New Beginnings Happy Endings

June 13, 2006 - Jonesy (foster mom update)

Barb Frank in Apple Valley MN fostered Jonesy, affectionately known as Gramps. He was a 12-13 year old stray, and was adopted by Marce S. in Maplewood, MN. Update, below

Hi!

I wanted to drop a line and let you know that Jonsey is adjusting very well to his new home.  He's got us wrapped around his little paw! He did fantastic up north, no accidents at all. He slept a lot the first few days and didn't bark until Sunday, four days after we brought him home! He startled me when he did, I wasn't expecting it, I was getting dressed to take him out for his walk but I must not have been moving fast enough for him. Did you know he can run? When we go for our walks, he gets so excited he runs and barks at anyone walking by. He will run ahead then stop to make sure I'm still behind him even though he is on a leash! He tolerates hugs and kisses but let's me know when he wants to get down. He seems to walk (and run) much better on the days he gets his syn-flex. He is getting his eye drops twice a day now but the whites of his eyes are starting to look bumpy and red. I've got an appointment for him tomorrow at our vet for his check up. He sure is a joy to have with us. He sleeps in his bed you sent home with us when we're at home but he sleeps in his new bed up north. Gizmo is doing fine with Jonsey, they like their walks together. Gizmo and Bandit when they were on their walks would walk side by side almost touching each other. When I took Gizmo and Jonsey for their first walk together Gizmo would get up next to Jonsey touch his side and Jonsey would trot ahead, Gizmo would prance to catch up then Jonsey would fall behind. Now after they've been on a few walks together, they are starting to walk side by side.

I had the two of them out for a walk and Jonsey barked at two people walking by us. I wanted to tell the people not worry, he won't bite and if he did, he has no teeth but they just said "good morning" and kept walking.

He wasn't eating very good, the first few days he really didn't eat at all. Did you know he can eat off of a spoon? Worried he wasn't eating, I tried to feed him with a spoon and he seemed like he knew exactly what he was doing. If you let him sniff the food on the spoon, then turn the spoon upside down, he will bite on the spoon and lick the food off of the spoon with his tongue. He's been eating much better now. Phil laughs and me and tells me I'm spoiling him, is that possible? Gizmo is learning very quickly how to eat off of a spoon now too!

This is a photo of Jonesy after a few months with his new mom. Look at him race through that snow!

April 19, 2006 - Kyoshi

Carol and I did the Viesselmann's HV this afternoon.   They had a beautiful home with a large lot (no fence).  Linda's original preference was a "small female lap dog," so I brought my 15 mo-old Mia and my male, Kyoshi, went for the exposure.  Mia was her usual happy self, until their CockaPoo got too close, and the two got into a dog fight.  After observing Mia these last two weeks, I'm convinced she initiated the attack. Well this knocked her out of the race.

Kyoshi was his usual calm and cuddly self.  Marvin loved holding him. You can tell their Charley was well cared for and the Viesselmanns told us stories of previously owned dogs.  All had very good lives and all seemed to have had rough starts.  They had my immediate approval.  Linda is a horse and dog person and seems to be very knowledgeable about general animal care.  I was thrilled that they wanted Kyoshi.  So Carol and I finished the HV and left Kyoshi with them.  He will be loved.

June

? 2006: Zippy (and Ben)

IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE AND MUCH PERSONAL SADNESS, ZIPPY WILL BE LEAVING APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA AND RELOCATING TO THE GREAT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA. DIANNE AND KEN HURD HAVE APPLIED FOR ZIPPY AND ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING HIS ARRIVAL. MANY OF YOU SEEM T0 KNOW THIS COUPLE AND WITH THE RAVE REVIEWS THEY RECEIVED, THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD NOT OK THE ADOPTION. AFTER HAVING SEVERAL LENGTHY CONVERSATIONS WITH DIANNE, IT ALREADY SEEMS LIKE I HAVE KNOWN HER FOREVER. I WILL MISS MY LITTLE LOVE BUG BUT KNOW HE WILL GET THE EMOTIONAL LOVE AS WELL AS THE CONTINUED MEDICAL/THERAPEUTIC CARE WITH THE HURDS. JUST FINDING OUT DIANNE IS A RETIRED NURSE MAKES IT ALL THE EASIER TO LET GO AND SAY GOOD BYE. I WOULD SAY MY FIRST FOSTER WITH NEW BEGINNINGS HAS BEEN A SUCCESS AND , WITH GOOD AND BAD, A JOY! BARB FRANK LILY ROSE, EMMA ANNE AND THE ZIP

Special Note:
Diane and Ken Hurd adopted 10 year old Ben, their first doggie, in 2003 (if memory serves). Later, they adopted Zippy, a special needs baby. Below are Diane's thoughts on adopting using the heart

"I  thought I wanted a puppy"
My husband and I have adopted three boys from your rescue, and one other I rescued myself.

When I 1st started to think of getting my shih-tzu, I knew nothing of puppy mills, or pet store pets, or anything....I became "educated" by a good friend on email, and learned about your rescue in MInnesota, we live in ND>

I thought I wanted a puppy, or at the least a young dog....as long as it was a shih-tzu....a life long want of mine.

I contacted your rescue and was put in contact with Lisa, and then Amy.....AND THE REST IS ANOTHER STORY.

Amy sent me an email picture of BEN......a 10 year old OTI, who was just adorable...

But did we want "an old dog"???????

Were we asking for heart break?...Were we looking at one year and facing illnesss, or worse??

After much talk, and much heart search, and of course looking at his adorable face.......we went ahead and started the process. We were impressed with the complete screening you did...YOU REALLY LOVE THESE DOGS!!!!!!!!

The day we met Ben was the start of a life long journey of love.

Ben became our boy, he was 10 years young, and he was full of life. At 10, Ben learned to camp, to ride in a cart behind our bikes, to love parks, and walks, he learned to go to work with me three days a week, my clients started to request appointments when he was there, he attended staff meetings, sitting as if he were the chairmen of the meeting...quiet, polite but forever alert and regal. Everyone adored him. He made nursing home visits to friends, and strangers alike. He was polite, easy going and loved life.

We had Ben 6 more years, full of love, joy, and fun...he welcomed a new brother Sammy at age 12, even tho Sam was only 9 months,,,and he welcomed another "oldie" Zipper right after that.......

Ben left us for the bridge at the age of 16 this past February. His presece those 6 years were worth a lifetime to us. He trained Sammy to walk on lead and potty outside, and he filled our lives with more joy then we could ever say. We will be eternally grateful to your rescue and to all the people that helped bring Ben to us.

He welcomed two new rescues to our home, Sammy at age 9 months, and Zipper at age 6....Sam now 4 and Zip now 8..he helped to train them, and teach um "the ropes".

Zipper is your November calendar guy. He is a charmer, and a complete joy....full of love, energy, and charm. He loves the ladies, two and four legged versions. He has three legs that work, left untreated as a pup, and abandoned by his owners in their back yard when they moved.

But Zip knows no enemies, he knows no anger, and he knows nothing about "disabled"...Zipper prefers to think of life as a bowl of belly rubs, and golf cart rides, and meal times. He represents rescue in its best form. Since his bad leg starts questions and education. He is our love child....he never has one bad day!!

Now we have one "oldie" and one 4 yo, and one 7 month old...all unplanned, all planned for us somewhere.

Please consider adopting a older dog, they are so full of love, and so full of wisdom.

Ben and Zip have taught us:

            Life is never over just because years are many

            Love is ageless

            Never give up

            Always forgive, it opens your heart again

            "disabled" only matters if its in your mind

            Never turn down a good belly rub...all else can wait 

            Always love again, since life is unpredictable.

             Life is important at all ages.

AND I THIUGHT I WANTED A PUPPY..............................Dianne Hurd, owned by Sammy , Zipper, and Teddibear

Zippy, pre-adoption

Ben Hurd and family...Ben passed away in 2007. He was 16 years old