Zipper is looking for a running partner

Zipper is a playful boy with a lot of energy.  He'd make a good running buddy, or maybe he would like to play frisbee with you.  He's currently playing and sleeping at one of our great boarding partners, Pampered Pooch Playground, but he would really love it if he had a real home to go to.  Zipper plays well with other dogs and is fine with cats. If you would like to meet Zipper, please let us know at dogs@pethavenmn.org

Adoption Update Monday

None of our dogs were adopted this holiday week, so I'm bringing you an update on a recent adoptee.

Ella, formerly Emma, is a medium-sized, mixed breed dog who came from Red Lake with her sister Lola.  They were said to be German Shepherd mixes, but looking at Ella's recent pictures and knowing that she weighs  29 pounds at eight months of age -- let's just say that we're skeptical.

Here's a brief update from her new mom:

She LOVES playing in the snow and playing with all her toys.  We took her to the vet yesterday and they said she is perfectly healthy and has already grown to 29lbs.!  We are excited to take her home to Iowa over Christmas so she can meet the rest of our families.

  

Here's Toby!

Toby was adopted a couple of years ago.  You can see from the pictures that he is living the good life and loving it.

With his Beagle nose, he can cause a little havoc.  Last Christmas Eve, he ate his grandma's birthday cake, so his mom had to call all over town trying find a new one -- an unmanageable feat on a holiday.  She ended up baking a new cake in the wee hours of Christmas morning.

This year, Toby will be spending the holiday with his foster foster mom.  Laura knows she will not be able to leave any treats within reach of this motivated boy and hopes he will spend his time happily snoozing as in the picture below.

Adopted Dog Monday!

We had a busy adoption day on Saturday.


Hailey's delighted to be in her forever home with her Basset Hound/Springer Spaniel sister, Molly. The two hounds will share a fenced yard and two nice parents.  Hailey came to us from the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley.  She could not be placed through them because she had a history of nipping at small children, but we were able to place her with a couple without young kids.

Our lovely Shepherd mix from Red Lake, Daisy, found a new home. She'll be living with a young Irish Wolfhound.  Her doting dad enjoys visiting area dog parks, so Daisy is sure to have a fun, busy life.  She's a calm and beautiful dog who has many friends and admirers at Pet Haven.  Thank you to Karen Good at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue for giving this girl a second chance.

Mac Daddy is happily at home with another small Poodle mix, Pickles.  The two dogs met and played together beautifully at the Petco adoption event and are looking forward to many eventful days ahead.  Pickles has his own Facebook page, co-authorized by his mom, so we're thinking that perhaps Mac Daddy will have one, too.  Mac Daddy was a stray picked up by Minneapolis Animal Control and taken to Camden Animal Hospital for treatment of a broken leg. The leg healed and he found rescue with us.

Dakota was returned to Pet Haven recently because of changes in his owner's life. Dakota spent a few days in foster care and went home with his new forever family after the adoption event.  He's the perfect 'family dog' and will have two young boys to love in his new home.

Adoption Day tomorrow!

We'll be at the Minnetonka Petco tomorrow, Saturday, December 19, from 10 until noon.  It's our last Adoption Event of this year, so if you are out and about doing some last minute shopping, stop by and meet our adoptable dogs!

"I will never do that!"

Most people who work in animal rescue have said, at one time or another, "I would never give my dog (or cat) up!"  Options like living in a car; begging, borrowing or stealing; or the flexible, "I'd do absolutely anything" are frequently mentioned.  There is a kind of snobbery amongst Those Who Rescue against Those Who Surrender, a feeling that if people truly loved their pets, they would not give them up.

The realities of life are not so easy, not so clear-cut.  The fact is that sometimes very good, very caring people are faced with situations that make it impossible or unkind for them to keep a beloved animal companion.  Many of these people, if asked when life was flowing along smoothly, would have told you the same things that the rescue people so confidently speak.

We recently took a Pet Haven dog back. Dakota was adopted five years ago.  Dakota's guardian loves him dearly, but some significant and difficult changes in his life meant that Dakota was spending twelve or more hours a day all alone while the man worked.  The man came home each night to a dog who was so happy to see him that it somewhat assuaged his guilt for the long, lonely hours beautiful Dakota had just spent waiting for him.

Eventually, the man made the painful decision that Dakota needed more in his life, that it would be selfish to keep his beloved companion for those few short moments they spent together each day.  The conversations between the man and Ann, our Intake Coordinator, were heart-wrenching.   The day Dakota was dropped off, he left some of his own shirts so Dakota would have the scent of home, of his person with him as he moved into his new life.  

It is hard to imagine having to do what Dakota's owner did this week.  But it is not unimaginable.  Not anymore.  One of our Dog Division volunteers said in an email that "After reflecting upon why (Dakota's story)  has so touched me, I guess it is because this could be me."  It could be any of us. Even those of us who say we would take drastic measures to keep our animal friends with us.


Dakota's dad acted out of love for this happy, friendly dog.   Dakota has adapted easily to his foster home  and he already has a lovely family coming to meet him at our adoption event on Saturday, so his journey into a new life will probably be a quick one.  


Pet Haven's lifetime commitment to its dogs and cats provides a safety net for all who come through our program.  The story of Dakota and his dad will stay in our hearts for a long time, and remind us that "never" can creep up on any of us, even as we deny that sad possibility. 

Pet Haven Ink newsletter is available!

The latest issue of our print newsletter, Pet Haven Ink, is now available. You can download a copy from our website. We have some great stories in our latest newsletter along with photos from our recent Fall Benefit which raised $30,000, all of which will go directly towards our adoption and spay/neuter programs.

If you would like to receive a hard copy of our newsletter, consider becoming a Pet Haven member. Annual dues are $25 (which is also tax-deductible). Click here to learn more about Pet Haven and to become a member.