Because Their Lives Matter.
From Homeless to Happy!
_________________________________________________________________________________
"People Whisperer"
by Cookie
I work with my Mom, Susan, at Elk Park Animal Hospital. We handle the front desk. I love my job. I bear the supreme honor of being one of the "clinic dogs." (There is a "clinic cat," Ema, who thinks she's the boss of me. But nevermind about her.) I guess you could call me a "people whisperer." Yep, I am. I have learned that all people are looking for is an excuse to smile. I'm a charmer, entertainer, and a comic. Easy-peasy to make people smile. In fact, while I am bewitching them, they give us their money and don't even realize it. Nope, they don't. They just gaze and smile at me. I work hard for a living and at the end of the day I like going home to my brother and sisters and telling them all about my adventures.
I've been told that one sign of intelligence is the ability to adapt to changing stimuli in one's environment. If that's true, then I qualify as a genius. I was lost in Farmington with my small puppies. I get lost sometimes because I can't see. We were taken to the shelter and Pagosa Animal Advocates saved our lives. All of my babies have furever homes and now I do too. I'm a Res-Q dog. Though my world looks dim and dark through my eyes, it feels colorful, smells vibrant, tastes delicious, and sounds mysterious.
If you ever need a smile, just stop in at Elk Park Animal Hospital. Ask for "Cookie."
"Three Points of Contact"
by Susan McKnight
In rock climbing there is one cardinal rule for survival: always maintain three points of contact. Have two hands 
and one foot or two feet and one hand in contact with the rock at all times.
One year ago I had three Rat Terriers -- Kinsey, Kasha, and Barkley. Before bedtime, my favorite routine was to sit in my recliner to read, journal, or watch TV. First Kinsey would join me. She'd curl up in the crook of my left arm. Next, Barkley jumped up and sprawled across my lap. Finally, Kasha would snuggle up in the crook of my right arm. Barkley's feet touched Kasha and Kinsey's feet touched Barkley. We were a little family prayer circle. It was very Zen-like.
They were my three points of contact. I felt balanced, centered, and grounded on my rock while sitting with them. Kinsey was one of my heart dogs. Those of you who are career dog lovers know what I mean when I say "heart dog." Last April, Kinsey had a sudden onset of neurological dysfunction. She had to be put to sleep. What a tremendous loss to me and my little pack. I adopted two more dogs, but they were big grrrls. Kinsey's spot on my lap remained vacant.
Then along came Cookie - a spunky, courageous, and congenial Little Miss Shorty Pants. The first night I picked her up and put her in my lap, she immediately curled up in the crook of my left arm. Barkley sprawled, and Kasha nested in the crook of my right arm. It was an amazing feeling to have three points of contact again! Cookie is on the fast track to becoming another of my heart dogs. I am so blessed. Thank you PAA for saving this bright little spirit!!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Rigby, formerly Flap, was abandoned at just 5 weeks of age with her sister Blaze and her brother Pudge.
Rigby was the last of the three to find her fur-ever home. We were ecstatic when a vet tech student,
her husband and their Golden Retriever, Scarlet, drove all the way from Denver to Pagosa Springs to meet her! It was love at first site and they were all instant friends.
Here's what Rigby's new mommy says about her:
"The girls are getting along great! Better than I even imagined. I try to split them up at times to give them individual "Mommy" time and they are more interested in trying to find each other than pay me much attention. Little Rigby (Flap) is growing well (28lbs.) and finding her place in our home. She is certainly going to be the alpha dog and Scarlet is fine with that. She is very smart and easy to discipline. Our family is very happy and grateful for the opportunity to give her a home. Thanks so much again for the perfect little addition to our family."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
"We are loving Wiley and, despite the heat wave and thorns and a much older buddy, she is happy here. Our friends have two two year old dogs and we went there for dinner last night with Sage and Wiley and she ran like the wind playing keep-away from their lab! She is FAST!
Sage is not as playful with her as I had hoped, but it's only been a week and they are learning each other's ways. I have seen them do the "play bow" on occasion and when we go on walks, they are rib-to-rib sniffing things. She comes and puts her head in my lap when I'm writing. She starts puppy school tomorrow night and is so smart, I'm sure she'll be the star."
"I wanted to let you know how wonderfully Nina is doing. She is so sweet and seems to finally be relaxing into life in a home. She loves her morning walks, has a couple good stretches every day, and lets me rub her down both sides every morning. She loves gentle massage around her shoulders and neck and she lets me massage her hips and rump very gently. When it's enough, she gets up and walks away. She comes to let us know when she needs to go outside.Nina has muscle tone and definition, her legs are stronger, her fur is soft and silky, and she has the widest musical range of sighs and snores I have heard from any dog (reminds me of Big Bird from Sesame Street). She is so happy to see us when we come home that she runs and jumps around and wags her tail. This little dog has taught us all so much."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
We adopted Nali last May, and are so happy we did!
I am so appreciative of your
organization and also to Jean who fostered her. Without the team effort, Nali wouldn't be here with us. We just love her to bits and she is such a happy little dog. We love to go for walks every day. She learned right away to sit and wait while I take photos of butterflies or other wildlife on our walks. She is such a wonderful little companion. Her favorite thing is to play with her tennis ball. She will bring the ball and drop it in my lap or Jeff’s lap and wait for one of us to toss it and she will catch it. She is so fast she can catch the ball no matter how we toss it. It didn't take her long to begin to relax and know that she was home. One of the photos is of Nali and Jeff waiting while I am taking pictures of butterflies and then I took one of them, too. People just love her. Everywhere I take her people want to pet her and they fawn over her. She is so well behaved in all the stores she goes in to and she is becoming very popular in our local bank. Thank you so much for helping us to connect with our Nali girl! - Venice
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Here is Kobe relaxing at his new home with his favorite toy. We are SO fortunate to have him share our life. He is a wonderful little being and we try to find out new things about him every day. He is adjusting well to us and he loves his daily walks. But more than anything he loves retrieving his ball.
Thank you so very much for rescuing him! He has already edged his way into our hearts and I can't imagine a better dog. And my special thanks to Dot, Kobe's foster mom. Without her love and care we would not have him. - Judy & Don
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PAA Friends:
Stay tuned! More coming soon!