Sophie has come a long way

in 2008 I was found in Gatineau by Hopeful hearts. My first adopted family became my forever home. I read this and cant imagine how far I have come since those dark days.

Sophie

Sophie is a sweet little spaniel cross, about 7-8 yrs old, who came to Hopeful Hearts with the help of a caring group outside of Ottawa. She is a sweet little darling who is coming into her own very nicely although when she was found, she was a complete wreck. Sophie will be having her spay in early January due to just finishing a heat and her teeth will be taken care of at the same time. Sophie does have mammary tumors but these will be examined during her surgery for any hint of cancer and if so, removed. Sophie is a darling little girl who is currently settling in very well in her very loving foster home and would like to one day have a family to call her own.

Dogs as teachers

Many of you misunderstand us dogs. You think that all you have to do is feed us, or take us for a walk and we have no real purpose other than to please you. If you think that, I am sorry because we are sent here to teach you. Yes teach you. Both of us are writing this blog!

My name is Sophie and most of my life was lived in fear and I was abused. A hand to me meant someone would strike me and I often cowered and screamed. 2 years ago, my life changed when I began to live with Karine and Cyril. Oh I was afraid, and yes I squealed but after almost two years I trust, and I look forward to being kissed and cuddled. I love having my own beds and being valued. I came with the gift of love. I taught Karine and Cyril that I loved them and that meant that I trusted them with my life. I am always happy to see them but more importantly I am deeply grateful for my new life and the faith they showed in me. You see, they showed me faith and patience and I rewarded them with love. My gift is to show love and gratitude. Even the neighbours see it and claim I shine like the sun with happiness. I show people that it is possible to be happy even if you have a bad start in life and a lot of painful memories.

My name is Bubba and in truth I am not really a dog. I have a dog's body but my mind is far above most of my kind. I seem to have an uncanny ability to sense things and to communicate. Karine and Cyril understand this. I can tell if someone needs my attention and I worry for people. I really do. Life for me is not just about treats and walks. I love Sophie but honestly, brains???? Life for me is only meaningful when in service. I am only truly happy when I am assisting other people, be it in hospitals or stopping to chat with the elderly on my street. My gift, my lesson, is the gift of service.

So next time you see a dog, don't see it just as a 'dog' but rather a little furry teacher with a unique and special gift to teach you. Trust us, it will make you a better human!


Bubba and Sophie

Hallowe'en approaches

Hallowe'en can be a lot of fun for adults and children alike. My mother, Karine loves it and loves to dress up, as you can see she even has accomplices for her pleasure. As fun as Hallowe'en is there are a lot of dangers for us dogs.

The first is that people come to the door with sticks and masks and guns. I don't know about you, but my basic watchdog 101 course has told me, that people coming to the door with a gun and a bag...means trouble, so I will bark. I don't know if it is a real threat or not, so the entire night I am worried. I hope Karine gives me some herbal relaxing medicine or even puts me in the study while this is going on. It is very stressful for us!

The second problem with Hallowe'en is the treats. This is more applicable to Sophie who loves food. Hallowe'en treats, the chocolates especially are poisonous to us. Keep them away from us! They taste good, we will over indulge but unlike you, we might die or get seriously ill!

The third problem with Hallowe'en from a dog's point of view is the door that opens and closes...if I perceive a serious threat I will run out the door! I don't know who or what I will meet out there! Vampires, dog killers, wild people....it is pretty scary out there with flaming pumpkins, ghostly sounds and hoards of costumed invaders with weapons.

Enjoy Hallowe'en but think of us too. Keep us safe!


Bubba

Dogs in Church

Today Sophie and Bubba attended a blessing of the animals service at Mt. Calvary church. Bubba has been to church before and sat on a pew and slept through most of the service, peering on occasion to see what new dogs entered the church. Bubba is like many church goers, he goes for the social interaction.

Sophie on the other hand was fascinated. She sat beside me on the pew and watched everything. She was fascinated as Duffy did the service with her huge malamute beside her. Sophie found Jack the malamute very handsome. Sophie enjoyed the music but did not sing but was especially pleased because church has treats. Not only music but treats and food and a chance to interact again.

For the most part, the dogs were very good. At first they were uncertain and gradually as the service went on the dogs calmed down. The choice of hymns and psalms no doubt assisted!

Sophie received her blessing with the help of a cookie, and Bubba assisted a rather nervous little daschund to calm down. Bubba is such a relaxed little soul that he can calm down the most tense and anxious of situations!

There were pugs, hounds, daschunds, little miniature poodles, malamutes, corgies and other assorted dogs including lhasa apsos!

Sophie was excited to be in church. It was new, it was welcoming. She found the pew a little narrow but managed. She loved the fellowship and especially the lemon cake. Sophie is very fond of lemon cakes. Bubba refused all dog treats but did condescend to nibble on a maple cookie and partake of some lemon cake.

The idea of the service was to bless the animals and to allow us to thank God for letting us share our lives with them but I think that animals could have a much larger role in church. It was not only Sophie who enjoyed fellowship but so did the people. Having a dog relaxes people and gives them other things to chat about than the weather or their health concerns. Dogs lift us out of the mundane and show us that there is a big bright world out there as Sophie will tell you. The world is full of people to meet, things to discover, and of course lemon cake.

Why not have services where dogs are allowed? I am sure it would bring many people to church, some lonely and others who would appreciate the soft touch of a furry paw on a Sunday morning.

Sophie has told me that she would gladly join a church, as long as there are treats, good music and people...count her in!

The perils of good looks

Most women glow when complimented and told they are pretty! When I am told how pretty I am I have to admit I smile inside but I know my beauty came at a terrible price!

I spent the better part of my life in a dank and dingy place forced to breed because my captors thought I would make cute puppies. I finally escaped, I don't remember how that happened. All I remember was I was in a lot of pain and was not used to walking so my legs hurt a lot. I was terrified of people and lunged at them. I was all matted with tumors and rotted teeth. No one wanted me and I could not explain to them that I really was a good girl! Thankfully, I was found by Amanda who contacted Hopeful Hearts who got me connected with Karine and Cyril. I was to be 'fostered' but they adopted me and had my tumors removed and my teeth fixed. I was pain free and had a great smile to boot!

That was about two years ago. I am a new dog today, happy, no more pain when I walk, tumor free and I accept people. However whenever I hear "What a beautiful dog" I smile, but I also shudder a little. I was abused because of my pretty face. What is beauty anyways?

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy compliments but compliment me on my behaviour or my calm temperament rather than something so shallow, and in my case do destructive as my 'looks'. If you are thinking of living with a dog, remember we are MUCH more than a pretty face!

What a new Haircut can do! Hooray for short hair!

As a long haired dog, I have spent most of my time worried about my hair. I like when it flys in the wind, but it gets tangled in weeds, or snow gets in my toes, it is very hard to keep up. It gets matted, I worried about sticks and bugs, it was constant chore!

When I was younger my hair was pulled a lot and it hurt and now at 10 years of age, I have decided that no one is going to comb my hair. My Mom tried by feeding me treats but I know it will hurt.

My Mom took me to a groomer and they shaved my hair. Yep, I look like a labrador puppy...fuzzy and short haired. At first I was in shock...I was used to my long hair, it gave me a certain look of mystery...of auburn beauty. Once I left the groomer I waited until my Mom saw me. She was thrilled.

I look younger, I am more energetic and I can let my Mom cuddle me. I am no longer afraid and I have come to really enjoy being stroked and caressed. I always wanted to be affectionate but was so afraid of having my hair pulled, it stopped me. I now walk with a bounce in my step, people think I am a puppy. A lady never tells her real age but I am about 10 years old...so no puppy!

If you have never experienced the freedom of having your long draggy hair cut, trust me it is a life changing experience. With my new short cut, I am really a new dog. I have gone from being fearful to affectionate and sweet. I have become the dog I always knew I was.

I would have cut my own hair but I can't hold a pair of scissors in my paw and I have no idea how to use a shaver.

There is nothing like a trip to the hairdresser to make me feel like a new woman!

Heatwaves and dogs,,,calling all people!!!

These past few days have been so hot that my mother has not taken me on any meaningful walks. I don't blame her, I have a short nose and find the heat and humidity too much for me.

I hope that other humans are sensible. We dog's don't sweat apart from our feet and the only way we keep cool is by panting. Try panting sometimes, it works but in the high humidity is not efficient.

I am a Tibetan watchdog and I am genetically bred for the mountains of Tibet. This heat is better suited for a Mexican dog...those Taco bell things...you know hairless....

If you are hot, think of how we feel!! Always carry cool water for us...and lots of it. (I like a slight hint of lemon in mine!) and make sure that we don't walk too far even though we may want to. The backyard is just fine when it is 40 degrees.

As I write this I am lying down on the floor..even my bed is too hot. My house is air conditioned but I blame my heat intolerance on my genetic background and Tibetan bloodline. I am a mountain explorer...I am not a sun worshiper who wears cool shades and sits by the pool all day.

Talk to you later!