St. Louis
Welcome to the
Ellen’s Notes:
I’m sitting here waiting for a Christmas miracle. Let the phone ring please with word that a lost dog is lost no more.
Yesterday I delivered a trap to Bowling Green, MO, hoping we can finally catch Luka, the frightened Shiba Inu who has been running loose and unapproachable there for several weeks. Several people have reported seeing him, and at least one man is feeding him. The weather there has been so cold and icy, and still Luka survives and finds shelter somewhere. So now we wait and hope.
And then there’s Kahuna, a Shih Tzu, and Deanie, a Miniature Pinsher, who got away from their new owners. Several people reported seeing someone pick up Deanie and drive off with her. Kahuna is so friendly we suspect he approached someone who took him home. They were wearing tags. They are microchipped. If they end up in a shelter or a vet office, we’ll hear about it. And so we wait.
We did receive one happy reunion story last week. Tango, a Chihuahua/Rat Terrier charged out the door shortly after he arrived at his new home. Three days later the new owners found him waiting outside the front door.
I’m thinking about lost dogs because we’ve had several recently. And while they are lost, these dogs can seem like the most important ones of all. And yet, we hear so many more stories about the dogs who find themselves safe and thriving in wonderful new homes.
One thing I’ve learned from my work with the St. Louis Senior Dog Project is that things are always happening that make me mighty glad I didn’t fall off a cliff yesterday and miss the things I’m seeing and hearing today. I make a habit of saying, “I’m sure glad I didn’t miss that.”
I just heard that Burt, a puppymill cocker spaniel, is now transformed from a dog so shy as to be unadoptable to a fellow who will now make someone a good pet. He’s following his foster mom around now where once he wouldn’t let anyone approach him. We almost gave up on him. One little miracle there.
I learned that Leah, a Chihuahua mix abandoned by her former owners, is now named Teena and is the joy of her new owner’s life. I’m glad I didn’t miss that…or the memory of Leah’s funny little face that had people calling her “piglet.”
Diana Rose, a 9-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, is doing well in her new home after finally retiring from life as a breeder in a puppymill. Donner, formerly Gummy, spent last Christmas in the St. Louis City Pound. This Christmas he’s freshly groomed for the holidays and probably enjoying his share of presents.
Ashley, a senior Tibetan Terrier, is in a new home where she has appropriated a specific pillow as her own. Ashley, now Annabelle, drags her pillow into the middle of the living room and positions it so that she can see what’s happening in both the living room and the kitchen.
Duke, a senior German Shepherd sprung from the Pound, now has a video on My Space. So does Trent, whose owners recorded in graduation from obedience school.
Salem is now named Flame and is adjusting well to her new home. Jack, a shy schnauzer, is “still a nervous guy but he comes for treats and will sit close when he wants to be picked up. We understand that it is still a long process….but,” his owners added, “He is beginning to play with people which is huge.Tell everyone we’re very happy with our new friend.”
Pie, an English Toy Spaniel, is settling in nicely in his new home. We picked him up at a puppymill auction and saved him from spending his life in puppymills.
I also received a Christmas card from Six Pack, an Aussie mix, and his new family, and a picture of Spike kissing his owner. learned that Garbo, a long-legged dusky lady, is growing old gracefully. I remember taking her home from a county shelter.
Not too long ago, I took what I thought was a particularly handsome dog out of a local shelter. He turned out to be a purebred Gordon Setter and is now on his way to a suitable Setter life. Another lucky dog is Vevey, a Chocolate Labrador Retriever who was on the verge of pneumonia in the Pound a couple weeks ago. She’s nearly well now and has already found a marvelous new home. When I watched her racing and tumbling about my yard with Turk, a newly rescued border collie, I stopped for awhile and enjoyed the sight.
And I received a touching letter from the people who adopted Clifford, a wonderful yellow lab. His new family adopted him after losing their Golden Retriever to cancer.“Our prayers were answered in Clifford. He is my shadow, good with our other dogs, and a great dog for our 10-year-old son. He is the sweetest dog and he tries really hard to please.I couldn’t have found a dog that I could love more!”
I’m sure glad I didn’t miss that.
Ellen Ellick
President/Founder
St. Louis Senior Dog Project
EllenE9466@aol.com
