Are You My Forever Person?

Casey in her HSBV corner condo

I returned as a volunteer to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) in October, 2016 to work in the dog adoptions center. My job description includes walking the dogs and "enriching their lives" while they are in the shelter environment. The animals that come through their doors are some of the luckiest of those furry angels unlucky enough to end up in an animal shelter at all. What I noticed is that it was rare to see the same dogs from one week to the next as they get adopted pretty quickly here in Boulder. Such is the beauty of living in a town that loves to adopt shelter animals.

LOVE my soft toys!

Well, most dogs get adopted quickly, that is. Of course there are those few who need a little extra training and behavioral work, both inside the shelter and once they walk out the door with their new forever person/family. Perhaps they have separation anxiety, or are dog aggressive but people-loving, or a little overly protective with their family. Casey is one such pup I noticed who was passed over week after week, setting up camp in her corner "condo." She seemed depressed lying alone with her toys, encased in glass and tile. But when I saw her ready to go for a walk with her handler, I saw a sweet, happy girl, ready to go with toy in mouth!

Casey is a 9-year-old female lab, German shepherd, pointer mix. She loves people, and carrying her soft, furry toys around in her mouth. It is believed that she lived the first 6 years of her life with one guardian. Sadly, during the past 3 years, Casey has been adopted and returned to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley several times, likely leading to her exhibiting signs of separation anxiety where she didn’t before. The biggest reason for her returns is conflicts with other dogs if they get too close, so Casey will do best in a home as the only animal.

Her last adopter regrettably took her for a walk with their small baby in a stroller right after adopting Casey. This is never advised until a new guardian has a chance to get to know their new dog, and how she will react when she sees other dogs, cats, squirrels, etc. In her excitement on their first walk, Casey pulled hard on her leash and the baby’s father, unable to manage her, fell, the baby stroller leaving his hands and rolling away from him! This was enough for him to bring poor Casey right back to the shelter.

Casey has received behavior modification at HSBV for her tendency to have conflicts with other dogs and more recently for separation anxiety. She may need further behavioral management, and one consult through HSBV is offered to you, the adopter for free.

She likely has chronic generalized arthritis and needs pain management. A glucosamine supplement such as Glycoflex or Cosequin along with an anti-inflammatory such as Rimadyl is recommended. Casey also needs weight reduction/management, which will likely help her arthritis pain as well. She will welcome gentle exercise and a well-padded bed. Casey is not perfect; but the perfect person and situation are out there for her. Could that be you?

If you have a lot of love to give a dog and are ready to receive the love coming back at you, if you enjoy a training challenge, and are curious, patient and committed, might you be Casey's forever person?

If you want to meet or learn  more about Casey, contact the Humane Society of Boulder Valley at 2323 55th Street, Boulder, CO 80301. You can call them at 30-3442-4030.

Posted by:
Dawn Kairns
Author, MAGGIE the Dog Who Changed My Life

Dog Travels Ten Miles from Adoptive Home to Find Beloved Canine Partner Left Behind

I have known dogs have emotions, don't you? For us and for each other. Those of us who have and love our dogs can't miss it. My dog, Maggie, (MAGGIE the dog who changed my life) was my main teacher on this one, although I think I always knew. They love, hope, can be sad,disappointed, heartbroken, and more. I think only animal researchers have to fool themselves to believe it isn't so.

It began on the streets of Terre Haute, Indiana. Two street dogs, Ben and Jade met and bonded. OK, it seems they fell in love when you hear the whole story, reported both on the Care 2 Blog and in The Tribune Star. They were both known and cared for in their community, but when Jade became pregnant, they were trapped and taken in by the humane society in Terre Haute. Initially kenneled together, the shelter separated them when Jade gave birth. Mom and pups were taken into foster care for eight weeks. All six puppies were adopted. Then Ben and Jade were reunited at the shelter until ... Ben got adopted and Jade didn't. For three weeks Ben was in his adoptive home while Jade remained in the shelter ten miles away. On a cold December day Ben seized his chance when Jason Lawler took on the trash. Ben darted out the door and trekked the ten miles in the cold back to the shelter to find Jade.

It's a touching story with a beautiful ending. I encourage you to read the full story in The Tribune Star and the Care 2 Blog where I first learned how love will find a way with two beautifully bonded dogs. Let's just say that even though the Lawlers were convinced they only wanted one dog, their minds and hearts were changed! Read the full reunion story on one or both of the links I shared above. It brought tears to my eyes. How about you?

Click title below if you want to order my book(s):

MAGGIE the Dog Who Changed My Life

FINAL YEARS Stories of Parent Care, Loss and Lives Changed

Finding Foster Homes for Dogs: A New Mission for Local Business

Bishop Plumbing in Chicago has taken on finding foster homes for dogs as a “company mission,” one that has a strong place in the hearts and minds of the owner and employees at Bishop Plumbing.  Bishop Plumbing "informs its clients about opportunities to foster dogs, and some of the company’s employees have provided foster homes for the dogs.

After several months with Oakum, his chocolate lab, Bob, the owner of Bishop Plumbing, decided to adopt another dog.  In his search to find a dog to adopt, Bob was very affected by the number of dogs up for adoption due to being abandoned.  He eventually adopted Buster, but he never forgot all those dogs that needed homes. Kristina Curran, one of the company managers, was contacted recently regarding a couple of dogs were in danger of being euthanized at a pound in Jacksonville, Illinois.  Kristina discussed this with Bob and they decided to rescue them! AND find good homes for them.  They developed a list of foster homes from Bishop employees and sent a Bishop truck to Jacksonville to pick up the dogs.  By the time the dogs arrived that afternoon, the two black labs and the white shepherd had all been found homes, thanks to Kristina.

"Bishop Plumbing is now starting an initiative to inform their community of clients about the need for safe homes for dogs who are currently roaming the streets or housed in pounds until the time comes for them to be put down.  If you are interested in either adopting or fostering one of these dogs and rescuing them from these fatal possibilities, please contact Kristina Curran at Bishop Plumbing by calling her at 847-824-1800."

Looking for a new company mission for your business? Why not follow the example of Bishop Plumbing and  network with your employees and clients to find homes for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats!

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

For those of you who love to read dog books:

MAGGIE is now $4.60 on Kindle

Foster Kittens Go To Forever Home; Boulder Humane Waives Adult Cat Adoption Fees

 Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

GARFEE 
AGE: 13 years
SEX: Female (Spayed)

It's time for a little plug for our local humane society, who does an absolutely fantastic job with homeless animals ... and this precious face is just one of them. For the month of June, Garfee, along with many other adult cats, is available from The Humane Society of Boulder Valley -- for free.

This is how The Humane Society of Boulder Valley is honoring Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, by giving cats away in June. Great for them! Isn't this a super way to decrease the number of homeless cats, as well as euthanasia? The Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) is waiving the adoption fee for all adult cats (age 6+ months) for the entire month of June.

HSBV won the ASPCA’s $100K Challenge, a national contest designed to inspire animal shelters across the country to save more lives. During the three-month challenge, HSBV saved a total of 2,640 cats and dogs according to the Boulder Weekly, an increase of 968 over the same period in 2009. Periodically waiving adoption fees for both cats and dogs was one innovative way HSBV found to help homeless get into their forever homes.

The Humane Society of Boulder Valley provides shelter and care to more than 8,000 animals each year. 89 percent of these animals are successfully adopted or reunited with their guardians.  HSBV's behavior modification program, which helps shelter dogs and cats overcome behavior problems, and their foster program, which makes it possible to help more animals by providing individualized care to those with special needs enhances their success rate.

HSBV's successful adoption programs allows them the ability to open their doors to thousands of animals in other shelters throughout our region. These animals would otherwise be facing euthanasia due to overcrowding or lack of resources.  HSBV partners with 55 regional animal welfare agencies, and are part of the national Rescue Waggin’® program sponsored by PetSmart Charities.

Martina discovers the bathtub

We have fostered for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley in the past -- dogs and pups primarily, after Maggie died. We fostered one kitten, and one only, years ago. Why did we stop? Because our Cinnamon literally had a "hissy" fit that didn't quit.


Last week we had the absolute pleasure of fostering 2 precious sibling kittens from HSBV, Monster and Bear, who we re-named Martina and Yoda. I must admit Martina reminded me of Cinnamon at that age, both her very present "I'm a little pistol" facial expression, and her spunky personality.

Tom NOT getting involved  :>)

Tom was letting me do this one -- my responsibility, right? OK, true, I did most of it, but take a look at this. You think he didn't love it? And then there was Maddie. She SO wanted to play with them, play bows and all. She could hardly stand watching them play together without jumping in. Yoda seemed pretty fearless with Maddie, and sniffed noses pretty early on. Martina always came to Maddie from behind, and did a little back hunch and hiss when Maddie approached her head on. Until the last couple of days, that is. But Martina's initial caution with Maddie sure didn't stop her from turning Maddie's wagging tail into a toy!

I'll keep watch over them. Can we keep them?

They brought much joy and laughter to Tom, Maddie and me during their 5-day stay in our home. I returned them to the shelter on late Friday for their spay and neuter on Saturday. That, of course, was bittersweet. I couldn't imagine the two kittens going to separate homes. They were truly each others' favorite toy, and I said so on the foster write up I did for them to go with their paperwork. 

Yoda on their bed in bathroom

Their photos went up on the internet late Saturday. They went onto the adoption floor on Sunday. I watched the website like a hawk, hoping for a fast adoption.On Monday I was gone most of the day. When I came home, Martina and Yoda's photos were gone! I called the foster department at the shelter, but it was after hours. I emailed. Had they been adopted? Together?? I waited a long 24 hrs. before I saw the email I'd waited and hoped for:

"Hi Dawn, The two kittens you had did in fact get adopted yesterday, and they went to the same home. I hope that is good news."

Good news? Are you kidding? I was elated!!

If you live in the Boulder area and are interested in fostering animals in your home, visit Boulder Humane Foster Volunteer. To check out the wonderful cats and dogs available for adoption, visit HSBV's website.  I wish you wonderful lives in your new forever home, Martina and Yoda! And much, much LOVE!

Is Humane Education For Kids the Answer to Preventing Animal Abuse?

Last week when my therapy dog, Maddie and I visited the juvenile center, I added something new to my usual humane education talk: I brought in my counseling background and talked to the kids about finding the unconscious positive intention behind their "criminal" behavior. We went on to discuss separating their positive intention from negative behavior; to find a beneficial way to meet that positive intent so they can let go of the behavior that isn't working so well for them or society. As Maddie and I continue our weekly therapy visits to the juvenile center, I can't help but think that widepread humane education programs in schools could really help kids understand the value of kindness to and love for animals; that humane education programs might help decrease the rising incidence of animal cruelty among children. 

Then I read this post today on the Care 2 blog, and realized we are on the same page regarding humane education: 

The Answer to Preventing Animal Abuse: Humane Education?  

posted on the Care 2 blog by Megan Drake

"We seem to constantly hear about animal abuse in the news.

Philadelphia just reported of a young, female pit bull found hanged on a playground.  In Baltimore there seems to be an epidemic of animal abuse amongst the youth, which includes a puppy beaten to death, another dog pelted with stones and yet another set on fire -- just this year alone.

With all the animal abuse happening in the world, there might just be a solution -- humane education.  Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia provides a Humane Education Program to fifth graders at John Wister Elementary School. CNKP is a group of Philadelphia citizens, led by Garrett Elwood, who have organized with the goal of making Philadelphia a no-kill city by 2018.

One of the many stops along the road to achieving that goal is to educate Philadelphia's youth about kindness toward animals. CNKP reports "Many incidents of animal abuse and neglect occur simply because of ignorance. We feel that our children could make better decisions for the future if only given the proper information on which to base their decisions."

The CNKP Humane Education Program is provided free of charge.  Once per month, for the entire school year, Claire Tillman, Program Director, visits fifth graders at John Wister Elementary School.   

Teaching Goals include ..." Read the full story here on Care 2 

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns  

Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com 
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog  

Twitter: themaggiebook

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