More happy “tails” of Gabbs dog adoptions.

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

Things are certainly looking up for canine brothers Bobby and Major, rescued last year from the ranch in Gabbs, Nevada. Originally, the folks at Yerington Animal Shelter were hoping they could be adopted as a pair; however, it seems that now that they are separated, each has blossomed in their new homes.

Major
Last October, Bella, one of Jeannine Thompson’s two golden retrievers crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Her remaining dog, Larame, became lonely and depressed. As Thompson searched the internet to find a companion, she came across the postings for both Major and Bobby. Feeling Major would fit in, she and her son drove approximately two hours to get to Yerington Animal Shelter to meet him. A match was made and though he would not jump into the car himself, once in she says, “He just wanted to keep getting in our laps.”

Initially, there was a bit of concern whether the two dogs would become friends, but now Thompson says, “It seems like every day he is improving. He now gets along with Larame, our other dog, they are great friends now. He even plays with her now. He would not play for a long time, as I feel he did not know how.”

Like many other Gabbs dogs, he really needed a grooming and did not care to have a leash put on him. Thompson has chosen to take the slow, but steady approach, and it seems to be working. Each day brings new accomplishments as Major becomes more accustomed to a home environment. She believes he is learning to relax, now that he does not always need to look out for his brother.

Everyone in the family loves their newest addition. “We’re just delighted with him,” notes Thompson. “I think he’ll be a really great dog.”

Bobby (now Buddy Bear)
Bobby was quickly renamed when Donna Bateson and Calvin Carpenter adopted him. “Buddy Bear just seems to fit him better,” says Bateson.

The couple already had Nicholette, a blind 13-year old lab mix, and they wanted to adopt a dog “who would be good with her.” Now the pair gets along well and even curl up together on the floor with one another.

Wishing to continue tradition, just as when Nicholette was first adopted as a puppy over a decade ago, they family stopped at Dairy Queen, so everyone could enjoy some ice cream. Since Buddy was so timid, she figured the treat would help him settle down. “I didn’t think he was eating it, but I looked and he had eaten it all.” That is one sweet custom and Buddy thinks so too!

Now Bateson says Buddy has her wrapped around his little paw. All he needs to do is raise one eyebrow and smile at her and he gets some chicken. She even cooks hamburgers for the dogs. When Buddy is not successfully hitting Bateson up for treats, he spends his evenings snuggling with Carpenter on the bed.

“I think people should give it a try because it’s really rewarding to see them come around,” comments Bateson. “Dogs will love you forever. When people say they’re man’s best friend, they’re not kidding, and they’re women’s too.”

(The brothers, Major and Bobby, go for a walk together when they were at Yerington Animal Shelter, courtesy of Kris Brown.)

How you can help:
• The few shyest remaining Gabbs dogs at “Camp Reno” are in need of reputable shelters or rescues to take them in to their foster and adoption programs.
• If you have the ability to take one or more dogs, please call Shannon Asquith of United Animal Nations at 916-216-3677 or Paul Bruce of The Humane Society of the United States at 916-344-1710 today.

For more information:
• From Hay Bales to Homes
• Shannon Asquith’s blog on “Camp Reno”
• Yerington Animal Shelter
217 Trowbridge
Yerington, Nevada 89447
Phone: 775-463-6578

Photo credits: lead photo of Buddy Bear with Calvin Carpenter courtesy of Donna Bateson.