Some of our success stories!

Our carers would like to thank the new owners of their beloved former foster animals for taking the time to share updates and pictures

(ie dogs and cats that are adopted by their carers) and all carers have that one (or that dozen) dog or cat that they will never forget.

The ones that you get misty eyed about when you get an update email telling you how wonderful he or she is doing....

Each foster animal is taken in as a member of the carers family and you love them all. Even that dog that ate your lounge or the cat that scratched up the legs of your brand new table.

 They all leave their little, or big, paw prints on your heart.

Each one of these amazing pets was due to be put to sleep, each of them has received a second chance and each of them has found their "forever family".

 
If you've adopted a pet from HAR and you'd like to tell us your success story please send us an email

Older success stories - Page 1 - Page 2

G'day Carolyn,

Anthony and Jess here, thought we would give you an update on Ruby.

Her and Cooper are best friends - they haven’t separated since we brought her home. She settled very quickly with the exception of the first night, she was quite distressed and cried all night, but she was fine the following night, and slept outside sharing Coopers kennel without a peep all night.

She is so playful, took her to a friend’s house where she played like a nut with his dogs for hours.

I think you guys must have nailed her toilet training because she hasn’t gone inside with the exception of her first day.

She finishes her food in about 20 seconds which is wonderful since Cooper is the same, she always shares a bone with him or any toy for that matter, she cuddles any chance she can get and is overall the perfect puppy we could ever hope for.

Thank you so much! We will send you more pictures when she grows up a bit more. =)

(added 31/1/12)

Hi HAR team,

I wanted to give an update on our pet  Kia (originally Kiara).  We adopted her in May 2010.  Her foster mum was Sue.  Kia is a huge part of our life and a welcome addition to our family.

She has been on several holidays with us since joining our family and loves to play at the beach.  She loves her daily walk except for one day a week when she meets her friends at day care.

Kia is an absolute joy and I can't thank your organisation enough for helping us adopt her.

Kind Regards,
Sharon Casagrande   (added 26/1/12)

Hi Elissa

We named her Tiger Lilly, and after only a few weeks, she knows her name. She has been such a baby to me, and I am such a mum to her! We are so  
in love and she follows me everywhere I go if I am in the action; toilet, shower, of course to bed! And my girls just can't leave her alone....so often she runs away or gives up and pretends to be a toy.....! She loves her basket too... It has been great. No trouble with litter training either.

My older girl had an allergic reaction in the beginning, but it has eased after giving the cat a bath every 2 weeks and making my daughter wash her hands after playing with the cat.

It is almost time for another vaccination and vet check for Tiger Lilly.

She settled in so quickly and became a part of family, how nice to have her. Thank you, Elissa she is the one, meant to be with us! I want others to know that this is a beautiful way to find a new pet - rescued and rehomed animals give a lot of love back and I deeply appreciate what you do for these cats. It's astonishing how many pets are abandoned and "thrown away" and when I think of my Tiger Lilly I cant imagine a day without her!

Taeko  (added 25/01/12)

Hi Alisha,

Grace has asked me to email you and give you an update on Monty the dog she adopted through Hunter Animal Rescue.  Monty and Grace go very well together! He is great company for her and he loves to be fussed over, Grace gets a lot of visitors and Monty likes to be cheeky and show off just so he can get lots of pats.  His coat shines and she has done a wonderful job looking after his teeth, he has come a long way.  I have attached a couple of photo’s for you.  Monty is even a bit of a star, he ended up in our newsletter and charmed everyone.

Regards Alyshia

Alyshia Petersen
Case Manager
Denman District Retirement Centre

(added 08/12/11)

Hi my name is Lily.
I was adopted from HAR 2 years ago after my family saw me in the Newcastle Herald - they call me their page three girl. My sister (Erin) and I were rescued from Kurri Kurri pound and brought to a kind foster family. I hope my sister is as happy as   I am?  (  My name used to be Diamond if she is asking after me). Since being adopted I have had a happy and fun life. My adoptive family are the greatest. There are walks everyday and I especially love going to the beach and the park. My favourite thing is swimming in our garden's fishponds when I get really hot,  or sleeping in the middle of the bed. I love lots of cuddles and am a very small dog to have Irish Wolfhound in her description. Thank you HAR.

Love Lily.

(added 06/10/11)

Dear HAR,

We thought we would give you an update on a little white kitten we adopted in July 2009, affectionately named Peppy La Pew (she did have a black stripe on her head when she was a baby).  Peppy now runs the Lawrence household.  It’s a race to get to bed of a night before Peppy claims her spot and our dog who is 6 times bigger then her knows who is boss.  Peppy is our alarm clock in the mornings and our security system during the day pouncing on anyone who is willing to play her games.
Thank you for our beautiful family member we are so lucky to have her.
I have attached a photo of her when she was with her carer and a photo taken in July this year.

The Lawrence’s

(added 06/10/11)

Hi Bri,

Thought you might like to see how Holly's getting on.
Well, she's calmed down a bit and walks are generally more fun then trying these days. She still a little "keen" with new dogs on the street, but the ones she knows she gets along great with!
She's just about all grown up now and sleeps outside full time. Occasionally Jen almost gives in when Holly puts on the, "I'm pretty comfy on the couch thanks mum.." face. But she normally goes out without too much convincing. lol
As for tricks, most of the standard ones she's good at; sit, shake(both hands), down, roll over and her favourite, bugger off and do what you want...lol...
Hope you and you large furry family are well,

Cheers Paddy

(added 06/10/11)

Hi Tania, Georgia and Cooper,
 
Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner.   Lots happening.
She insisted on weeing and pooing in the home, but seems to have outgrown this.
 We've discovered that she LOVES swimming and so she has a toddler's pool to herself.   She is still timid and flees from unexpected movement or sound and will not follow the other 2 dogs when they charge off barking at something or someone.
 She is extremely intelligent and knows to sit, stay, drop, come, shake hands and No!!!
 She is still finding her place in the human and animal pack and will try it on with Kai the fox-staffy cross.    People listening to our household think there are aliens living here as we GRRRR! and ARRRGH at Jaiselle.    People also think we have a dog called Nojaiselle!!!
 She is big enough to reach up and will help herself to a meal (that I once left to answer the phone) from the dining table, jewellery from the dressing table, stuff from the kitchen counter and open cupboards. She'll always show us the item she's taken and will surrender it immediately, all the time watching our faces and waiting for our reaction.    It's almost like she's having a game with us and at our expense.   The other two dogs take off and hide knowing there is going to be trouble!!
 She has a beautiful nature and is so loveable.    She has a deep bark but will whimper when she wants attention.   She loves car rides.
 I'm attaching a few recent photographs of her.   Please feel free to drop in and see her (and us).
 
Take care,
 Maryann

(added 06/10/11)

 I just thought I would send a catch up on Zelly.  After all that business over her name Cerys decided she wanted her called Zelda after her beloved computer game so Zelly she became months ago and we couldn't think of her as anything else now.  She is a bit wilful but that adds to her character and we have to watch our shoes and tissues and toilet rolls and feather dusters etc. But she is a lovely dog and so affectionate.  Millie, the Burmese, loves her until Zelly starts to play with her as if she is a soft toy. She has a soft toy leopard now which grunts when she squeezes it which she loves.  She is going to be a big girl I think.  She didn't much like standing on the piano this time for her picture.  Her ears have dropped now as well so she looks a little less like a kelpie and more like a collie.  Dont care what she looks like though, shes a gem.  
 
Bob and Fran

(added 05/10/11)

I adopted Scurvy 2.5yrs ago from HAR when he was about 12 weeks old and haven't looked back since. As you can see he has a very prestigious place in my life and I am so glad to have him. He is the biggest sook and lap hog ever and gives the best cuddles. He also gets sooo cranky when the bf is over because he looses his spot on the pillow lol. He loves his food still, and as a result has been on a diet for the last year!

Poor Scurvy had a mystery accident not long after I got him and had to have surgery on his hip which resulted in nerve damage and no feeling in his foot. This has resulted in his knuckling over. The vet assures me he is doing well with this and only has a little trouble jumping onto chairs/bed. Doesn't stop him from playing chasey with his adopted sister Mae!

I could gush on about him for ages :) I am forever greatful to HAR for him.

(added 05/10/11)

This is Lucy original name when purchased from Hars was Tic Tac. She was 2 yrs old when I saw her on the Har's website, and it was love at first sight.She is a gorgeous little girl and best friends with our elderly cat ( Rescue).I believe every Rescue Animal knows you gave them a chance and repay you ten fold with Love  and  Devotion

(added 05/10/11)

This is 'Chandler', the kitten formally known as Nightingale!
He is now almost 5 months old, and is a much loved member of our little family!
Thanks to everyone from HAR for the work you do in saving these beautiful animals and giving them a chance at a better life!

Above message was posted on HAR facebook page.
Have included a picture of Chandler on his first night in his new home, as well as the one that was posted on FB

Cheers
Amy Ellis

(added 05/10/11)

Hi,

This is one of my foster puppies. Kristy always sends me updates and pics. Rosie's the tan one.

Rosie was from a litter of 9 puppies surrendered to Kurri-Kurri pound. She just keeps growing and growing and she'll be turning one in a few weeks. Thanks so much to Kristy and Shae for adopting her and giving her such a fantastic life.

Thanks,
Penny (HAR Pound Co-ordinator and foster carer)

(added 11/9/11)

(Click on thumbnail to open larger image)

Trigger was dumped at the pound as a puppy and rescued by HAR. He was a trouble maker at a young age and moved through four different foster carers (escaping a few times and having to be bailed back out of the pound each time!). Earlier this year he found a wonderful forever home and has just celebrated his first birthday - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIGGER!

(added 28/8/11)

Hi there,

Just thought I would send a quick email on Mr Grey and his progress since we adopted him a few months ago. He is such a little sweetie and has fitted in straight away with his new sister Abi. He loves to play fetch and has recently discovered the toilet and has been caught many times drinking from it and has also been know to jump in the bath with me when I try and relax. For a cat we are amazed at how much he loves water. Once again we would like to thank Janine and HAR for allowing us the opportunity to have a new little special critter in our lives

(added 17/7/11)

Hi Alisha,

Do you remember Monty? He is so much a part of our family we had to include him in our family portrait. He was about 11 months old when we adopted him, he is now 3yrs old and living a very comfortable life.

Hope you are well,
Naomi
(added 21/6/11)

Hi Sue,

I have finally attached some photos of Sunny for you! You know how it is, we have photos on the camera but take forever to download them onto the computer. Sorry about that.  Little Sunny has settled in to her new home now and is quite confident roaming about the backyard when we are home.  We always put her inside whenever we go out and she is not very happy about that.  She sits at the backdoor with a very sad look on her face, but better that than have her get lost.  William loves to play with her, and he has figured out the best way to get her to play with him is to run away from her, she then chases him all over the backyard.  Lucy hasn’t figured that out and spends all her time chasing Sunny, who obviously just runs the other way.  This often ends in tears, but hopefully one day Lucy will figure it out!

Anyway hope you like the photos.

Felicity Blundell  (added 12/6/11)

Hi Everyone at HAR,

Just thought I would let you know how another of your puppies is getting on.
 
Last year I adopted one of Charlotte's little puppies Minka. She was left at the Kurri pound with her sisters and mother in winter last year only a few weeks old.
 
She settled into our home like she had always been there, never fretted for her mother or siblings once and to our great relief, slept all night. She had a bit of a rough start with puppy mange but responded well to treatment. She is wonderful around other dogs and people and has the sweetest nature. She's a mixed bag probably foxy cross and a typical terrier - on alert every minute of the day and snuggled in on a lap (anyone's) after dinner at night.
Here are photos of her at 6 weeks and and now at 11 months. She is just the cutest!
 
Thank you HAR.
 
The McDonald Family, Valentine.   (added 12/5/11)

(Click on thumbnail image above to show enlarged image)

Alfie

 I adopted Alf (aka Buster) when he was only 1-2 months old from the Hunter Animal Rescue. I already had a 1 year old girl pup (Charlee) who was dumped down a rabbit's hole when she was a few weeks old & rescued by someone who offered the scared little girl to me (as well as being sorely undernourished & quite 'feral' - she attacked the man who dragged her out of the hole as well as had worms crawling out of her). She had (still has but lessened) anxiety & abandonment issues so I thought getting a friend would help. After a looong and very sad search (2 pups died - one before she came home & the other 7 days after I had her from a ruptured bowel - too undernourished and not looked after as a baby), I found Alfie.. or he found me. Not wanting a boy and still saddened,, I was reluctant but with 19ish other dogs at the foster house, he was the one who just stood patiently, waiting for his turn to be noticed & knowing he had just been rescued from death row from a pound 3 hours away, I took him home to just see "how his temperament would go with a bitchy/anxious dog (aka Charlee)". Currently, At 6 years old & 16kg, he is still submissive to his 7 year old & 6kg "big" sister Charlee (of whom he used to fit underneath the legs of) he has taken over a double sized 'human' beanbag, my fiance's pillow (when he's not home - Alf likes to "snuggle") & everyone's heart. He is my boy & oh, how he knows it. Anyone who has ever met him has said what a fabulously caring, trusting dog he is. In retrospect he would have made a FABULOUS therapy dog - I only wish I could have trained him for it earlier. Alfie is kind, tolerant & playful. He has his hang-ups like most pound puppies (has to be sedated to do his nails & whines if the bath water isn't warm enough lol) but he was/is so easy to train & has eyes that just melt your heart. He knows that he has to sit or he gets no attention & he has to squeak his toy (or he makes a "squeak" growl/cry noise himself) to get it thrown for him to chase - cutest thing ever :).


No one knows what breed Alfie is which is alright with me because he really is one of a kind. Charlee is such an intolerant, bitchy (very unloved before us-but she's a different story) dog but Alf seems to bring out the playful, happy side to her. She likes to pick on him but when we're not looking she is protecting, playful, & caring for him like any other big sister. Alf is the most beautiful dog. I would never buy a home-bred pure-breed dog after having Alf (and Charlee). He has a unique nature that I can never see replicated (although I plan to get a pup as Alf gets older to pick up on his personality traits).

(added 16/4/11)

My name is Chief and I was adopted on the 13th September 2010 by my new forever mum and dad who love me so much, I am so grateful to HAR for looking after me and helping me find my new forever family. I came into care emaciated and in a very bad way.

My new back yard is huge so I have lots of room to run around, plus my mum takes me for walks most days too, so I get to smell all the wonderful smells around my new home too and of course see other dogs in my travels.

At the moment my new cousins are staying with me for a few weeks, they have been fun to have around but they are older dogs so I don’t get to play with them very much, I’ll miss them when they go home in a week or so.

My mum took me to get washed at the doggy wash the other day and the man washing me said I was awesome and so well behaved. I have to say my bath was lovely and warm and I really enjoy having attention so I didn’t mind the wet so much. After that my mum took me for a walk so it was like a double treat!

I love my new home and my family are always giving me hugs and kisses and I love it, I just need to remember they don’t like it when I drool, but when I smell food I can’t help it I just love food so much!

Thank you for looking after me and helping me find the right family.    (added 2/1/11)

Dear HAR,

An unintended ‘peek’ at a rescue site one afternoon led me to find Hailey, the special needs Rotti x that had been up for adoption for almost 6 months.  As soon as I read her profile I knew she would make a great addition to our family despite the ‘warnings’ about her chronic condition.  We understand the costs and management of dogs with problem joints – we’re up to 3 hip replacements, 2 knee reconstructions, 2 elbow surgeries and are familiar with all the pills and potions dedicated to reducing the symptoms of arthritis!!  Hailey’s needs seemed more ‘business as usual’ to us rather than ‘special’.  We lost our last Rotti to cancer almost 4 years ago and always knew another one would ‘find’ us when the time was right.

It seemed the ‘time’ had come but we first had to overcome a few obstacles.  Hailey lived in Newcastle and we live in Melbourne.  This meant we couldn’t introduce the whole family to her before making a decision to adopt her.  With three kids under 4, a German Shepherd (Jake) and a Border Collie (Diesel) it was always going to be difficult & risky introducing another dog without first assessing how they interacted.   Despite the concerns Kim (from Hunter Animal Rescue) and I shared, my husband flew up to Newcastle in the role of family ambassador to meet Hailey and determine if she could be re-homed with us.  As many of you know, compatibility is decided almost immediately on ‘instinct’, and without the opportunity to test this instinct with the rest of us, Michael’s decision was an easy one after Hailey captured his heart within minutes.  Luckily I had made advanced preparations to fly Hailey home with him (in the hope of a successful meeting) as a few hours later she was loaded onto the jet and flown to Melbourne.

She took this upheaval in her stride and her adaptability continues to amaze us.  She has become accustomed to our routines and environment very quickly and already knows the cues for our daily walks, the noises of dinner preparation, the best spots to sleep (on pillows beside the bed or on the couch!), the best spots to catch the sun on the balcony, how to get the kids to play, cuddle and shower her with kisses, where to tease other dogs locked in their yards during our walks (thanks Jake) and how to steal food when we’re not looking…actually she really doesn’t care if we’re looking or not!  (We’re obviously working on improving her table manners!)

She was accepted without incident by Jake and Diesel and has developed an amazing bond with the kids.  Despite the obvious discomfort in her joints, she is always happy and is keen to participate in our active lifestyle.  In a few months, when she’s a little more settled, we hope some surgery will provide a permanent solution to her elbow dysplasia and she can enjoy a long and fulfilling life befitting such a beautiful and gentle soul.

The dedication, compassion and love clearly shown by the carers at Hunter Animal Rescue is inspirational and we owe a special debt of gratitude to Kim, without whom we would never have been able to adopt our special girl.

Wendi Hobbins     (added 11/12/10)

Hi HAR,

Just an update on Zeus (Great Dane x Pointer) - who can you believe it will be 2 next month...

Zeus as you can see from the photos is just one big happy sook!!!!
He is not a very active dog although we can't work out whether he is lazy or just too tired - lol!
 
He loves the beach and goes for a walk every day where along the way he has got his regular stop offs for kids to give him a pat.
Because of his size he is the street favorite with the kids - our Zeus has grown into a gentle giant now weighing around 65kg.
 
He is a very spoilt dog and with it he has developed a very demanding bark for his evening doggy choc before bed - we always say he would sell his soul for a doggy choc - he just loves them....
 
We just wanted everyone at HAR to know Zeus has grown into a perfect well mannered dog who I think has won doggy lotto with his lifestyle. Thank you for the opportunity to own this magnificent animal as he is a muched loved member of the family, and hopefully we can catch up at the next HAR event.
 
Many thanks,
Martina and Phil.   (added 11/12/10)

Dear HAR,

Just an update - my Mum and Dad adopted me about 5 weeks ago from Hunter Animal Rescue and I couldn’t be happier. I just had my first birthday and celebrated with a big bone!! I live in a house with a big yard and love spreading my toys everywhere! Mum and Dad bought me a bed but I prefer to snuggle in bed with them! I love playing in the park and at the beach to get all of my energy out so I don’t chew all of mum and dads things!!

I’m really happy to be in my new home!

Many thanks to my carer Kim.  (added 24/9/10)

Dear HAR,

Miriam and I are very pleased with our new editions to the family - Tilley and Ella.

We’d like to thank Sue and her family for taking such good care of them before they arrived at their new home.

They are both huge heater hogs and Tilley feels most comfortable up high on your shoulder. She quite often sits there and you can walk around the house with her there, just like a pirate and his parrot!!

The girls are so happy to still be living together, they are either wrestling together and cleaning one another. Nothing can be done apart, they eat, sleep and use the litter together.

They have been to the vet to get their booster shot and he has said they are very healthy.

We are looking forward to seeing Sue when she comes to visit.

With Love,
Miriam, Kristy, Ella and Tilley     (added 23/9/10)

Hi HAR,

Just a quick note to let you know that Mustang has settled in very well and loves all the attention his new life is giving him!

He loves cuddles and walks around the farm.

Alicia and Mustang     (added 10/9/10)

Dear HAR,
 
My name is Sooty (previously known as Oz from Denise in Rutherford). I was adopted on 18th January this year and I just wanted to let you know how happy I am in my new forever home. My Mummy and Daddy give me lots of love and cuddles and I am very spoilt with lots and lots of toys - a whole box of them! I live inside in an apartment and will always be an indoor cat (my Mummy would be very upset if anything ever happened to me) and sometimes I even have playtime with the cat next door - Lilly. I have two cat castles and a couple of beds around the apartment to snuggle up in but nothing is as good as meow meow cuddles with my Mummy. Thank you very much HAR for rescuing me and finding my forever home - I've definitely landed on my feet!!!

Yours meowingly,
 
Sooty x     (added 6/9/10)

Hi Addy,
 
Gary & I are so in love with our little Mindy!!  She is a huge hit with all the dogs in the street!!  One retired couple across the road even come over to take Mindy for play time with their little Mollie (a similar breed to Mindy), while we are at work!! How special is that??
 
Mindy has us trained, she has a bed in most rooms. She still goes crazy for play time with her toys, especially the squeaky ones!! I am sure Mindy thinks everyone coming to our house is to see her and if she hears the car keys she thinks they must want to take her for a ride!! She is so funny!!
 
We would love you to pop in & see her sometime Addy when you are not so busy.
 
Bye for now - Sue & Gary & of course Little Princess Mindy. (added 10/8/10)

Hi,

How is everything going?

Just a few pics of Jilly I wanted to send through. She is growing – weighs about 25kg now.

We have done 1 class of obedience class, it was sooo funny! She didn’t want to learn anything, after about 45minutes she had had enough, slipped out of her harness and collar and went for a short lived run and jump all over the other dogs there. Was very amusing. She is learning great very fast though. Has mastered sit, drop, matt training, commands for outside and inside. We are working on a stay and come (as she doesn’t like staying, but she does come probably 80% of the time -  if she feels like it hahahaha) she is picking up tricks like shake and play dead…sooooo cute!!! We have also started using a “front” harness, as she is a bit of a puller when walking. She is picking up that I am the boss pretty fast which is great. Within the past couple of days she has gone from CONSTANT pulling and me having to keep a tight lead to pulling occasionally and being on a loose lead 70% of the walk.

Also, she is very spoilt and is spending most of her time inside…when its raining or gail force winds and stuff she gets the luxury of sleeping on my bed with my partner and I. As you can see in the last photo she has her own blanket on the bed…she is such a princess!!!

Other than that, she is perfect and we still adore her to bits.

Just wanted to give you an update.

From Sara-Jane.  (added 7/8/10)

I'm nearly not a kitten any more (I was adopted Oct 2009) but I've never been more loved.
I had such a great start at Sue's place that when I moved house I fell asleep in my carrier and didn't wake up until well after I'd arrived at
my new forever home. I've used my litter tray since I was a kitten without ever having a single accident and now I ask to be let outside to
head to my special spot at the back of the garden.
I love my home...with my 2 metre tower in the lounge, my own backyard to play in during the day and my special people who can't walk past me
without a cuddle or a tickle. I garden with them, snuggle them at night and make them smile every day.
We want to thank you for the great job that Sue and you all do.

Here are some now and then photos.

Love,
Mushka, Al & Shana  (added 31/7/10)

Hi Everyone,
 
Just checking in to tell you that I LOVE my new home!!!! Blossom the cat has stopped looking like Garfield on a bad hair day, and rarely sticks a claw in my hide now when we play chasies or tips.
She always greets me with a kiss now.  I LOVE taking my family for walks and runs through the city or parks, though they are a bit slow and its hard work helping them keep up.
I've buried next winters supply of bones already and may have to go to weight watchers soon if I cant stop stealing the cat food. :P I'm as well behaved as Jackie said I was, and I'm SOOO
grateful to her for giving me a chance to find a home. I hate baths, but I LOVE the way the hair around my ears becomes dreadlocks. Well gotta go now, time to PLAY!!!

With LOVE,

Mickey  (added 12/7/10)

Update on Archie and Ninja (previously known as Jack O Lantern & Black Sabbath)

Dear HAR,

Here’s an update on our two beautiful boys who we adopted in December 2009 from Danielle in Swansea.  We knew as soon as we met them that they were the two kittens for our family.  Ninja (Black Sabbath) was the smallest of the litter but by far the most outgoing and took to us straight away.  He really suits his name, Ninja, as he is constantly ambushing and pouncing in a cheeky playful way.  He is very good at playing fetch – he thinks he’s a dog!!  Archie (Jack O Lantern) was, and still is, much bigger, with longer hair and a soft gentle personality.  He has the most beautiful luxuriously fluffy tail and lovely tabby markings, so different to his short-haired black siblings.  They are 7 months old now and so loving and gorgeous.  We saw some photos of their sister, Zillah (Black Magic) and it’s so nice to see that she is growing beautifully as well.  We wonder how their brother, Black Knight, is getting along.  Anyway thank you HAR for rescuing our babies.  We hope you continue to find good homes for all your animals.  

Regards,

The Freund Family (added 22/5/10)

Hi Kim,

Sorry for never having contacted you til now! We got our puppy Sasha from you in April last year, and we would like to thank you so much for helping bring her into our lives. Having Sasha is amazing, she has grown so much since we got her from you and sometimes I think she looks more like a Kelpie than a Rotti! We have moved away from Newcastle now, and getting a new house that allowed dogs was a hassle, but in the end it meant she got a massive backyard to romp in!

We couldn't imagine life without her now, she is with us every minute we are at home. We took her to obediance school at Hillsbough and it seems she can learn pretty much any trick! It took a few months but she finally learnt to love water, so now we are down at the beach and watering the garden quite often! (Funny that I mention this cause I just remembered the first time she willingly went in water and it was at the HAR stand at Doggy Day Out, it was hot and they had kiddy pools for dogs to drink from, Sasha took it upon herself to get in and lay down!)

She is such a people dog, actually I'm not sure she really considers herself a dog most of the time. She constantly plays with the kids next door and is inseparable from Ben's two children when they are here in the school holidays. Anyway, we hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoy having Sasha around.

Thanks so much,

Edwina and Ben (added 23/4/10)

Hi Brad,

Just in response to your text this morning... It wouldn't all fit in a text.

Cougar has been so well behaved!! Settling in really nicely.

He has even been sleeping inside with no dramas. The first night I had a rude wake up with a big wet nose shoved in my face at 3am, but this was much better than what the alternative would have been!! He thinks he's super special because he got a given new bed all to himself!!

Took him to the property out at Lovedale on Saturday to play with the other dogs and go for a swim. Got along with the other dogs really well, but was too much of a chicken to go for a swim!! Wouldn't even get his feet wet!! Maybe next time...

Found out that Cougar can come when called... sometimes. If not, he chases the other dog that comes when called!! Attention span not quite big enough for this yet and there are much better things to do!! Will keep working on this...

He has been doing a bit of barking, but not too much. Mostly just through the day while he is playing. I have ordered him a beep bark collar off ebay for while we are not home (bloody thing only cost 98c but then $10.00 to post!! Go figure). Good news is that we only have one new hole in the back yard!!

He has claimed all of the squeaky toys in the place. Tries to kill them for most of the day by throwing them around the yard and barking at them when they make a noise!!

Got some cute photos of him which I will send as soon as I get my act together and transfer them to the computer!!

Cheers,
Cat  (added 12/4/10)

Hi HAR,
 
Just sending you some pics of the baby formerly known as Black Magic...  I've renamed her Zillah, the name means "shadow" in Hebrew.  Yes, she does often get called Catzilla in her mad moments! :-)
 
She's gone from being this little scared baby that spend the whole first day under the sheets of our bed to now ruling the roost.  Still a few hisses between her and the other other cats, but she's definitely a happy cat and can play for hours with our younger cat Leila!   We've this weekend gotten a Labrador puppy (also jet black!) and she's actually most interested in him.
 
She's just finished padding and sucking on the longpile rug behind me and fallen asleep on it on her back.  If the bedroom door is left open when Ray goes out to work I usually wake a little later with her sharing my pillow ;-)
 
These pics were taken yesterday when she was having some sofa time with us - and a break from the labrador puppy who had sparked out tired.
 
Cheers,
Lel  (added 17/2/10)