Monday, February 27, 2012

Indiana Jones (AKA Scooter)

Hi,

We adopted "Scooter" from Homeward Pet in the beginning of Jan. 2012. He is quite the character so naturally we changed his name to honor one of the best characters ever, Indiana Jones (we just call him Jones)!

Jones has adapted quite nicely to our home, he gets along well with our two cats and sleeps in a fabric crate with the cushiest dog bed inside - this is his favorite place! He's been going to training and has graduation this week, he really loves getting praised and getting treats! He does love to chew and has taken some tshirts and slippers to his dog bed, but we have lots of toys for him so he's learning what's his. It's definitely important to keep things interesting for him! Meeting some other dogs at the dog park has been so fun, Jones loves to run and chase and be chased too. He really is the sweetest dog.

We are grateful to Claire and to Homeward Pet for helping us choose this great dog!

Dina & Drew


Sunday, February 19, 2012

Tank and Harry


Adopted from Homeward as "Tom and Jerry", we renamed them Tank and Harry as their personalities started to emerge.

They're adapting quickly and growing even faster! Our adult cat is accepting them and even beginning to play; he's certainly become more active with them around. They interact well with our dog too, though there hasn't been much play between them.

I've posted a web gallery below; feel free to download any photos you wish to use (right click to save), or let me know which you'd like and I'll email them. Gallery: http://www.billsaltphoto.com/Other/Smart-Gallery

Bill

Friday, February 17, 2012

Scooter - Always in Our Hearts

Dear Homeward Pet,

It is with heavy heart that I write to let you know that the wonderful little dog I adopted from Homeward Pet, Scooter, has passed away. I adopted Scooter from your awesome organization in 2008 - he was a Lhasa Apso mix name Boomer at the time. Since then, we moved across to country together, relocating from Seattle to New York City. Scooter enjoyed his time in the Big Apple and we discovered his love of romping in the snow in the winter and swimming at the beach in the summer.
While I am devastated by the lose of Scooter, I do want you fine folks to know that I appreciate everything you did to bring us together, for giving Scooter the time, space and care he needed to recover and become my best friend. Not every animal care organization would have had the time or the resources to give him the best chance to get adopted, but you knew that he had a happy home and a loving family in his future and did everything you could to get him there.

We may not have had that many years together, but the time we had was fantastic. Scooter was spoiled and doted on by a wide circle of friends and family, and universally adored by everyone he knew. He really packed a lot of living, frolicking, playing and loving in to those years.
Thank you sincerely for patching up my best friend - and for giving me some of the happiest times I've ever known. I recently read the book "Humphrey was Here" by Mark Asher - his account of the sudden death of his beloved dog. The way he describes his dog is so perfect that I used the phrase as Scooter's epitaph for the urn holding his remains."My constant shadow and everlasting sun."

Thank you for your amazing work, for the animals you rescue, the families you build and the light you bring in to so many lives. I am a better person because of Scooter.
Sincerely,
Colin

Monday, February 13, 2012

Casper and Jasmine


We adopted Casper and Jasmine (then Angel) in August of 2010. I saw Jasmine's photo on Homeward's website and it was love at first sight. I knew she was meant to be in our lives. We rushed out the next day to get her (thankfully she was still available!). She was living with her brother, so of course we brought him home too!
They are best buds and complete opposites. Jasmine is wild, curious, hyper, mischievous. We always joke that she never sleeps! She is also extremely cuddly and affectionate. Casper is very mellow, lazy and happy to just watch the world go by.
Casper has also become best buddies with our small dog, Lily, and they are usually found walking around the house together - side by side. You won't see one without the other. They also cuddle and sleep together.
Thank you Homeward Pet for our two wonderful kitties! They bring so much happiness to our lives.
Kacy, Brian and the gang

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Pike


Just a quick note to let you know that we just adore Pike. He’s doing great. The vet said he is totally deaf and his eyesight is foggy – but he’s still a happy guy for being 12 (x7). He has lost some weight and he is moving better with meds twice a day. He loves to go for walks and he occasionally breaks out into a short trot – and looks terribly proud of himself for doing so. He is a darling old guy.

Orson (our yellow lab) seems to like having a doggy-buddy around. We also have 2 cats who have welcomed him in their own passive-cat-way. :) Our nearly-3-year-old son adores Pike too. Originally, you were cautious to adopt Pike into a home with young children – but he loves our toddler and there’s lots of hugging going on. We’re just thrilled to have him with us. There’s plenty of love to go around.

I hope lots of lucky kids and kids-at-heart adopt pets for Valentine’s Day. A wonderful way to share the love.

Thanks,
Suzie, John & Buckley + all the furry friends

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Buddy

Good morning! Buddy is doing very well and is an excellent addition to the house. He has fit in very well and fairly immediately, although all the pets are still warming up to each other.

Since the weather has been so gorgeous, Buddy, Spike (the pre-existing Chihuahua), and I take a tour of the perimeter of our yard, which is about an acre. Buddy has started to follow Spike around the yard, too, which is pretty cute. Last night, he and Spike actually started to play together for the first time. Unfortunately, Spike was startled when Buddy responded, and wasn't sure what to do, since the cat has never played with him before. The play didn't last long, because Spike was confused, but it was adorable, and I see a beautiful friendship budding.

The cat just constantly thinks "oh brother - ANOTHER one!" and I think she's plotting my demise.

Buddy went to see his vet last Thursday and has another follow up on Friday for his poor ears. Still a bit a yeast in them, but we're staying diligent with them.

I believe we'll be signing up for a March start date with the free training, and if he passes the first class okay, then the plan is to take both dogs in for the D2 class after that so that we can get them used to doing the SAME commands and behaviors. Mostly, the class is to train me, I think.

Anyway, all is well and we're thrilled! Thank you for this marvelous addition to our family - it was kismet!

:-)


 

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Jewel

We adopted our kitten Jewel from Homeward Pet about one month ago and she has been a wonderful addition to our family. She is such a sweet girl - I can understand why she was named Jewel.

We went to Homeward Pet looking for a young kitty who had been around (and liked) other pets. We wanted to adopt a companion for our young dog and our other kitty. Our adoption counselor, Claire was great in helping us find the right match. She introduced us to Jewel who she had been fostering at home and said that she had done really with her pets.

We fell in love with Jewel right away. As soon as we brought her home, Jewel and Bosco (our Boston Terrier), became best buddies. Right away they started sleeping next to each other on his blanket by the fireplace and were hanging out together.

Jewel is also trying to charm our 3 year-old cat, Cierra. They will play together, but we have to make sure things don't get too rough because of their size difference. We are hopeful they will become good companions.

We adore Jewel and are very grateful to have her as part of our family! Thank you Homeward Pet!

John, Cathy, Bosco, Cierra & Jewel