Happy Tail Updates: Tux (Joey) & Spot

Here are two happy tail updates. It is always great to hear about our alumni doing well in their new homes. Their families have given them a second chance. These updates just go show how much value seniors have and how much life and love they still have in them.

The first happy tail is about Tux (formerly Joey) who was just recently adopted. His new mom, Lisa has written a great update on her blog entitled "Why I unexpectedly adopted a senior dog and whether I'd do it again."

Here is a small excert and some great photos.

When we got home, Joey was informed that he would now be called "Tux" (picked by the kids, short for Tuxedo as per his colouring).

Tux had many little surprises for us:

1. He walks beautifully on a leash

2. He doesn't shred our furniture! Or shoes!

3. He can be left alone at home without being crated

4. He brings us a toy and dances everytime we get home

5. He burrows in our bed like a frozen mole

6. He gives the best stinky-mouthed doggy kisses EVER

7. He is just plain silly and makes us laugh everyday!

Never once have I questioned our decision. Nor has my husband. In fact, we've wondered what we did without Tux all these years!

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!

Please read the full article here: http://walksnwags.blogspot.ca/2013/01/why-i-unexpectedly-adopted-senior-dog.html

The second is about Spot who is a blind JRT that found his perfect home across the boarder a few years ago. His family sent in their annual update on NYE.

Happy New Year Carol and everyone at SAINTS!

We wanted to send our annual Spot update during our final days of our holiday break.

On December 4th , we celebrated Spot being part of our family for three years! It’s hard to believe he’s been with us for so long but it’s clear that no matter how long we have with him, it will never be long enough.

Spot’s health continues to be good. In his annual cardiology exam in June, his heart disease showed slight progression but he is showing no outward symptoms and does not require any medication. He’s on a heart-healthy homemade (and I don’t mean the rehydrated stuff) diet of turkey, veggies, and fish oil. We just finished making a batch of Spot food and the entire kitchen smells like Thanksgiving dinner! With Spot’s heighted sense of smell, he is one happy dog when the cooking starts. We often remark that Spot eats better than we do but he is well worth it. Aside from the progression of his heart disease, the only “health” news is that Spot had 4 teeth removed in April. When he was at SAINTs, during his enucleation surgery, he also had several teeth removed. With these 4, we were worried that crunchy treats were no longer in Spot’s future but he has somehow figured out how to get the teeth he has left together for most crunchy things. He only seems to have trouble with food that doesn’t fall apart with one good crunch, like a carrot stick, which can entertain him for a good five minutes because it takes A LOT of work to obliterate carrots. I assure you, he enjoys every minute of the challenge.

We’ve made some progress on Spot “training.” When he came to us, he was not too sure about nail clipping or crates. We’re happy to report that he no longer requires a muzzle to have his nails clipped and, in fact, is quite calm during the process. We can’t say whether it’s a trust he’s found in us or just trying to avoid the embarrassment of wearing a muzzle with flowers on it, but in either case, the experience is always positive these days. Spot also very much dislikes being contained in any way (we can’t imagine what a tough time he had in the Chilliwack dog pound before he came to SAINTS). Since our other dogs LOVE their crates, we thought we would try to turn this around by feeding Spot in his crate, morning and night. It worked…sort of…Spot goes to his crate when it’s meal time and waits patiently (except for the occasional “barrr-ooof”) for his dinner to be delivered. Just don’t try to shut the door. These Jack Russells do not miss a trick. Truthfully, we’ve achieved a lot with him as we regularly catch him napping in his crate when no one is looking.

For the first time in years we ventured away from our home for a few days of vacation on two separate occasions. Our three dogs, all of whom have “special needs,” stayed with our good friends Michelle and Deanna, both of whom are Licensed Veterinary Technicians who we met when our dog Maxx developed glaucoma 5 years ago. They all did really well, but Spot parked himself on our luggage when we came home as if to announce “Next time, you won’t forget me!”

Spot loves the sun and truly relished every minute of our summer stay-cation this year. Being with the family in the warm summer months seems to be Spot’s nirvana.

There aren’t words to describe how wonderful it is to share our home with Spot. He makes us smile every day and we can only hope we have made him half as happy as he’s made us. Thank you for the gift.

Happy New Year from us all!

-Lynne, Scott and pups Spot, Sophie & Maxx

Special thanks to all of the hundreds of homes over the past 8 years that have given our seniors a second chance and a happy ending.