Ontario Aussie Success Stories

Newton

2012-03-06T12:09:00.000-05:00

Maddie our Austrailian cattle dog lost her best friend Rigel (Aussie/border collie cross) in the fall of 2010. She was heartbroken after 8 years of Rigel being her best friend. We swore we would not rush into anything and then I came across the ARPH in Ontario. I fell in love with Newton instantly. I only hoped that Maddie would feel the same way. We drove 3 1/2 hours to meet Newton and Maddie instantly feel in love as well. They are inseparable and love to play cattle dog games. Maddie has even taught Newt to herd the local cows.

Cindy and Rick

Lilly!

2012-02-17T00:01:00.003-05:00

This is Lilly, she was rescued from a puppy mill in Ohio. She was 10 months old when I met her at her foster mom, Nina's house. As soon as I saw those beautiful eyes I knew she was for me. I soon found out she was a bottomless pit. Stealing off counters and plates when she thought no one was looking. As I got to know Lilly better I started to notice she was very nervous of strange dogs and began to act aggressively towards them.

Luckily with the help of a couple of private lessons and continued group lessons at Mccann's dog school we have learned how to deal with her issues but it is something we work on everyday. I am pleased to say that today Lilly is the most lovable and well behaved dog (no more stealing)! She knows all her commands and lots of fun tricks. She has completed grade 4 and will be moving on to agility next. She is a bundle of energy. I believe that the name Bounce would have suited her better! We love going on long walks and swims with her doggie friends. Her two loves are water and tennis balls. She has tons of fun diving into the pond. And she keeps herself busy by rolling her ball off a couch or down stairs than chasing it and starting it all over again. Lilly lives with two kitties and a 12 year old weimaraner that she loves and totally respects. I love coming home to that happy face and wiggly bum. Lilly has been more fun than I could have ever imagined. She is the aussie I was waiting for.

Amanda

Maggie

2012-01-11T06:23:00.000-05:00

This is Maggie with my son Ben. We adopted Maggie back in November 2010 when she was 4 1/2 months old.

She's very smart and listens most of the time (I do need to spend more quality time training her). She and Ben get into all kinds of trouble together, but it's mostly Ben's fault. ;)

She drives our 16 year old cat a bit crazy at times. The cat is not so much into playing with her and Maggie thinks she is the boss of him, but really, I think the cat is the boss of her. heehee

She doesn't like it when people move around really fast and do 'dangerous' things, so sledding this time of year is a bit of a gong show if she's outside. She 'watches' from the window instead, barking her head off. The trainer said the only thing we can really do is offer her something better.... But really...... what could possibly be better to her than her boy racing down the hill in the front yard on a piece of plastic, screaming his head off at speeds that boys shouldn't be going (according to her)?? It's dangerous, don't you know. She has to protect him from such things.

At the bus stop, she doesn't like it when the kids get too rowdy and is a good excuse to get them to settle down. ;) She sometimes knocks the little ones over when she wags, not just her tail, but her entire back end because she's so excited to see them.

Her favourite things are tummy rubs, playing 'Find Ben' inside and outside (she's really good at tracking him down which we figure will come in handy should he ever get lost while we're camping) and running around the yard. She loves when she runs into some of her doggie friends from the neighborhood, regardless of whether they are her same size or just the size of her head. She loves fetching and running with sticks in the winter and balls in the summer. She's also a very good soccer goalie.

And that is Maggie. :)

Rumor-has-it!

2012-01-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

This is not a story about a adopted dogs success, this is not a story of a poor neglected dog, it is not a story about bad beginnings. No, not at all. This is a story about my own success, my own achievements, my own happiness. Why then post here? Why write at all? Well the answer is a short one.....RUMOR.

We use the terminology "I adopted" a dog, well in this case only in a literal sense, Rumor really adopted me. I already had an almost two year old Aussie, one when I got her thought I am NEVER getting a puppy again! She was crazy, hyper, eater of everything loved (glasses, phones,books...). BUT around one and half the itch hit and I really thought Syd was not meant to be an "only" dog, she needed a buddy. With Syd I started many new things I had only heard about, we did obedience and agility and walks at the dog park. So with a new dog I wanted to do all of these things with us. I knew I wanted to "rescue" a dog, I wanted to rescue a dog when I got Syd but unfortunately was turned down (by another organization) because I didn't have a fenced in yard. My mother actually was the one who had heard about ARPH and put me onto them. I filled out an application and waited. I was SURE I wanted a male dog around one-didn't I? Well after a bit of a wait I was sent a picture of a dog..see below. REALLY- this dog needs a home? This dog needs me? well I guess I could meet her.

The rest as they say is history, I made arrangements to go and meet the foster family and the puppy. I fell in love from the first second this little red/brown lump tripped into my lap. Not only did I fall in love with her, I fell I love with her foster family and very please to say I consider them some of my closest friends and we continued our rescue adventure together.

More about Rumor; well Syd fell in love too, she adopted her as her own and (hind sight) loves her a little to much. The puppy started agility at 16 weeks and gave me an opportunity to really LEARN about dogs and the way they learn and all new ways that help a dog develop. Rumor at the beginning was a quick learner but really not all that enthusiastic. I am not sure exactly when that changed, but it did! Oh My! she is enthusiastic now! She loves agility, she is fast, she is crazy, a wild scream that there is no doubt who has just entered the ring, assuming that she can sit at the start line (work in progress) she quivers with excitement. She has offered me something that no other dog could have, although sometimes I get frustrated, she is destined to be one amazing agility dog. One that has taken me on a learning journey; present problem-search for solution-execute-and start all over again. Because of Rumors drive to work she has given us the opportunity to go to amazing clinics and workshops, we are are searching for the next thing to learn. We learned to DockDive together, we have learned to Skijor together, we have learned tricks together, we have learned patience (well I have-sort of) together. Our next adventure is a Disc seminar in February. So at two years old (heading towards her third birthday) Rumor has ADC (Agility Dog of Canada), SGDC (Starters Game Dog of Canada), and a novice DockDog title.

You would think this is a hard dog to live with? Nope, she is what has been coined an Anti-Aussie in the house, she just finds a place to curl up and goes to sleep, she cuddles and her nub wags in excitement to meet you. Very easy dog to live with (good thing as her sister is still crazy, hyper, eater of everything loved). She is not without her problems, she requires care around new dogs and easily aroused in what she thinks is exciting places, this isn't because she is a rescue this is because she is who she is. And although a challenge has afforded me an opportunity to learn.

At the beginning I started off in saying this is about my success, and reading you must wonder what I was talking about? Through the adoption of Rumor I have been given a connection to rescue and a very short time after her adoption I began fostering for ARPH. I have met through the rescue amazing people, people that I can only attempt to model myself by. People that are trainers, that are rescuers, people that are incredibly dedicated to the care and wellness of animals. I have been given the opportunity to truly become involved, I have made connections with people through our animals. I have learned and am still learning, these animals no matter what their beginnings are some of the best teachers there are. The animals have taught me patience, gentleness and sometimes forgiveness. If this small soul can give humanity another chance, can I not learn to forgive people as well?

I have learned that rescue is a amazing community of people that from all walks of life can be united under one cause. Everyone no matter how small, or big the contribution lends to the community and creates an environment on inclusion. This is my success, I have contributed, I feel that I am part of something bigger then myself, and I have the opportunity to meet people that I never would have before. For this I am Thankful that Rumor came into my life. I truly am the lucky one and she has rescued me.

A Cinder-ella Story

2012-01-02T11:45:00.003-05:00

ACinder-ella Story

It isonly fitting that this success story is posted today as it is a special day forme , exactly one year ago yesterday marked a very special and exciting momentin my life, a dog that I had been fostering for many months under her own steamoff leash approached another person! Why my excitement? Why is this a big deal?

Well somebackground, Cinders came to us from a hoarding situation, she with others werebrought into rescue and although each dog had its challenges and it’sdifficulties to overcome Cinders was a dog that just could not trust people. Shequickly loved her foster Mom’s but even when they would meet again she had ahard time engaging them unless she was left alone with them. She would bark at anyone new in her space orhide from them. We all did what we could; we loved her as she wanted to beloved. We had to accept that she was a dog that needed time to adjust to everything, potty training, eating alone, taking food from hands. She went to all kinds of events and training classes to help with socialization,she was walked in public places and training in home. Through the efforts ofmany amazing volunteers she was worked with either through their help infostering or socialization and training.

So whenCinders decided at an Aussie event that she would go up to someone thatalthough she had met many times before had never been able to overcome her fear and sit next to her there were cheersfor joy and promises of Champagne! As a rescuer this really was one of most momentousevents, one that brought tears of joy to my eyes. This little animal that oncefeared humans with good reason has decided that she truly could overcome herfear of the unknown. Although this was one small step, one that followed manysmall steps before this will be a moment in time I will always remember.

The Happilyever After?

Shortlyafter this day a wonderful adopting family decided that they wanted to takethis lovely little girl into their home, issues and all. I could not have handselected a better home for Cinders. Here with their permission here is their mostrecent update and picture;

Justthought we'd send along some Xmas wishes to you and yours from Cinders. She isdoing really well! She is up to 38lbs. and is very trustworthy in the house, no accidents since about early May. We don't crate her forwork but we leave her in our bedroom (she loves the bed!) with the door closed(the room is dog-proofed) and she is excellent!

For shortdurations, she has the run of the house and generally greets us at the doorwith excited squirms and wiggles--no jumping! It's hard to believe that it hasbeen almost 1 yr. since we started the process.

We haveabsolutely no regrets! She is a perfect little lady, with some social issues(still very timid but......not terrified as before, and still requires coaxingbut...she'll stay in the room now with company and doesn't get too excited ifsomeone approaches, she just lays there calmly although a little uncomfortablybut much much better). Christine says she's (Cinders) a bit of a diva (actuallyshe says "sex pot") and she sure is beautiful.

Thanksagain and have a Happy New Year as well

Dan &Christine & Cinders (of course)

Chloe

2011-12-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is Chloe's birthday, and we thought you might appreciate an update. Well, we decided that December 1st is Chloe's birthday. She came to us approximately 7 years ago and we thought she was about one year old then, so it's hard to believe, but she's about to be 8! Comet, her Aussie brother, is 10 1/2!

They are still both fit as a fiddle and doing great. They love their long walks in the forest here in Haliburton, and swimming in our lake. Chloe's really more of a wader than a swimmer, but she really enjoys it nonetheless. Her absolute favourite thing is a boat ride on the lake, and we have to spell the words "boat ride" or else she expects one. Pronto.

Thanks again to both of you for bringing us together with Chloe. We're lucky to have her! Thought you might like to see a few recent photos..... the snowy ones are from today. It's a winter wonderland here now!

Rags to Riches!

2011-11-07T07:47:00.000-05:00

Rags to Riches

The year after my Australian Kelpie has passed away, we decided it was time for another dog. I searched and searched on the web every day for one that would fit our family. I found ARPH web site and did more re-search about the breed, since we didn't know anyone who has an Aussie.

We herd their nick name could be "Velcro" that is what we like and love. So we adopted an Aussie in Oct 2009, he's true to nick name "Velcro". He lays his head on my chest, legs or any part of my body or my husband, he just "stick" to us. So we decided to adopt another Aussie so he can have a brother to play with. I had been communicated with an ARPH Representative, and she worked hard to find the perfect Aussie for us. We were email and told us there will be few Aussie’s from US and the right dog for us was believed to be coming. We are so happy! Couldn't wait for the day arrive.

This is Bonza, he came into our house on Jan 13 2010 at 11:35 pm with an Ontario Volunteer. The volunteer transported Bonza (formerly Luther) along with 3-5 other Aussies from a "back yard breeder". He was scared; he just stayed in the corner of the front door of the house. My husband tried to coax him out of the corner from few feet away by holding treats in his hand but Bonza would not move, our other Aussie bring toys and tries to initiate play. But all of this made him huddle to the wall more. So I told my husband give him time to settle down a bit. We brought him water but he wouldn't drink, after 30 minutes he's move away from the wall and lay down. My husband put his hands out with a piece of meat (left-over steak) for him to sniff and eat. He slowly reach for the steak and nibble at it, my husband back off and do the same so we can draw him away from the corner. After 4th time, he let my husband & I touched and patted him on his head and back. Boy, oh boy! When my hand ran down his back, he's just bones underneath his fur. I think his weight was around 27 pounds. His pads on his paws had no callouses, if he when outside to do his business, the compacted snow-ice would cuts his paws. We bought balloon "Paws" to put on him. My red tri "Barnacle" would bring his toys and tried to make him play with him, but he just looked at Barnacle like he's crazy and walked away.

That was 2010 but look at him now! He's no longer a scare little dog. He weighs in at 30 kg and big broad chest with long mane like a "body builder". He LOVES his toys, he would rather play with his toys then eat. We couldn’t be happier with him!

We Love these Boyz, and they Love us. I would adopt more if I have room for them. They're wonderful dogs.

Cheers!

-Twee

Chip

2011-08-07T20:32:00.000-04:00

Chip’s Story

The day we met Chip he was a happy go lucky Aussie like most 9 month olds.

He was a little traumatized, well not a little more like he had the worst start in life tied up most of the time with little to no attention.

Driving home after picking him up he sat in Brigitte’s lap all the way home, she mentioned micro chipping and his ears went up and his head turned to the side so she named him Chip (much better than Motor)……..lol….I don’t think he seen so many cars before, with everyone passing he would follow it, if he kept it up he would of gotten whiplash……lol…… Our first night fostering Chip he spent on our bed (Another Aussie Blanket)….lol…. and he stayed on the bed the whole night.... A few days later in the van Chip seen a couple walking by and he went buzzurk going from front to back barking at them, it was like our very own car alarm but we were in the van, there not suppose to go off until you’re out of the van…lol….

Chip has this look and it’s like he has a smile on his face all the time. Over the next few days Chip came more and more out of his shell and started showing us what he loved to do most and that was play ball none stop, he even puts it in your lap. He’s even happy when you drop on the floor, whatever toy he places in your lap, it’s like all he cares about is that your giving him attention and he’s happy. He got our neighbor playing ball with him. Chip brings the ball over to the fence and stands up and drop the ball in his hands.

Chip was scared, like any rescue. He didn’t want you to touch his rear end, he’d lower his butt every time we tried to touch it, we kind of made it into a game thing when we would touch his back end and now Chip just looks at you with his smile and goes on.

Chip wakes me up every night around the same time by putting his head on the bed and sneezing to wake me up and let him out, and if the grass is wet forget about him going. He’s the only Aussie who doesn’t like to get his paws wet…..lol…

Like Razor, Chip just fit in with us so we just had to add him to the family.

So now we wake up with a Chipper smile.

By: Ed Eldridge (Foster and Forever Home)

Razor

2011-08-07T20:18:00.000-04:00

Razor’s Journey

The day I met Razor at the shelter he was scared and didn’t know what was going on, all he knew was nobody wanted him. At first he didn’t want anything to do with me and well a few treats later and he was ready to go outside in the cold for a walk. The drive home was a long one, all I could think of was this scared and a little over weight Aussie who just wanted to be loved, a few days later it was time to pick him up and bring him home.

The first couple days fostering him was some of the funniest, we have one of those large floor pillows and Razor would walk up to it and knock it over so he could lay down, it didn’t matter where it was he would knock it over so he could lay down….lol…he would even push it around so he could see us and watch T.V…. Razor attached himself to our son Dillan for the first couple weeks; where ever he went Razor was following, night time Dillan had to sleep in a ball because Razor took the whole bottom of the bed. Razor even lets Dillan puts Basketball Shorts and Jerseys on him, Razor’s the first ARPH Basketball Player.

Over time Razor started following me and it didn’t matter where in the house if there was a door between us Razor was whining and if he couldn’t come with me he would go and pout in the corner or the screen door and watch for me and he’d stay there until I came home, treats would bring him out but as soon as he was done back in the corner or door to pout he’d go. So now all I have to do is look or touch him when he’s cuddling with the kids and he comes running. Razor is one of the most loving affectionate Aussie’s and is my shadow.

Because Razor fitted in to our family we knew he had to stay.

To this day Razor whines, pouts, and gives the saddest looks if he can’t come with me.

By: Ed Eldridge (Foster and Forever Home)

Charlie ~ARPH 11036~

2011-08-07T07:34:00.000-04:00

Charlie started his ARPH journey on May 20^th 2010 he was a very scared and not a trusting aussie he laid down up against the wall growling and watching every move I made I couldn’t within 10ft of him without his hackles coming up and I had to toss treats to him. It took about an hour of this before he would even allow me to stand beside him and walk around outside, you could see he just wanted to bolt and there was no trust, but there was something in his eyes. My first report on him was not the greatest and from what everyone said he wasn’t a good candate for ARPH, but I kept thinking about what I seen in his eyes and I just had to go back and see him. The second visit went much better, it was like wait a minute this human came back to see me and his personality came flying out.

When he came home to foster he attached himself to Razor and the two became close friends they went out together they played together herding each other Charlie herded more than Razor but they did everything together.

Charlie showed his loyalty, intelligence, trainability and enthusiasm for everything he did. He laid beside me in my lap each night watching TV and playing with the kids. Charlie showed his resilience the first day and each day after the first visit all it took was showing him love and compation and each day he came more and more out of his untrusting shell. Charlie showed respect to my Aussie’s and didn’t try to dominate them he knew who was who in the pack.

It didn’t take long before his forever home came calling, he showed off playing with everyone. Charlie now loves herding the horses each morning and keeps them together. Charlie now is a complete gentleman and showing off for people at home, petting, cuddling and laying in his forever homes lap watching TV.

Charlie has done a complete 180 and has come from an Aussie who didn’t want anything to do with you to showing what a true loving Aussie he has become.

By Ed Eldridge (Foster Home) and Louise Michener (Forever Home)

Tonka and Lilah

2011-08-05T08:35:00.000-04:00

Tonka is currently 8, he was adopted when he was 3 (2006). Tonka came into ARPH after having been tied out for an extended period….. He emigrated to Canada from the United States (with ARPH) and found his forever home here with us. He likes to play the training game and has dabbled in obedience and rally, agility, skijoring and most recently is trying his hand at treiball. He likes just hanging with his humans either on the couch or on a great hike in the scent filled forest.

Lilah is 5 years old, our first foster dog for ARPH and our first failure as fosters. She arrived in our home in July of 2007 at one and a half after having been in rescue for an extended period of time. She was found as a stray at around the age of 6 months. Lilah is athletic, interested in the world and excitable. As a double merle both her sight and hearing are affected to some extent, but both are functional for every day life. She doesn’t know she has different capabilities. Her limited vision (greater difficulty with tracking movement, limited field of vision) mean that her best activities are RallyO, Skijoring, playing scent games and tracking. Tracking is her favorite for sure, it allows her to use her fantastic doggy nose which inevitably leads her to food, a person with food or the possibility of food … her favorite.

Foster

2011-07-14T00:07:00.000-04:00

Hello,

The attached picture is of Foster (formerly known as Chad) whom we adopted in May 2009. At that time, he was living in foster care with Ginette in Ottawa. He's a real great dog, full of beans, and curious about everything he sees, the world is truly his oyster. He plays really well with his older (but smaller) sister, Bindi, who is a Mini Aussie.

All in all, Foster has been a wonderful addition to our family. Feel free to share his story on your Website!

Best Regards,

Tim Phelan& Karen Taylor

Gibson

2011-07-13T23:59:00.000-04:00

We are a foster family for ARPH, and have seen a number of dogs come and 
go. However, in October of 2009, we had a real little cutie come our 
way, and we could not stand to see him go.

A lovely young lady, who had herself already adopted a dog through us, 
came across an add announcing that there was a dog an owner wanted to 
get rid of. Something about the add made her a little uneasy, so, even 
though she was not looking to adopt another dog, she decided to go see 
for herself. There she found sweet little Gibson, crammed into a cat 
crate that wasn't even big enough for him to stand up in, muzzled 
tightly and the crate had been left in a dark room with a blanket on it 
- probably to muffle out his cries. His left eye was completely 
bloodshot - which my vet said was due to someone repeatedly banging him 
on the head - and he was starving. We brought him in my home, and 
watched as he furiously ate his dinner - earning him the nickname 
"Gobbling Gibson." Luckily, we saved him on time. Gibson was still very 
loving and trusting of people and had a naturally gentle disposition. 
Due to malnutrition, he had close to 0% bone density, so we put him on a 
high calcium diet with raw dog food to give him the extra nutrition he 
so desperately needed. Now it is 6 months later, and he has grown to be 
such a loyal dog, following me every where I go. He loves going out for 
walks and socializing with everyone at the dog parks.
 
Thanks!
Michele

Clooney

2011-07-13T23:53:00.000-04:00

Hi,

It's hard to believe that Clooney has only been with us one week. He has adjusted so nicely has already made our family so happy. He is sweet and affectionate, well-mannered, and handsome too! He gets compliments on his behavior and good looks from everyone who meets him.

We all have our routines with him and he seems to be happy and "at home". He is a great companion to me around the house and I so enjoy our daily long walks through the woods. The girls love playing with him and we laugh our heads off at his entertaining ways. He is very smart and picks things up so quickly, be it training or game playing. Dave is a frisbee player and came in the house yesterday all excited:"He caught his first frisbee!!". It was like your child rode their first bicycle; so cute.

I get great pleasure at seeing my family so happy and he is a most welcome addition to our family. We will always be grateful to you at ARPH for bringing us all together.

Love,

Carolyn Kilgus and family

Tess

2011-07-13T23:48:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is the picture of our wonder dog Tess. If you wish, you can use the following text for the Aussie Rescue site.

Our adoption of Gossip, now known as Tess has been pure joy right from the very start. She slept through the 6 hour journey from Ottawa to St. Catharines and has ajusted very quickly to her new home. She is best friends to her older brother Gabe (our pound puppy) and the two cats, Swizzle and Smudge. Recently, she was the star of obedience level one, even making us look good. The plan for summer is to begin Agility which should keep her entertained and out of trouble.

Tess is a sweet girl, as smart as they come and shows the best Aussie bum wiggle upon any return home. She has been a loving additon to our family and we look forward to many years of that special Aussie charm. Our sincere appreciation to all those who took part in helping us find our special girl.

David and Karen.