Krissy

Hi everyone at RAPS:

We just took Krissy (previously named Becky) home 10 days ago and she is just a sweetheart. She was so skinny when we first met her but she now looks strong and perfect. She's got a great appetite and she is always on alert for food! At first she was a bit timid and more on guard but now she is starting to enjoy being part of the family. She gets at least 4 walks per day and variety of foods. We had heard that she used to be an outside dog but she has never had an accident in the house. She sleeps beside the bed throughout the night and wakes up wagging her tail to let me know that she wants a short walk. It's a wonderful feeling to have her around and she has enriched our lives.

We would like to thank everyone at RAPS for doing such a wonderful job. You had given the best care possible for these unfortunate dogs. Special thanks to Kim and Sonya who had shown true compassion and dedication to their job.

Carmen, Alan, Krissy, and Troy

Groom-A-Thon a sparkling success!!!

There are many shiny news dogs walking around Richmond as a result of a successful Groom-A-Thon on May 16th at Christine's Grooming Salon. Dogs and their owners came from all around Ricmond to take part in this exciting event. A special thanks to all the hard working volunteers who came out to help wash and groom and a huge thank you to Christine's Grooming Salon for donating both the expertise and the space for the event.

Dexter

Hi Sonya et al. Hope all is well.

Here are latest Dexter (Chester) pics ... after he successfully dispatched several rats that were plaguing me in the greenhouse, basking in the sun, and at the beach. He's doing great, walks off leash lots with us and LOVES going for bike rides. So glad he knew how to do that, it's fun for us too.

We're going to meet a local woman who does training and dog socialization stuff, so he can hopefully learn to be social around other dogs.

Thanks!

Linda & Gabriel

Princess & Smokey (CiCi)

Hello RAPS:

Just wanted to give you guys a quick update on the two cats we recently adopted, Princess and Smokey (CiCi).

As you can see they have settled right in and are getting along great with our big cat Izzy. Thank you so much for your help in expanding our family!

All the best,

Chris and Roseann

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