Adopt — Happy Tails
Every month BARK checks in with our adopters to see how things are going. Below are just a few of the comments we’ve received. If you’d like to read all the comments, please email robin@barkva.org and ask to be added to our mailing list for the monthly newsletters.
December 2011
It has been a few weeks since we last talked and I just wanted to update you on how Dante is doing. He is getting much more comfortable and relaxed in his new home every day. We are still working with him on his living room manners and are slowly making good progress :) He has a VERY comfy dog bed that he absolutely adores and happily spends his nights in. He also has his own bedroom which he spends a few hours a day in while we are at work. We have an old recliner chair that we put next to a window in his room that he loves to hang out in. From his chair perch he can oversee anything that is going on in his backyard. He always has to keep an eye out for those pesky squirrels out there! We go for daily walks around our neighborhood and are starting to make some new friends but he is picky about choosing his buddies. He loves car rides and on the weekends we drive over to the Woodlake area and walk the trails that surround the reservoir. Hopefully soon we can drive out to one of the adoption outings so all his BARK friends can see how well he is doing. Hope all is well and we will be in touch.
James
November 2011
My fiancée, Adam, and I adopted Trooper a couple of weeks ago. I just wanted to let you know that we absolutely love him! He is the most amazing dog we have ever met! He is starting to put on some weight and he is looking great! He is the best dog! He loves to cuddle with us and sleeps with Adam every night. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen! We recently took him to JMU were he got to run around and play with other people. He has so much energy when he is outside and he is the funniest to watch. We even let him off his leash and he stayed right next to us! Well I just wanted to thank you for helping us adopt Trooper. We are so grateful and we love him so much already!
Casey
October 2011
We have renamed Della and call her Ivy (because she grew on us so quickly). We absolutely love her and so does Gunnar. They were fast friends the first night we brought her home, and continue to be each other's shadows. She seems to be so very happy here with us! She is a quick learner and mastered "sit" and "come" in about 10 minutes. She is the perfect addition to our family. We thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to save and find homes for such wonderful animals.
Megan and Ed
September 2011
Just wanted to let everyone know that Lowrider is doing well here in Greensboro, NC. He loves our family, especially Katherine, and is great friends with Callie, the golden retriever. He is just as cool and laid-back as you promised. Thank you to all who helped our family find Lowrider.
Betty
Hey to all of my friends at BARK - I want to tell you about my new home. I have a Mom and Dad and two brothers. They are all so nice to me - I get all kinds of attention. Mom and dad didn't even get mad at me when I peed in their bedroom floor the first morning I was there. I was so scared I didn't even go to the bathroom at all my first night there. Mom and dad tried to make me feel better by sleeping in the living room with me my first night and my brother Dylan slept in the living room with me the second and third nights. Now I have a clock radio to look at and listen to that my older brother Hank bought for me.
I get to go to the river and hang out with lots of dogs, I also get to ride on a golf cart and man is that fun!! I don't have to be on a leash a lot when I'm at the river, man it's nice to be free of that darn leash. I have lots of toys to play with; my favorite is the KONG bone, my dad fills it as full as he can with peanut butter and I love that even though I can get all of the peanut butter out real fast. You probably notice two Kong Wuba's - I have torn the legs almost all the way off of one and now I have another one to work on - it feels good on my teeth. This is what I like to chew on when I can't get a sock - when I get a sock it doesn't last long because as I chew and pull it apart they take the pieces and throw them away and then take the sock before I finish with it (they must think I'm going to swallow all that stuff once I have it in pieces). Oh well, whatcha gonna do with people - they don't understand some things.
As you can tell I'm getting bigger - I am now 41 pounds. I even had to get a new collar I was getting so big. Things are going very good for me - as some of my people friends at the river say "I went from the orphanage to the penthouse". That is how it feels too!
Sammy
August 2011
Hello BARK heros - I am Kendall the coonhound (you may remember me as Keaton). I have a new name now to go with my new forever home. I even have a new birthday - January 23rd. That is the day my mom and dad got to bring me home, and boy am I glad they did. Thanks to all of you I have big beds and air conditioning, toys, treats and my very own food both, even the water bowl is magical, it never runds dry! I'm not sure but I think my mom has something to do with that.
Life sure is nice here in Bumpass. I have walking trails in the woods where I get to explore every day and I even have a 2nd home on wheels! Mom calls it our RV. Whatever it is, I sure do like it because it has beds and air conditioning too. We wewnt on a trip to the mountains where I got to hand out with my people and go hiking. I still get very scared when I see strangers or hear strange noises but my dad protects me and tells me it's o.k. He always makes me feel safe.
I get to go to work with my mom sometimes when my dad is working or they take me to daycare at "The Dude Ranch" where I get to see my friend B.J., she lets me run and play with all of my dog friends. I sure do love her! When my mom and dad pick me up, they let me stick my head out of the window and the wind blows my ears around. Sure is big fun for me. I cannot even remember what my life was like before. Thanks BARK! Without your love and compassion I would never have known that likfe could be so good for a hound dog like me.
Love, Kendall the Coonhound
July 2011
Scrape is doing very well! We all enjoy him very much. He comes almost everywhere that we go and rides super well in the car. He hasn't had any accidents in the house or chewed anything which is great...for me anyway. I am sure that Scrape wants to thank everyone there at BARK for everything they have done for him and especially finding him a home. He is actually laying in bed right now as I'm writing you this email. The only thing we have trouble with him is fighting with him over space in the bed! He doesn't like to move once he is settled in! We will definitely continue to update you on him and send more pictures.
Thanks again for everything!
The Wolter Family
June 2011
Otter is doing just FABULOUS!!! He is the most awesome dog in the world and I know God blessed me with putting him in my life! He loves to be the center of attention and when friends come to the house he has to show off how happy and energetic he is by running full speed in circles around my house and back yard! He is so well behaved and trained and I attribute it to the wonderful foster dad he had, Rob Sullivan! Rob and I continue to keep in touch and I hope to always keep in touch with BARK as well. If it wasn't for all you do, I would not have my best friend and companion for life!!!
Thanks again for everything you and BARK do!
Kara
May 2011
Gracie is doing so well! She doesn’t pull very much on the leash anymore and she sits nicely for petting and putting on her leash. She enjoys sleeping in her doggie bed, channel surfing with Daddy on the couch, and rides in the car. She loves real marrow bones, bully sticks, and her Kong with peanut butter and chopped Canyon Ranch apple/chicken treats. She is a definite cuddle bug and will quickly let you know if she’s not done receiving enough massages and belly rubs but tapping your hand with her nose or moving your hand with her head. She’s got Labrador smarts but with her Bassett Hound temperament she will gladly lay around the house all day snoozing and rotating her napping positions – much like a rotisserie chicken!! Her nickname is “Shadow” because she definitely has bonded us and follows us from room to room in the house, especially if she hears the crinkle of the treats bag. We have only had a couple of issues with chewing – mostly because Mommy and Daddy left something where she could get to it. Only 1 accident, because Mommy and Daddy did not stick to the schedule and forgot her last walk before they left for work. She now has minimal on leash aggression but now that Mommy and Daddy are not so nervous on the other end of the lease she is much better at introducing herself to other dogs. Gracie LOVES Doggie Daycare and has made quite a few doggie playmates that she sees once a week. Gracie attended beginner training at Petsmart and graduated at the top of her class with 107 points out of 100!! She is so smart and eager to please and we love her soooo much!!
Many thanks, Stephan and Phannetta
We feel blessed to have LeBeau (formerly Luke) in our lives. We are getting to know each other and getting a routine. He is a sweet and gentle boy. His first few days were a whirlwind ......adopt him one day and go on a 7 hour car ride the next. Lots of new people to see and places to visit. I'm sure it took him a week to realize which home he'd be living in! And he handled it all wonderfully. He is very gentle, but can get into mischief if he's not kept occupied and exercised. He is learning to walk on a leash. We plan to take training classes so we can teach LeBeau to be an even better dog. There is still a lot of energetic puppy in him and we anticipate a long happy life together. We are so glad LeBeau found his forever home with us!
Thank you BARK for helping make it happen....Ken, Ralene and LeBeau
April 2011
I adopted Rebel a few years ago and I wanted to let you know he is still doing well...I love him. He remembers all of his commands he learned at the correctional facility and I have even taught him hand signals. He is so loving. He is also very healthy and happy with me. BARK needs to continue the good work! Your dogs are amazing. Oh and a little note...he loves starburst crazy jelly beans at Easter...lol.
Alexis
March 2011
Two years ago we adopted wonderful Kiwi. Kiwi is now 11 years and is doing great. Her hearing is gone, but she has learned to read hand signals. When we first brought Kiwi home, she was shy and unsure about the world. But over time she has blossomed into a compassionate and caring companion to all of us.
When our former foster dog Biscuit was returned to us, sick and in need of surgery, Kiwi stayed at Biscuit’s side during his long recovery. She also kept her sister Walnut company during Walnut’s last months. Kiwi would lie next to Walnut – not too close to crowd her, but always by her side. In the end, Kiwi was willing to risk her own life, in order to save Walnut’s. When the day came when Walnut was too sick to get up, we arranged with our vet to come to our home to give Walnut final peace. The vet had visited before, and Kiwi would normally keep a low profile. This time was different. Kiwi stayed by Walnut side. When the vet was about to put Walnut to sleep, Kiwi jump in between the vet and Walnut to take the shot herself. What more compassion could a dog show to her best friend?
Kiwi now has a new best friend to take care of. We adopted Biscuit!
Best, Dean and Helene
February 2011
Hi my name is Daisy. Others may have known me as Fannie or even Tattoo. I was adopted around a year and a half ago. Unfortunately I was separated from my sister Suzette and although I miss her a lot I am really enjoying my new home. I get tons of attention, and about all the treats I could dream of! I have many toys that I love taking out of my basket! I spend my days cuddling on the couch with my new family and rolling around on the carpet. I get to go on a walk everyday so I get my exercise. I have learned many new tricks, and getting treats for sitting never gets old. I just learned how to paw shake.
Although I have two main owners (Alexa and her mom) I have made many new friends. My favorites are the Bernese Mountain dogs across the street. At first I had to adjust to being separated from my family while they were at work and school, but now I just think of it as time to take a relaxing nap without people trying to coddle me. I know when they get home I will get double the praise. In the winter I love prancing in the snow, and in the summer I love basking in the sun. I am so happy that a little dumpster dog like me can be living like a princess now. Well it’s getting late, so I’m going to go take a nap, so I got to go get ready on my favorite spot- Alexa’s lap. I am just so happy that I have found my perfect home with people that have nothing but love for me! Say hello to all the newcomers at BARK, and send my happiness to all who were adopted!
January 2011
Aspen came to us as a shy and reserved youngster, but with lots of training and love he has blossomed into a real joy. His job is to alert us of visitors in the neighborhood and keep squirrels away, which he does from his perch on the front porch. He has a really big fenced yard to run and play in when the mood strikes him, which is often! His daily walks with us usually go for as much as 3-4 miles, giving us a good workout. Car rides are fun too. They result in new adventures like going to visit his doggy friends.
Aspen likes his bed by the fireplace which allows him to view all the action in the house. Life is fun because his toy chest is full of balls and chew toys, which he frequently pulls out to enjoy. Surprisingly, his favorite game involves playing tug with a homemade toy made of socks.
One of the unexpected benefits is that Aspen has also bonded with our elderly parent. When Aspen visits granddad, he follows him from room to room and sleeps by his bed at night!
Thank you BARK for all that you do for our four legged friends,
Tom and Susan
December 2010
We adopted Moka (Mocha) in September 2010, while volunteering at BARK walking dogs, we fell in love with this little brown cuttie pie. We debated changing her name and then decided that "Mocha" was a great fit, but changed the spelling to Moka after discovering that "Moka" meant "small machine" - perfect for this little ball of energy!
It has been a great 2 months with our new doggy. Moka is wonderful with other dogs and children. She enjoys going to the dog park and doggie day care to run around with her many furry friends. She is also a great hiker and has a big smile when we are out on the trails! She is a good dog and now has a good home.
Jess and Mike