Category Archives: bonded pets

Adoption, bonded pets, group dog play, kennel stress

Parker & Skye: arrived as strangers, left together as family

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Parker (left) and Skye met at the shelter, became friends and were adopted together.
15
Nov

When Skye arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter as a stray, she instantly became a staff and volunteer favorite. With her winning smile and huge personality, nothing seemed to bother this stout, six-year-old mixed breed. She loved everyone, and everyone loved her.

During her first playgroup session, Skye was a standout. She was friendly with the other dogs and firmly corrected the overly pushy pups. She quickly established herself as a greeter dog in group play and mentored newbies and her more timid peers. Skye was just as comfortable with the playgroup staff, often rolling on her back in the middle of play to beg for a tummy rub.

Parker, a two-year-old mixed breed who arrived at the shelter about a week before Skye, was progressing slowly in playgroup but still painfully shy, especially with people. He was wary when potential adopters visited his kennel and sometimes cowered when dogs barked loudly in his direction.

As vastly different as these two dogs were – Skye the fearless social butterfly and Parker the nervous wallflower – they began to pair up in playgroup. Parker felt safe around Skye, and she enjoyed his attention. In a short time, they became close friends.

The Perfect Pair
FOTAS Dog Walking Volunteer Sue Payne got to know Skye and Parker pretty well, and suggested her daughter, Haley, visit each of them. Haley and her boyfriend, Jonathan, were looking to add a dog to their new home and wanted to adopt from the shelter.

The two dogs love to ride in the car and go on long walks downtown and in local parks.
The two dogs love to ride in the car and go on long walks downtown and in local parks.

When Haley and Jonathan met Skye, they fell in love with her. But Parker pulled on their heartstrings as well. During their discussion with the adoption counselor, it came up that the two dogs got along well with each other during playgroup. Both dogs had been at the shelter for weeks and desperately needed a chance for a better life. That’s all Haley needed to hear. She said it “just felt right” to adopt both dogs, and the couple took Skye and Parker home.

“They’ve made the perfect addition to our family,” Haley said. “They sleep in the same bed and Parker is learning a great deal from Skye. He follows her lead. I don’t think he would have progressed as quickly if he didn’t have her, and Skye would not have done as well without him because she needs constant attention to be happy.”

The pair of dogs enjoy going on long walks, car rides, going to downtown restaurants, and taking trips to Chick-fil-A on Fridays to split an ice cream.

“I cannot put into words how thankful I am that we got both of them together,” Haley said.

The shelter is full and there are many more wonderful pets who need loving homes. Please go to fotasaiken.org to see them or stop by and visit the dogs and cats at 333 Wire Road. Dogs and puppies are $35; cats and kittens are $10. All of our adoptable pets are vaccinated, microchipped & fixed.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2024, bonded pets, senior pets

Cancer victim’s beloved dogs desperately need new home

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Ghost (left) and Phantom’s owner died from cancer, so these sweet senior dogs need a new loving home.
21
Mar

Recently a woman contacted us from out of state and informed us that her brother, an Aiken County resident, had passed away from cancer. He left behind two dogs that he loved, and his parents were driving from far away each day to feed them.

We tried to find them a home together by posting them on Home to Home, a rehoming online service that we offer on our FOTAS website. Unfortunately, weeks passed and the dogs still had not found a home – so a family member brought the bonded pair to the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

These dogs are amazingly sweet! They are so grateful for the love and care given by the volunteers and staff members. They are older which doesn’t help their adoption chances. They are also larger dogs, which doesn’t appeal to some adopters. The thing is…they are spectacular dogs and they deserve better. Their owner loved them, and we can see why. These two just want to please people. They are gentle and loving and we are hoping to find them a home (or homes) soon.

This is the description the woman, Kathy, wrote about the two dogs:

“Phantom and Ghost are really sweet dogs needing a new loving home now. Phantom is about 11 years old. He loves to love on people and is easily excited to see you, though a bit softer in his golden years. Ghost is about 8 years old. She is a happy and energetic one.

They take commands of sitting and staying well, and respond great to treats, particularly tuna and chicken. They both take quickly to strangers and have a lot of love to give.

When my brother lived in his house, they were inside/outside dogs. My parents have been doing what they can to provide food and water during this difficult time, but cannot sustain this and are unable to provide them with the long-term love and attention they need and deserve as precious beings.

My brother rescued them years ago, at different times, when they were younger and gave them a lot of his love. He shared with me how much he loves his ‘pups’ about a week before he passed. I told him I was going to make sure they would be well-cared for, which seemed to soothe his mind a lot. I want to honor this moment with my brother. I live far away, so at this time I am working with FOTAS (an incredible organization!) to find these sweethearts a beautiful, forever home, where they will be cherished for as long as they live.

Phantom and Ghost have been through a lot and deserve a new home that supports them the best. They are sweet companions. This is a difficult process to go through, and a lot gets stirred up for many people, but right now I am needing to give my energy and trust to them having a beautiful home together.

We are willing to transport Phantom and Ghost outside of the Aiken, SC/Southeast area, depending on location and circumstances. We would really love them to be adopted together, for their overall health and well-being.”

Please stop by the County Shelter to meet Phantom and Ghost. If you have any questions or need more information about them, call (803) 642-1537 or email us at info@fotasaiken.org.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2020, Adoption, bonded pets, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, making care-giving arrangements for pets, News, SOCIAL MEDIA, surrendered pets

Bonded Dog and Cat Saved After Owner Goes into Assisted Living

Posted on by Bob Gordon
16
Apr

Everything fell apart for Fergus and George when their owner’s health deteriorated, forcing him to move into an assisted living facility. Broken-hearted, Robert Toole brought Fergus, a 2-year-old, tan Chihuahua, and George, an 11-year-old cream-colored cat, to the Aiken County Animal Shelter on Jan. 8 and tearfully said goodbye to his sweet pets.

Fergus snuggles with Mia, the Usrys’ Golden Retriever,

Since Robert was able to provide their medical records, the pair became available for adoption immediately. Terrified and wondering why they were at the shelter, Fergus and George huddled together and it quickly became clear to the shelter staff that these two pets needed to be adopted to the same home.

FOTAS friend Martha Anne Tudor posted pictures of Fergus and George on her Facebook page along with their sad story. The post was shared by thousands, including WRDW-TV News 12, which did an on-air feature about the bonded dog and cat.

On the morning of January 9, before the shelter had even opened its doors, Lynn Usry was waiting outside, ready to adopt Fergus and George.

“My friend forwarded me the Facebook post and their eyes just spoke to me,” Lynn said. “As soon as I saw the two of them in their kennel, I knew they would be perfect for our home.”

Lynn Usry hangs out with her Chihuahua crew — Bert, Fergus and Ernie.

Lynn brought them home to meet her husband, Mark, and their other pets – and the transition could not have gone smoother. George started hanging out with the couple’s other senior cat, Mojo, and after about a week, Fergus and Mia, their Golden Retriever, were inseparable. Fergus and George also get along with the Usrys’ other Chihuahuas, Bert and Ernie, and Marley, their male Golden Retriever.

“We all hang out together,” Lynn explained during a phone interview last week. “Right now, Bert and Ernie are sitting in one recliner and Fergus is on my lap underneath his favorite red blanket. He’s a spitfire and fits right into our group. He often curls up with Mia and uses her as a pillow.”

Lynn offered to bring Fergus and George for visits to their old owner, Mr. Toole. But when the shelter staff reached out to him on her behalf, he declined. He said the experience would be too painful for him.

Bonded pets Fergus (left) and George were devastated when their owner had to go into an assisted living facility — where they weren’t allowed to join him.

The Usrys have a small farm with goats and chickens and Lynn said she’s finding great comfort being with her pets during the COVID-19 crisis. She’s a retired OR nurse and Mark is currently the director of University Hospital’s biomedical department.

“The adoption process was wonderful,” Lynn said. “Everybody was very kind. I took the babies home and they didn’t have any issues. I think God just meant it to happen…to have everything fall into place.”

Their lives are in our hands.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the ACAS is closed to the public. If you are interested in adopting a pet, please call the ACAS, (803) 642-1537 for an appointment. Adoption fees are waived until further notice.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director