My letter from when I'm newly-adopted

Hi Melissa, Hi Scott,

 I am settling down really well.. I helped foster mom hang out the washing today, when I see's

anyone walking across the yards I stand stock still a little way in front of her as if to say.. 'no further pal... these are my people'. I accompany her off lead very well. though did have a minor discretion when I saw one of Johnnies cats and decided to chase him up a tree.. I was not trying to catch him just lumbered after him enjoying making him run lol ... When I heard foster mom's voice I slunk back to her very apologetically tho not before diverting to Johnnies porch and gulping down some cat food!! ( Hey a girl has to eat !! I leave Spookie cat alone at home.. we sniff each other and he lets me sniff him all over before he walks away... if I try to barge thru a door he is sitting next to he hisses which freaks me as I think he has an air leak! So I turn tail and go back to the armchair lol

 Mom say I have a funny trick of blocking her if I do not want her to go somewhere... if I am on her left hand side I curl round her left leg and sticks my right leg out to block her so then she automatically go to her right and so I do it from the right using my left leg.. all the time I am pulling a' silly stroke me face' and tail wagging energetically. I also use this trick if we are walking across grass and I can see foster mom is rather 'wobby'_ I quickly use my body to guide her back to shorter grass where there is less chance of her falling. Foster Mom says I am a very clever girl which makes me smile and feel good.

 When I greet my people in the morning there is nothing I like more than to be given a bear hug.. I loves the feel of their arms around me giving me a hug and pat.

One thing Mom and Dad have noticed is I do not like people approaching Foster Dad in his chair even in the house.. I growl at them to say 'no nearer' ... though let foster Mom walk right up and hug him without a murmur .... Last night SHE sat on the floor in MY place by his side and I gave her plenty of disapproving glares and then moved myself to other side of room and flopped down in a sulk- huffing noisily....They said that it had to be done to teach me that I does not own him or the favorite place to sit... I did forgive her though eventually lol They have adopted the trick of, when their friends come into the house they throw me a doggy treat from the bag by the door so I associate them coming in with something nice.If no treat is thrown I know I need to be on my guard and watch them closely.

 Foster Mom says I am a complete 'Daddys Girl' I absolutely adores Franklin.. he can rest his feet on me and I lap it up... the pictures of me by our car was me rushing to greet him when he came home from work and the pictures by side of house with the air conditioning unit was me insisting on helping him fix the water outlet hose for their washing machine.. I have to be in the middle of it ! the other pic of me with Foster Dad bending over me was me walking up to him tail wagging like mad and a silly grin on my face !

 I am mom's shadow during the day time but daddy's s girl at night time lol If he goes to bed early I go with him, he gets up early and I follow him everywhere until mom gets up then I take her back to bed and look after her for daddy.

 Foster Mom says I am an absolute delight , so full of love.. its a joy working with me and getting to know me.they.can only guess whats happened to me in the past.... one thing I do not like is a lot of people round us .. makes me very nervous so they wonder if I was mistreated by a gang... however they will never know so are just working with me helping me overcome this problem so I can enjoy life to the full. As you can tell they absolutely adore me!. Mom just looked down as felt warmth on her lap and have Bears head one side and mine the other resting on her lap for a stroke... she says a moment like this is.priceless !

 Goodnight for now guys,
 Best WIshes and waggles

Mom updates Auntie Melissa and Uncle Scott

Hi All,

I adore being here with Foster Mom and Dad and love writing to Auntie Melissa and Uncle Scott letting them know how much I am enjoying life again. They have changed my life completely.

However, I would like to remind any of you who are wondering whether to welcome a new friend into their lives that adopting a cat or dog can change your lives for the better too!  Take my foster mom for example..she is not in 100% health and cannot work anymore or do much as mobility has been affected: however she welcomed me into their home and she says she feels useful again and that she has made a difference  and has reason to walk each day when we potter along together with Bear exploring the village. It does not matter to us when she has to sit for a rest. We just sit patiently with her and enjoy taking in our surroundings and wonderful sounds and smells. We are all friends just enjoying each others company.

Foster Mom likes keeping Auntie Melissa up to date with my ' antics' hmmmmph !! )and emails regularly as she understands that to Auntie Melissa and Uncle Scott it is hard to rescue a dog then hand over and never see or hear about again. 

Here is an example of her emails:

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Hi Melissa,

Nellie is coming on in leaps and bounds - literally - lol 

She has progressed to dancing round Franklin doing bunny hops  with delight and has launched herself on him on   several occasions in her exuberance at greeting him home from work.

She remains calm greeting other people though which is  how  it should  be.

At 5pm she waits by door and looks at me... (this is the time he used to  get home but his promotion to being in charge or the maintenance crew  means he gets  home 5.40 to 6) she then insists   on waiting on porch with me sitting in the shade  never for one moment taking her eyes off  the roadway in where she knows he will appear from... Not until he pulls up and I give her the word go does she move however!

Franklin called her from the bathroom while  he  was having a bath and she rushed in, skidded    t o a halt when she    saw the bath, did an abrupt U turn   ( facial expression  was 'HELL NO!') and removed herself rather smartly then sat grinning sheepishly outside lol  

Guess bath time is going to be fun ! 

One of Bears treats in his old doddery age is to have a spoonful of ice-cream if we have some, the look of delight on his face is priceless   lol

Well Nellie has watched curiously but one sniff and has turned her nose up... however she was so confused watching Bear's obvious enjoyment that  she asked for some too..tiny spoonful that she bit her teeth into and shuddered at the cold then an amazed expression came over her face and she was instantly converted.... not given often but more as a treat for Bear in his old age and a training lesson in pack order for Nellie.. spoonful for Mummy, Spoonful for Daddy, Spoonful for Bear and then spoonful for Nellie all said out loud.. its working as she patiently waits her turn looking at each of us in order then at Bear as if she accepts he comes next.( before this it was all me, me, me with Nellie and food)

She is happy Melissa, If I get up early in the morning when Franklin gets up so I can use bathroom, she waits then carefully guides me back to the bedroom, curling her body round me and pushing me gently through the door as if to say..'Not time yet Mum, we girls need our Beauty Sleep' then gives an apologetic look to Franklin who is sitting in the living room and flops down next to our bed by my side lol

God she Snores!!  and Snorts like a piggy lol Handy though as if Franklin says I am snoring  I quickly say no its Nellie lol Thought I had fooled him but now he looks at me and says funny that Nellie sounds like you when she snores so guess that backfired on me lol

Anyway enough for now, off to Johnnies to sit and chat while Nellie says hello to his cat Cinder who sits under his chair and hisses if she looms over him..she is good.. he hisses and she immediately backs off and sits facing the other way and then does not try to approach him again... Getting Johnnie to hold her lead and command her so she is comfortable with him if he has to come over if we are out longer than usual and take her and Bear out.... he will walk them over to his Porch then take them back and sit indoors watching tv with them for a while so they have company.... she loves him as when you dropped her off she was walked over to be introduced to him and picked up on his relaxed manner and accepted him as one of our pack instantly. Now she lies at his feet on his porch contentedly watching the world go by so we know she and Bear are sorted for any time we go out for the day together.

Hugs to you both

jannie

PS.. Nellie is an expert thief !!   Franklin and I had brought back a 'sub' sandwich each after shopping to save cooking late at night... I ate mine while he checked to water plant as alarm went off... and when he came back he had a beer and his 'sub' while watching tv...I was on computer when I suddenly heard........"NELLIE!!!....SHE STOLE MY SANDWICH!!" and rushed in... she had sat well away from him and watched while he ate the salad off the sandwich and put the meat and cheese bit on the arm of his chair while he put his drink down and was just aware of a flash of blonde passing him  and there was Nellie yards away again wolfing down his sandwich!!  Naughty girl as she had eaten her dinner up.. lol She was quick though lol

The kids leave their kitten out with me while they go to work as I said not fair to lock in a room all day and it will be better to socialise it with people , dogs and spook...  Nellie is a protective Auntie and dotes on him and watches with amusement when he pounces on Spooks tail who gives chase hissing at him lol.. However she was not so amused the other day when the kitten progressed from jumping off the seat of the chair to attempting the leap from the back of the armchair... his solution was to use a sleeping Nellie as a trampoline and merrily bounced off her as she dozed !!  Trouble was he has not learnt to retract his claws so Nellie got a rather rude awakening and jumped up in shock lol She went over to him and gave him a bit of a talking to nose to nose and then a push as if to say " you can pack that up young man!" One duly chastened kitten then climbed onto armchair seat and took a nap with Nellie sprawled on floor infront of him... Normal service resumed lol 

Jan

xx

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Yes Foster Mom often dobs me in on one of my indiscretions lol is nothing safe!  However after seeing Auntie Melissa's replies I know she loves still being included in my life so hey ho !

Auntie Melissa's reply:

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Thank you for the fantastic update! I laugh so hard reading your emails. Really Jan, when are you going to have your writings published? You are a natural, gifted writer. Your craft must be shared with the world!!

xo.

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So I guess the message in this post is that rescuing a doggy or cat and bringing him or her into your life is not the end of your story.... everyone who was involved give so much of themselves to actually get us to the point that we can be adopted , that they will always wonder how their 'rescue' project is getting on and if their efforts have actually made a difference...... so please....take the time to send an update to the rescuers if you can, whether a charity or or an individual and let them know what a fantastic difference they have made to so     many people.. both dog/cat and new family. Their efforts have a wide spreading impact on many lives that they may not have even considered.

On behalf of 'the rescued' everywhere... Bear, Spook , Foster Dad and Mom and I.....Thank You.

You Save people as well as animals...

Much love and waggles

Ellie xxx.

Bear and Ellie greeting Daddy after a day at work

"Bear, Spook and I sit on the porch at 5pm each day to wait for foster dad to come home, then rush to greet him!"

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z5fuuht9m0i3hou/9PsH46J6BU#lh:null-20140402_214320.jpg

My brother Bear's story

My foster brother - Bear - has his own rescue story.

It is a short story but both saddened and angered foster Mom when she  heard so must be worth   telling....

My foster Dad (Uncle Franklin)  manages the apartments in 4 villages so travels around them daily and gets to know the tenants by stopping and chatting.

Well, one day he stopped to chat to Bear Dog who belonged to a tenant..he loved chatting to Bear who is a Black  Labrador X Chow and loves everyone!

Bear's owner came out and said this is the last time he would see Bear as he  was taking him to be put down the very next day!

Now Bear was 10 then, blind in one eye but happy as Larry...( I just asked Mom who Larry was but she tells me it is just a saying! pah!! humans are strange creatures lol)

Franklin asked why Bear was being put down and was shocked by   the answer. It was because he had accidently tripped his  owner's wife up.........Maybe she came up on his blind side so he did not see her in time?

Uncle Franklin was so disgusted he said " Oh no you are not, Bear is coming to live with   me!" opened  his truck door and said " Come on Bear " Bear loves car rides so did not need asking twice!!

That was 4 years ago and   Bear Dog and Uncle Franklin have been best buddy's ever since.

Thank goodness there are decent people in this world like Uncle Franklin,Aunt Melissa,Uncle Scott and Mom......

My wish is that every dog has a human in his/her life that rescues them from being destroyed/starved/abused and plays a part (however small it seems to them) in giving every dog living in fear/hunger/despair..HOPE. and a  SECOND CHANCE at life no matter how old they are.

Much love and waggles,

Ellie xx

I have a kitten!

Flashback to April 2014

As you know Bear, Spook and I get on together really well. Mom just frowned at me when I dictated that....hmmmm...oh-oh must mean she caught me this morning slyly kicking the cat as I strolled past him! 

Our lodgers unknown to us sneaked a kitten into their room and were only caught when we heard miaowing at 3am and found Spook hissing at their bedroom door. Turns out it was one of Johns kittens lol

Franklin told them they could no longer leave a kitten in their room while at work and to pop it into its cage and put it in with us so we can get it socialised to humans and dogs and cats. (Needless to say their girl kitten has turned out to be a little boy which explains why he refused to answer to the name Zafira LOL). Anyway I digress......

Well the putting it in the cage part must have fallen on deaf ears as I got up next morning, went to the bathroom with Mom and there was a kitten sitting on the toilet seat !! Both Bear and I carefully sniffed the kitten then left it alone! Mom told me not to sniff so hard or I might accidently suck the kitten up my nose!! I was so horrified I hastily backed away lol. 

Bear dog was brought up with cats and loves them so they knew he would be no bother. I have found my nurturing instincts as Spook was not amused to have a kitten in his house and went up to it and hissed...to which, before I knew it I had got up and stood between them before sniffing the kitten to make sure it was okay then had a quiet nose to nose chat with Spook..

Now Spook and the kitten play chase with Bear and I watching but if anything gets out of hand I go and step in quietly between them and stop the kitten from bashing Spook too hard and him from hissing at it!

If they chase into my bedroom and are missing for a while I get up walk in makes sure all is okay then come back out and grins at Mom as if to say 'don't worry I have checked them!'

Mom says I am such a clever girl.. never ceases to surprise them....my tail wagged furiously at that!

And there endeth the latest installment lol.

best wishes and wagglles,


Ellie xx

Ellie's 2nd day in "foster"

Flashback to March 2014

Dear Auntie Melissa & Uncle Scott,

I have just returned from my morning walk with my new friend Bear and found Spook the Cat sitting in the window waiting for us so Auntie Jan took me up to the window and made me sit for a while until I got bored staring at him...he's good - he can outstare me and when I went up to say hello to him yesterday he did not back away...hmmmm I though cats were supposed to run!! Mind you he is rather large - looks as if he swallowed a small dog so best mind my P's n Q's around him ! When Auntie told me to leave him I was a good girl and walked straight back to my place next to the armchair where Uncle Franklin sits. 

I went over and was introduced to Uncle Johnny the 5 purple heart war vet.. who loves me and invited me to sit on his porch and WOW !! he has 13 cats he looks after... Cinder the ginger one was in the window watching me but there was a cute kitten who decided to come over to see me but ran off when  I stood up.. I watched him go over to the neighbours garden and climb a tree but was on a loose lead after being told 'leave it' with a hand held up.. I kept watch though til he came back over to Johnny's safe and sound... I think I may  have had pups in the past as he brought out the Mother worrying about her kids in me.. I enjoyed watching the kittens play together. 
Then we went home and I have secured the space next to and behind  Uncle Franklins armchair as 'my spot'  though also lie down near Bear as well to watch tv.

I have tried to tell Bear I am now Boss but Auntie told me that was incredibly bad manners and would not tolerate that behaviour so I suspect 'she' is the Boss here as she is the one who says no to me and then guides me back to good manners.. ah well as long as its a woman in charge I guess I can live with that lol
Last night Bear volunteered to sleep in the living room with me though I was put in that cage so that Spook could use his litter tray in peace.. and well I forgot myself and Howled !!   Uncle Franklin was in bed and when Jan checked he said he could not hear me.. so I howled louder for him... There was a "HELL NO!" but am unsure whether it was from Uncle Franklin or Spook the Cat !!!!

However Spook decided HE would sleep with Bear and I was to be let into their bedroom so that  they could all get some sleep, though Auntie Jan  was not amused to climb into bed after  her film finished and find me in her side with head on pillow snoring rapturously in time with Uncle Franklin.....lol.... I was relegated to the pillow on the floor by her side and I slept there all night and let them go the the bathroom unescorted during the night though wagged my tail in delight when they climbed back over me.

I have taken my pills like a good girl and am now lying down behind the computer chair while Auntie types ...

Oh yes I nearly forgot.. on last nights walk I saw BUNNIES !! I wanted to chase after them but Uncle Franklin said no he was not  chasing bunnies with me as would ruin his reputation...:(

I am having a lovely time here Auntie Melissa, lots of things to watch from our porch ... and I can tell Uncle Franklin and    Auntie Jan love me already .

I will write again with the next little adventure I    have , thank you so much for giving me a second chance at life Auntie Melissa and Uncle Scot...my tail wags now.

Much love, sloppy kisses and paw shakes

Nellie XX

P.S. Auntie Jan says she will write to you seperately

The Power of Love

Flashback to March 2014

From This:

To This:

In Just Two Short Weeks!

The Power of Love

Off to my "foster" home!

Flashback to March 2014

Greetings....

On my last post I explained how I had been given a last minute reprieve from Death Row and was under the gentle care of Melissa and Scott Wu and their Vet.

As you may remember I was looking forward to Sundays planned outing and soon enough Scott and Melissa arrived in their car to collect me.

The back seat was carefully decked out with a protective sheet.... hmmm... this made me slightly nervous.... was Scotts driving going to be so hair raising that I might have a little accident? A quick glance at the unadorned passenger seat reassured me that Melissa obviously felt safe so i decided to reserve judgement and cautiously allowed myself to be cajoled onto the back seat where I made myself comfy and waited quietly for the engine to start. With that .. off we went. After a while we pulled into a parking slot near Pizza Hut and while we waited for  the foster parents to arrive we sat outside on the grass in the welcome shade of a leafy tree. My nose twitched in response to the mouth watering aroma wafting over from the restaurant and my tummy rumbled appreciatively in anticipation!

Finally a green SUV pulled up by us and 3 people piled out.... I felt a bit overwhelmed by all these new people but they knew this and just the older man came up to me with the others giving me space to relax. The older man introduced himself as Franklin and sat on the tarmac making himself as small as possible so I did not feel threatened. He chatted to me quietly and I gradually relaxed and enjoyed  his compliments about my beautiful face and golden coat. Then he offered me his sunglasses and I wore them proudly on my head while he asked me if I would like to be his and Jannie's foster dog, and come to live with them and their elderly dog Bear and Spook the cat. I was so happy to feel wanted again that I offered him my paw and we shook hands on the deal!!

Then Franklin took my lead and we walked towards Pizza Hut.....my pace quickened with eagerness then slowed again when we walked right past the door! I gave one last regretful look at the menu board then gave myself up to the enjoyment of walking with Franklin and listening to him as he told me all about life in the village they lived in. When we got back to the others Jannie was sitting under my tree and I flopped down next to her and enjoyed being stroked.

Eventually it was time for me to return to the clinic and say our goodbyes....I hesitated about getting back in the car but Franklin just lifted me in and with one last stroke told me he would see me soon... I had a slight Kennel Cough so could not move in with them until I was cleared by the vet.

Melissa and Scott told me that Franklin and Jannie loved me and would be delighted to foster me as soon as my cough cleared. During the following week Melissa turned up with a huge smile........... She and Scott had decided to have me stay with them as their house guest for the weekend !

They did not tell me they had cats !! Cats ! How could my Auntie Melissa and Uncle Scott be kitty people !!

I did my best not to chase them though I did get a bit fired up at times which unnerved Auntie Melissa a bit to the extent that when she went out I was put in their guest room. Upon her return she realized I suffered from separation anxiety which happens to a lot of rescue dogs...... my foster parents were not unduly worried when she told them as Jannie is at home most of the time and their elderly dog was so laid back that I would feel safe after a while. It was only in a later email conversation that Melissa let slip that the builders had been to repair the door and door jamb that I ate my way through that they realised just how badly I had panicked being left that time. I can still hear Daddy Franklins incredulous " YOU ATE A DOOR????!!!!!!!" ringing in my ears !  Oops...

However not once have I ever been in that state of panic while living here which I put down to the friendship and comfort offered to me by Bear Dog who kept me calm whenever we were left alone even for a short time.

It was arranged that I would be moving to Franklins house on Sunday afternoon and I spent the days leading up to this keeping Melissa company and watching her swim in the pool. To my shame I accidently tripped as I strolled nonchalantly around the pool and fell in!  I dont know who was most surprised.. Melissa or me !!  However I found that I am excellent at the Doggy Paddle lol

Finally Sunday came and we set off in the car for the journey to Pahokee. I gazed out of the window at all the fields and canals until we finally pulled up outside a yellow house and were met by Franklin, Jannie and Bear Dog. We all went for a walk around the back field together and I realised that Bear was a friendly soul who was not fussed about me being theie and let me have my own space. He welcomed me into his home and I felt wanted and at home.  I gave Melissa and Scott and fond farewell and promised to keep in touch letting them know how i was getting on. I watched them drive off then Franklin asked me if I wanted to go meet Uncle Johnny who has 13 cats !  Not sure about Johnny but I sure did want to meet those cats !!

Speak Soon

Much Love and Waggles

Ellie xx

Due to be put down at 5pm

Flashback to March 2014

Hello everyone,

Well what an emotional few days I have had........

There I was thinking that my final day on Gods Earth had arrived and lay in a horrid cage awaiting my turn for that final 'walkie'. Every time the door opened and those dreaded footsteps echoed around every corner of this place they called 'Death Row', we all whimpered with fear of what was to come and sadness of the loss through no fault of our own of our previous lives and loved ones. Yes we were all once happy dogs with wagging tails and hopeful grins on our faces but life brings changes and we all have a different story to tell yet the end result is that we are here... lost souls without hope. Isolated from members of the public who might have been our last hope....Despair....dark dark despair .......

I was due to be put down at 5pm, so when the door opened and the dreaded footsteps stopped outside my door at 4pm my heart felt as if it was going to stop too before it resumed its normal frightened beat. Just my luck to be picked early.

The helper clipped on  my lead and smilingly led me past my fellow inmates....Smilingly?  Seriously ?? How cruel can people be.... Then to my amazement we turned away from the corridor leading to the room that smelt of Death and the helper led me up to another smiling person who bent down and fondled my head....I flinched in fright...what kind of cruel trick was this?

" Come on Nellie" a kind voice whispered in my ear..." You are safe Baby Girl".....Hope flickered for a brief moment before I quashed it....Dogs on death row live without hope..you see....

However the door opened and the sun blinded me as I limped outside and across a car park before we stopped next to a  open car door...

"In you get Old Girl' the voice coaxed me gently..... I looked back at that dreadful place and allowed myself to be loaded in the car enjoying the feel of the soft seat under my tired old body.

As we drove along the 'Voice' chattered away and explained that my picture had been posted on websites begging for someone to offer to foster me while a search for new parents for me was launched... AnimalMatters had found a couple offering to foster me and the 'Voice' was a volunteer who had offered to pick me up from Death Row and drive me to meet AnimalMatters founders Melissa and Scott Wu who would then take me to their vet who would check me over and hopefully mend my sore leg. The 'Voice' explained that I had a lot of wellwishers who had helped spread the word about my needing help and were avidly following my story. I listened carefully to the gentle sound of the 'Voice' but did not really feel hopeful... after all I may merely be being taken to another scarey place.

Finally we arrived at the Turnpike and a man and lady came rushing over to meet me...They insisted on taking me for a little potter about to stretch my legs and, and... well the look on their faces was one of love.... I began to feel safer..... overwhelmed yes...but safer..... don't ask me how...some people just have the gift of  putting you at ease don't they?  Melissa and Scott were those kind of people..

I willingly got in their car and with a last grateful glance back at the 'Voice' settled down for the next part of my journey.   A short while later we pulled up at our destination and I was led into a  Veterinary Clinic and bedded down in a cage.. Although I was still scared , funnily enough it was the normal dog at Vets kind of fear and not that heart stopping terrorising fear of that other place. The people were kind and gave me medication to help take  away the aches and pains, then they took pictures of my leg... I wanted to give them my best side but they insisted that it had to be of my bad leg even if on my  2nd best side.....sigh..a girl has to try eh !

I spent days in the Vets clinic being bathed and ... gulp..weighed....(hey I am female !) Melissa came to visit me and took pictures of me ( Yes the good side! - I love you Melissa !! lol ) I made her day when she arrived and I wagged my tail tentatively.... yes we were becoming friends.... I had a friend again...someone to look forward to seeing each day. On our walks Melissa told me  all about her plans to find me foster parents who would help me find my place in life again....then one day she told me that she and Scott were going to take me out for  a Sunday afternoon drive at the forthcoming weekend and hopefully meet a couple who had offered to foster me. I listened politely but in all honesty once I heard we were meeting in Pizza Hut car park lost track of what Melissa was  saying as I tried to decide what I would be ordering from the menu... hmmmm should I just pick a ladylike salad or go the whole hog (mmm hog) and have a fully loaded pizza to show them I am not a  fussy eater....Melissa gave me a suspicious look and asked if I was listening carefully.... I gave her a guilty look and quickly wiped the drool on a nearby bush.... Sunday....wow.... I could not wait..... life is definitely looking up...in a few short days I have gone from utter despair to new born hope....funny thing about rescue dogs..given the chance we can bounce back...

GIVEN THE CHANCE...

My next tale will be about my meeting with my new foster parents....

Love Ellie xx