Panzer - Update

Hi Everyone at RAPS,

We have had Panzer for a little over a month now and things are going great. We did change his name to Diesel. We have been learning lots, both my husband and I had family dogs, but neither one of us were involved in training a dog. Our obedience class has started and he is doing good, and Justin and I are are learning lots too. His leash manners are improving. He is good with the cat (Angus), most of the time he just ignores Angus. Angus has been so patient with the dog, he hisses every now and then when Diesel does something to scare him, but he is yet to bring the claws out. We love having Diesel around, he is such a good dog in the house. Our neighbour hood is very close to a popular dog park and a creek, Diesel goes swimming everyday. I have even taken him out on bike rides with me and he enjoys them.

We are so happy to have Diesel with us.

Justin and Ashley

Born to be Pampered

We like to think that all dogs are born to be loved and pampered and even spoiled, but some were truly born with silver spoons or bones in their mouths.

Chris, the Afghan, is one of those dogs who was born to live a life of ease and comfort, and regular grooming. Chris started his life in Australia, where he was sold to a woman who led the breeder to understand that she lived in Australia. The breeder did not intend for Chris to leave Australia, but Chris ended up in Richmond, BC Canada. When his owner went travelling, Chris escaped from his caretakers.

In August 2009, RAPS, as well as all the vets, groomers, and kennels in Richmond, got emails from a woman in Ottawa who is a friend of the breeder in Australia. The breeder was frantic to find Chris. But it was as if Chris had vanished *poof* - No stray dog reports – No dead dog found…

And then, at the end of March 2010, Shane (our ACO) was called to assist the RCMP by containing three dogs at a drug house, two Dobermans and an Afghan Hound – a black Afghan with a white blaze on his chest. It had to be Chris. The saved email from Ottawa was pulled up, and Chris was scanned for a microchip. A match!!!

We were so happy to have found Chris alive – but he was a mess. An Afghan that hasn’t been groomed for more than 8 months can resemble a Hungarian Puli or Komondor. The mats in his coat were obviously painful. So off he went to the groomers (Thank you, Christine’s Grooming Salon) and back he came, playful and relieved to be shorn.

After seven days at the shelter, it was time to figure out a permanent situation for Chris. The lady from Ottawa expressed interest in giving Chris a home as long as he wasn’t dog aggressive. The next Sunday, a posse from the local Afghan Club came out to assess Chris, and they declared him a lovely dog if a bit aloof – in true Afghan fashion.

Last Thursday, Chris flew out to Ottawa to begin his true life as a loved and pampered pooch. His new guardian writes, “ Please let everyone who took such good care of Chris know that he arrived safely in Ottawa this afternoon and is crashed out for the night in his new home. He handled the trip, introductions to his roommate, and sussing out the new yard and neighbourhood very well. He’s going to be fine.”

-- Helen Savkovic, Office Slave at the Richmond City Shelter

Odin’s Story

Odin’s story began at the Richmond City Shelter back in May of 2007. This was back in the day when I was an animal control officer, or at least I was trying to be!!! Mike and I received a call about two German Shepherds that were loose on their property and they were harassing people on the street. We attended and quickly apprehended the two Shepherds.

Odin was the male shepherd and his female companion was named Isis. It quickly became apparent to the staff at RAPS that Isis was heavily pregnant with a litter of pups. Odin was such a proud teen father at only 9 months old! He was very protective of Isis and did his best to look out for her. Three days after their arrival Isis gave birth to nine perfect little babies and the entire gang took up residence in our well known executive director’s backyard (much to her husband’s delight). All but Odin that is. Odin was reclaimed by his owner, much to his new family’s dismay.

Two years later Odin returned to RAPS as an older but not wiser dog. He was deemed a dangerous dog by the city of Richmond, he was overweight and he was out of control. We had a challenge on our hands. The first step of action we took was to neuter, deworm and vaccinate the now three year old dog. The second step was to train and focus him. Odin began a daily routine of biking, ball chasing, agility running and obedience. He was put on a healthy raw food diet which was supplemented with glucosamine to support his hips. Slowly a handsome German Shepherd began to appear.

After three months of rehabilitation Odin would find his forever home. He is now a happy dog living in the interior of BC on a ranch. He spends his days chasing balls, running beside the ATV and helping gather sticks for the fireplace. Congratulations Odin!!!

-- Sonya Kamp

Little Bree Recovers from Surgery

In our last edition of RapSity News, we reported on our sanctuary kitten's struggle to recover after ventral bulla osteotomy surgery. The surgery was performed to remove tissue in Bree's ear associated with a nasopharyngeal polyp. For several days after the surgery, Bree continued to have severe upper respiratory problems. Her prognosis was grim until veterinary surgeons discovered and removed a second nasal polyp that had made it nearly impossible for her to breathe and eat.

Our tiny Bree is now back at the sanctuary and doing extremely well. With her new, hearty appetite she is gaining weight and has incredible energy. She is making up for lost time by exuberantly playing with her toys and frolicking with her siblings.

We are deeply grateful to the people who donated money for Bree and the wonderful, caring staff at Canada West Veterinary Specialists and Critical Care Hospital. Without the generosity of everyone involved, Bree wouldn't have survived. They saved her life and her future looks bright.

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Tina is rescued by a Big Heart!

A special thanks to Big Heart Rescue for helping us place our beautiful Tina, the 11 year old Chow Chow. They have placed her in a forever home on Vancouver Island and are covering her vet bills for the rest of her life! Thank you Big Heart Rescue from the Richmond Animal Shelter.

Below is an update on how Tina is doing:

I thought you would enjoy seeing pictures of Tina as she heads off for her first walk with her foster Dad and her fur sisters

She is happy and adjusting to being inside the home. Her fur sisters are teaching her that it's a good thing to be a beloved family member.

Tina will have her vet appointment on Friday and we will see where we go from here.

Thank you for letting us know about this darling girl and her need for a new life.

Gail

Zody the beloved minpin finds a home

We’ve been having a great time and Zody is fantastic!

She comes to work with us everyday (we work at the same place) and she is getting lots of attention from everyone here. And we found out while at my parents place that she is a soccer player! She pushes the soccer ball all around the yard with her head, it’s hilarious to watch!

When we’re at home she loves to cuddle with us on the couch and always sleeps on the bed, sometimes she crawls right under the covers with us.

She’s a great addition to our family and we are lucky to have her.

Kristen and Dave

A RAPS Video!

Gretal

Gretal was a young female cat that was left in a carrier in the RAPS parking lot. Her owner would not even enter the building. Gretal was skinny and unfixed and was wary of affection. She spent her first few months at RAPS hanging out mostly with cats and avoiding people. The months flew by without a single application for Gretal, soon she reached her one year anniversary! Then one day Tammy and her daughter Gabrielle walked into the cat room. Gretal knew she had found her new home. She walked up to Gabrielle and it was love at first sight. Below is an update from Tammy and her family:

Gretal is a joy to our family. I know you guys were partially worried that she may not get adopted after having lived there for so long. The first couple days she enjoyed hiding under our couch (not sure why), but now she is out and about when we come home from work. She enjoy’s our daughter and puts up with her tenderness towards the cat.

My husband (who was the one I was worried about) adores her to a tee. (it’s pretty funny) She will nuzzle up to him and “kiss” him and he can’t say no to her charm.

She is starting to eat a bit more, and enjoys the chicken and wild rice from Fancy Feast.
Her dandruff issues are slowly departing and she enjoys here daily brushing.

Her favorite spot : The top floor of our three storey home on the master bedrooms window sill.

I just wanted to say thank you once again for helping me choose the right cat for our family.

Thanks again;

Tammy, Kevin and Gabrielle

Blondie the puppy finds a home!

Blondie is a blonde lab puppy that came to RAPS as a stray! She immediately won the hearts of all the staff and volunteers. Blondie is now named Powder and is happily living in her forever home! She is going to puppy kindergarden and learning to chew on coffee tables! (opps!) Stay posted for more updates on Powder as she grows!

Lola the pekingnese is thriving in her new home

This is Sandra, and I adopted Lola on March 1, 2010.

On the first night at home, Lola was a little disoriented and shy, but by the very next day, she became aware of her surroundings and revealed a vivacious, loving attitude that never seems to change!

Lola is such an affectionate girl! She loves to sit beside us on the couch or on the bed. She almost never barks in the house. Amazingly, she lets us know if she has to go outside by pawing lightly at the front door.

Lola is a wonderful companion. Her favourite pass-time is going for a walk. The word "Walk" causes her extreme excitement no matter what time of day it is. She walks very well on a leash, and she has also visited the dog park and socialized politely with other dogs on many occasions. She enjoys riding in the car with us too!

I have introduced her to all of my friends and family, and everyone falls in love with her funny underbite and her sweet-natured personality. Adopting Lola was the best decision I've made this year, and I'm so happy to have her in my life.

Sandra G

Trixie finds a wonderful home in the Kooteneys

I just wanted to drop you guys a note. Ollie (Trixie) and I are great. She is a wonderful dog, and we are getting a along great. We have been long hikes every day and she is adjusting well to the house. We are busy learning house training and not to jump up. Also we are meeting lots of dogs. She has a friend down the street that she played with two days ago. Hopefully they can continue to be friends. She does not have good dog to dog skills, read she is a little bit rude, but once the initial meeting is over more times than not she is good. I am sure with practise she will become a great dog. It really helps that she is food motivated. I am sure she likes me but sometimes I feel like a cookie dispenser. Haha.

Hope all is well at the shelter.

Suzanne