Shylow - Update

Hi there! Just writing to give an update on Shylow:

She is doing very very well. We love her dearly already. She is gentle, affectionate, has a “soft mouth” around us, gives us kisses, plays with us, sleeps in her crate through the night (door open) and is up to 2 hours/day in her crate (door closed). We’ve got a schedule set up for her so that she won’t have to spend too much more than that in the crate (and no more than 3 days/week). She’s happily continuing with her raw diet and has tolerated some new faces (my sister, my parents, Lori, and strangers on the street) with increasing curiosity and calmness. Meeting other dogs are a different story but we’re working with her and she IS getting better! We met with Lori Mason on Monday and she spent lots of time with us and gave us lots of training tips – she was really great!

Thanks again so much for taking such good care of her – it’s obvious that she’s been well-loved.

I’m sure Shylow would also send her hello … and thanks!

Cindy

Odin - Update!

Hi Everyone,

I've been thinking of all of you lately and wanted to share some photos of my handsome mug. This is me with some of my buddies. We go out on the ATV daily and I have so much fun in the snow! I'm helping my Mom round up the horses for dinner in the last pic. Hope you are all well and say hi to all my friends at the shelter.

Love, Odin

Jules

Hi there, my name is Colin and I adopted Jules. I wanted to share how she was doing with everyone.

Jules is happy to report that 1 month into her adopting she is really starting to enjoy the new home. Walks everyday, and dog park every weekend, not to mention some treats in the mix too. She is still eating her regular diet, and is very much enjoying it. Sleeping is a breeze on her new bed. She met 15 people in the first week of her new home and no growling or biting. Off-leash the first time to the dog park, and listened very well to commands given. LOVES to play fetch! And she's warming up to the whole family! There will be another report in a months time. Photos will follow.

Thanks! And Jules is a great dog.

*Milo*

Milo the dog at the Richmond Animal Shelter
in need of hydrotherapy after hit-and-run accident

Dec. 2, 2010 - Milo, the sweet four year-old, male Mastiff-shepherd dog at the Richmond Animal Shelter who was hit by a car and abandoned by his owner in Richmond in July, has reached a new milestone in his recovery from that terrible accident. Thanks to public support over the summer, Milo received a complex surgery to repair a compound fracture of his femur. After a long recovery from surgery and additional complications from his injury, Milo is now scheduled to undergo rehabilitative hydrotherapy at Canada West Veterinary hospital. The Richmond Animal Protection Society is looking for financial support to help Milo in the final stages of his recovery.

For orthopaedic injuries, hydrotherapy is a safe way for Milo to recover the muscle mass needed to walk properly according to Canada West Veterinary Hospital website. Once Milo is sound on his feet, he will be available for adoption from the Richmond Animal Shelter. Milo is an exceptionally sweet dog, who will make a wonderful companion. RAPS can provide the media with photos of Milo, or the media can visit Milo at the Richmond Animal Shelter by calling 604-275-2036.

In July, Milo required around-the-clock care for his injuries when he was hit by a car and left for dead. He was found in the early morning hours of July 11 by a Richmond City worker. Milo required immediate surgery followed by months of rehabilitation. Additionally, Richmond Animal Shelter manager, Sonya Kamp, made extensive inquires to find the owner of the dog, but no owner came forward. The driver who hit Milo fled the scene.

Donations for Milo's hydrotherapy can be made online or by calling the Richmond Animal Shelter at 604-275-2036. Updates on his recovery will be made frequently on this blog site.

Shima, adopted kitten

Before there was a real home for all the critters, Carol and all of the volunteers used to keep the trapped animals in their homes. Carol had a feral cat who had just given birth to 3 kittens in her bathroom on August 26th, 1998, and I was able to take home a little male two months after he was born. I called him Shima, which means striped in Japanese, as he was an orange and white striped tabby. Throughout his life, he had the best care, but he wasn’t born with everything he needed to live a full and healthy life. He had a constant emission from one of his eyes, a tiny little meow because of some affliction of his vocal cords, and an allergy to his own dental plaque. He finally had to have all his teeth pulled out in his tenth year. But despite all of these things, Shima was the most loving, affectionate and sweetest of cats. I called him “my little love sponge.” He glommed onto me and was never far from my lap! But, he kept his distance from other people.

In September he began to cut back on his food, then he began to refuse to eat altogether. I began to force feed him, but he was beginning to throw up what little he ate. Then he lost his meow! After x-rays, and a second opinion, he had an ultrasound and it was revealed that Shima had a large tumour in one of his lungs. He was scheduled for surgery, but then after checking back with my vet and really understanding the difficulties of the operation and post-operative care including a feeding tube, I realized that it was impossible. I brought him home and let him live out is remaining days in the company of two other cats. The vet came to my house on November 17th – the one sunny day between storms - and Shima went to cat heaven. I’m sure you all understand the deep grief we feel when we have to say goodbye to a dear companion who has loved us and who we have loved. I carry strands of his orange and white hair with me in my locket, so he is not far from my heart.

Here is a picture of Shima taken a month before he died.

Lincoln

Hello Everyone at the Shelter!

Lincoln has been settling in quite well at our condo. Here are a few pictures to show you. Please forward the couple of Chas and Lincoln onto Chas please.

We are going to the vet tomorrow to see what can be done with Lincoln's hip... if anything. We'll keep you updated as to how it goes.

Thanks,

Proud new owners of Lincoln
Kara and Rob

Doreen's Kittens

Hello ladies,

This is a shot of the 2 kittens that came home with me. I remember you said they were “Kim’s kittens”. There were 4 in the litter and the siblings were black. They came with their mother who subsequently took on 2 newborns to nurse and they all got adopted before I knew them. I have renamed them after my aunts…..the brown one is Maggie ( after Margaret age 93, my Dad’s sister ) the grey one is Gracie ( after Grace age 83, my Mom’s sister). The aunts are thrilled! Both aunts are well and very strong women so I hope the girls will follow in their footsteps. They have incredible energy, love to eat and are becoming nicely socialized. They have never made a fuss at night and happily sleep on the bed. It is Gracie who has the patch of ringworm on her back leg but with your advice, I know that will soon be gone. I can assure you that they are having the best of everything in their little world and are greatly loved. If you would like to stay in touch with them, they would love it but I do know that you have hundreds of “children” out there. West Van is a long way from you but I will come by whenever I am near you and I will definitely be out to help with Spring Clean Up at the acreage.

Thank you again for all the good work you do.

Doreen

Steveston Buddist Church Christmas Craft Sale

These girls all have pets at home and have a passion for helping animals. They love to visit Raps and have seen why donations are needed. This is the 2nd annual craft fair (Steveston Buddist Church Christmas Craft Sale) the girls have done with all proceeds going to Raps! Together, they worked very hard and made homemade dog treats, doggie "goodie bags", cupcakes, loafs, Almond Roca, Homemade chocolates, Homemade Jam, Tarts, Jello, Fudge, marshmellow snowmen etc. and some crafts. Last year the girls raised $162.00, so they are surprised and proud to double their donation ($351.24) this year! Way to Go Girls!

Photo's of the Girls in photo A Makala, Emily, Riley, Ashley (Donating the $351.24)


Photo's of the Girls in photo B Makala, Emily, Ashley, and Riley (at the craft Sale)

Columbus, finally home!

Dear Carol, Sonya and everyone at RAPS,

It has been a week since Columbus came home. He is still adjusting to a home environment, but he's so far doing very well! He started eating on day 4, and took an interest in watching his siblings roaming around the suite. 2 of my 3 cats don't seem to mind him, but it was Noah (Columbus' little sister) who hissed at him when she was 5 feet away. Now this hissing range has decreased to about 1 foot apart, and she seems to be ok if I am beside her when she sees Columbus.

Having a human is so new to Columbus and he doesn't even know how he should react to his own purring from getting a tummy rub!!

So far he showed me that really likes:
- Tummy rubs. He would awkwardly (but happily) flipped over having his tummy up so he can get more.
- Chin rubs. He would push his head against my hand, while doing the "I really don't know why I'm doing this" puzzled face.
- Top of the catwalk. He would start purring so loudly when I put him up there. An hour ago he even jumped up there by himself!!

I'll definitely keep you all posted on how well Columbus is doing!
I've attached some pictures too - those are Columbus' "my first........" moments!!

Winn

FYI: 'Kaiah' is doing AWESOME!!!

Hi girls!

Just wanted to drop a note and let you know that Miss Kaiah is fitting easily & happily into her new family! It actually feels like she's been here for weeks already.

She was a little restless the first night but by the following morning the change in her demeanor was obvious.

She's definitely CHILLIN' now!!! Waits at the table to share toast with John at breakfast, lots of walks (energy to burn!)and she discovered Jake's old tennis ball in the backyard. Not much of a 'fetcher' but she thinks it hilarious when you throw the ball at her! LOVES the yard - does figure-8's at full speed back there! LOVES back/hip massages & gives big wet kisses when she's had her dinner! Sleeps in our bedroom on the floor beside the bed & really enjoys long, loungey mornings on her pillow. We're going to get her a big plastic kiddie pool for the backyard in the Springtime - apparently she LOVES water - so we'll indulge her. Kaiah is obedient (very much so with John), sweet, calm & snuggly!

Kaiah's also figuring out that being in a vehicle doesn't always mean you're going somewhere 'bad'. We've been taking her in the truck to go for walks on the dyke. So hopefully in time she'll be just as excited to go for a ride as our other dogs used to be!

John's currently reinforcing all the fencing around the property. 'The Escape Artist' is a fitting moniker. (on the way home from the shelter on Sunday, Kaiah ripped out the window screen with her teeth, pushed the window open - and they're really hard to slide! - she was 1/2 way out the truck canopy before John pulled over & I grabbed her!). Windows closed & locked from now on THANK YOU!

We're very, very happy with our new girl!

Warmest regards,
John & Candy

Update on Sola

Hi. Here’s a couple of recent pictures of Sola! Such a cutie. When she runs she hops like a bunny. Very sweet & cuddly and gets more cuddly as time goes by. She’s got me pretty well trained I will say! She really is a smart little cookie! I love her and she loves me!

Thank you so much.
Gwen

Caesar's New Home

Hi Carol,

It's been a week since Caesar moved to his new home. We want to inform you he's doing great. He no longer craves outside life and seems fully adapted to being an inside cat. He loves sleeping with us on our bed and enjoys eating his wet food :)

Attached are some recent photos we took with Caesar. Hope you enjoy it!

Thank you once again for you, the vets and the rest of RAPS' staff for looking after Caesar. We hope other cats will find a happy home soon.

Cheers,

Kent and Juliana

Din Din aka Mr. Magoo

Hi Sonya:

Here is the update on Din-Din aka Mr. Magoo this little boy is happy as shit if I could not ask for a better dog than he is . This little dog is one loveable pup and suites our life style just great he is smart and just loves being here.

I want to thank you for letting me know about him we just love him after the last couple of weeks he has shown us his true colours and just about one of the easiest dogs to train I have ever had. He was passed over to many times and was missed by all. We are very fortunate to have such a great dog in our home and will be loved for as long as he lives, he is walked till he can’t stand it and loves it, no more shelters for him, and this boy is just loving living his life to the fullest.

Too all who cares this is one recued dog that never has to worry about anything for as long as he lives thank you all at TNT and this little beauty has nothing but a great life ahead of him and he thanks TNT for helping him get his forever home .

As always kindest regards Milt

Sam

Dear folks at RAPS-

Okay, I just wanted to brag.

But here's our boy Sam.... he's got it tough!

Sam has always kept his promise to go for two walks every morning with Katie our Border Collie. Sam has always kept his promise to go for car rides (he LOVES the new sun roof in the new station wagon we got two weeks ago!!!!). And Sam has also kept his promise to play and play and play in his kiddy pool, on hot summer days. I should also mention that Sam is looking forward to the fireplace being turned on soon....

How did we ever get such a wonderful, wonderful boy?
It's thanks to YOU GUYS!!!!!!

Keep up the wonderful work!

Much love
Kristi

Breyer

Hi girls!

A report on the boy's first day -----
He was absolutely perfect on the ride home - very attentive to the goings on outside of the car, a few laydowns to rest a bit, not a bark or a whimper. We were so happy because we always took our previous guys with us most places we went and we wanted to be able to do the same with Breyer..Yay, now we can.

He came right into the house with us, no hesitation whatsoever and of course began snooping from room to room. That took him a while, he did a very thorough job!

We then proceeded to take our first walk and explore the neighborhood, everything went well - no dogs around. I wasen't so fortunate on the next exploration jaunt. We met a friend from the building with her Lhasa who is very similar to Breyer in his dislike of those "other bothersome dogs". I stopped to chat with her and that gave Breyer just enough time to get his dander up. There was no growling or snapping - just lunging to get at Murph (the Lhasa) - and then we went our merry way and he didn't even look backwards. We've been out 3 times and it will soon be time for our last.

He is one smart fellow - he knows all of his obedience commands plus shaking hands, rolling over, rolling around in a ball, sitting pretty and God only knows what else we have yet to uncover. We haven't tried heeling yet - tomorrow is another day.

Right now he's sound asleep on the bed with Al after his big moving day.

I'll keep in touch with you with updates on his acceptance of his new home. It's like he has always been here with us.

Talk to you soon.
Sandy

Our Dog Jake (nee Pudding)

Hi RAPS,

I realize this message is long overdue but as they say better late than never.

In October of 2009 I sent my fiance Haven over to your shelter to meet a puppy you had there by the name of Skippy. He was approx. 3 months old and about as cute as could be. The interest in Skippy was tremendous as is usually the case with puppies and ultimately he went to live with a family other than ours.

A few days later Sonya called us to let us know about a recent arrival that she thought we might be interested in. You called him Pudding. Interested? We'll be right there!

While we were out walking with Pudding and our dog Roxy a car pulled up along side of us and asked "is that Pudding?" This lady had come to meet him as well. My first instinct was to run fast and far but knew that acquiring a dog and then having to be on the lam for months was not an option.

Our walk back to the shelter was one of mixed emotion. I knew Pudding was our dog. I just knew it, but what I didn't know was if the decision makers at RAPS knew it too. After a brief conversation about Pudding (while the other lady was standing nearby) we left. As we drove away I almost cried thinking he might not be coming home with us. Tenacious as I am, I sent an email to Sonya immediately to let her know how much it would mean to us to have Pudding join our pack. Then the waiting began. Fortunately it wasn't long after that I received a reply to tell us Pudding was coming to us. HURRAY!

Pudding, who we now call Jake, was being neutered the next day so we decided to let him recuperate at the shelter for a few days. We went to visit him every day until he could come home with us. He was not a happy little dog. Big incision, nasty collar and living in a strange place. The first 10 days were trying ones. Jake wanted desperately to play with Roxy but his surgery put an end to that. Hiding under the bed, growling at us when we tried to move him and just being generally out of sorts we knew we were going to have to exercise great patience to allow this little guy to get comfortable with his new pack.

Patient we were and so was he. Since Jake has been with us he's attended a Halloween party, flown to Leduc, AB for a prairie Christmas (thank you to WestJet for letting small dogs fly inside the cabin and to the small child who sat behind us and howled louder than Jake) where Jake absolutely loved being out in the cold & snow, camping to Cultus Lake and on two road trips, one to Seaside, Oregon (running for miles on the beach) and the other through the Canadian Rocky Mountains back to Leduc. Trips to the beach, 3 walks a day, playing at the dog park, visiting the next door neighbours, keeping a watchful eye on the street from his perch on the window ledge and the occasional day at the office round out Jake's life with us to date.

With each passing day he gets a little more comfortable in our pack. He cuddles like no other dog I've ever known. He's silly and slightly indignant and a real sport putting up with our other dog Roxy who wants to play most of the time. After almost 10 months together I know now, as I did the day we met him, Jake is definitely the other dog we were looking for.

Thank you so much for the introduction. We are grateful beyond words.

Cassandra and Haven

p.s.

I've attached a few pictures of Jake.

Jay

Hello

Don't know if you remember me....I am Jay the little Schnauzer that had no fur and had a terrible skin problem and food allergies. Since two years ago when my mom and dad adopted me I have gotten better.

Just wanted to show you how I look now. This was taken this past summer on my summer holidays.

Mare, Larry, and Jay

Zoe Ivory

Hello everyone, enclosed are a few photos of Zoe Ivory taking a walk up Cypress mountain this morning. She sure is looking better with her hair starting to grow in. Right now she is having her afternoon walk with Grandma to the beach.

Have a great day, Jane

Paul

Hi, my name is Paul. I was adopted on August 30th, 2009 from RAPS, Richmond Animal Protection Shelter in BC.

I had been told that my adoptive family had been looking for an addition to their family for quite some time. They had searched the internet extensively and been to numerous foster homes, looking for just the right dog. One day they heard there was a very nice black Lab that needed a forever home and they decided to go have a look see. The Lab was sweet, but as they were looking around, they came across the kennel where I and 8 other new arrivals were housed. This is where my life changed. The mom sat on the floor in the middle of the kennel and embraced all of us! As there was incredible competition for her attention, I chose to play it cool and stay out of the fracas. It was probably a very good decision, as when the dad picked me up we bonded immediately! I watched from my vantage point in dad's arms and saw that Wriggles was playing favourites with the mom and she was buying it. Dad set me down and I sauntered over to steal her attention. I actually chose to be a little stand offish and didn't get all wrapped up in that licking and puppy biting stuff, thinking maybe I could make a better impact by being different. But Mom kept going back to Wriggley!

Mom asked Dad, “What do you think”? Dad replied that they had to consider a few things about their home situation. They talked about Grandma and Sasha and someone named Riley. He sounded important. This Riley person wanted a Pitbull, or a Bulldog or some other big dog that looked meaty. I looked around and thought, we are Schnoodles, will we grow up to be big, handsome and tough?

The Mom and Dad t talked about personalities, energy levels and size. I was starting to get very nervous. Mom said, “I like Wriggly, he is so cute and energetic and fun”! Dad thought he may be too energetic for our home. Then, Dad said the words I was waiting to hear, “I think this little guy would be my choice. He is calm, he seems to thrive on just being held, he doesn't fight for it, he just accepts it and soaks it in.” More talking and then mom said, let me hold him again for a while. That’s when I really laid it on thick. I laid there and let her stroke me and although I was so excited that I wanted to pee in her lap, I held my composure and just let her love me. Then…what’s going on……the whole thing was over, they were leaving and not one of us was leaving with them. Did I make a mistake? Should I have licked her, nibbled her, fought for her attention? Maybe, I should have peed. That would have got her attention! But, they just disappeared! We were all alone once again and I was sad and disappointed. I was struggling with the thought that 2 of my siblings had already been chosen and would be going to a new home soon and I might be stuck here forever or, I might be adopted by someone who had a toddler and have to worry about having my ears or my tail pulled, my eyes poked, chased continuously or hit with toys, I began to tremble. I went back to my blankie and lay down thinking, what have I done to deserve this? Why did my real parents put us into a box and just abandon us? Am I not worthy of someone’s affection, am I ugly, do I appear to be mean, what is it? I lay there with those awful thoughts and soon I nodded off.

Suddenly I was awakened by the sound of the door opening, I leapt to my feet hoping they came back! No, it was just one of my regular caregivers, probably coming to feed us or fill up our water dishes. Hey, why are you picking me up? What did I do? Where are you taking me? Why am I on the outside and, hey, I have to say, it is big out here, there is a lot to see, a lot of different smells and people, look at all the people! I don't care where you are taking me, I just want to stay on the outside! No more steel bars, no more peed on blankies, freedom - just freedom. That is all I care about right now! And then I saw them! Those nice people that were with us a while ago were back and that lady had her arms out and said my name, "Paul". She snuggled me and cuddled me and stroked me and said welcome! You are coming home with us, you are now part of our family – forever! I looked at my new dad and saw the smile as he repeated my name, "Paul". Who names a dog "Paul"? he said. I like it, but who names a dog "Paul"? He was still smiling, oh boy, was he smiling!

Once all of my adoption papers were signed, it was time for the second and most important car ride of my life. Home. Where I am going to live and be loved. It was time to meet the rest of my new family. I was still nervous because I had to make a good impression on that Riley guy. I had to win him over right away. After all, I am a Schnoodle, not what he was hoping for, not what he expected. I am simply me, “Paul”. The door opened, and there he was, looking at me in wonderment and then I heard him say, what is that? "Paul"! This is "Paul" our new family member! Your new brother! WOW, I have a human brother already, this is incredible! "Paul" what kind of a name is "Paul"? I was handed over to him and I knew the way he held me, I was home! He didn’t need much convincing. Turns out it I am very easy to love after all. Everybody loves me. Everybody loves Paul. Wow. And that is how I came to my very own forever family… and in the end…

"Paul's Your Dog!”

Cortez and Frida (formerly know as Tippy and IttyBitty)

Hi Carol and crew!

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to send photos out to you, but
we have been having way too much fun over here! These kittens are a
riot! As I sit here typing this email, they are racing around with
their little mice in mouth. I actually don't have any action shots
yet - most photos are of both of them when they are in 'cute' poses.
The ones I have attached are all fairly recent except for the first
one which was taken not too long after they came home on August 8th.

I can't remember what it was like at home without them!! Mark and I
love them so much!

Camille