Our guys made it home from the TG Bus run at 7.30 this morning. They did Christmas shopping before turning around to come home - how sweet is that!  Dave needed help to unload the van before he could crash and have a nap. A quick cup of coffee - thank you everyone who sent me coffee and biscuits - my days always have that first good cuppa to look forward to - what a grand way to start my days! It is totally quiet now so I can answer emails and do my computer work. Emails this morning were more updates - no better way to enjoy my day. I LOVE Happy Endings!!

First from the little Pound Puppy now in Vancouver in her foster home. Thank you Sheila:

We named the puppy Bree which she is still learning. Above is picture of her meeting a couple of our animals.  Carlton, the cat, must think she is a cat because with all the other “big” dogs he tries to take a swipe at them. Boomer the dog also thinks she is a cat because he kept saying to Leila “can I have her, can I have her”.  On Monday I am going to take her with me to my vets because I have an appointment for two of my own and  I will arrange for her spay.  She was very comfortable putting on a collar and walking on a leash and when taken outside she pees but doesn’t go poo poo outside.  She is very well adjusted for a puppy that has had quite a few changes in 5 days.  She is good with the cats and other dogs although she shows no interest in playing with them.  She follows me around quite a bit and doesn’t fuss unless she is in her crate (she slept in it and she is crated in the car).  I told Leila she is going to get her way because boy that crying is hard to take.  Bree is our very first “small” dog foster.  She is so cute I know she will find a home quickly.

Sheila

Hi Yvette,
   Well Mya finally arrived.  As you probably know the boys had a long and arduous trip to the coast.  Mya came home with us and is in the process of settling in.  She is a little anxious as I’m sure she misses Stan and all her pack pals.  No problem with Maxine however.  They both seem to be able to share the same space but are both in their own little worlds.  The first meal was no problem.  They both politely ate their dinners and then checked out each other’s bowls. 

Stan, Dave and Mya meet Jude and Maxine

Hi Again…that was last night.
   Just after I typed that last night Mya jumped over the fence and was gone into the night.  We live on a creek, actually in a gully, and we didn’t know if she went up or down the creek or across it even.  Panic city!  First thing we do is phone Stan.  Just what Stan needs at 10:00 PM after driving all night the night before.  Without a second hesitation Stan asked how do I find your house - I’ll be right over.  We’re almost an hour from Dave’s place.  I jumped into my van, a GMC Safari just like Stan’s and as I got to the top of the first hill Mya appeared out of the bushes and ran up to the car.  She must have thought it was Stan.  Just managed to catch Stan before he left for our place.  Much relief all round!!
   Mya settled in and slept all night.  She and Max got up at 7:45 and like a couple of old pals had breakfast together.  Of course they had to check out each other’s bowls again when they were both empty. Car ride, walk in Capilano Canyon, waiting in the car at the mall,  back home, and another walk later in the day - in Lighthouse Park and home for dinner.  The dogs seem to be getting along fine and Mya seems much more at ease in just 24 hours.  We’ll keep you posted.  Thanks again Yvette to you and your boys.  We tend to measure your success in terms of the positive and often life saving experiences of the dogs and tend not to mention as much the contributions you make to the many appreciative adopting homes.  We’ll keep in touch.  Cheers…Steve

  Mya and Max settle for the night! Home at last.

An update from Little Shadow!

Hi Yvette. Just a quick note from the McLennan family and their newest member Shadow.
 
First of all we wanted to thank you for bringing Shadow into our lives. We truly feel that she was meant to be part of our family. WE LOVE HER!! She has settled in very nicely. Since she’s been her she’s had a bath, gone for 2 long walks (she prances!), and had lots of attention. She loves to have her tummy rubbed, and makes us all laugh when she stretches out like a bunny in the sun. She likes sleeping on her new beds, enjoyed a welcome breakfast of a scrambled egg, and even taught herself how to go up and down our stairs.
She’s the best Christmas present ever, and we will send you some pictures and another update soon!
Merry Christmas and all the best to you at Turtle Gardens. Thank you for all that you do.
The McLennan family.

Today (Dec. 23) marks the 5th anniversary of arrival of Annie (aka Deidre,

Aussie X). Who could have guessed five years ago that the little frightened

ugly duckling would turn into a striking-looking swan that attracts

everybody’s attention!! This daddy’s little girl is very playful and has a

great sense of humour, often teasing Dad. Even last Friday at our agility

practice, when Dad was trying to figure out how to execute a bit tricky

"Out" command, she just ran through the correct path with her chin and tail

up high as if saying, "Dad, you can stay there until you figure it out. I

know where to go by watching other dogs!" Needless to say that Annie

received big applause for her performance.

 

She started agility for her confidence building. At first she literally

quivered on the dog-walk which was only two-feet off the ground, let alone

teeter, she simply froze. By the time Merlin the Rascal (Aussie adopted form

the Aussie Rescue in 05) took on agility earlier this year, she showed him

how to attack each and every obstacle. 

 

Annie likes to go jogging with our son and can accompany him off-leash even

on busy streets without bothering any passers-by. On the intellectual side,

she has refined her language skills and is fully bilingual (English and

Japanese). 

 

Thank you, TG, for letting us adopt her 5 years ago. We still cannot forget

the excitement on the day she flew to Vancouver. She is the best Christmas

gift we’ve ever had. I attach a couple of photos. (1) Canada Day photo opp.

Annie (right) and Merlin (left) (2) Lynn Mouth Park in North Van, summer 07

(Annie standing next to Dad)

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

 

Masako Sharpe



And a timely Holiday reminder from the ASPCA Newsletter:

A Poison Safe Home

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol

Cold Weather Hazards
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products
- Rat and mouse bait

Holiday Hazards
- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction-most often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments

-Pointsettia Plants

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