Moose

[ColoradoLady]

Key air, thank you for sharing this heartfelt story and pictures. It strengthens your story and clarifies it for those of us reading. I must admit....looking back at all your pictures and reading ....especially, "Cole bringing the ball to is sister" ....brought me to tears. Moose waits for you all. God bless you and help you deal with your grief. Evelyn.

[Keyair]

One moment I had not shared...

This was the morning after she passed...
We woke, and I looked out across the bay to see this.

We felt Moose was saying "See Ya Later" as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge...


Cole is settled in.
I swear he got more grey in the last 3 months... maybe I did too!
Here he is staring down a Preying Mantis at the weekend!



I have started looking at other dogs, but its hard.
Moose cannot be replaced, but to know there are Dogs out there that we could love, that are being euthanized because they are Pitt mixes, or unwanted..
Robyn will barely look at all, and cries if she does.
Time will heal.

[rmkrum]

Yeah, it's so hard. Quinn died almost 12 years ago. It still hurts even though there are many others in our lives now.


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[Keyair]

Thought it was time for an update.

Time has healed us a little.
Cole is doing OK, but seems to get anxious at times, when we meet people and other dogs.
We had him assessed by a trainer and the feedback was good. The trainer said he did well in his pack even with a boisterous young male Husky mix, who he warned off without over reacting.

I have looked at lots and lots of dogs up for adoption online but very few popped out at me. Every time one did, Robyn pushed back.

The was one who seemed to fit the bill, and was with a local Charity called "Little Red Dog" here in Orange County, California. Her name was Claudine, and she was a Huskey/Lab mix, about 18m old. We went to meet her at a local adoption event. I loved the look of her, and her reaction to seeing Cole was darling, as she cocked her head this way and that while watching him. The upfront meeting went well, and they just met and mingled. I was in, but Robyn was not feeling her.
They asked us if we could foster her and see how it went, and Robyn agreed, in principle.
The next day we found out that she was adopted by a family that came later.
It was not meant to be.

We also offered to foster a Blue Nose Pitt, called Chee, that was going to a high kill shelter if there was no takers, but that too fell through and we dont know why.

So, Christmas came and went, and I felt I was just looking and waiting for the right dog to come along...

Then, 2 weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I got my normal email of pets up for adoption, and scrolled through, when one just leapt off the page at me. I was upstairs, and forwarded it to Robyn's phone, as I have dozens of times... and waited for a reaction...
She came up about 2 mins later with that look on her face. She said "She is really cute, can you get more info?".
I called the shelter but they were closed, and Monday too.

Tuesday came, and I called at 9.05am.
They gave me the info they had. A female, came in as a stray, about 4 months old.

Within an hour, I was in the car, on the way to where my Airstream is stored, which just happens to be within 10 miles of the shelter.

Arrived at the shelter, was given which block she was in, but I took my sweet time, looking and talking and loving up every dog that was open to my advances. Some were not, sadly.
I got to the cage, and was greeted by this face....



She looks to be a real mutt... I see hints of Pitt, and maybe German Shepard.. but she is cute as a button, actually quite calm for a pup, and loved me up like a champ.
My heart melted. I took pics and sent them to Robyn.
I took video, and showed her later.
That Saturday, I drove Robyn out to meet her.
The reaction between the 2 of them was priceless... Robyn cried openly when the dog scrabbled under the bars with her paws to get closer.

We went to the office, as it was a done deal. We wanted her
Only then did we get a huge shock. They don't adopt a dog to the best family!
It's a lottery!
You come on a set day, put your name in a hat for the dog you want and the winner takes the dog home, that day!
No home check, no yard check, or tests... nothing!

So that's where we are... waiting for a shot at taking the dog we have fallen for, to our loving home.

If its the right dog, I guess it will be... but we are taking 10 family and friends with us to increase our odds!
Until then, we are holding our breath!

[SteveSueMac]

Lottery? Makes no sense to me...

What a sweet pup. I hope it works out for you.

[M. Smith]

Lottery makes no sense to me either. Makes you worry about the other dogs that were adopted out. But, best of luck. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[Lumatic]

Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you……..
I loved you so- ‘tws Heaven here with you.

[Keyair]

Beautiful, Lumatic!

[McDave]

Doesn't seem right to me, somehow, that a living being intended for a pet should be awarded in a lottery, but be that as it may, I hope you win. I'm sure you and the dog would be a great match.

[Keyair]

We tried everything we could think of...
Explained our situation, we work from home, strong pack leaders, enclosed yard, 1 to 2 mile walks every day, dogs are insured, and loved.
Offered a large donation, bribe, cried, etc... LOL.
Nothing moved them.
They explained that they instituted the policy after having problems with the previous "First come first serve" policy which they said resulted in fist fights...

Don't agree with it either on many levels, but it is what it is, and it is also a no kill shelter, so we are rolling with it.

[SteveSueMac]

Would a donation to the shelter in exchange for a closed lottery between you, and yourself, and you and yourself work?

[streaminwild]

Only looking at shelters for a new friend...you guys are awesome. Do you have to be present for the drawing? If not, put my name on your list of people. Hopefully there's only ten names in the hat...YOUR TEN. I'm rootin for you guys. My address is Tito's Tacos on Ball road Anaheim Ca. Good luck

[Keyair]

Oh, we tried every tack guys!

Both Moose and Cole were Rescue's, so we feel very strongly about it.
We also really would prefer a Mutt with a capitol M!
Too many purebred nightmares out there with health issues.

A Pitt or Amstaff mix is ok, and they are the ones that are being Euthanized every day.
As a bully breed lover/owner its hard.
For me, its heartbreaking looking at the emails I get every day from "Adoptapet", and knowing that some of the faces reaching out will not be adopted, and so dead within a couple of weeks.

Maybe you guy will understand what I am about to say....
I/We have been looking for that "Look" in the eye of our next dog. Moose had a way of looking at me with a projection of total love and commitment. You knew she would do anything I asked, and was obedient and smart. She stared into your eyes with rapt attention that was unmistakable.

Here is an example.


And her, the very first day we brought Cole home in 2009.


That is what we were looking for, and the new Dog has it. She is special, and we can feel it.

[Keyair]

So, I have to share this story.
I just got off the phone with the shelter, checking on the Pup. They are Speying her next week and she will be available Feb 4th. That is Lottery day, and you must be present to enter!

The story I want to relay is AWESOME!
We were at the shelter when Robyn came and we met a young couple who were in love with a Husky/Germany Shepard puppy, who was maybe 3/4 months old. Her name is Mercy, and she was sweet, but had an eye issue/injury/infection, and was being taken to the vet again, that day, as it was not improving.

Fast Forward a week and we go back to look at our hopeful, and we see Mercy in a cage nearby and notice they had removed the eye, sadly. I was worried that this would impact her adaptability, but the Shelter said they still had a lot of interest, and hoped she would find a home.

So, today, while I was on the phone, I asked about Mercy.
The lady told me she was adopted last Saturday, by the perfect family.
I asked if it was the young couple, and the Lady said no... then the was a pause, and I thought the Lady's voice sounded odd, and then she said...
"No, they didn't win her, but Mercy ended up with the perfect family. The Family that won her, have a young daughter... who lost an eye recently."
"It was a VERY emotional day!" She said.

Wow, talk about perfect Karma!

[streaminwild]

What a great story. If you're ever near Disneyland try Tito's Tacos. The Beef burritos are great. I had a box of burritos on a airplane to the east coast, for once people in first class, was checking to see what was being served in coach.LOL May the force be with you Keyair.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Keyair

So, I have to share this story.

I just got off the phone with the shelter, checking on the Pup. They are Speying her next week and she will be available Feb 4th. That is Lottery day, and you must be present to enter!

So - can you bring 20 friends with you and increase your odds? [emoji3]

The story was awesome! I really hope things work out for you and that sweet pup!

[Keyair]

Robyn woke this morning, and the first thing she said to me was "1 week today we bring our new dog to its forever home!"

We have 14 confirmed people going and 12 separate addresses!
That means 12 names in the hat!

[SteveSueMac]

I like it! Good luck!! [emoji3]

[crazeevw]

Originally Posted by Keyair

Oh, we tried every tack guys!

Both Moose and Cole were Rescue's, so we feel very strongly about it.
We also really would prefer a Mutt with a capitol M!
Too many purebred nightmares out there with health issues.

A Pitt or Amstaff mix is ok, and they are the ones that are being Euthanized every day.
As a bully breed lover/owner its hard.
For me, its heartbreaking looking at the emails I get every day from "Adoptapet", and knowing that some of the faces reaching out will not be adopted, and so dead within a couple of weeks.

Maybe you guy will understand what I am about to say....
I/We have been looking for that "Look" in the eye of our next dog. Moose had a way of looking at me with a projection of total love and commitment. You knew she would do anything I asked, and was obedient and smart. She stared into your eyes with rapt attention that was unmistakable.

Here is an example.


And her, the very first day we brought Cole home in 2009.


That is what we were looking for, and the new Dog has it. She is special, and we can feel it.

Truly LOVE, LOVE, LOVE both photos of Moose. Both you and Robyn are true animal LOVERS! Having those 4 legged critters in our lives makes our lives even more special, and bearable at times. Will be thinking of you next Saturday!

[Keyair]

So, Today, February 4th 2017 was the day that the Puppy was release for adoption. 11am was the time of teh draw, and her name is Latte.

We pooled our resources, and asked everyone to turn up who we know would be there for us.
We were there with 8 people in 3 cars as they opened the gate at 10am!

As the rest of the people rolled in from across 2 Counties, I made sure the registered and took the numbered chip.
Latte was only Speyed on Wednesday, so she was still in a Cone, but we were allowed to cuddle and interact with her for the first time.
By 10.45am there were 14 of us!

The Draw time came, and the Lady grinned, and asked i there was anyone there for Latte that was not with Us....

Nobody spoke, so she said Latte was our dog!
One of the group insisted they do the Lottery anyway, and a Neighbor was the Chip #1 that was pulled and every cheered!

Here is Team Latte!


Here is our New Pup in her crate on the way to her forever home!