Sample Blog: From Iraq With Love

From Iraq With Love: Coney's Story

Those of us lucky enough to have experienced the love of a dog understand that they are more than just a pet - they truly are a part of our family.

Families are built in many different ways, and every pet's story is special. Whether we found our furry friend in a shelter, from a breeder, or as a stray - they wind their way into the tapestry of our lives and through the landscapes of our hearts so completely that we can hardly remember a time before they were with us.

Sometimes, the story of how a pet and a family find one another is so extraordinary that it must be told - and the story of Coney is most certainly one of those.

Marty Burke was serving his second tour as an Army Tank Commander in Amarah, Iraq when a stray dog found her way onto the base. The soldiers quickly came to love the sweet dog and welcomed her company. When it became apparent that the dog was pregnant, however - Marty was concerned. They weren't exactly down the road from a Veterinary Hospital - what if the dog became ill, or could not care for her puppies? He knew he wouldn't be able to walk away if that happened - he would have to find a way to help.

When the puppies were born, Marty's worst fears were realized. Whether she was too young, or too ill - the mother did not care for her puppies beyond their first few weeks. One by one they disappeared, and Marty was unable to discover what had happened to them. Saddened by the loss of the puppies, and shortly after, the death of their mother, Marty continued in his duties and looked forward to the day he would return home to his fiancee, Hannah.

One cold night, Marty was heading to work when he heard a strange sound in the dark that seemed to be coming from behind an abandoned freezer. Following the sound, he discovered a tiny, shivering puppy - the sole survivor of the litter! Without hesitation, he scooped up the pup and brought her to work with him. At three weeks old, malnourished, with a malformed front paw, the puppy would most likely not have survived another night alone in the cold - and her odds of surviving beyond that were less than zero.

From that night on, the little puppy became his constant companion. When his shift was over, he would place her in a bomb shelter while he slept, going to retrieve her on his way to work the next night. He nursed her back to health on what he affectionately dubs "Army Milk" and other remnants from his MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). He even thought of a name he liked for her - 'Coney'.

As Coney grew and recovered her strength, Marty was beginning to realize that he couldn't leave his new friend behind. Homeless dogs in Iraq face countless perils - the constant threat of starvation, other wild dogs, and the efforts of the Iraqi people to rid the streets of strays by shooting or poisoning them. He appealed to his fiancee Hannah - what would she think of this fine mess he'd gotten himself into? For Hannah, the answer was simple - she had to find a way to get this little dog home for good.

"Did you say $4,000????"

Hannah's initial research was discouraging, to say the least. She and Marty would need over $4,000 to finance the puppy's trip to Colorado! How in the world would they ever manage to come up with such a large sum? Just as things seemed hopeless, she found a program online through the SPCA - "Operation Baghdad Pups". Created for situations just like Marty and Hannah's, this program raises funds through donations to bring dogs like Coney to the United States. Within a week, Hannah had the funds they needed to bring the puppy home!

Marty was overjoyed by the news - and perhaps even a little jealous that Coney would be seeing Hannah weeks before he would! The details were mapped out by the SPCA - first Coney would be picked up in Amarah by a security company contracted for that purpose and driven to Baghdad. From there she would make the long journey to New Jersey, where she would remain in quarantine until she had passed a health inspection.

A mere three weeks after Hannah had begun her quest to bring Coney home, she found herself entering the cargo area of Denver International Airport. A group of workers sat in a circle with a lively, three-pawed puppy dancing merrily in the center of her new fan club. She knew of only one puppy who had three paws and the power to enchant everyone she met - this must be Coney!

Hannah and Coney knew right away that they belonged together, and when Marty arrived home several weeks later, Coney was absolutely overjoyed to see him. Their family was at last complete.

Families are built in all sorts of ways. In the middle of the desert, in the center of a war zone, a very lucky little dog found hers.

Coney would not be where she is today without the people who helped her along her 7,000 mile journey home. Marty and Hannah would like to say a very special thank you to the wonderful people of the SPCA and the "Operation Baghdad Pup" program. 

Sample Blog: "Good Kharma"

It's officially Summertime!

The warm weather seems to have settled in for good, and if the wind will only stop trying to blow us right over the mountains, it's a great time to get outside and enjoy this beautiful place we call home.

Many people choose to add a dog to their family for just such a purpose - a loyal friend and companion to join us in our outdoor adventures. Someone to insist we get up for that morning jog when we're having trouble pulling ourselves out of bed.

At Dublin Animal Hospital, we know that getting active with your dog is not only fun and rewarding, but essential to your dog's physical and mental health. Unfortunately, all too often our clients are forced to leave their four legged buddy at home while they hike, run, or enjoy a comfortable picnic in the park. Why?
Because while Fido might be the picture of domesticated perfection inside of his house - the minute he gets out things quickly unravel.

Barking, pulling at the leash, lunging at other dogs, and behaving like an overall menace, until you are counting the seconds it will take you to reach home.

Does this sound familiar? If so, take heart - you aren't alone!
Sit. Stay. And enjoy the story of Kharma - a true diamond in the rough who needed just the right family and a very special trainer to help her shine.

When Dr. Lena Roeder and her husband, Marcus, decided to add a new member to their family, they knew they wanted a dog that would fit easily into their active lifestyle - camping, hiking, and joining Dr. Roeder on her daily runs. After contacting HO-BO Care Boxer Rescue, they were introduced to a 10 month old female they decided to call Kharma - and fell instantly in love.

Kharma had a bit of a checkered past, including a bad habit of jumping impossibly high fences - which had more than once landed her a visit to the Humane Society. But the Roeders were confident that with time, love, and sufficient exercise, Kharma could overcome her less endearing habits and settle right into her new home.

She seemed to be on the path to doing just that - and after a brief adjustment period became lovingly attached to her new family, which included family dogs Owen, Racer and Penelope.

But soon the Roeders began to see another side to Kharma. Extremely insecure, Kharma would become impossible to handle when people came over - including the Roeder's own children visiting from college! Her physical size and deep, barrel chested bark made her an intimidating spectacle for visitors. Like so many dog owner's facing this same dilemma, the Roeders began to feel as though having company was more problem than pleasure. Not only that, but taking Kharma anywhere was proving nearly impossible. Instead of enjoying her daily run, Dr. Roeder found herself constantly tense, worrying that someone would be around the next turn and set Kharma off. This was not the life she'd envisioned for herself or her dog. They needed help, and they needed it fast.

For 24 years, Rick Walkley has dedicated his life to the education and training of dogs and their owners. In 2008 he started Focus Dog Training in Colorado Springs. His mission?

One trainer, One dog, One goal.

Rick Walkley, Focus Dog Training

Rick's impressive career experience and tutelage under some of the world's most renowned dog trainers has given him the expertise to develop a unique training program which is tailored to meet the needs of each individual dog he works with. Unlike some traditional training centers, Focus Dog Training does not use a set criteria for every dog that comes through. Many of Rick's clients come with relatively simple goals - for example, they want their dog to reliably sit, stay, and come on command. Elderly owners no longer able to adequately exercise their dog may need Rick to train their pet to run on a treadmill. Some of these goals can be accomplished in relatively few sessions and do not require the standard six weeks' worth of classes offered by traditional training programs. Other dogs, like Kharma, have more extensive needs. Dogs suffering from insecurity can be aggressive toward not only other dogs - but people as well. Training can not only considerably improve the quality of life for both dog and owner - but can actually save the life of a dog prone to insecure aggression.

According to Rick, the number one mistake made by dog owners with regards to training is simply the lack of training! Many people believe that the purpose of training lies solely in puppy socialization or when a dog becomes out of control. The truth is, every dog can benefit significantly from Rick's program. In fact, Rick recommends beginning as soon as you bring your new puppy home.

The Roeder's goal for Kharma? To finally banish the insecurities that were keeping her and their family from leading an active, happy, and full life.

They were amazed to see a difference in her after only one session with Rick! In the proper hands, Kharma proved to be a willing and enthusiastic student - but it would take some time for her to be fully rehabilitated. After talking with the Roeders and gaining an understanding of what their ultimate goals for Kharma were, Rick put in four weekly training sessions where she learned not only basic commands, but learned to perform them reliably - off lead. In addition to this, Kharma underwent five days of more intensive training sessions one on one with Rick. During these sessions, he helped her to become the confident, obedient dog that he knew she could be.

The impact of her time at Focus Dog Training on Kharma's family has been profound. Even at home, Kharma's relationships with the other dogs and humans has taken a drastic turn for the better. The Roeders can now enjoy having guests over - without Kharma's loud objections. And perhaps best of all, Dr. Roeder now has a running companion that shares her love of being outdoors and exploring favorite trails together. She no longer has any fear of other runners or animals crossing paths with them, and she and Kharma can simply relax and enjoy one another's company.

And Kharma?

She has the happiest ending of all. Love, Family, and a Forever Home to call her own. 



 

"Rescue Me" Sample Blog

We’ve all seen them, television advertisements featuring pets in shelters that have been abused or suffered horrible neglect looking for a second chance in life in a loving forever home. Anyone who has ever loved an animal cannot help but be moved by their plight, yet not all of us are able to pledge a financial gift - particularly in the difficult economic times in which we now find ourselves. If you are one of the many who would like to help a rescued animal, you may not realize that you have something even more valuable to give than money – your time.

At Yorkshire Veterinary Hospital, we care deeply about the needs of rescued animals, and in this monthly blog segment, “Rescue Me”, we’d like to introduce our client family to the many ways they can volunteer their time to animals in need.

Do you have room in your heart and home for a rescued animal, but aren’t necessarily looking to adopt another family member? Do you think you might enjoy participating in the care and rehabilitation process of a rescue, but aren’t sure how to get involved? If you answered “yes”, then you just might be an ideal foster parent for a furry friend in need!

Many local rescues recognize the importance of placing their animals into temporary foster homes, where they can more closely assess the unique personality and needs of that animal, and make informed decisions regarding their ideal future placement. Is this dog good with cats? What about children and other dogs? What kind of forever family should we look for? These are questions that Foster Coordinator and Foster Home Volunteer Rachel Jervis of Colorado Greyhound Adoption looks to answer about each of the rescues she takes into her home.

Rachel began volunteering for CGA in 2008, and has fostered a total of 20 rescues for the organization. She has also undertaken the role of Foster Coordinator, arranging home visits for potential new foster volunteers and shepherding them through the process of becoming a foster home. Each new foster dog presents unique challenges, according to Rachel, and each rehabilitation process comes with countless rewards. Perhaps the most tangible reward of Rachel’s years of commitment to CGA has been the addition of Evie Petunia, a foster dog so special that she never left.

Rachel quips, “I always tell people who ask about Evie that I’ve fostered 20 dogs in all, 19 of which found wonderful forever homes, and one who got stuck with me!”

Evie and Rachel truly seem made for one another, and now finding forever homes for rescued greyhounds has become a team project.

In fact, the spirit of volunteerism is so much a part of their lives together that Evie has projects of her own, volunteering at their local library branch where young children come to read aloud to this very special girl.

Dogs in need of foster homes come from all different walks of life. Some are coming from loving families who, for whatever reason, are no longer able to care for them. Others come from shelters, at times with significant medical needs, and still others are found as strays and may have experienced extreme abuse or neglect. For Paul and Jocelyn Bakkemo, fosters for Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue, one of the most rewarding aspects of fostering rescued dogs is taking in a dog that may have significant fears or emotional damage and watching them blossom under the loving care they provide.

For many years, Paul and Jocelyn shared their lives with a very special rescued Golden Retriever of their own, who passed away shortly after they moved from Minnesota to Colorado Springs. Heartbroken over the loss of their beloved friend, and not yet ready to adopt another family member, they began the process with GRFRto open their home to dogs in need. One of these fosters, Sage, was blind and therefore would require a very special forever family - one that Jocelyn worried they may not be able to find.

Soon after bringing her into their home, it became clear that they wouldn’t have to look very far –Sage was the perfect fit for their family! Not too long after, Sage herself chose the next family member, when she became very attached to Ocho, another dog fostered by the Bakkemos.

Having found their way into their forever home, Sage and Ocho continue to remind the people who started out fostering them how giving the gift of their time can pay off in unimagined dividends.

Becoming a volunteer foster home is not without its challenges. Each new dog comes with its own past experiences, fears, and issues. Both Colorado Greyhound Adoption and Golden Retriever Freedom Rescuehave a support network in place for all of their foster homes when there are questions, concerns, or issues with a foster dog. “There is always someone to call,” says Jocelyn Bakkemo, “even after the dog has been adopted, that dog will always be a part of the GRFR family.”

Perhaps chief among the challenges of fostering is the inevitable ‘goodbye’ when the dog that you have fostered and loved, sometimes for months, has at last found their forever family. Rachel Jervis shares the moment when her first foster dog left for their forever home - “I kept telling myself that it was okay to be sad, okay to cry – but I couldn’t! Standing there, watching them drive away with their new family, toward a new and wonderful life, I just felt such pure joy.”

If you would like to volunteer to become a foster home, you can find more information at Colorado Greyhound Rescue’s website: http://www.greyhoundadoption.com, or Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue: http://www.goldenretrieverfreedom.com

There are many rescue organizations always in need of loving foster homes, including many area cat rescues. If you have a dog breed or type of pet that especially appeals to you, search online for a rescue and contact them! Remember, the gifts of your time, of your love - are the most important you have to give.