Snuggled In
Father and Daughter
Maggie Comes to Rescue January 28, 2007
by Chris Bellezza
Maggie’s pick up went way better than I expected. We arrived, with no weather-related problems — despite some flashing signs on the highway advising of “winter weather ahead.” We were heading north of Syracuse, in the snow belt, and had to traverse some elevated roadways where last week there was a 30-car accident due to sudden icing of the road.
Luckily today, there wasn’t any ice and only very light snow, but the warning signs seemed to have slowed the traffic and that made us more comfortable. My husband Jay insisted on coming with me, since I was heading to a stranger’s home, and the kids, by default, had to come along for the ride.
Maggie Mae’s home was warm and charming, and all of the kids were there, politely waiting to meet this woman who was here to take away their dog. The mom was kind and friendly.
The oldest girl was off to the side. Maggie Mae was barking at me, and even when I got down on the floor, she was really unsure about this intruder.
We talked about Maggie, what she likes (belly rubs and stealing food from the toddler) and doesn’t like (some men, having toys taken from her mouth, sleeping late). She does have some bad habits, apparently (pooping in the house right after she’s been out, not liking to go potty on the grass – she prefers the driveway, screaming when she’s upset about something or you sleep too late, table surfing). I made good friends with the 3 young boys — two of them wanted to come home with me and meet my dogs — and all of them were adorable.
The oldest daughter offered some helpful tips, and I gave her a note with my contact information and assurance that she could call me anytime she wanted an update. I didn’t get to see the little baby, who was sleeping. (Drats!)
I then took Maggie’s stuff ( a big bag of food, a long leash, a crate and two nice blankets, a stuffed animal that the daughter slept with) out to the car and gave them some time to say goodbye while I gave Jay and our kids a quick update, and then I went back in. The mom said, with tears in her own eyes, that she was now upset. Thankfully, the boys were still ok with things, and after I scooped up the still reluctant, stiff-legged little MM, I said a quick goodbye and reminded them to call whenever they wanted.
And that was that. It’s a hard thing to give up your family pet, but all in all, it wasn’t as difficult a transition as it might have been, for all of us.
Maggie Mae, though, is getting braver by the hour and is much happier here, once she saw that we have treats and serve dinner! 🙂
A New Family for Shayne January 15, 2007
by Karen Sage
My daughter, Liz, graciously offered to do Shayne’s home visit this weekend, since I had to work and Katie and Rod were sitting on pins and needles waiting for Shayne.
Shayne was a bit stressed by the long car ride (a little over 2 hours) and was happy when it was over and he could get out and explore his new yard. He promptly claimed the yard as his own by taking a poo! 😉
He barked at some neighbors who were outside and a squirrel passing by before going indoors. Once inside, he explored the house and even went upstairs, though he made Liz accompany him. (She said it was very cute, as he whined and looked up the stairs and kept looking back at her.)
It took him a minute or two (and a cookie) for Katie and Rod to lure him away from Liz’s side but after that, he was giving them kisses and checking out his new digs. At one point Shayne begged for a cookie by looking at the cookie tub and jumping up on Liz, but she told him his new mom and dad were in charge of the cookies and pointed in their direction, so he trotted over to them to beg! Of course, they HAD to oblige!
There were gifts awaiting Mr. Shayne from his new cousin cavalier, Seamus, who lives in New England. He had sent him a new matching collar and leash and some toys. There was also the jumbo-sized container of gourmet cookies of which Shayne seemed quite fond! He may need to be on his diet for a bit longer at this rate!
Mr. Shayne is now the king of his castle, with no one to tell him otherwise, and I believe he is going to be extremely happy! He was already watching out the windows and growling at the squirrels in the backyard, probably telling them, “Hey guys, I live here now, you’d better clear out!”
Later, I got a note from his new Mom, Katie:
Just wanted to let you know that Shayne is settling in quite well. He loves standing on the loveseat and looking out the bay window, because he can see everyone and everything that goes by and barks at them to let them know that he’s in charge now! Right now, he’s
laying next to me taking a little snooze. Before he went to sleep, I promised him that I would send you his first pictures so you can see that he’s doing fine and wouldn’t worry about him.Liz – We took Shayne for a little walk and he was looking for your car when we got back from the walk. He certainly loves his Liz!
Take care and thank you again for letting this little guy join our family. He already has Rod and me wrapped around his paw!!
Pixie At Home January 12, 2007
Pixie moved into her new home this morning. She is now living in Massachuestts with her new mom and dad, Pat and Dick. They said they felt very blessed to get Pixie. (“How could anyone in their right mind give her up?” they asked.)
Pixie did amazingly well, and so did I! While Pat, Dick and I were talking, she explored the
house very confidently. She didn’t act timid with them at all. When it was time for me to leave, I had them go into the kitchen with her, and I just left through the front door without her seeing me go.
She was a difficult one to give up. I got as attached to Pixie as she got to me. She is so loving and darling, but she deserves as much one-on-one attention as she can get, and she will get a lot more of it with them than here.
I feel very blessed to have been able to take care of her for the past 5 weeks. Pat and Dick have a real treasure in Pixie.
— Submitted by Sandi Prince
Love Is Blind
There’s a hint of salt-and-pepper in the fur upon my face,
And the odds are now in favor of the squirrels that I chase.
I sleep a little longer, and am slower waking up,
But it really doesn’t matter, ’cause to Mom I’m still a pup.
My teeth in front are missing; when I sleep my tongue peeks out.
I must watch my diet carefully to keep from growing stout.
My lovely coat is thicker, and sometimes it grows quite wild,
But it really doesn’t matter, ’cause Mom thinks I’m still a child.
My heart is strong and healthy, I can still jump with the best.
(Though after a good romp outside I love a nice long rest!)
I may not fetch a tennis ball as fast as I once did,
But it really doesn’t matter, Mama thinks I’m still a kid!
I know she sees my gray hairs, but only with her eyes.
With her heart, she sees her young dog, and it’s hard to realize
That I am growing older, as the years around me swirl.
But it really doesn’t matter, ’cause, forever, I’m her girl.
— Submitted by Cass Liberman, on behalf of Ailsa (Chadwick Ailsa Craig, CGC, TDI).
Ailsa passed away in August 2005 when she was only 11 years old. Up until then, one of her many jobs was mentoring the many foster dogs who entered her household.
A Grand Day in Cavalierland! January 5, 2007
It’s a grand day in Cavalierland since Harley has a new forever home!
Harley’s new family consists of 2 mature cavaliers and a darling dog from Avon adoption that just loved Harley… but then, Harley is easy to love.
His new mom is a stay-at-home mom and the dad has a private medical practice. We shall keep our fingers crossed in hopes that this loving couple will become involved in rescue.
Mom arrived with a properly secured crate and lead and I made sure he had plenty of the water that he had been used to here to see him through the adjustment period. Mom ordered a huge bag of the food I have had Harley on…and she is switching the other three dogs to the same kibble. Harley will be called Marley-Harley until he gets used to being called just Marley.
He put on a good show illustrating all his puppy traits. He jumped right up on to the kitchen counter (which I have never seen him do before!) and when I lifted him down he ran to his new mom. Then, he did the beg-for-food routine while the Mom and I ate lunch. Harley has a passion for riding in cars, so he had no trouble saying goodbye to me. He knew he was in for an auto excursion.
I let Pogo out after they left and he went to the gate and started crying, then I started crying. Harley was so much fun and we will miss him. (Jeff snuck Harley out of his crate last night so that they could sleep side-by-side!)
Ah well, it is a happy story in that another dog has found a forever home, and we may have new friends involved in our rescue efforts.
(Gads, I would have paid someone to take my kids, the dogs are harder to part with!)
– Submitted by Laura Marshall
When Max and Bower Went Home January 4, 2007
I admit that my heart was heavy as I delivered the sweetly wonderful Maxwell and Bower to their joyous family last month. I had my daughter Caroline with me — so I had to put on a good face for the 9-year-old in the back seat. But there were a few irrational moments when I thought of passing the new family’s exit completely and just continuing the drive south into Boston, Rhode Island, and beyond — kidnapping the boys forever.
Ha — just kidding. I never really considered the dognapping bit.
Maxwell, a Blenheim, and Bower, a tricolor, both 4 years old, had been in foster care with me for 2 1/2 months. They had lived a life of relative physical comfort but with little emotional warmth, and has been turned in to their groomer with no toys or belongings — only the fur on their backs. I picked them up from their very caring groomer at a highway rest stop. My first thought when I saw them was that they were a little funny-looking for Cavaliers; I didn’t feel an immediate bond.
Funny how love changes your perspective. Two months later, I thought they were the cutest, sweetest little souls ever… and that’s saying something, given my own much-loved pack of four.
And now it was time to bring them home. The truth is that I was a little sad seeing them off — but I was happy, too, because the boys found a loving home with a super family of a mostly stay-at-home Mom, a doctor Dad, a daughter away at school and a son who is leaving for college next fall. Their house is modern and roomy — with lots of spots for two curious brothers to run around in and explore.
Despite my slight heartache, the boys promptly looked right at home — rubbing their smells onto the carpets and sniffing out the kitchen cabinet with the treats — while their Mom laughed with delight. The new Mom, Linda, was already crazy about them — that much was clear. She was like a 5-year-old at Christmas.
As we climbed into our car to leave, the boys were walking off with their new parents on their new but now-nightly jaunt. Max shot me a backward glance but didn’t break his stride at his new Mom’s side.
It was a day of triumph and slight heartache — another day in the life of Cavalier Rescue! I have no doubt the boys slept deeply and soundly that night, curled at the foot of their new parent’s bed, and completely unaware of the two little empty spots they’ve left on our bed, or the indelible marks they’ve left on our hearts.
— Submitted by Ann Handley
Cavalier Rescue USA 