Binky

We wanted to give you an update on Dobby (aka Binky). He is doing great and has become such a wonderful addition to our family. He quickly became a "momma’s boy"! Dobby and our other dog Bandit are getting along great. They have started to play and even sleep on the couch together. He is definitely a lap dog and loves to sit with Mike on the sofa. We ventured out to the doggie park and he had a blast chasing Bandit and some of the other puppies. Thanks again for everything!

Blessing

It's been almost seven months since you all blessed me with the sweetest, most beautiful dog. I wanted to write and update you on things--and thank you again from the bottom of my heart for a creature that really, truly has been a blessing to our home. Last time I contacted you, "Blessing", who now goes by Lina, was adjusting well, enjoying her rawhide, mixing well with the other pets, and having a blast hiking! She is one happy, exceptionally obedient dog! We go hiking just about every weekend, something Lina looks forward to all week. She can leap over fallen trees like a horse and boulder better than I can sometimes! She's such a trooper! Now that I have a full time job, she travels with me to Richmond during the week for training and loves the hotel life. It means lots of time at daycare, the dog park, and walks all day long, it seems. I'm up hours before I have to be there playing with her and taking her for walks, back for lunch to do the same, and then again after work! Best part? I don't mind it a bit. She's worth all the time and effort in the world. I'm writing primarily to share a story with you. It might start out a little gray, but I promise it's got a happy ending! Shortly after Lina came into our home, the whole demeanor here changed. My father, who up to this point in his life, has never really been a fan of pets, warmed right up to her and welcomed her as a new friend. She gave him a scare or two, even a rough time now and again, but they have a very positive relationship that makes everyone here smile. Well... a little while after we got Lina, dad had another stroke. He was having a real hard time walking and getting around in general. He fell several times, and we were very worried to leave him alone. Would you believe that Lina would come over to his chair when he was feeling unwell and simply refuse to leave his side? If he got up to walk, she went with him. If he went outside, she escorted him around, never straying too far. I really think the only thing that was getting him through the pain and frustration he felt was Lina. While I was at work, he made it his job to walk her, to play with her, and to make sure she was "properly loved." Of course, now that he is well, the loving is still taking place. Thank you, Tails of Hope and K9 Lifesavers! You and I may have saved the life of a wonderful dog... but she, I'm willing to bet, saved the life of my father by helping him deal with his second and more debilitating stroke. And no need to worry -- dad's doing so much better now. Ah -- and Lina is stuck to me like glue once again, which I prefer... :D Thank you all again for my wonderful dog. I love her so much! I've attached a few pictures for you to see how beautiful and talented she is! Best wishes in all, Katie White

Bear

This is Bear’s story. He was a young stray dog who ended up in a kill-shelter, days away from death. But thanks to a network of resourceful and hardworking animal rescue organizations, volunteers and one wonderful family, Bear’s life was spared the fate of millions of other dogs. His new life started the day Celeste, a shelter volunteer, spotted the fuzzy little black dog and fell in love with him. Celeste made it her business to find a sanctuary for Bear. She tried and tried and cried and cried over his fate because she could find none to adopt him nor a rescue with room to take him and time was running out. Luckily for Bear, Celeste reached out to Libby, a Tails of Hope volunteer, to help with Bear’s placement. Libby knew of a foster family in Virginia who could take Bear. To celebrate, Celeste and Bear went for a long walk and then headed for McDonalds. A few days later, Celeste, Bear and over 22 other dogs made the five-hour trip from Ohio to Maryland. Bear, of course, rode shotgun in the front seat. When the foster family picked up Bear, he was naturally scared. But, accepting his fate and putting his trust in complete strangers, he headed into the next chapter of his new life (which included an excursion to Petsmart to pick out some toys and treats). Not long after settling into his foster home, a representative from the English Shepherd Rescue saw Bear’s picture on the Tails of Hope website and contacted Libby. Seems Bear just might be more of a prince than a pauper! Not that a registered English Shepherd pedigree could make anyone love Bear more, but it did add a certain cache. Apparently, over the next couple of days, lots of people were checking out the Tails of Hope website; including Dennis and Colette who live all the way in upstate New York. A while back, Dennis and Colette had lost their beloved English Shepherd, Catfish. Though no dog could replace Catfish, the couple thought they might have just a little more love left over for a new best friend. Colette and Dennis made the four-hour trek to meet Bear for the first time. Bear’s fosters were apprehensive. Fortunately, Colette and Dennis were smitten by the little snuggle bug! Now, Bear is safe. His new family reports that, “Bear is arc’n and spark’n.” He spends his days chasing balls, herding his owners toward the biscuit jar, attacking the cattails in the pond and shredding the fluff allover. Later, he sneaks a snooze on their bed. On the weekends, Bear goes hiking, canoeing and visiting with his new family. Recently, he even participated in a dog parade. Bear’s last chapter would have had a much different ending had it not been for all of the people in the rescue cycle. Take just one of those folks away and Bear would be just a memory, a number in a shelter logbook. (Sadly, the week Bear headed to his new foster home, over 30 animals were euthanized at Bear’s shelter). So, if you have ever considered, even for a minute becoming involved in animal rescue, Bear urges you to act on that impulse. Tails of Hope makes it easy for families to fit a foster into their lives. The rescue pays for all medical care and offers plenty of advice, training and support. You will certainly gain far more than you give. The work is rewarding and energizing and along the way you will discover a network of life enriching friends. Maybe the most amazing chapter is yet to come. A certified evaluator determined that Bear would be an exceptional therapy dog candidate. Weeks ago, Bear was someone’s cast-off and now he’s on the verge of a new career, a ray of tail wagging sunshine in the life of a senior or a bedridden child.