Cookie -- Update!

Hello everyone!

It’s been a week so I thought it would be a good time to update you on how Cookie’s doing. Well, she sticks to me like glue. We go out for nice long walks three times a day, Cookie already knows when I’m coming home from school so she waits at the bottom of the stairs for me everyday.

She is a VERY quick study; she has already learned Wait, Stay, Come, and Roll Over! Although she DEMANDS treats before she does anything the first time you ask her to. Cookie has decided that she has to be asked politely before she does anything for me, so here I am saying “Cookie, can you sit please?” and of course “Thank you”!

There is a soccer field right across the street from my house; so a few days ago I tried to let Cookie off leash when no one was around (I get up to walk her at 6am before I go to school). She is very good off leash; it only takes me one or two tries to get her to COME and she heels wonderfully both on and off leash. We have met a lot of dogs while walking outside and Cookie has been good with most of them, although there was a bit of a disagreement between Cookie and a husky two days after she came home. On a happy note, Cookie made a best friend yesterday- a three-year-old golden retriever. The two of them were chasing each other around the park for the better part of an hour…

Bye, Alena and Cookie.

Cookie is finally home!

Cookie is a seven year old Rottweiler cross that spent her entire life in a backyard. She was surrendered to RAPS because the owner tied her up on a prong collar all day long. When Cookie first arrived at RAPS she was fearful and sad. She was at the RAPS City Shelter for eight months without a single soul showing interest in her. Until one day a teenage girl named Alena came into our shelter and fell in love with her. Alena didn't care that Cookie was an old dog, she just knew that Cookie was meant for her. For three months the entire family came to the shelter every Saturday to visit and walk Cookie while they waited for their house to be sold. Their new home was purchased just for Cookie, complete with a big backyard for her to run around in! Cookie will never be chained up again and she will spend the rest of her days in Alena's loving arms. She is a true rescue story and the staff and volunteers at RAPS could not be happier.

Chance

Way back on a snowy day in December we came to RAPS to meet Chance. My daughter Zoey Jones had met him previously and kept telling us to come and meet him too.

We were thinking about getting another dog as Coco (our older Shih Tzu) needed a buddy.

Well, we fell in love with him and wanted to have him join our family. Chance has made himself very much at home, (we were shocked when we went to the vet for a check up and Chance has gained 6 pounds since he came to our home) and Coco loves him, but tries to keep him in line. He adores her! He is happy and playful and has experienced many firsts, like the trip to the beach, camping, and a ferry ride!

Thank you for letting us adopt him.

Shawn Needham and Maria

PS -- Chance is the blonde Shih Tzu and Coco is black and white.

Tricia Helfer and sister, Tara, support RAPS!

Since Tricia and Tara Helfer first visited the RAPS cat sanctuary on March 30, 2008, we have enjoyed Tara's company on several other Sunday afternoons. The well-known actress (Battlestar Galactica) and one-time Ford Supermodel of the World and her sister share our love for cats and are very supportive of the work we are doing.

It was wonderful to have Tara come out recently, and we hope Tricia will be able to visit us again soon, when her work once again brings her to the Vancouver area.

Teak

Just a short note to let you know how Teak is doing. He has settled in well and is enjoying all the attention and exercise he is getting. He is eager to learn and walks well on the leash. He loves playing soccer in the garden and his favorite game indoors is dropping his kong or ball from the top of the stairs. Watching it bounce all the way down, then retrieving it and doing it all over again.

Thank you for letting us adopt him!

Bridget, John, Dylan and Teak

Ta Ta

Ta Ta was a 7 year old Rotti/Shepherd that was surrendered into our care because the owner couldn't walk him. We soon understood why! Ta Ta is a magnificent, large dog that feels the need to protect whoever is walking him, which means that he needed a very dog savvy handler to be his next owner. We didn’t know if such an owner would come along for Ta Ta as he is an older dog, but finally the right couple did!

Ta Ta is now living is new life on an acreage in Abbotsford where his new family is complete with a cat and a little dog companion! Congrats Ta Ta!

Tank - Update

Hi there, just an update for all of you. Tank is doing very well. He is enjoying his home a lot. He went and met with the vet on Saturday and all seems well. He seems to have a little issue with my reading glasses though. Ha Ha. He kind of ate them. He had to get a spray of water for that one. At least he didn't swallow them. He is getting along very well with our golden doodle Jack and still has a little bit of issues with the cat. He just wants to chase her. He seems to be losing a little interest in her though. We are so happy to have him as a member of our family. He is a keeper!!!!! Thanks to all of you for taking such good care of him.