Max

My name is Max, I’m a German shepherd and I believe in Tails of Hope. I was abandoned in a shelter feeling very, very sorry for myself. I wouldn’t socialize, I just kept to my cage like you do when you’re scared and sad. I didn’t know why I was there. I used to have a family but one day they just up and left me. No explanation. No goodbye. No thanks for the memory, just going, going, gone. I thought maybe it was because I had no tail. I don’t remember why it’s missing but I’m scared of anything that makes a grinding sound. Tail-less makes you look kind of silly when you’re a shepherd. I mean, you never see a K9 with no tail getting bad guys on Animal Planet, do ya? Well I kept getting passed over even after I was obedience trained and certified. Everyone at the shelter loved me but I was feeling pretty hopeless. I had lots of heart but looked, well frankly, a bit weird with this little waggily stump. Then I heard a rumor; “Max No-Tail is going!” I feared the worst and went further back in my cage to be invisible so no one would find me but then a dog in the shelter said a group called “Tails of Hope” was interested in putting me on their website. Yeah, right I thought, “Tails of Hope” huh? Me, Max No Tail? “Tails of Hope” had a couple who had seen me on their site. There had been other dogs they’d liked but they were really, really interested in me. They said that their older dog had died and they had another dog that was grieving for her friend. I heard she was a beautiful but huge Malamute Shepherd named Laika and that they had a tortoiseshell cat with the strange name of Mousey Tongue. I didn’t chase cats and I knew I could get along with anyone if they liked me first. They filled out the application and after a little routine checking around they got approved. I missed the first trip to Maryland and I thought maybe they’d changed their minds, but it was just a mix up in travel dates. By the following weekend, the countdown began, Me, Max No Tail, relayed from a shelter in Ohio to Tails of Hope in Maryland and then off to my new home near the Chesapeake Bay. I changed cars seven times on the relay trek to Maryland and at the end of the journey there was my new home. My new big sister Laika met me outside the door and we walked towards my new home together. I had my security moose in my mouth (a gift from my last driver) and after a long drink and a few hello treats we all went for a walk on the beach. It was awesome! I went nuts…never had I seen so much space. A few days later I had my first special grooming in a van that came to the house, Me, Max No Tail, getting clean teeth, ears, nails, special skin conditioning and a massage. I came out feeling handsome and no one even laughed when my tail stump was brushed. I learned to sing with Laika for supper. (It’s a family thing; you have to be there), and because I’m still scared of other dogs in multiples, I’m getting special training from a dog whisperer kind of trainer (and boy does she like me!), and my new vet thinks I’m a wonderful guy. I’ve even learned to like the six grandchildren who visit us sometimes. Me, Max No Tail! And everybody loves my little stump’cos they say it wiggles when I’m happy and it doesn’t knock anything over on their big coffee table when I turn around. Every night, we all snuggle up and read, listen to Harry Potter books on CD (I just love underdog stories) or watch movies, and when I wake up it’s straight to the beach for a run after breakfast. In the day time I sit with my new Mom while she writes her latest novel, (I’m even going to be on the picture of her new book), but my favorite time is when my new Dad plays the drums and I’m there right beside him. I’ve got rhythm, you know. He couldn’t do it without me. He says “Max, let’s do it” and I just inspire him. I’m so cool. I’m still learning the rules and it will take time but my Mom and Dad love me and they’ll get me through the parts where I really have to concentrate and not lose confidence. They tell me that practice makes perfect. For the first time I can be Relaxed Max, instead of Max No Tail because I’ve found that love, even for guys like me is without conditions and even a dog’s life has infinite possibilities. Thanks Tails of Hope, Libby, Becki and everyone who transported me here and of course Anna Rawlings who bought my toy moose to calm me down on the last leg of the journey. Now I have a family, a cat that snuggles me, and a big sister as well. Move over Marley and Beethoven, make room for Max, one lucky dog!

Sheila

Shelia's story: I am a Basset cross (my mom did a DNA test) and I would like to tell you my happy story. Tails of Hope rescued me from a shelter when I was pregnant with my last litter. Mom had come with her daughter who was there to get one of my beautiful pups. She chose Casper (now Bristol who turned out to be Basset and Lab cross, picture a Lab with 5 inch legs). My mom, aka Nana, spent her time with me, giving me love hugs, petting and staring into my soul (her words not mine). They left with my son, but mom could not stop thinking about me. She already had two kids at home, O.C. and Cindy, Boston Terriers. Tried as she might not to think about me, she could not stop seeing my face in her heart. To shorten this story just a little, she applied to TOH to adopt me. A lady went to her house (a mansion in my eyes) to make sure it would be a good physical home for me, I think they already knew mom's heart was a good fit. A long 6 weeks passed when mom, Cindy, OC and Mackenzie (mom's grand-daughter) came back to get me. Although I liked the girl who took care of me, I really loved her dad and had a hard time leaving him. But home we went. Mom bought a beautiful soft-sided pet thing for me to ride home in, but Cindy and OC were put in there because they were so happy, but they were driving me crazy! Once we got home I was so happy, I just jumped and ran, up and down the stairs, out the doggy door into a big yard, oh happy days! I had my own bowl, although it seemed small as my appetite was larger than that bowl. I was a very thin 25lbs, and mom said I needed some meat on my bones and boy was it fun 'putting meat on my bones'. Until TOH found me my meals must have been scarce cause I eat like there is no tomorrow, no I don't gobble I just finish all of mine, and if mom isn't looking I get the other bowls (I think she has eyes in the back of her head). Well, I put on the weight, and my vet finally said WHOA! I now hit the scales at 50 lbs! Mom doesn't give me her food, I do try to get some, but she is immune to my woeful eyes, darn. Mom says I am gorgeous, loving and the best girl she ever met. She doesn't say this in front of Cindy though. Mom has since retired and we moved to Florida. I don't have a yard anymore, but don't be sad, I like to sleep a lot......... and Cindy is older now and OC went to heaven just before we moved. It is very hot here so mom walks me in the morning, and I get to chase the lizards, boy do I love them lizards - but the best thing.....in Florida they have doggy parks!!!! We go everyday, we may get rained on while we are there, but we stay at least 2-3 hours. They have lizards as well and I am the great hunter of those little devils. I have so many biped friends... of course their doggies are nice but the bipeds give scratches and belly rubs, oh I do love my belly rubs. We recently adopted my little brother, who people say looks just like me, I don't think so, he is short, long, and has brown and white patches. Mom calls him Scout or Little Man. Nice kid, good for a romp now and then if the spirit moves me. At least he lost those real sharp teeth, they did a job on my ears in the beginning. So he keeps me moving, even in the house. Oh yeah, I have two other siblings, Vinnie, a Ragdoll cat who likes to eat out of my bowl, I don't think so!!! Mom got him last year,he is 10 y/o, he is OK except for the bowl thing. He loves to clean my ears, oh that is nice, I mean for a cat. And now she brought home another cat. Suzi, her human went to heaven with OC, mom says. She is a big girl, but doesn't bother me, she leaves my bowl alone at least, I don't know what a Maine Coon is, but she is one of them, so mom says. She is another senior citizen, and that is one extra bowl to try to sneak a taste of. Thank heaven for the doggy park is all I can say. So that is my story. As you can see Tails of Hope has yet another happy story for all their hard work in helping all of us find our forever homes. Let's hear it for Tails of Hope!!!!!

Phoebe

I rescued Ollie, a Rottweiler mix, about a year ago. He is a wonderful dog but lonely for a dog companion. I tried to introduce Ollie to dogs in the neighborhood to play with but trying to meet others on regular basis was difficult. I had been looking for another dog through various rescue organizations and the humane society but did not see the one that I thought would be a good companion for Ollie and me. While riding a work shuttle bus, a gentleman asked if anyone was looking for a good dog that is Labrador/Border Collie mix. He said that his Mother volunteers for "Tails of Hope" and she was trying to find a home for a great dog, Phoebe. My coworker spoke up and said that I was. I inquired about the dog and she was everything that I thought would make a good friend for Ollie. She was the right breed, size, age, and I wanted to rescue another dog. Furthermore, he had a picture of her with all of her information. She was a very cute dog with a sad history. Phoebe was a stray dog rescued by his Mother from the humane society. I contacted the gentleman's Mother and we met that evening at a kennel where Phoebe was staying. Ollie and Phoebe played a little and it appeared that they would get along. The next night while I was sitting on the couch watching television, I asked Ollie, "Where is Phoebe?" Ollie's ears perked up, he got up and started looking around for her. I new he liked her since he definitely remembered her name. The next week Phoebe was brought to my home. Ollie and I met Phoebe and the "Tails of Hope" representative outside. When Ollie and Phoebe saw each other they wagged their tails, started jumping, and playing with each other. Well, Ollie and Phoebe are inseparable. Where one is the other one is. From the beginning, Ollie has shared his toys by taking them over to Phoebe and laying them next to her. I don't think she new what to do with the toys or for that matter she didn't seem to understand very much. Ollie has been helpful in training Phoebe. She copies him in play, which includes wet-neck, tug-of-war, catch-me-if-you-can, and taking toys when the other isn't looking. Because she copies Ollie, she is quickly learning commands, leash walking, and house breaking. My friends, neighbors, and veterinarian seemed surprised by how well they get along and they get along better than I had hoped. I expected a little jealously from Ollie, but I think I may be the one a little jealous since he seems to have little time for me.

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.

Annie

ANNIE The day I found Annie the farthest thing from my thoughts was getting another pet. Because I have been blessed by finding four wonderful dogs from Tails-of-Hope, I often browse their website. That day I was searching on behalf of a friend and, all of a sudden, there she was . . . the adorable Annie filled my screen. Though I know it is dangerous for me to read about the ones that grab my heart at first sight, I had to know about her. “Twelve years old” it said . . . oh dear, I knew that was surely very old-age for an airedale. Old age or not, I had to “meet” Annie and within a few hours I was on my way to the shelter where she had been for 10 days, another hour and I was on my way home and guess who was in the back seat!. What had I done? I already have two magnificent rescue guys and now they had a sister. She is the most wonderful pet anyone could want. She is mellow and sweet as befits her age, but trotting along beside Fozzie Bear and Toby, one would think she was years younger. There is not a doubt in the world that Annie was destined for this dog house . . . she is undeniably happy here and we are just delighted with her. Still I must stay away from that Website !!!