Bentley-A New Vision On Life!

Bentley is a little 6-7 week old puppy that was brought to the shelter because no one wanted him. It was quickly discovered that Bentley had a vision impairment and finding a home for a "Special Needs Throw Away Baby" was not going to be easy, so we thought.

Two wonderful shelter friends, Anne Marie and Wayne, offered to foster Bentley and care for him until he found his new home. They only had him a few days before he went to his SPECIAL new home where he is loved and cherished.

See below to read of Bentley's wonderful new life. Thank you so much to everyone who gave Bentley a New Vision on Life!!

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Bentley- A Special Home for a Special Boy!

Finally providing the Bentley update that everyone has been looking for!

Bentley has been a welcomed addition to our already 5 animal home! He and our Golden Retriever, Nyah, instantly connected and absolutely adore each other. Nyah seems to be an even happier dog as the cats weren't the best playmates. Now with an active puppy in the home, Nyah gets all the playtime she wants! Bentley is equally as happy and gets over excited every morning when we let him out of his crate. He instantly runs to find Nyah and give her kisses!

They both enjoy playing in the snow in the backyard. Bentley usually looks for the deepest areas and then jumps around in circles. Hehe too cute!

It's been a bit too cold for Bentley to join Nyah on her walks however, we have had him out a couple of times and again, he really enjoys the snow! When Bentley isn't chasing Nyah around the house he can always be found cuddled up with mom or dad in a blanket getting his belly rubbed (his favorite!).

Overall, Bentley is adjusting very well at our home. While he does have some vision impairments he rarely bangs into things and navigates around the house with ease. His vision has not been a disabling factor for him at this point!

We feel so lucky that I unexpectedly ran into the SPCA on the day I did. While we had no intention of getting a new dog at that time, Bentley quickly stole our hearts and I can't imagine our lives without him now!

We will be sure to continue to provide updates and pictures of our beautiful boy!

Ashley & Robert

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Bentley and His New Family!

More pictures of Bentley having his first bath and loving his new home.

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Caesar a.k.a. Blue

Merry Christmas to everyone at the shelter.

I have attached a picture of Blue, formerly Caesar, who I adopted in August 2011. He is such a wonderful boy and although being completely deaf, his disability does not interfere with how we communicate with each other. He was assessed by a professional trainer who found few behavioral issues with him.

Blue frequently comes to work with me and snuggles into his blanket as he patiently waits. He dearly loves riding in the car and jumps into his kennel as soon as I open the door. He then starts to "talk" as we drive...it's quite funny as he has no pitch control in his voice.

Blue has gained over 6 pounds since being adopted and is in very good health especially now that he's been neutered and immunized. I wanted to thank you for all the tremendous work you do for so many helpless animals and for helping me adopt Blue when his outlook didn't seem so bright. I also would like to say that adopting a special needs pet was one of the best decisions I made.

Thank you again and I promise to bring him in for a little visit the next time we are passing through.
Cindy Sheppard

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Season's Greetings from Scamper

Hello everybody,
Just wanted to say Happy Holidays and let you know that Scamper is doing well! We have enclosed a few pictures for you. Most of Scamper - one in the fenced in backyard, one with me and a few of Scamper in his Christmas gear and laying on (my!) his favorite diva lounger.
Scamper gets a walk EVERY single day. It seems to be the highlight of his day... Quite a little sniffer he is! I do not think he is much of a winter dog. In the fall we emjoyed the backyard, but he does not like being alone in the backyard.
Apaarently Scamper does whine ( my son tells me) whenever I leave the house, good thing that is not very often. Although my son is in Halifax, Scamper seems to enjoy his visits. He will get to meet his sister when she comes home for Christmas.
We had an episode last week - he started whining - seemed in pain. Well a trip to the Vet revealed absessed anal glands - so now Scamper is on antibiotics. ( Did he have this previously?)
I am beginning to think that Scamper has a delicate nature - and maybe prone to depression - ( Or those eyes just get to me...:-) - he is also an independent guy. He decides when he wants to cuddle - not me!
He has two dog cousins who he gets along well with - and adores his "grandmother and grandfather" All the kids and dogs are getting together at Christmas..:-)
He still doe not trust other dogs when he is on a leash, but we are working on that.
All in all, Scamper is a joy in my life and great company. He is well cared for and comfortable. I hope to enjoy him for many CHristmases.
All the best to all of you. And thank you for Scamper!
Elayne

Scamper was a little dog that experienced a very traumatic incident with another dog while at our shelter. He lost his self confidence and did not do well after he recoved from his injuries. He became fearful and did not like being at the shelter. Thanks to our faithful shelter friends, we received donations to have Scamper transported to Nova Scotia to Atlantic Small Dog Rescue where he found his wonderful new home. Merry Christmas Scamper from your shelter friends!

Christmas with Joey aka Cody

I continue to be amazed at how easily Joey has adjusted to life with me. He such a wonderful companion! His personality has started emerging; he has a funny sense of humour! Last night we were "dancing" to Christmas music in the kitchen - in between dances he was jumping and wagging his tail. He is also the only creature in the entire world who loves to hear me sing (which makes me love him all the more, ha ha). He recently "hosted" his first dinner party where he charmed all of my guests and enjoyed the company of canine friend Pippin (a Bichon-Frise). Yes, he absolutely loves little dogs - the tinier the better - when I take him to one of Ottawa's off-leash dog parks he gravitates right towards the tiny dogs with his tail wagging - he finds them delightful!
His favourite activity continues to be walking the trails at the old mill that is near our house. Now that the snow has fallen, he loves to find deer tracks and wander through the bush following them. I've signed us up for skijoring lessons (cross-country skiing with the dog 'leading' the skier) - this should be interesting!
His initial skin condition (seborrhea) cleared up very quickly once he started eating nutritious food and his coat has come in so thick and healthy. When I take him for walks, children naturally gravitate towards him so that they can sink their little mitts into his fur. "Fluffy!" is the word we hear over and over again. Joey is very gentle with children and loves meeting adults. He enjoys his car rides and loves visiting the girls at the Tim Horton's drive-thru (although he gets special treats - not timbits - when we're in the drive-thru - I keep a bag in the glove compartment!)
Well, I should probably wrap this up as I currently have a pair of beautiful brown eyes looking at me in a rather mopey way - he knows we are going out in the car soon!

Shannon

Merry Christmas Joey and Shannon from the many people who are so thrilled to see his progress!!!!!

Cody

Cody was relinquished to our shelter as part of an investigation. His owner decided he would rather relinquish Cody, instead of having him professionally groomed.

His dirty, matted coat made him seem like a medium sized husky cross and his nose was extremely sore. Upon visiting our local vet, it was suggested that the nose problem could possibly be skin cancer, from the constant exposure from being outside as a chained dog, but without a biopsy she couldn’t be sure. We didn’t expect him to have a long lifespan and finding a home for him to live out his remaining time was going to be hard.

Cody’s blood work came back fine so we knew he was in reasonably good health other than his nose. We had him shaved and to our surprise a small Samoyed mix appeared. Oh did he ever feel good! But Cody wasn’t happy. He enjoyed his time with people but did not like being kept in a kennel for long periods of time. He seemed so sad. He needed out of the shelter!

When Kelli from Westminister Pet Sanctuary was contacted, she didn’t hesitate to say that she would help Cody. He had a place with them for whatever time he had left. Within a short time, he was winging his way to his foster home in Ottawa.We are happy to report that after further vet examination, Cody’s nose problem was diagnosed as UV Sensitivity from the long periods of exposure to the sun and was treatable.

Cody, who spent a life tied to a doghouse, severely matted and un-neutered finally knew the joys of curling up on a couch and enjoying human companionship. The little dog that stole everyone’s heart in our shelter also stole the heart of his new Mom Shannon. This is what makes rescue work so rewarding!!

Read about Cody's new life below!!!!

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Joey aka Cody

Hi Jewel,
Just wanted to provide the good folks at the Clarenville Area SPCA with an update on Joey (Cody), and say "thank you" for all your efforts on his behalf. He is such a wonderful dog! I knew he was special from the moment I saw his photos on the Westminster Pet Sanctuary site. How could a dog who had been treated so poorly still be brimming with so much joy?
Joey is just a perfect companion. He's sweet and gentle with my cats and he is a social butterfly when people are around. He loves his walks and going for rides in the car. I've jokingly given him the middle name "Velcro" because he's stuck to my side at all times! We start obedience classes next week and in the winter, we are going to take skijoring classes, which I think he's going to love!
Having worked for a brief time at an SPCA, I know that many times your work is thankless work. There must be days when you wonder if you are making a difference at all. Please know that you've made a huge difference in Joey's life - and in mine - I am looking forward to showering this wonderful companion with all the love he truly deserves!
Sincerely,
Shannon Mills

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Lacey, From Chained Onto A Dog House, To A Wonderful Life!

Hello Tina

Finally got a few photos of Lacey for you. Only took three years. She is doing very well, both physically and mentally. With good food and shelter, she grew a beautiful full coat and a big bushy tail. Her time with Glenn Redman helped her a lot; she no longer eats car interiors or hotel rooms. She actually stays in the house all day with the two cats with only minor casualties of pillows and the chesterfield skirt (I hated that chesterfield anyway)!
Thanks to you and to everyone who kept Lacey alive until we adopted her. She is very well loved (spoiled beyond redemption) and we can't imagine being without her!

Take care Linda & Wayne

The SPCA was called to report a dog and 2 young pups living chained to a dog house. The SPCA removed poor Lacey and her 2 pups from an old, tiny dog house. They were thin, and very dirty. The pups found homes, and Lacey stayed at the shelter for a few months. Lacey was a very difficult dog to handle, as a result of living outside chained to a dog house.

Lacey was eventually adopted out to the wonderful family that she has now. Lacey was a very difficult dog, who required much time, extreme amounts of patience and training, and a whole lot of love! Not to mention the fact that she cost her new owners alot of money replacing furniture, truck interiors, and too many other things to mention. The important part of this story is... That her family did whatever was necessary to train Lacey to become an acceptable member of their family. They loved her unconditionally and made Laceys life a life of love and patience! They did not give up on her! Today, she is happy, healthy, and living in a wonderful home where she is much loved!

Sheeba

Remember beautiful Sheeba, the young collie cross that you sent to us in renal failure?

Well I am THRILLED to announce after a year and a half, we found the MOST perfect, loving, home for her!

Her "forever family" adore her and say she is the best dog EVER, and bring much joy to their lives, and I know Sheeba gets that much joy and love back two-fold!

Her renal condition, has not worsened, nor has it gotten "better" of course, however she is just as lively and loving as the day she arrived.

Sheeba's new family, are aware that she requires a special diet for life, in addition to routine bloodwork/urine tests but do not mind one bit. We could not have found a more perfect home, and honestly her adoption, we consider is our "Adoption of the Year."

Although it was difficult to say good-bye to her from our Sanctuary, it made it so much less difficult after finding the most perfect home who loves her ''just because she is so wonderful."

I just had to share the joyous news with you..even though tears stream down because we miss her, they are also tears of pure joy for Sheeba and her new family.

Kelli
Westminster Pet Sanctuary
www.westminsterpetsanctuary.com

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