May 30, 2011

Rita's Gary adopted!

Congratulations to Rita's Gary, who has found his forever home with failed foster parents, Paul and Leslie.

Rita's Gary is our most recent arrival from Taiwan, coming in several weeks ago. Gary is 5-6 years old and is just a wonderful, well-mannered dog with a beautiful cream coat (I still want to know what kind of shampoo they use on these dogs to get them so soft!). We had some new volunteerrs come out to join the Welcome Waggin, including Paul who agreed to take Gary home overnight. Right off the bat, Paul and Leslie's pup, Buddy, and Gary started playing very nicely. And although Mufasa wasn't ready to wrestle, he got along just fine with the new guy. Paul dropped off Gary at CP the next day (Monday) for vetting, but when he returned on Tuesday for dog walking duties he realized how easy Gary was and asked if he could foster him.

Its been a busy year for the Paul and Leslie. In January they adopted Mufasa (now known as Moof) and a few days later they lost their Golden, Rudolph. In late February they adopted Ready, who went back to his original name of Buddy. They certainly weren't planning on adding a third pup to their household. But Gary had other plans. He fit in so well with the other dogs, and Buddy has so much fun playing with him, that when I asked Paul for some help in getting Gary's bio ready for the website he was hemming and hawing a bit. Gary came in with some hip x-rays which we needed to have evaluated and, after his appointment, Paul said he and Leslie wanted to keep this affectionate fellow. (He does have hip dysplasia, but doesn't seem to have pain or symptoms so Paul will just keep him on glucosamine, keep his weight down, limit high-impact activities and hope surgery isn't needed in the future.)

Gary is so very thankful to Rita and MJ for finding him and getting him healthy to travel. He thanks Barbara D. for approving his trip to CA, and he was so happy to see the Welcome Waggin' at LAX. Fate brought him together with his new dad that night - he can't imagine a better home than the one he chose. And he thanks Denise P. for doing the paperwork to make the match legal. We are waiting for a full family portrait, but in the meantime here is Gary with Buddy and Moof and a couple of other shots.

Welcome home Gary!


May 29, 2011

Update from Rita's Melissa, now called Nora

Nora is doing just great. Today we are going to an obedience class. Not sure how she'll take to that but only one way to find out. She's really settling in. She knows how to sit when we ask her. She "asks" Alan to take her for a walk by standing in front of him when he's watching TV and wagging her tail. Of course, Alan takes her out. She has captured our hearts. So sweet, so pretty and so endearing. We'll get those pictures, asap. Nora says, "Woof, woof, and thank you to everyone who helped her."

Jane


May 25, 2011

Update from Rita's Millie

She fits into our home life perfectly. We have taken her camping 3 times now and she seems to have a great time. She follows my son everywhere he goes. Millie plays with the 2 small dogs and the cat has even accepted her into our family.

Jana





May 18, 2011

Rita's Nina adopted!

Congratulations to Rita's Nina, who has found her forever home.

Nina came to us from Taiwan where Rita & MJ found her in a shelter. She had been adopted and returned several times, and to prevent this from continuing to happen, these wonderful ladies said they'd take her. She was very skinny after not being treated for parasites for a long time, but was brought back to health and put into a foster home where she gained weight and waited for her trip to the US. She came to CA in early March, and Brad offered to take her home overnight. Like so many of our wonderful foster homes, once she was there, Brad and Melissa said she could stay until adoption. They had some "adventures" with Nina - she was a bit possessive of her food and toys with the other dogs at first, but slowly learned there was plenty to go around and she adjusted quite well. There was the chewed remote control and missing battery - did she eat it? It never did turn up (or come out)! There was the day Brodie (formerly Jeffy) taught her to go in the fountain and then they and all came back in to turn the master bed into a water bed. And how about discovering she liked to watch the horses on TV - and when they ran off the screen she ran into the next room looking for them? She's a very entertaining young pup!

Sarah and Troy are a young, engaged couple who have been wanting to get a Golden, and found the time was now right. Sarah works at a stable and can take her dog to work. They said they wanted a male dog and we talked to them about several, but none seem to be the right fit. When Melissa was telling me more about how Nina enjoyed visiting the horses at their ranch, and then the story about watching them on TV, we thought this might be a great match. PA Eva talked to Sarah about Nina and she agreed Nina sounded like a fit - and being a girl dog was okay! We put her in touch with Brad and Melissa on Saturday morning, and Sarah and Troy made the drive from Oceanside to Santa Clarita that day to meet her! Of course they took her home and she is settling in great, going to work with Sarah and enjoying hanging out around the stables.

Nina is so grateful to Rita & MJ for rescuing her from the shelter and sending her to California. She thanks Barbara D. for approving her trip west, as well as the Welcome Waggin' who was there to greet her on her arrival. She has enjoyed her time with Brad and Melissa and sends sloppy kisses for all they did for her. She also thanks Nancy A. for scouting out this wonderful family for her. Attached is a picture of the new family.

Welcome home Nina!

Happy Gotcha Day, Pang Pang!

Can you believe that today marks Pang Pang’s first anniversary in the United States? What a year it has been for our princess and what a year for us as well! As I looked over the photos of her arrival at LAX I was overcome with emotion. This beautiful girl has come so far and given so much. We celebrated her anniversary at a luncheon hosted by our local Apartment Association, where Pang Pang was recognized for the impact she has had on many area seniors. The story of her rescue captivated the audience. Thank you again for the amazing partnership with Project Taiwan that brought Pang Pang home to us!

Sharron

Welcome Rita's Gary!