handler went in to get Hagrid before Nadia and Nadia wouldn’t let her touch Hagrid until they put the leash on her also and they came out together. Tasha is the typical youngest child…carefree and light hearted. I am going to try and take more pictures this weekend. Both are gaining weight…Nadia faster than Tasha but she was underweight more. Nadia is now 93 pounds and we expect her ideal weight to be about 110 to 115. Tasha will be lighter with her weight right now at 81 pounds ( up from 70) but her ideal weight is about 90 to 95.
Hope all is going well for you and please relay the update to the person who had surrendered the dogs so she knows they are loved and doing well.
Also how is the other BRT doing that went East?
Thanks
Val
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Hi there.
I adopted Mandy (wheaten terrier mix, aka Teddy, we think the mix is border collie or shepherd) from you back in June. We have had her for 3 months and she is just about 6 months old.
Just to let you know, she is doing wonderfully. I feed her good, holistic and natural foods and sometimes raw (my sister feeds her boxer raw and she is a beautiful dog).
She is a fantastic, beautiful, calm pup (at least until my 7 yr old son Josh gets home from school). She is able to run outside with supervision (adult only) without going into the street. She was 12.? lbs when I got her, now she is probably close to 30 lbs. We just love her to death and she is a happy pooch.
Thank you and have a great day.
Regards,Dawn C.
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Hello Tom & Joy,
I just wanted to let you know that Bailey, now renamed “Bogart”, is really settling right in (see photos attached).
He napped all the way back to Boston, but since his arrival he has been a non-stop bundle of energy!
He already had a bath and made a few neighborhood friends.
I want to thank you both for making this happen and Tom, I hope you get some sleep tonight- you deserve it!
Warm regards, Inge
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
I don’t know if you will even remember Dexter. He came to us about two years ago now after being rescued from an animal hoarder, along with his brothers and other relatives.
Well, I just wanted you to know how he is doing.
First all, Dexter is the smartest dog either my husband or I have ever had–and by a long shot. He can learn vicariously–just by watching our other dog, Rupert. He still avoids new men, but unlike our first few forays into the world when I had to nearly carry him down the sidewalk, he just loves his walks around the neighborhood. He greets women and children with a wagging, curious tail. Even with men, he warms up after a bit. Just in case you have any doubts about Dexter’s new self-image, he is COMPLETELY dominant over our 85 pound golden, Rupert, despite weighing just 37 pounds. Their relationship is close, though, and they always sleep curled up together.
I’ve attached a couple of photos so you can see how he’s doing. They were taken at my Dad’s cabin in WI this past weekend. He does NOT like water–he stands on the shore barkly whenever Rupert swims, but he does like hanging out on the beach with the family.
Hope in your day of caring for homeless animals, this little update will keep your hopes up.
Yours, Michele T
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Hi Joy – Just wanted to send an update. Dotty is doing really great. We love her so much. She has gained a pound and we are working on a few more. She doesn’t mind all the extra treats. She oves her runs and morning walks. She has learned sit and lay down. Once we have “come” down pat we are going to head to the off-leash park. That will give her a chance to really run (not slow down to my pace). She is such a joy and the hit of the neighborhood. We get stopped constantly so people can pet her. She loves all the attention, expecially when they tell her she is a cute girl.
Thanks again for helping us find each other. Cheers, Tannis, Jason, and Dotty.
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
On August 5, 2009, the most beautiful angel the world has ever seen left this earth to cross the Rainbow Bridge. This angel’s name was Beauregard Phire.
Beauregard was a very cute, very gentle, and very loving little Lhasa Apso who spent many years with us, ultimately teaching us the most important and basic of lessons that life has to offer. He taught us how to truly celebrate our lives, as well as the lives of others. He taught us the importance of living life with love and compassion in our hearts. Likewise, Beauregard never met a stranger — never failing to introduce himself and extend a greeting to anyone that he met. He taught us how to make friends (a lesson that is often taken for granted by us less-than-sophisticated humans). Beauregard was truly our source of inspiration; and from this inspiration came his most cherished nickname: “Sweetness and Light.”
Sadly, Beauregard — like all companion animals — got old. At the age of fifteen, he went home to a place where the pain no longer plagued him; a place where the doggie treats manifest themselves with abundance, and where the belly rubs and ear scratches are free for the taking. Beauregard’s advanced age ultimately made it more, and more difficult for HIM to care for US. He held on for as long as he could — waiting for the time when his beloved charges could continue on in his absence.
Beauregard knew, however, that his job caring for us would not end with his passing. So, before leaving this earth, he set out to orchestrate the Universe in such a way as to lead us to a place where our tortured hearts could begin to heal. That place was Georgia Animal Rescue & Defence (GARD).
The decision to find another dog (just one short month after the passing of our sweet Beau had occurred) was a very difficult one, indeed. We were plagued with questions, such as: “Will he forgive us for looking at another animal? Have we waited enough time? Can we really give our love and attention to another animal in need, when our hearts and minds are still on our loss?” These questions led to more questions, and more still; until finally it dawned on us that Beau’s magic was working its wonders right before our very eyes. When we came across the GARD website, it was not our hands doing the internet navigating…it was Beau’s paws. He led us to our source of healing.
While at GARD, we fell in love with not just one dog, but two — being the soft-hearted saps we are. Sadie Mae (a gorgeous little Miniature Pinscher mix) and Ember (a regal little Labrador mix) both went home with us that day.
Both girls are now an intricate part of our lives here in downtown Savannah. Having never had real leash training before, the girls proved somewhat challenging in this area at first. Yet, it was quite obvious that they were more than willing to learn how to walk on leashes; and in two days time, both girls have mastered “stay,” “sit,” “come,” and a handful of other simple commands.
Sadie Mae, despite the obvious Southern name she has, is truly a city-girl at heart. Her interest in all things in downtown Savannah tickles us. The horse-drawn carriages, the loud buses, the hundreds of people clogging the sidewalks each day is nothing but inspiration for her, and peaks her curiosity at every turn. At first, Ember was a bit skittish of all the noise, excitement and hustle-and-bustle of city life. Now, however, even she is curious, adventurous, and loving the downtown lifestyle, just as much as Sadie.
Both girls get to run and play together; they simply love the exhilaration of jogging with us each day; they enjoy meeting all the neighbors and their dogs; and most importantly, they love their new home. And what dog wouldn’t love it, especially with all the toys, a big comfy sofa on which to chill out, and a big fluffy bed on which to wrestle?
Yet, despite all the blessing and luxuries that they have at their disposal, WE are the ones that are blessed to have them in our lives. We didn’t pick these girls. They were picked for us by our dearly departed Beauregard. He knew we needed to move on. And he made sure to send us the best girls for the job!
To the team at GARD: thank you for what you do. You might not realize it now, but your job on this earth is more than just rescuing companion animals like Sadie Mae and Ember. Your job is actually a small part of a much grander plan. The work you do showers this planet with sparks of light and compassion. And we humans need to take lessons from what you do, and apply it to our own daily lives. Never lose the faith, the drive, or the passion to do what you do. If it weren’t for caring people like you, we might not have had the chance to meet our new girls, who are helping us to heal more, and more every day.
Jericho & Danyael Phire
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Hi,
I hope this gets to the right person. We adopted York from you about a month ago. He is awesome! You were right, it only took about 2 weeks or so to train him. He’s very sweet with our kids. We’re very happy with our new family member.
I’m attaching two photos.
Thanks again,
Gina
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Nigel on his first day in our home…with his new tag…and a favorite basket. Since he is now king of the big dog bed which he sits on by day looking out the window at the squirrels. We are working on obedience, and hopefully, the little kitchen surprises will diminish. he is slowly winning over our grieving housekeeper — who thinks it is disloyal to have a new dog after losing our previous dog. Time and charm will out. Doris Greenberg MD
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Nigel is now recovered from his respiratory illness, and he is becoming a distinct presence here….he is doing well with house-training, and other than being afraid to come into the front doorway, he is getting more courage every day. Just thought you would like to see a clean little guy enjoying the luxury of a new home—we are happy to have him. Doris Greenberg
Sep 24, 2014 | Happy Tails
Hi Joy,
We hope you’re well! Barre and I can’t believe it’s been a year already since our lives became that much better because of Wally!
We wanted to say hello and let you know Wally has been an unbelievable addition to our household. He has had a great year going for long drives, walks around Boston, hanging with his dog pals and learning to swim in Cape Cod!
We can’t imagine our lives without him in it. We thank you again for taking a chance on us and sending him our way.
We hope everything is going great in Georgia and that lots of other pups are finding great homes!
We attached some updated pics of Wally. Have a great day!
Regards, Tony and Barre
