7.13.15. Hey everyone….Just want you to know Greta has recuperated from her spay surgery and had a great visit with potential adopters this weekend. But, they decided they weren’t 100% committed yet to adopting a dog. We appreciate them thinking it through and wish more people did that. Adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment. In the meantime, I am encouraging Greta, letting her know everything will be ok and the right home will come when it is supposed to…it always does!
Author: Tressa Lucas
Trudy was a young Husky I met at the first animal organization I volunteered with. My time with her was very short, but everlasting, and a thought of her usually crosses my mind every day. During the brief time we had together, I learned that a caged environment is not the best place to assess a dog’s personality. A little bit of time, patience, and love can make all the difference for a homeless dog between living in a cage or being adopted.
It was one of the first rescue organizations established in Los Angeles, located in an old run down building in the middle of a very exclusive part of the city. The dog kennels were in the back…dark, dingy, with a lot of dogs barking. One day during my lunch hour, I visited the facility. As I walked through rows of kennel cages, I saw a husky sitting quietly in the far back corner of the kennel run. Her name was Trudy. The manager of the facility told me she was very shy and nobody could go in to see her. I stood at the gate and watched her for a few minutes. She could not have pressed herself more firmly against the back of the kennel, trying her best to get away from anyone who approached. There she sat in her own world, avoiding eye contact of any kind.
Returning the next day, I went straight for Trudy’s kennel run. There she was in the same place in the same position as the previous day. I talked to her in a low calm voice and kneeled down to her level, while outside her kennel run. She was clearly uncomfortable and would not look at me. The next day I did the same thing and there was Trudy slammed up against the back of her kennel run. This time, I slowly opened the kennel gate and entered. I stood, turning my side to her so as not to face her directly, and just talked to her, again in a slow calm manner. She quietly watched me. When I kneeled down inside the kennel, she became very uncomfortable and began to turn and fidget, showing me her teeth. I sat there quietly, not directly looking at her but facing away. Trudy and I sat in opposite corners of her kennel run for about an hour; finally I decided to move a little closer, while remaining in a seated position. She watched me intently as I inched slowly closer while sitting on the kennel floor. Although she showed her teeth again, I was able to get a bit closer. We were making progress.
The third day, I repeated our routine. On this day, she was not pinning herself against the corner of the kennel run. She was sitting a little further out. More progress. I entered her kennel slowly, turning to the side and kneeling down. I started inching myself closer and closer to her, slowly. She watched me quietly. I finally got a little closer to her than I had the previous day. She started to move a bit and fidget. I remained at that distance and just sat there quietly with her for a while. She would look away and then back at me. She was starting to connect with more eye contact. Slowly, I kept inching closer to her, until we were about two feet apart. I finally decided to reach my lowered hand out to her slowly, not knowing what she might do. To my surprise, she did not show her teeth – more progress. She remained sitting, just looking at me quietly. Turning my glance away from her, I sat with my arm extended. A few minutes later, I turned my glance back to her and said quietly, “Come on Trudy.” She lowered herself down slightly and inched towards me. I was not quite sure if she was preparing to lunge in an attack. She was still tense, but not showing her teeth. In that moment, everything seemed to stop – barking dogs, people talking,…time itself. It was an intense connection with her that I will never forget. While watching her, I asked her to come one more time. While lowering herself again, she moved forward and suddenly leaped into my arms. We sat together until I was able to put a leash on her and take Trudy on her first walk outside. She was scared and remained glued to my side.
When I arrived at the facility the next day, I learned one of the other volunteers was able to leash Trudy up and take her for a walk. She quickly learned to open up to other people. About a week later, Trudy was adopted.
Shy and scared dogs have a more difficult time getting adopted because they do not show well, so people move on. Time, patience, and love can make a big difference in a homeless dog’s life. My three days with Trudy made a difference in her life. They made a difference in my life, too.
7.1.15 Found laying in the middle of the road at night, this precious little dog named Greta was picked up by an angel animal advocate. She was in severe shock, but not seriously injured. It took a few weeks for her to come out of her shell and bond with her foster mom. Greta is shy and timid and needs a home that is loving and patient with people that will help her feel safe and secure so she continues to blossom. We would love to find her a home where people are around a lot. She prefers a home without cats. If there are children, they need to be older and gentle with her. Greta needs to be an inside dog and if there is a yard, it needs to be secured with fencing. She is a sweet little soul who needs love and protection. She will make the most wonderful companion for someone. Estimated age and weight: 2 years, 10lbs; Recuperating from spay surgery; Micro-chipped; Terrier mix.
6.25.15 Proudly annoucing our participation in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program. We are grateful to Ralphs Grocery Stores for providing an easy way to donate to the Nika Animal Network. All you need to do is become a member of the Ralphs Community Contribution Program. Click on the Ralphs logo to enroll now…
6.24.15 What a difference a week can make. As you may know, Jill’s heart was failing last week and she almost died. We are so grateful for the wonderful veterinary care she has received – a BIG thank you to Dr. Ron D. and Dr. Chong. Jill is currently on three medications and has responded very well. Hopefully, she can get back to visiting seniors soon.
6.23.15 Jack visited the senior facility without Jill today.
In the meantime, Jack made a visit to the senior facility without Jill. He looked forward to visiting with Mr. M., but his room was empty. Unfortunately, Mr. M.passed on last week. Jack will miss his visits with him. Taking one day at a time and grateful Jill is still here and doing well today.
6.12.15 Throwback Thursday has inspired us to create Never Forget Friday. Occasionally on a Friday, we will feature one of our past foster dogs. We remember May fondly for our first Never Forget Friday….
5.19.15 Our sweet seniors, Jack and Jill, love visiting senior humans and making their day a little brighter. They understand what it feels like to be a senior and are able to provide that special touch of love to senior humans….it’s called Seniors For Seniors. Some moments can not be captured with a photo. One of those moments happened today with one of the residents.
When Jack and Jill walk through the halls of the senior living facility, sad and distant faces turn happy and connected, even if is just for a few moments. Mr. M is one of the residents they visit. He loves dogs and participated in one of the world’s foremost sled races with his team of dogs several times many years ago. His thoughts and conversation usually revert to that time. Mr. M’s room is often dark and he is usually sleeping. Today Jack and Jill were so happy to see him awake with sunlight coming into his room. Mr. M’s bed is lowered for safety reasons. Jack and Jill were eager to nestle by his side. He was happy to see them, too. He stroked them gently and when he stopped Jack would look for his hand. The stroking would resume. When the stroking stopped the second time, Jack crawled up to Mr. M’s face and gave him a little kiss. As he lay in bed, eyes closed with Jack and Jill by his side, Mr. M smiled. No words were spoken, just a quiet moment of connection.
Thank you Hale Pet Door for the donation…we greatly appreciate it!
We also thank Randy and Pam H. As a result of their purchase from Hale and listing our organization as a donation recipient from Hale’s Rescue Rewards Program, we received this donation….we can not thank you enough!
www.halepetdoor.com
4.8.15 We have changed the spelling of Zeek’s name to Zeke. There has been interest in him, but he is still waiting for his forever home. In the meantime, he is making great progress in our foster program. It is so rewarding to watch a dog transform…you can see the change in their eyes. Zeke has been with us for about three weeks. At the shelter he was so stressed in the noisy kennel run. He was confused and agitated after going through the trauma of being abandoned by his people. So, having some time to relax and get some regular vigorous exercise has been very good for him. He is learning that car rides are fun and has been jumping in the car on his own. His one and only car ride was probably to the shelter. Now, he goes on errands and hikes and is learning he is not going to be dumped. He is also learning the vacuum cleaner and lawn mower are not a scary dog eating monsters. His mornings begin with a walk and run with his dog friends. When he sees his meal, he sits without being asked. He is also learning that his mouthiness is not an acceptable way to control things. He responds to “no” and “down.” Not only is Zeke beautiful on the outside, he has a wonderful temperment. It is a shame his previous home did not appreciate this beautiful young dog or take the time to guide him. Although he is still learning, he has so much potential and is such a special dog.
We want all dogs to find their forever homes as soon as possible. But, sometimes it takes more time. During that time, they learn and we learn. We learn so much about them and what they really need. The information we gain and the experiences we have with our foster dogs is given to potential forever parents. As a result, the transition for the dog and the new parent(s) is usually easier. That is one of the reasons why our return rate is so low, around 1%. We do everything we can to ensure a new home is truly a dog’s forever home. Hopefully, our next update for Zeke will be his adoption story….paws crossed!
3.18.15 This is Zeke and his life has not started off well. He is only about 7 months old and after living with his people since he was a young puppy, they decided they didn’t have time for him anymore. So, they dropped him off at the shelter. Zeke is a Australian Shepherd mixed with possibly German Shepherd. He is highly intelligent and sensitive. He is very friendly and gets along with other dogs. He just needs people that are going to give him a lifetime commitment and the leadership he needs.