From a dog “with issues,” to a dog in kidney failure, to a community cat who showed he was no ‘feral,’ we have some happy endings to share.

Seeing the dog with your heart

Meet Harley (pictured above), a dog that a humane society in New Hampshire fought the good fight for.

Rebecca first wrote to Medha on the No More Homeless Pets team:

“Harley is a great dog, he loves to play ball, he likes other dogs, and he likes most people. Harley is adored by the staff members that he has allowed into his life however, Harley's life is in danger.

“We've been trying to find a rescue to take him, but unfortunately he has growled at some of the staff members that have allowed him to intimidate them and therefore most rescues will not take him! He has NEVER bitten anyone, but he can be possessive of his things ( I probably would be also if I lived in a kennel all day and those "things" were all I had).

“He has become depressed living at the shelter, he has been here for almost a year! He was dumped at a vet when he was a few months old and he has been at our shelter ever since. He stays in the back of the kennel, away from prying eyes... Sometimes he even shakes.

“I personally love this dog and would like to see him somewhere other than a cage! Is there any way that you can help? It is not fair that he has to live his life in a kennel when he really has so much to offer. He knows many basic commands, offers tons of bully kisses, and would be great in the right environment. Please, if there is anything that you can do for Harley it would be greatly appreciated. He really is a spirited dog that deserves a chance!”

Medha sent resources, advice and encouragement. A couple of weeks later Rebecca wrote back:

“Hi Medha,

“I wanted to give you an update on Harley. We think we have found a wonderful home for him.

“This past Saturday a dog trainer came in to look for a dog for one of his clients. He is the type of trainer that people bring their dogs to as a last resort. He spent quite a while evaluating Harley and in his words ‘he is extremely workable!’ He will be training Harley and Harley will be a working dog. That way he can have a job that gives him something to focus on.

“Chris (the trainer) has rehabilitated agressive pitbulls that were deemed dangerous and were going to be destroyed, and he has trained police K-9's! I will let you know if there is a happy ending for Harley! Thanks again for responding to my email, I know that you are extremely busy.

Sincerely,
Rebecca

Lefty lucked out

Remember Lefty, the sweet rescued dog in an Iowa shelter who went to foster care and was diagnosed with kidney failure? Well he got a home!

Here is Jan’s email to the No More Homeless Pets team at Best Friends.

“His (Lefty) luck changed when we contacted the Best Friends Animal Society and asked for help. We had run out of options and did not know where to turn for Lefty. The response was fantastic. Given their incredible load of animals and requests across the nation, it was a long shot to expect any assistance.

"What we received instead was no less than astounding from a national rescue with so much responsibility - they actually cared about a little dog in a little shelter in eastern Iowa!



“Michele (NMHP team member) sent us hope in the form of options through this incredible network of people who work tirelessly for animals from all over this country. We were sent instructions to post on their network and we were contacted by numerous BF volunteers from all over the Midwest in an effort to help our boy Lefty.

“I have never witnessed anything quite like this response. They cared about the life of this dog...it wasn't just us by ourselves trying to make a difference. Words cannot express our gratitude for all of the volunteers and guidance from Best Friends. You have save Lefty's very valuable life.

“And to all of the wonderful people who responded to the plea in the form of adoptions, offers to donate for medical care, give blankets or anything else he could possibly need, I say thank you and God Bless each and every one of you.”

Read all about Lefty’s happy ending on the Iowa community.

That old ‘feral’ charm. Or how a housecat revealed himself

Medha Issacs on the No More Homeless Pets team received the following charming email about a cat who landed in the right place at the right time. (Sorry no photo of Morris the cat).

“Dear Medha,

“I know you must be inundated with emails so I hope that this one will bring a smile to you. I had contacted you during the summer to see if we could post for a loving home for a feral cat who had gotten sick but who had received months of hospitalizations and was well and desperately wanting a home. At the time he was living in my basement but we have a dog and a two year old and it did not seem like living here would be a good option.
“You wrote me a lovely email and understandably said that you could only send out emails in truly desperate situations and clearly Morris was not in a desperate situation, even though living in the basement was much less than ideal.

“I am happy to report, months later, that Morris has become a wonderful and loved member of our family. He made it clear after his recovery that he did not wish to go back outdoors, even with food and shelter provided. We had no luck finding him a home and I did not want him to end up in a shelter in a small cage for months or years on end and so decided that we would try to gradually integrate him to see what would happen.

“At first, our large Pekingese (a 25 pounder named Bugsy!) would not have it---any time he saw Morris or heard the meowing he would chase him away and have a fit, just as he had always done with cats. However, Morris would gradually emerge from the basement and always had a way out so that Bugsy could not hurt him or follow him downstairs.

“After 2-3 months of this very gradual behavior and exposure Morris and Bugsy are just fine together! Morris basically knows how much he can push things and Bugsy is overall very patient and tolerant. Morris even tries to swat at Bugsy's big tail as Bugs walks by. And, the baby loves Morris who is very gentle with her.

“We are so glad that we were not able to place Morris with another family as things have worked out so well. All this from a cat who used to hiss at us whenever we brought food to him and even hissed for months at my husband when he was living in the basement. Now he is one of the best cats ever.

“We still have several feral cats outside who have been neutered and are cared for here on our small property. One who was always very, very timid with people has also finally started appreciating being petted and purrs non-stop when he is given love. He is a very gentle, large tom-cat who was always chased away by other more aggressive ones and is happy, four years later, to now have his own igloo for shelter and two regular meals with treats each day. Animals never cease to amaze me. A little (or a lot) of patience and love can go so very far. But you know that!

“Thank you again for all that you do.”

All the best,
Valerie in New Jersey

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