Tag Archives: Adoption

2023, Be Their Voice

Be Their Voice program teaches local students how to help homeless pets

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
Graniteville Elementary students play with puppies from the Aiken County Animal Shelter.
30
Mar

One thing that we truly love is the opportunity to visit schools and speak to young people about the work that is done at the Aiken County Animal Shelter and with FOTAS. We want to teach them how they can help.

In January, second grade teacher Jordan Barrett invited me to bring a dog to Graniteville Elementary to meet second grade students who were given the assignment of writing a persuasive essay to try and encourage people to adopt the pets from the shelter. This is reflective of our FOTAS Be Their Voice program that we have introduced as an opportunity for older students to earn service hours.

These second graders were incredibly respectful, eager to learn and truly special kids! The Aiken Standard met us there along with Channel 12 reporter Will Volk.

I brought an adoptable dog named Nova with me and pictures of all the adoptable pets from the shelter to pass along to the students.

The following week I returned to the school, this time with puppies! The students were so patient the week before and didn’t get much hands-on time with the dog I brought, so as a reward all the students were able to meet and love on two little puppies. They had their writing assignments ready for pick up and they blew my mind! These second graders wrote better than some middle schoolers! They were so kind, loving and encouraging in their descriptions of why each pet was special in their own way and why they should get adopted. They were beautiful!

These fabulous second grade educators are doing something really important with their students. They open their eyes as to how they can help others, those without voices.

Miss Barrett reached out to me again and asked if I could bring puppies to their school as an incentive for students to reach their goals. I told her that I would LOVE to!

Last week I brought two female puppies to meet the students and the puppies were in absolute heaven! The children were gentle. They not only wanted to pet the pups, but they wanted to show them their reading books as they giggled and socialized with them.

The funniest part was when Miss Barrett fell for the one puppy. The sweet little black and white baby crawled onto her lap and wouldn’t leave. The pup was in love! Another teacher came to visit and had the same experience with the other puppy.

Later that day, both teachers contacted me that they chose to adopt. Both puppies are now truly the teacher’s pets!

Thank you to educators that bring us into their schools and let us partner with them. We want students in Aiken County to grow up knowing us. Young people need to recognize us as community helpers and understand the work we do.

If we ever want a solution for animal overpopulation and the countless stray animals wandering our roads, it is vital for this generation to learn about pet responsibility and caring for those that need help

Their lives are in our hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

Home-to-Home adoption program, Spay/Neuter, TNR Program, Volunteer, Volunteers, Where your donations go

Christmas Gratitude

Posted on by Shana Ryberg
31
Dec

The last week of the year is a time of reflection for FOTAS—a time to take stock of our blessings; to consider the remarkable progress we and the Aiken County Animal Shelter have made in making the world a better place for the County’s homeless, abandoned, and abused animals.

Since 2009, our life-saving programs have expanded to include not only helping with the care and re-homing of every adoptable shelter animal, but to initiatives to help folks keep their animals at home (like augmenting the County’s Spay/Neuter financial assistance for citizens-in-need, sponsoring pet food drive up’s and pet food donations to community food banks, including our partnership with ACTS and Senior Service-Meals on Wheels, sponsoring free pet microchip events, and providing humane runners for dogs who have been tied to a chain all their lives). In addition, we also have implemented programs to help folks avoid surrendering animals to the shelter in the first place, like our successful online Home-to-Home initiative and the TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for community cats.

This time of year is also a time for FOTAS to celebrate those who have contributed to our successes.

Thanks to Aiken County for making it possible to save the lives of thousands of homeless animals in the County. The strength of its commitment is evidenced by the thoughtful care and maintenance of the public animal shelter on Wire Road that opened in 2014. Our partnership grows stronger with each passing year.

Thanks to Paige Bayne, the County’s Enforcement and Animal Services Director; Bobby Arthurs, the Shelter Manager; Dr. Nancy Rodriquez, the Shelter’s veterinarian; and all the Shelter staff for their commitment to increase the opportunities for each adoptable animal to find a forever home.

Thanks to the army of volunteers who make the work of FOTAS possible – everything from manning the front desk; walking and socializing dogs; managing canine play groups; working special events and fundraisers; fostering dogs; organizing transfers; manning off-site adoption events; working on publicity, social media, and financial record and bookkeeping responsibilities; and coordinating FOTAS-Fix-a-Pet activities.

And finally, thanks to you, the Aiken Community, for your extraordinary generosity and support. You have made it possible for FOTAS to help the County provide the best possible care and outcome for its shelter animals.

All that effort has paid off: for the past four years, the shelter has been able to save every adoptable animal. That’s a big deal.

But right now, the shelter is in crisis. Intake numbers have exploded nationally, and the County Shelter is no exception. Blame fast-paced population growth in the county; inflation; COVID, FLU, RVS outbreaks; chronic shortages in spay/neuter services—you name it—but overcrowding is a serious problem. At a time when we should be celebrating the season, the shelter is shockingly full for this time of year. Animals are doubled up in the kennels, the temperatures are bitterly cold, and staff and volunteer resources are stretched to the max. At this rate, the shelter’s ability to save every adoptable animal in 2023 is in jeopardy.

God bless you and your family during this holiday season, and may God bestow his blessings on the county’s homeless animals during this difficult time.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2022, Adoption, Cats, FIV positive felines

FIV positive cats can live long, happy lives

Posted on by Bob Gordon
FIV positive cat Tuxedo Bogartis hoping to be adopted soon.
22
Jul

The Aiken County Animal Shelter has two wonderful cats available for adoption – Bogart and Creampuff – who have been waiting way too long for their forever homes.

Cream Puff, FIV+, hoping to be adopted soon.Bogart is a 13-pound Tuxedo and Cream Puff is an 8-pound, orange and white Tabby. These felines arrived at the shelter as strays more than two months ago. Both are four years old, handsome and sweet. And both are FIV positive (FIV+).

FIV stands for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, a condition that weakens a cat’s immune system. Misconceptions about the disease persist, but here are the facts:

  • FIV is not as highly contagious as experts once thought. It can only be transmitted through blood transfusions or deep bite wounds. Other cats cannot get FIV through casual contact with an FIV + cat. Saliva does not transmit FIV.
  • Most FIV+ cats live long, healthy lives, and many never show any symptoms of the virus. As long as they are not exposed to any other virus or bacteria that their weakened immune system can’t handle, they can live happy, normal lives. Cats with FIV just need to be kept indoors and fed a balanced, nutritionally complete diet. With proper vet care, most FIV+ cats live as long as their indoor counterparts (13-18 years), and much longer than cats who live outdoors (3-8 years).
  • FIV is a species-specific disease. It cannot be transmitted to humans or any other animal.

Despite these reassuring facts, FIV positive cats, like Bogart and Cream Puff, continue to be passed over by potential adopters. But please keep in mind that these terrific cats can bring immense joy and companionship to you and your family. They need love, too.

Empty the Shelter event continues through July 30
th

With the support of the BISSELL Pet Foundation, FOTAS and the Aiken County Animal Shelter are hosting a special “Empty the Shelter” event through this Saturday, July 30. The event features reduced adoption fees for pets (dogs/pups are $25, cats/kittens just $10) and fees for many dogs will even be waived during this promotion.

Their lives are in our hands.

By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, surrendered pets

Old FOTAS friend adopts, brings happiness to senior dog

Posted on by Bob Gordon
27
Feb

When 14-year-old, 70-pound, Buster was brought in earlier this month, it was sad for all. Buster’s owner had health issues and could no longer care for him. No one was at fault here; just bad circumstances.

Buster was examined by the County Shelter’s vet staff and put into a kennel. I went to check on him and found his kennel soaking wet. He was so nervous, he was lapping up water as fast as he could and shaking in fear. It was so sad; we immediately took his picture and were going to reach out to the public to find help. I wasn’t super hopeful as most people don’t want senior dogs, especially large senior dogs.

Just as I was about to post his picture, I had a visit from an old friend.

I looked over my shoulder and there was John Berk.

John Berk at home with Buster, his newly adopted, 14-year-old canine companion.

John was a daily volunteer with FOTAS and a friend to us all. Just over three years ago, we were all shocked and surprised when John fell for Hobbes (then Milton). Hobbes was a senior dog with fur loss and little “cage appeal.” John started to take him out for overnight visits and doggie days out and realized that the poor old soul never had much happiness. John adopted Hobbes and gave him the absolute best life any dog could have. He was his constant companion. We saw John and Hobbes all over town, best buddies.

When John arrived for a visit, it didn’t take long to see the tears in his eyes. His friend had passed away at home the day before. John wore the pain on his sleeve and yet asked me if we had a senior dog that needed help. How unselfish is that?!

Ok…so these things don’t just happen! I am a big believer that God had his hand in this.

I told John that I had only just met this older lab named Buster less than an hour ago, but he needed help. John took the leash and walked him to his car. He said he wanted to give it a try. It was a little tough for Buster to get in the car, so John pulled out the steps that he had used to help Hobbes get up into the passenger seat.

John and his amazing wife, Sally, have cats and another small dog that they rescued recently, so I wasn’t completely sure this would work. But it just seemed to me there was a plan in play.
Two days later I received a text from John: “Sweet dog and starting to settle in.” Then I started getting pictures of Buster on the bed, at the dog park, in John’s car. It wasn’t a week that passed before John came to the shelter to make it official.

“We’ve made one dog very happy, thank you for picking him for me,” John said.

Some may think that a 14-year-old dog won’t adapt to a new owner or a new home. Some worry about adopting a senior and not having a long time with them. But think of what John does. He takes these older dogs that are scared and homeless, and he gives them friendship. He doesn’t think about how long he has; he thinks about how great the time will be.

This story just touches me more than most. To see Buster’s adoption unfold was inspirational.

In Memory of Hobbes.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator

2022, abandoned animals, Cats, Foster

Beautiful, abandoned cats need loving homes

Posted on by Bob Gordon
23
Feb
Simone’s owner moved but left her behind to fend for herself.

The Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) has two gorgeous cats in its feline facility who desperately need loving homes. Both are overcoming the emotional pain of suddenly finding themselves abandoned and alone.

Simone, a stunning, five-year-old Siamese mix with a coat of multiple colors, was brought to the shelter because her owners moved and left her behind to fend for herself. When neighbors saw Simone was abandoned, they fed her for weeks before surrendering her to the shelter. When she arrived, Simone was an unhappy and confused kitty.

Gwen, on the other hand, was heartbroken for a different reason. Her owner’s health declined sharply, forcing her to enter an assisted living facility – a place where Gwen was not welcome. The one-year-old Tiger Tabby went from the warm lap of her owner to a steel kennel in a noisy shelter filled with other scared, homeless pets. When Gwen arrived, she was vocal about her displeasure with being separated from the only human she’d ever known and loved.

Gwen is at the shelter because her owner had to go into assisted living.

Due to their emotional trauma, both Simone and Gwen acted out when they first got to the shelter by trying to bite or scratch people who showed them affection. Simone mostly slapped at folks’ hands when she got nervous or felt overstimulated. Gwen, who wasn’t used to meeting so many new people, seemed to want to be petted but didn’t know how to respond. Sometimes she would get scared and bite to relieve her anxiety.

“Cats are creatures of habit,” said ACAS Adoption Coordinator Hillary Clark-Kulis. “They like their usual routines and sometimes when they have to come to the shelter, their worst traits can come out.”

Simone and Gwen, now living together in the cat facility, are doing much better. Staff and FOTAS volunteers have worked with them every day, helping them to adjust to their new environment and preparing them for their future homes. They will make wonderful feline companions for people who know and love cats.
Simone just needs a home of her own, where she can get a lot of attention and love, and Gwen needs an owner who will help her to trust new people.

“I think living with one person her entire life, Gwen is used to only one way of being treated or given affection,” Hillary said. “She is learning how to reciprocate kindness and attention from different people. She loves to be talked to and would do well in a home with other cats.”

If you would like to adopt Simone or Gwen, please call the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 803.642.1537 (option #3) or email info@fotasaiken.org and make an appointment to visit them. Or just stop by the shelter. Walk-ins are welcome! Cat adoption fees this month are just $10. The ACAS is located at 333 Wire Road, Aiken, 29801. The shelter is full & needs adopters & fosters.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, Adoption, SOCIAL MEDIA

Desperate dogs beat the odds to live happy life with loving Aiken family

Posted on by Bob Gordon
15
Feb

Choco is a 2-month-old, black & tan puppy who arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter on Sept. 3 with a life-threatening birth defect. His only chance for survival was expensive, experimental surgery that might not even work. This poor baby needed an adopter willing and able to get him the needed surgery and provide him with a loving home.

FOTAS immediately put the word out, shared Choco’s photo and story via social media, and got him into the arms of foster volunteer Vivian Kram. She took loving care of the pup and gave him the nurturing he needed while FOTAS and the shelter staff worked to find him a permanent home.

Enter Jenna Lubeck and her boyfriend Sam, who had just moved to Aiken from Chicago with four children and 21 horses. They were planning to buy a purebred dog but read a Facebook post about Choco written and shared by Martha Anne Tudor. The family was so moved by the pup’s dilemma, Jenna and her youngest child drove to the shelter to meet the pup.

“When we met Choco, my eight-year-old son looked up at me and said, ‘We have to adopt this puppy! I’ll pitch in my allowance for his surgery.’”

The family adopted the pup, renamed him Dante, and provided his expensive surgery. Before the operation, Jenna and Sam had to prepare the kids for the possibility their new dog might not survive. But Jenna said the children understood and vowed to make Dante’s two weeks before the surgery “the best two weeks possible.” They spent all their free time playing and cuddling with their new family member.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success and Dante made a full recovery.

Just five months later, Jenna saw another post on Facebook. This one featured a chocolate and white, 6-year-old stray dog who was found eating garbage at a trash dump. This skeletal 6-year-old Doberman mix with broken teeth and a sweet face reminded her so much of Dante, she drove to the County Shelter with him to meet her.

The meet and greet between Dante and the new dog, Maggie, did not go well. Maggie was stressed, scared, and mouthy. But since neither dog was being aggressive, the staff and Jenna thought Maggie would do better away from the shelter. Turns out, they were right. On the way home from the shelter, the two dogs cuddled together and slept in the back seat of Jenna’s car.

“Maggie just had to get out of that high stress environment,” Jenna said. “She and Dante became best friends. We can hardly separate these two now.”

Against all odds, Maggie and Dante have beautiful lives in a home where they are loved. “I’m so glad we adopted instead of buying,” Jenna said. “I think I’m going to only adopt from now on.”

Dante and his new family

“I don’t look at these dogs as having issues,” she added. “I think most of the time they’re just misunderstood. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time and didn’t get the love or care they needed because their owners didn’t know better or didn’t care enough. It kind of breaks your heart, you know?”

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2022, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Pibbles, Shelter staff, SOCIAL MEDIA, Volunteers

Longest shelter resident Christopher finds his dream home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Jan

Christopher had us worried. The two-year-old, 66-pound, mixed breed known for his soulful eyes, mahogany brindle coat and sweet personality was showing signs of kennel stress. He was sleeping too much during the day, refusing to greet visitors and seemed to be sinking into depression.

Christopher: loved by everyone including volunteers.


You couldn’t blame him for losing hope. As a huge favorite of the staff and volunteers, we had promoted him endlessly on our Facebook and Instagram pages, illustrating his calm and loving disposition with videos and photos. There were videos of him chasing tennis balls, getting his chest and tummy rubbed as well as photos of him hugging volunteers and cuddling staff members.

Volunteers Jen Jotblad and Kathy Samaha each shot their own special videos, expressing why they thought he would make a wonderful pet. Samaha took Christopher home for a weekend to give him a break from the noisy shelter. So did Olga and Nicole Simons. Just about every FOTAS volunteer spent extra time walking him or giving him cuddles. Jotblad put extra time into teaching him commands and enrolled him in her dog training class for volunteers. We even had a “Christopher Day” on Nov. 13 to try to attract prospective adopters. No one on our team was going to give up on this special dog.

Still, more weeks passed and no one was calling about Christopher. By far the longest resident of the shelter, he was growing tired of waiting and hardly any prospects were coming to visit him.

Then, on Dec. 3, George Straub and his family walked into the shelter lobby and asked to see Christopher.

“We saw Christopher on the FOTAS page and fell in love,” said Elizabeth Farthing, George’s significant other. “When we met him, he walked directly to my 9-year-old daughter, Rae-Ann, and then George. We spent months trying to find the perfect addition to our family. We contacted so many people and other shelters about dogs and for one reason or another, none worked out. But with Christopher, we felt like it was just meant to be. He knew we couldn’t leave there without him.”

Christopher gets selected!

Now Christopher has a real home and loving family as well as a new name, Glock. He follows Elizabeth everywhere and she considers him a “Velcro dog who loves to cuddle.” Glock spends most of the day with Rae-Ann during her home schooling and sleeps on 17-year-old Chase’s bed most nights. When the family is at the dinner table talking or playing board games, Glock puts his head in George’s lap.

“I’m glad other people passed on him because I love him to death,” George said.

The shelter is full now and there are many hidden gems, like Christopher. So, please visit the Aiken County Animal Shelter, 333 Wire Road, and visit our homeless dogs and cats in need. To see all the pets available, go to FOTASAiken.org. Dogs are $35 and cats and kittens are only $10.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

Christopher is loved in his new home.
2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, Pibbles, SELECTING A PET

Consider adopting the dog who’s been at the shelter the longest

Posted on by Bob Gordon
03
Jan

A funny thing happened with two of the dogs we adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter that made us think that we are on to something. We like to have three dogs in our household and when one of them dies, we honor their memory by adopting a new dog as their replacement.

Brownie when he lived in the shelter.

We lost Yoda about two years ago and Buster just a few months ago. We decided to replace each of them with the dog that had been at the shelter the longest, a dog that apparently no one wanted.
So, we took a chance with Meadow a couple of years ago and adopted Blaze, who we renamed Brownie, about a month ago. These two dogs that, for whatever reason, nobody wanted are the sweetest, most loyal, most lovable, most obedient, and simply the nicest dogs we have ever owned. It’s as if they knew that we saved them when no one else would.

We had concerns when these two were adopted. How would they get along with the other two? There were male/female issues. Why weren’t they adopted?

We were confident we could make it work despite those issues.

We knew that our home, and any adopter’s home, is not the shelter filled with lots of animals stressing out in kennels, making lots of noise. A dog’s behavior at a shelter does not necessarily represent who that dog really is. Our home, your home, is the dog’s castle. The dog feels more secure and comfortable in its own real home.

Our dogs run free on our enclosed property, no leashes; but when we first bring a new dog home, we train it on a leash. We introduce them to the other dogs whose first reactions are to protect their territory. But they eventually accept them when they realize the new dog is staying for good. They share and enjoy the company of a new playmate as long as they still get lots of attention.

At first, we familiarized Brownie, as we did Meadow, with every part of our home and walked him continuously outside so he learned his boundaries. We let him off leash in a fenced-in area. We continuously taught him recall, that is training him to come when we call his name. We constantly praised his good behavior. Finally, we let him off leash out in the open and watched his behavior. He would pass that test when he comes when called and basically just runs around with the other two dogs. It took about a week of constant attention and training but now he is part of the family.

Brownie finds his spot on the Miller bed.

It did not happen by magic. We took charge, invested some time and effort to get these new dogs acclimated to us and our surroundings. But we are convinced that they immediately went out of their way to be good because they were so grateful for us finally rescuing them from the shelter and giving them a forever home. All they want to do is please their owner.

Adopt any dog from the shelter but consider adopting the one that has been there the longest. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Their lives are in your hands.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

2021, Adoption, Bully Dogs, County Animal Control, Dogs, FOTAS, injured animals, News, surgeries

Shelter Dog Spirit Overcomes Adversity, Hopes for a Forever Home

Posted on by Bob Gordon
05
May

The 27-pound mixed breed female that hobbled out of the roadside woods to greet Patrick Miller, Animal Control Officer, was bringing a lesson to share.

Patrick suspected a hit and run with the number of cuts in her body and the skew of her bloodied jaw. Her ribs were defined under white and brown fur with the last good meal long forgotten. The left eye also seemed cloudy. It would take a vet to confirm and repair her broken hip, but Patrick knew she was in pain even without an aggressive reaction to his touch. She was one more of the many good dogs that tugged him back to work, day after day, patrolling Aiken County for the lost, abused, and injured. Each case saddened him but rewarded him as well with the chance to help and be part of a success story. And that’s what this is.

Spirit went through surgery to recover from her hit & run injuries.

Dr. Mike Wells, a veterinarian helping the Aiken County Animal Shelter and Dr. Lisa Levy, DVM for the shelter, surgically reset the broken hip and sutured the cuts. The empty sockets of teeth that had been knocked out would heal with the support of antibiotics. Dr. Levy says, “She is one of the most physically challenged dogs we have seen but her spirit has never wavered. The jaw muscles have atrophied and she can only open her mouth enough to eat canned food.”

Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Programs Coordinator, adds, “She is all love and never stopped fighting. We call her Spirit. Dogs like Spirit are the reason FOTAS is so committed to the shelter.”

When Kathy introduced me to Spirit, I knelt on one knee with my camera bag at my side. Spirit without hesitation sat on the bag of this stranger, and leaned into my leg, turning her head to look up at me, nuzzling into my hand. On the exhale of a deep breath, I murmured, “Good dog. What a sweetheart. An inspiration.”

Perhaps that is the lesson Spirit came to the shelter to share… to live for today with joy unburdened by pains and sorrows of yesterdays.

Dr. Levy estimates Spirit is 2 years old. Kathy says Spirit walks well on a leash, appears to be housetrained, but like most trauma dogs, needs personal care and time to adjust.

“Her tongue slips out occasionally through the missing teeth, but no harm, she’ll pull it back or give you kiss,” Kathy said. “Spirit will be as loyal as a pet can be to the lucky people who adopt her.”

If you want to take a short walk with Spirit or quiet get-acquainted time to consider her lesson, call now to schedule a visit: 803-979-2634. If you’re not ready to adopt, visit the County Shelter anyway to feel good, donate, and volunteer.

Their lives are in our hands.

Editor’s Note: Spirit was adopted by a wonderful Aiken family shortly after this column was published by the Aiken Standard.

— by Vince Verrecchio, FOTAS Volunteer

2021, adopter feedback, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News

Never Say Never: An Adoption Success Story

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Mar

Never say never. That’s something I’ve learned over the years, and it’s something that came into full realization when Hitch entered my orbit.

“I saw the cutest little Chihuahua mix at the animal shelter today,” is how my fiancé’ Hallie started the conversation.
Chihuahua? Cute? Wait a second. That’s a little dog, isn’t it?

Years ago, my wacky aunt would often – and unexpectedly – show up at my family’s suburban home with a teacup dog emerging from her shoulder purse. While the dogs would change every few years, her effusive attention to the latest canine couture always remained front and center… as were the impromptu fashion shows she presented to my parents’ fixed smiles and internal eyerolls.

HITCH on the ACAS adoption floor.

So, as much as I wanted a dog, my parents felt that my aunt’s visits adequately satisfied their desire to have one. My opportunities to bond with a dog of my own would have to wait until years later.

When I met Hallie later in life, I knew she was nearly-exclusively connected to large animals, and my life with her was woven with horses and giant-breed Scottish Deerhounds. So, when she surprised me with this new addition to our family, the rush of ancient memories of my aunt returned.

I think Hallie knew that I needed a little guy. Then Hitch began to pour his own magic into our home.
Practically hairless from flea allergies, Hitch had wild tufts sprouting from his chin and eyebrows. But this little guy was also soulful and confident. A mix between a Chihuahua and Yoda with some Terrier in there, and a little bit of Mr. Miyagi from “The Karate Kid” as well. I could tell that life on the street had taken its toll. But it had also made him a very observant and patient little fellow. I doubted he had experienced many dress-up days with humans in the past.

As he checked out his new digs and weaved his way between the long-legged Deerhounds in the house, he often stopped in his tracks to try to make eye contact with me. I did not dare return his long gazes. Who does this little guy think he is, anyway? He may have won over Hallie with that stuff, but I was never going to be a little dog pushover.
Well, that didn’t last long. Before I knew it, he was finding his openings to jump in my lap and curl up with his eyes tightly closed before I could react. Clearly, he knew I was overdue for some little dog love. So, I surrendered the fight.

But I won the game.

HITCH at home with Hallie Glennie

Hitch has become the absolute heart of the family. His coat has grown full and shiny, and his disposition is one of enthusiasm and joie de vie. When the Deerhounds run in the Hitchcock Woods at breakneck speed, he sprints around them, like a referee at an NBA basketball game. He constantly checks on me, making sure that I know he’s there for that special little dog heart connection.

Remember when I said never say never? I have one exception to that rule. I never want Hitch to leave my side.

— by Rip Russell