It was a very busy weekend for local adoptions!!  Both families that took dogs home sent completed applications so I would know what they were looking for in a pet.  Surprisingly or maybe not both were looking at Destiny my little  scared border collie. Until long distance homevisits are done,  locals have first option on the dogs. Heather arrived right at 10 am, and I was ready. It helped that Karie-anne had arrived at 8 am. So I had my couple of cups of coffee and had done the clean up, watering and feeding. I found Desi asleep on my bed and put collar and leash on her - Heather had bought new collar and leash for her; she was sure even before meeting Desi! Desi went through the gate with me and we met Heather while Dave guarded the gate from my crew. They follow me everywhere and were most upset that I had gone out without them.

Desi did her submissive "I am scared" lying down but Heather was very soft spoken and gentle with her. Desi was soon sitting up and then walking with her on leash. She watched her face and took the treats. Heather was smitten with the pretty little girl. She is hoping to do rally O and agility with her new girl. Lorna has been asked to give a seminar in Burns Lake as several people are eager to start training for rally and agility. A new dog club is starting up in Burns Lake. Heather will be one of the first ones to help in the start up. Since Desi wasn’t spayed yet she went home with Heather as a foster to adopt. She will be spayed next week and then the adoption will be finalized.

At noon Beth and Mark arrived to look at young dogs but not a puppy - too much work! Elvis was over the fence to meet and greet. But it wasn’t his turn. I brought out Flare as I thought she would be a good match for them. She is sweet, and gentle, very attentive and loving, eager to please and willing to learn - a good candidate for a great companion. Mark wants to take a dog to work with him - he works in forestry as does Beth. They both can take their dog to work when they are in the field. They need a dog that stays close by and is obedient as there are bears in the woods. And though they want the dog to alert and bark they don’t want the dog to chase the bear or bring it back to them. A warning is the best deterrent for bears - bears don’t like to be surprised; they prefer avoiding people if they have enough warning. Well behaved dogs do the warning and bears move away.

Beth and Mark took Flare up to Sunset Lake for an hour to see how she reacted to them. Once they came back, they did look at a couple of other dogs - Bryan, Lillianna, Tinkerbelle but the dogs knew it wasn’t their turn and paid little attention.  Dogs know when the right dog for the right family are here. The people just have to agree. And Beth and Mark did agree. Flare went home happily as she is already spayed, vaccinated and vet checked five weeks before.

Five to six weeks is the usual stay for dogs to find their families. Some take longer like Chuck he has been here 6 months. Other take less like Desi who was here 8 days!  On Sunday it was Elvis’ turn - finally.H has been here 5 months. His new family is moving next week and was looking for a family companion to make their home complete. Elvis fit the criteria. He is very dog social - their neighbou has an old dog, and he liked the 9 year old boy. He can play fetch and sleep in his room as he has exemplary house manners. The perfect match. Papers were signed and a deposit left so Elvis will be picked up on Friday. Elvis will have his family soon!

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.