Chuck

I thought it was only right to share a story of a very successful adoption - so here is Chuck's Story. I am a new homeowner and after being in my house for a couple of months I knew I needed a four- legged friend to make it complete! I expressed interest in a few dogs on the Tails of Hope (TOH) website and began the adoption process. After being approved, my mom saw Chuck's picture and it was love at first sight! I was especially impressed with Chuck being a participant in the Cell Dog Program and eventually being the ambassador! Chuck began filling my days with happiness on January 10, 2010. I initially was only fostering to adopt and waiting to see how Chuck adjusted. I knew the minute we put him in the car to come home he was going to be just what I needed. Chuck has so much personality and love to give and I am thankful everyday he was brought to me. I could not have asked for a better friend and companion. Chuck came into my life just when I needed him and has brought a smile to my face, no matter what life has thrown my way, each and every day. Chuck enjoys taking walks, playing tug of war and going to see his "girlfriends" (especially Muffin who was also a successful adoption from TOH by my parents). I could not imagine not having Chuck around! Thank You TOH for bringing me my best friend.

Louie

I just wanted to send an update on Louie. As you can see Louie has made himself home in our office. He has a bed in the living room in which our cat (L.C.) has somehow claimed her own and Louie is too nice of a dog to kick her out of it so he has made himself home on our kids little couch. This is were he lays while Matt works. I am jealous that Matt gets to spend all day at home with him. We had a fantastic weekend going for walks, playing in the back yard, and just lounging on the couch. Louie is such a big cuddler. Thank you so much for helping Louie find his new home and blessing us with his company. We will keep you updated! Much Love, The McGeorge's Matt, Jen, Lily, and Lucas

Jake - Cell Dog

Peg and Allen were looking for a young Lab mix dog as a companion for them and their dog, Molly, in late December 2008. After applying to Tails of Hope, the dog that they had hope to adopt, had already found a home. During the process of trying to find them another dog, they learned that Tails of Hope rescued dogs in Ohio that went through a cell program to learn basic obedience skills. Peg and Allen were very interested in this program and decided that they wanted to adopt a 'cell' dog. Libby spoked to Peg about 'Jake' who arrived at a shelter in Ohio as a puppy in August 2008, but had not yet been to the cell program. Peg was put in touch with the shelter administrator to see whether Jake could enter the program and was delighted to hear that he could. After graduating from the program at the end of February 2009, Jake arrived in Maryland on March 1st and was adopted by Peg and Allen on March 3rd. Peg and Allen (add their feedback below) Hi, Everyone, I just wanted to tell you all that we haven't had Jake 24 hours yet and he is just the best little man. He is so well mannered and easy to handle. We have been on many walks, long and short, and he is excellent on the leash. He loves to cuddle and watch TV. We are allowing him on the couch in the family room because we have always allowed that with our dogs. He slept in his crate last night without a single peep out of him. Once we have figured out his bathroom habits we will not crate him and he can sleep wherever he wants. Allen and I want to thank everyone who helped in bringing Jake into our lives. If there is anyway you can thank the person who was instrumental in training Jake I wish you would. God bless the shelter Jake came from, Tails of Hope, the cell dog program, and all the volunteers at each. Sincerely, Peg

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

Mystic

Hi guys! Just wanted to write and let you know Bo is doing GREAT. We love this dog more than we could have ever imagined. He is smart, sweet, goofy, playful and wonderfully mannered. He’s fattened up just a bit at our vet’s suggestion. He gets yogurt on his food which helps with the dry Shepherd skin and he loves the taste. The yard is his play land and when we go out to throw the ball and play with the kids he’ll sometimes look at me and then take off at full speed and run around the yard as fast as he can jumping the wagons, and climbing gyms in the process. It’s like he is joyfully running. He has learned to play fetch and will do it for hours on end. I walk him twice a day and it’s our “alone time.” We get moving pretty fast and sometimes part of the walk is my run for the day so he is getting plenty of exercise. He’s perfect on the leash and walks right at my side. We have also ventured into a dog park nearby but so many of the dog owners in those places are clueless so we go and if there are un-monitored dogs acting out we leave. Bo, of course, is a total gentleman and comes back every time I call him. His best friends at the dog park are a Beagle named T-Rex and a Golden Retriever named Bella. They play really well together. We spend a lot of time outside as a family and he comes everywhere with us. They kids bike or use their scooters and Bo and I walk behind. We go on a nature walk by our house and that is awesome. We get to see a lot of other dogs and sometimes deer and fox and snakes (yuck). Bo is not fond of snakes…he barks at them! He has become best friends with the dog next door, Charlie, and we frequently do play dates in each other’s yards. Also he has stopped counter surfing! We trained him to sit while we make his food and then when we say “ok” after the dish is put down he can come and eat. I have even left butter on the table and he didn’t touch it! When he first came to live with us several innocent sticks of butter were lost to his appetite J He sits in the front seat when we pick up Catherine at school and all the kids waiting for pick up yell “Hi Bo!” He’s practically the school mascot. Most of all he is just incredible with our kids. He plays and has fun but rolls over to show his belly if they want to take a toy away to throw it for him and he is really gentle around them. We have worked hard to ensure they always treat him with respect, never tease and give him lots of love and affection. We simply love, love, love this dog. My favorite thing about him is his desire to be close and petted and connected. At night he and my husband and I sit on the couch and watch movies and he’s sprawled out between us getting a full on tummy rub for hours on end. And Terri, you were so right on about him being lazy in the morning. He totally likes to sleep in. I love it. I’m attaching some pictures of him. He’s laying on the floor at my feet right now with his head on his blue fuzzy squeaky toy. Thank you so much for rescuing him. He is so much a part of our family now and we realized that the year we went without a dog after Willie died was really empty. We are just a family that is not complete without a dog and Bo was that missing link. I feel very blessed to have been able to welcome two wonderful dogs into my life. Take care and thanks again for bringing Bo into our lives! We love him! Best, SB