|
July 18, 2008
Dear Friends,
I thought I would write and update everyone how Colette (now Cloe) is doing in our family.
In August of 2006, we both had to make a very difficult decision. Our White-Lab mix Julie became ill
and had severe mobility problems. She was 17 years old. We adopted her in 1990.
She lost her hearing in 2004, and then her hips started to buckle which made her fall down a lot. Overall
her health was failing and her ability to just get up each day got weaker. After several months and
consultations with our vet, we had to put her to sleep. Julie's last month with us was in August 2006.
It was a sad time for us. We did not want another dog right away. We knew that Julie went to
"Doggy Heaven".
After the Christmas holidays were over, Richard was saying "let us go looking at dogs for
adoption". We visited Ventura County Animal Shelter, PetSmart Adoption, Theresa's Feed that held
adoptions and others. Then we found Pet Orphans online.
One of the first dogs we saw online was already adopted. Then we took a drive to Van Nuys to see what was
available. This was a smaller facility than the Shelter. The place was full of dogs and cats. We both
spotted a black lab mix named Colette, and I noticed immediately that she was feisty and had a good
personality. I also knew that she would fit through the "Doggy Door" in our laundry room.
We filled out an application and found out that Colette needed hip surgery with their Vet. She could not
be released till this was complete. We would have to wait for approximately 2 weeks so they could make
sure she would be alright to go home with us.
We finally pick her up in January 2007. We started to get to know each other and her curiosity stage.
Yes we did have a few rough months in the beginning. She just loved to "CHEW". A few of our
items were destroyed. We initiated using the Crate method when leaving the house. This has worked out the
best as Cloe still really prefers her private space when we leave for short periods of time.
Cloe has adapted well and went to "Dog Training School" through our Parks and Recreation
Department. We were very pleased to find that she minds and responds to us very well.
Cloe has been with our family now 18 months. We enjoy her tremendously and take her everywhere with us
including two daily walks. She likes to travel in the car and always is a good traveler.
We want to THANK PET OPHANS for a very successful adoption.
Sincerely,
Richard & Loni Owen
 |
 |
|
|
We adopted Dimitri last October from your rescue. Just wanted to tell you that he is the light of our
lives. I never understood how people could get so attached to thier pets until now. He is amazing, and
our lives wouldn't be complete, or the same without him!
Here are a few pics of us and one cute pic of Dimitri, everyone thinks he looks like a toy stuffed animal
in this pic…LOL (he just had a hair cut). Anyway, wishing you and the kids over there the best.
XOXOXOXO,
Jennifer, Antonio, Dimitri, and PP (the cat)
|
|
Thought you might like to see Tucker who we adopted from you 11/20/05. He's now a wonderful
happy, healthy 85 lb!!! three-year-old, and a real part of our family. When he first came to us,
his ears were so huge in comparison to the rest of him, after a year, only one would stay up!!
Hope all is well with you, and with many thanks for our best friend.
Bob and Ann Symes.
|
|
Peanut now Petey.
|
|
Bruce now Hunter
|
|
I wanted to send you a quick Roxy update and a few pictures. Roxy is doing great! She weighs
almost 22 lbs. and is 15" tall (from shoulder to paw); how fast she's grown since we
adopted her at only 15 lbs just a month ago!
She knows sit, down, shake and we're working on not pulling during our walks. She loves playing
with all her toys and fetching balls, and she's even been in the pool and began swimming. She
loves bananas, peaches and playing chase around the house.
She is cute, fun and a lot of work all at the same time! Thanks for allowing her to join our
family, we are extremely grateful.
Thanks,
Michael, Jennifer, Jared, and Roxy (she sends a great big thank you to everyone at Pet Orphans
for taking care of her.
|
|
Mindy now Stella
|
|
pictures of carly "Chloe" :o)
Marissa
|
|
Hello,
We adopted a puppy named Isabella from you guys about 6 months ago. She was one of approx 6 brothers and
sisters…
anyhoo. Everything is working out great!
I thought I'd share some videos that I made with her over the last few months…
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Take Care,
Max Carlson
|
|
From Carol, George, Brian, and Percy :-)
|
|
Here are a few of Bella (aka Angelina) :
She is 8 months old now and 27 lbs. As you can see, she is very loved and is having a fun time
going everywhere with us. We will come by one day and visit so you can see how cute she is in
person.
I would love to see what her siblings look like. Maybe they will send some photos too. I just
wanted you to see what Bella has been up to.
Thank you,
Leslie Brangham
|
|
Storm now Max.
|
|
|
Despite her recent medical troubles, Roxy (fka Nina)is settling in to her new home well. She's up
to 18.2
pounds from 15 pounds when we adopted her and we just love her. We've taught her to sit and lay
down and with the addition of the two weeks of puppy classes she's learned "touch",
"gotcha" and "let me have it". We're working on "shake" and
"roll over" it all takes time and we are more than happy to work with her. We take her
for 2-3 walks daily as she loves meeting new dogs and people; sometimes she just sits down and
watches them!
Roxy has a new bigger, more air crate that we purchased over the weekend as the weather was hot
for us in Ventura - probably near 90 degrees (nothing like the Valley, I know; but for us at the
coast it was unusual) and she stretches out and is quite long, as a matter of fact, one of her
nicknames is inchworm as she inches out of her crate, along the carpet to the back door when we go
out for potty in the morning! It's fun to watch! She's such a doll and a mischievious rascal at
the same time!
Thanks,
Jennifer, Michael and Jared
|
|
Whiskey (formerly Belle) is doing fantastic. she is so affectionate… every morning when i
get up for work, Whiskey jumps into my side of the bed and lays her head on my pillow whiling
spooning Emily. she has become quite the swimmer and is slowly encouraging our pug, Zoe, to be a
stronger swimmer.
two months ago we celebrated Whiskey's 1st birthday…i can't believe she is over a year now!
she is 55 lbs now and i think 15 of those pounds are in her ears. we really thought she we would
grow into them.
my baby was the perfect addition to our family.
thanks again.
jess and emily.
|
|
here are updated pictures of Storm who is now known as Max, aka Max Pactor. :)
THE GREATEST DOG EVER.
we love him.
:)
|
|
You may or may not remember me, but back in November I adopted two of your Pet
Orphans cats, Gia and Cookie.
Eight months later, I'm happy to report that all is well and good with your two old
friends.
At first Gia and (the newly-named) Ginger were very wary of each other (they had been
housed in different rooms in the shelter). And, no surprise, they were even more wary
of me. But, with enough routine, cat treats, toys, rubs and time, everything turned
around and in fairly quick order, too.
Ginger and Gia now seem to love not only each other, but me and their new home. We've
all been having quite a great time together. There was no evidence of it at first,
but they are actually extremely hilarious and they frequently make me laugh.
So, a big THANK YOU to you, Alexis, and to Pet Orphans for putting all of us
together. You made all of our lives better. Feel good about that, please.
There's a photo attached. It shows the girls doing what they do best…relaxing.
Thanks again! Best, -- MV
|
|
Thought you would like to see some of "Sammy's" aka "Danny's"
first day!
Please click here to view photos.
Reneé
|
|
Here are a couple more of Gweneth/Pie-face - she LOVES drinking from the bathtub tap even though her water
bowl is a good 10 feet from the food and filled with filtered water…she is definitely a character!
:)
Mary V.
|
|
Thank you, again, for rescuing "Sandy/Dot" and for approving our adoption. We are thrilled with
her and she is settling very nicely. As you can see from the pictures, she took to her new bed
right away. Within minutes of arriving she was purring, playing, marking her things and even eating and
drinking! And she and Spoon seem to be very (respectfully) interested in each other.
Adele and Jennifer
|
|
They are adjusting SOOOO well! The first night we had them they were chasing each other all over and had
investigated every nook and cranny. They pretty much follow us around whatever room we go in - Pie Face
(Gweneth) likes to roll over and have her belly rubbed, and Ocelot (Grissom) loves playing with anything
and everything. They both love poking around inside the coat/shoe closet. Potty training has commenced -
the litter box is now ON the toilet and they seem content to use it there…I will keep you posted.
:)
Mary Votava
|
|
Here you will see Landis in his Fun Nosework class searching suitcases for odor that he has been trained to
find using only his nose. The "odor" is actually a q-tip cut in half and scented with a
particular odor.
In one photo you will see him searching a very small room for odor on what we call a blind-hide. That means
that I, as the handler, don't know where the odor is and I need to wait for him to indicate to me that he
had found it.
He really loves this work and thought I'd share it with other alumni.
Other photo is of Landis and his very best pal Rowdy, also a POSC alumni.
Barbara
|
|
Hi to all my friends at Pet Orphans,
Here is a picture of me with my fountain
I don't out of it because I have my own fresh water.
I discovered that lying in the grass is cool.
Thank you for rescuing me and finding me a nice home.
Love,
Murray
|
|
Here is a picture of our Peanut (formally Suzette) at 3 months of age.
Joanne
|
|
Ruby, now Princess, & Elliott
from Cindy & Lew
|
|
Becky now Chrystal is such a sweety, very tender and smart. It has turned out to be a great match. thanks
again for your great work.
bye for now
Andrea
|
|
Just wanted to let you know that Watkins now Reno is doing great. He adjusted easily to his new home and
we love him. We can't believe anyone could have given him up. We've included a few pictures we took while
out on 5-mile hike at Vasquez Rocks and the poppy fields. He loves to walk (and hike) and he's in great
shape.
Kim and Doug Anderson
|
|
Here are some adorable pics of Orlando (love the underbite) and his brother Roscoe. They are wonderful and
so much fun. I can't imagine my life without them. The most amazing thing about these pictures…look
at our lawn! We've actually trained them to go to the bathroom around the backside of the house in the far
corner on a small gravel area we created for them. I've heard all kinds of excuses about why it's not
practical to have a dog, but I swear you can teach them to do just about anything! Hope you and everyone
else at Pet Orphans are doing well.
See you soon,
Michelle
|
|
|
Thought you might enjoy hearing about some older Pet Orphans alumni. Gordon was adopted in the autumn of
1999, and Casey about a year later. Gordon was a very 'active' special needs dog and Casey was adopted
through the Private Assistance Program from a great couple who rescued her from the pound but realized they
could not provide her with the type of life she deserved. She went after their older cats and was relegated
to the back yard.
Both dogs have had their challenges; Gordon suffers from seperation anxiety (destroyed two couches before
he realized I was coming home) and Casey is extremely smart and inquisitive. But with lot's of love,
exercise, some obedience training and a stable home, they've turned out to be great members of the family.
Even though they're both older now, 11 and 9, Gordon still has as much energy as any 3 year old, and both
love to camp, nightly walks and weekend hikes.
Thanks to Pet Orphans and the volunteers who helped put us all together. We all appreciate.
Peter Schiess
North Hills , CA
(with Casey at my feet)
|
|
Here are a couple of pics I took of Jin-Jin today (and one from last month). Today is the 3 month
anniversary of me bringing her home. As you can see, she still loves to nurse on blankets. She's doing
great. The eye has healed up fine. A lot of my friend's and family's cats all came down with eye infections
at the same time. Must have been the pollen in the springtime air. She's a love and she's little by little
warming up to the whole petting thing. Rarely snaps at your hands anymore, occaisionally likes to attack
feet. But I've found out from the way she plays with strings and toys that most of her hand and feet
attacking are her ways of playing. She's starting to cuddle at night, ok maybe for 5 minutes only but
considering from before, that's a huge improvement. I'm still working on petting her stomach. A few times
she's let me do so with my hand. I startd out using a back scratcher on her tummy to get used to it, and
she loves it. Oh well, I'll see you soon.
She's torn up both sides of the scratching box and now she lays in it to tell me it needs replacing. Of
course when she gets up she's covered in cardboard debris. OH, and she's found a replacement for the
rubberbands since I keep them hidden from her. She's into Q-tips now! I have to keep them hidden and then
bury them in the trash. What a little trouble maker she is, yet so adorable I love her dearly. Oh, plus
she's decided the only dry food she'll eat now is Fancy Feast Filet Mignon & Shrimp flavored (so I
have about 5 bags of opened varieties of cat food laying around), and she LOVES the deli roast beef from
Ralphs, my Tri-Tip, and the Grilled Chicken Strips from Jack-in-the-Box for her nightly treats.
Talk soon.
David
|
|
Angie's name is Shyla now, and she is a very happy camper! I just adore her and she is the best
snuggle bug! Thank you pet orphans for bringing me another perfect kitty for my home!
|
|
Little Pumpkin (aka Ruby) is adapting quite well. She only hid under the bed for about the 1st day and now she won't
leave me alone. She is an extremely sweet little kitty!!
Take care and thanks for getting me my little kitty!
Josh Rappaport
|
|
|
|
Rocky in his favorite spot.
|
Rocky hugging Sammy.
|
|
|
|
Rocky playing hide and go seek.
|
Family
|
|
|
|
Sharing breakfast.
|
|
I adopted Rocky a month ago and he is so enjoying his new home and family. I kept his name as Rocky as he
flies through his home with such glee. His brother Sammy (who he is hugging in one of the pics) and he
take turns washing each other when they're not chasing and playing with each other. Rocky loves playing
hide and go seek as you can see in the picture where he's hiding under his new blanket made by his Aunt
Patricia. Here's a picture of the 3 of them - Sadie, Sammy, and Rocky. And my favorite of them, eating
their breakfast side by side.
Thank you so much Pet Orphans for adding this special boy to my family.
Forever thankful, Marcia
|
|
I have attached some more recent pictures of Balou/Indiana. She is doing just great and is now 2 years old.
She is the most well behaved and sweetest dog on Earth (although I'm sure you hear that all the time)
Thanks again for everything.
Steve
|
