happy endings

Welcome to our Happy Endings page. On this page we will celebrate the many adoptions we make every month. If you have a story to tell about an animal you've adopted from us, please e-mail it to adoptions@uppercredit.com or drop it off at the shelter. Submissions will be edited to remove last names, phone numbers, addresses, etc. Otherwise they appear exactly as submitted.

Queenie stops by for a visit

Queenie is an older dog who spent quite a lot of time at the shelter before she was adopted. She and her owners dropped by the shelter recently for a visit. Queenie told us that she is very content at her new home and that her owners learned to follow her instructions very quickly. She enjoyed visiting the shelter but loves her new happy home.

“21” …. A game of chance…..?

I heard of an amazing family, by chance, that I just had to meet. The family moved to the country and bought their dream home and were not upset to discover that the previous owners had left ‘a couple ‘of barn cats behind. In their opinion, the cats were a great addition to their family and new home and would stay on the property.

Then ……Spring arrived and the “couple of cats” had, to their surprise, blossomed into “kittens galore”!. The “couple” of cats left by the previous owners had been unspayed barn cats and they had been “busy” – the “few” had become 21!

Even the biggest cat lover in the world might feel overwhelmed by being presented with 21 unplanned cats and this would be viewed as a problem. Now what were the family’s options?

Option 1: The first was to do nothing which would have been a disaster for both people and cats. This appears to be the option of most in case you wonder how feral cats come to be – in other words let this problem becomes someone else's.

Option 2: The family could have let it be and brought all the kittens and future kittens each mating season to the shelter. This would just pass on the problem to others requiring the Shelter to find more foster homes to house the kittens (kittens are not integrated with the adult cats at the shelter because their immune systems are not in full gear and often there is simply not enough room). They would also require feeding, medicating, spaying, neutering, vaccinating and lastly the huge task of finding loving homes for each.

---The Upper Credit Humane Society is not government funded and survives on community donations and kitten season is a large drain on already challenged funds.---

AND…..

Option 3 : Become guardian angels…and that is the route the family chose. They became the guardian angels to each and every cat/kitten. They spayed/neutered and vaccinated every single one of them from their own pockets….this in itself is an amazing feat.

I had to meet this wonderful family….and what did I find? They have 21 healthy cats, have eased the pressure of kitten season at the shelter, and have eliminated a feral cat community in their neighbourhood.

Upon arrival….no mistake here…. there are 21 cats! However, what made me smile ear to ear is that their names are listed on a piece of paper posted to the kitchen wall.

The cats are all beautiful, not too skinny, not too fat, just healthy and appealing. There is a deaf one, a 3 legged one which has 1 blue eye and 1 green eye. There were black/white, tabby, patchy, you name it, this family of felines has it!.

But wait….things got even better, those ‘barn’ cats that want to are allowed to roam the home freely. The cleanliness and odour free condition of the home is what left an impression on me – difficult with one cat, 21 almost unattainable but this family has achieved this hard to reach goal…..and the house was immaculate!

In addition the family provides heat and even kitty litter boxes in the barn for the cats that are too skittish to come into the home. There were scratching posts, beds, blankets…. It was an uplifting experience to visit the family and the obviously happy inhabitants.

Perhaps the most moving thought of all is that these people were not wealthy people not in the sense that the world understands wealth (Dollars) but are indeed wealthy in spirit and generosity in that they, and they alone, took on someone else’s “thrown away leftover cats”) and showed the wealth of spirit they possess by making these “leftovers” this colony of 21 their own little family community.

On behalf of the UCHS we salute your endeavours and thank you from our hearts for your selflessness, kindness and for taking on so much responsibility to help little creatures that cannot help themselves.

The Power of Love: or how to Grow a Tail!

Just one look at Shaggy (as he was called at that time) made your heart bleed, who on earth was going to adopt this dear boy - hearts saddened just looking at him. The answer to this question came fairly swiftly and suddenly when one of our dedicated dog walkers saw him, felt the pulse of that dear heart, and after consultation with her family and input from the resident canine Tess, decided that Shaggy had a new home.

Would the meeting between Shaggy and Tess go well.....yes it did .....so soon, very soon, Shaggy became Clancy and the much loved new family member of the household. Dr. John of Caledon found that Clancy had hypothyroidism and eight month's later a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome was also made. Thank goodness Clancy was absolutely positively "home" because these medical conditions require lifetime meds for both, but this in no way daunted his new family and he has been with them now for just over 2.5 years. It seems that poor Clancy looked much worse than the first photo for a while: less hair all over, awful scabby skin, and the tail was just a stick with half a dozen white hairs on the tip.

Looking at the picture of Clancy today, and knowing the wonderful life he has had since adoption, and the love he has given and received, we are so happy that we can print this success story of a wonderful but challenged canine who has showed fortitude throughout the ordeal of abandonment, physical discomfort exacerbated by Shelter stress, Vet visits, proddings and diagnosis all now things of the past as he struts his stuff proudly on "his" rural property with his canine friend Tess.

Once again we have proved that love, companionship and the right home and family can make a canine go from "neglected" to positively blooming which we can all see as Clancy proudly posed so all can see the handsome dog he has become.

Clancy thanks his family for the wonderful years he has had with them and looks forward to many more and now his "tail" is so bushy, he feels it is time his "tale" was told.

Judith-Anne Kolu,

UCHS Volunteer

Dear friends,

Well I have been in my new home now for over a month and I am so happy with my new family. I have a very cute boyfriend, Sampson, that has been very nice about sharing his toys and beds with me, oh and the couch too! We have a whole big box full of toys to play with and I do my best to play
with a new one every day. I love to roll around on the couch and growl and bark and throw the toys around. Mommy and daddy just laugh at me.

I get to go on 2 walks a day and have lots of play time in thebackyard. I have made a track for myself around the pool, I just love to run
circles around my boyfriend while we are playing. We also love to dig holes in the garden, mommy and daddy don't think this is a very good idea
but we just can't help ourselves, it is so much fun!

I am in LOVE with all my kitties! I can't understand why they don't
love me like I love them. I try numerous times a day to get them to love
me but it just isn't working. I thought that if I just followed them
every where all the time they would love me, but nope. Mommy and daddy try
to tell me repeatedly that I need to leave them alone and they will
come to me but I just can't help it, I need to share the love. One of the
kitties loves me tho, his name is cheekie, i've included a picture, he
even let's me sleep with him. Sometimes I get a little too excited with
him and he gives me a swat with his paw to let me know to back off. I
just can't help myself!

I know lots of tricks, like sit, stay, come, lay down, paw and I am
doing well off the leash as well. I do get a little distracted at times

but can you blame me there is so much to see and do out there. Mommy and
daddy say I walk well on the leash and am learning how to heal. It is
very hard because all I want to do is track. So many senses to follow
and so little time.

Mommy and daddy are very proud of me because I am a very good girl while they leave me at home. I've gone up to 9 hours by myself withoutdoing any damage. There are some days when I just can't help myself tho like when I decided to unpot the pretty tree in the sun room or when I chewed off a piece of baseboard. But mommy and daddy say they understand. They show me what I have done and tell me I am a bad girl so I don't do
it again. I don't like to be a bad girl so I do my best to learn from my mistakes. I still don't trust myself to be in the whole house when
they are gone but sometimes I get to stay with Sampson in the sunroom and den. I try my best to behave and Sampson reminds me to be a good girl
when mommy and daddy are gone. And when I am not, he is sure to point
out to mommy and daddy that I was the bad girl and he was a good boy! I still love him when he tells on me!

The kittens are doing WONDERFULLY! They are growing and eating like

little pigs. In fact they elbow the dog out of his dinner bowl, not because they want his food, they just want to play with his food (big dog…big chunky fun-to-bat-around food). Our 100lb Lab has taken them under his wing and they all get along famously! They have eased right into our home and are doing all those normal mischief laden kitten things. HA HA

We did rename them…Stan & Ollie. Anyway…I attached a couple of recent pics (one to support my accusation that they elbow the dog out of his dinner bowl!).

Hello everyone!

My apologies for not getting in touch sooner- we have had a very busy summer
and fall!

Thumper is doing great! He and my Mom have bonded like an old married
couple- couple of couch potatoes that is! He's on a special diet containing
no wheat or chicken, and with special shampoo, and (unfortunately) judicious
use of steroids, his coat is much nicer and he smells much better. He had a
raging fungal/yeast infection on his belly and in his arm (leg?) pits and
groin as well as his ears which are cleared up. Our vet thinks it's a grass
allergy, so he wasn't allowed to loll on the grass in the summer. Which was
ok with him- he prefers the couch anyway. We will be getting him tested
after next summer to figure out the allergy. Couldn't do it this summer
because of the steroids he desperately needed, and he'll have to stay off
the steroids next summer so they don't mask the allergy. The testing will be
very expensive but then he'll get specific allergy shots for the season. He
isn't a lot thinner but we'll get there!

Mom went to my sister in Sarnia for Thanksgiving weekend so Thumper came to
stay with Mark and I and my 3 dogs. Everyone got along well enough. He had
been known to scrap with Lucy- a scrapper herself- but at the first sign of
a raised lip- Lucy's- I did my best dog whisperer imitation, and that was
it. Darby is timid with him but she's my tiny 10 lb JRT and I think it's
just a matter of size. They are fine when they're outside.

So Thumper is very content, getting healthier, loves a car ride, and loves
my Mom- and everyone else who visits. I've promised pictures and as soon as
I figure out how to print from my digital camera, I'll send some along.

Roberta

Hey Everyone,

I adopted Hunter about a month ago. He is growing up so fast. In the month I have had him he has bin to my cottage, bin for thousands of walks to the dog park, bin to puppy class.

Hunter loves it at my cottage. He can smell so many different things. He loves to go for long walks when its just Buddy, Hunter, and I. I love taking them out for long walks at the cottage. Hunter cant get his nose off the ground. He is learning how to swim, he is getting the hang of it but he doesn't know it that well yet. I'm sure by the time summer comes he will nail it. Hunter really likes to run in the fields at my cottage. He sniffs than runs, than sniffs some more he just loves it.

We have bin in puppy class for a while. I cant believe how smart he is. When I'm working with him I really feel a connection between him and I. I spend an hour a day in total. I spread it out when I work with him so he doesn't get bored. He is learning how to skateboard. Well he didn't learn it he just started doing it himself. he is pretty good at it. He would put his front paws on the skateboard and pushed with the back. I laugh so much when I see it. I haven't yet got a picture of it yet but I'm sure I will.

Hunter likes to go for walks we go to the dog park in Georgetown where he can run off leash with other dogs as fast as he can. its so neat to see him run I cant believe how fast he is. I'm just so amazed by him. I learn something new about him everyday, I'm sure I will learn much much more.

Thank you to everyone who helped with Hunter you have done a great job.

Jessie

Pumpkin

Hello All,
We just wanted to update you on Pumpkin. As you can see by the attached
photos, he was recently the "best dog" at our wedding in May. He even had
his own tux but wouldn't wear the shoes! He looked very handsome, was very
well behaved and got a lot of compliments!

He loves going to the dog park at Cedervale and has made a few friends
there.

Thanks,
Lisa, Paul and Pumpkin

Hi everyone!

It's Lexi here, just wanted to tell you that my new home is great! I share it with a big grey cat called Bogart and we're getting along fine. I've sent along some pictures of our farm - look at the fields I get to run in! And I'm learning alot of new things, like how to catch a Frisbee and soon there's going to be some agility equipment set up just for me. I've also been told that I'll be going to more obedience classes and learning how to track. I want to thank everyone for taking such good care of me when I was at the shelter. You do good work!

Lexi

First, let me tell you, these two girls are amazing. They have adapted very
well to their new home. Initially they were almost impossible to walk on
leashes, but with some intense work, now they walk pretty good, although
more training is needed. I'm not sure I ever realized how powerful these
dogs can be when in a full out pull. Kayly almost pulled me off my feet the
first time out, Deb had Jenny, or was it the other way around(?), but there
was concern about the ability to walk them on leashes; walking them together
would've been impossible. About 2 days later, it was as if they were
different animals, they pulled very little and listened to direction well.
Now to see them on a leash, you would be impressed, slack leashes at any pace.

Deb and I agree, the other people that came to see the girls and had second
thoughts really lost out on two of the sweetest dogs we have known. They are
quiet, well behaved, travel very well in the car, are very affectionate and
appreciate all the attention we give them. They like laying close enough so
there is constant contact. Since having them home, it seems every day there
is a change in them. They're more relaxed, they sleep more soundly, their
coats are shinier, and their eyes are brighter. It appears as though they've
picked their favorite, Jenny literally shadows Deb everywhere. Kayly
gravitates to me; seems the respective dogs personalities reflect ours. The
four of us couldn't have been a better match. They really are beautiful
girls inside and out.

A good friend contacted me to tell me of some kittens available from the Upper Credit Humane Society. I was not looking forward to the drive to Erin from Burlington however I was still interested. She told me that the kittens were being showcased at the Pet Valu in Milton. I was out there by lunch time. A representative from the Upper Credit Humane Society met me there. The kittens were all adorable; very playful and loving. Pet Valu was obviously taking very good care of them. The attention I received from the Pet Valu staff was wonderful. Never being an owner of a cat before, I was a little apprehensive. My concerns were laid to rest as they continued to give advice and reassurance. After making the decision on which kitten to take (it was hard) the staff were very informative on what supplies I really needed and what I didn't. The Upper Credit Humane Society representative assisted with the adoption papers as well as giving further very helpful advice and...the kitten was mine.

We named our kitten Spatula. I know it's unusual, it's a long story, but it fits. Spatula has brought us such joy and laughter. She's almost 1 year old and she entertains us every day. She's everything we wanted in a pet. I always though cats were kind of boring, lazy...a do nothing pet. Spatula is so affectionate and loving. She warms my heart and calms me after a busy day. Spatula fits our lifestyle perfectly. We're a busy family but we always take time out for our Spatula.

I just wanted you to know that our 2 cats, Felix & Noel, are doing fantastically!!! They really like each other and love to play ambush and chase around the house. They've been to the vet and got a clean bill of health as well as their booster shots. I'm so glad I adopted two as they have so much fun together.

Please enjoy the picture of Enzo and Diablo (Willow and Strip .. who used to be called Bibble, Rachel changed is name). It's hard to believe that it has been two months since we adopted the boys, boy how time flys. Both Willow and Strip have made themselves quite cozy in our house. Both have taken over! I find it hard to imagine our lives without them.
Willow and Strip are both as crazy as they were the day they were adopted. They are always running around attacking each other. Quite the entertainment, we haven't laughed so much. They are better than TV.
Thank you so very much for making the adoption happen. Our family is now complete. I can't believe we waited three years to replace our previous cat. Life as we know has not been the same, it's better!

I know we haven't written in a while but I just wanted to let you know how well

Patch is doing. We have had him now since October and although he was five when we got him from you, he is still learning. He no longer crouches when men raise their arm above their head. But he still suffers ( a little and has greatly improved) from separation anxiety when we go to work. This is alleviated by having someone in the house while we are gone. He is a gem. Gentle, kind, caring. We call him our gentle giant as he would never hurt a sole. His disinterest in folks entering our home drives everyone crazy - he is a "one family" dog and doesn't care about attention from anyone else. It's too funny to watch him. He'll go to the door, give a quick sniff and come and lay at our feet.
Thank you for allowing us to have him as he brings all of us great joy. Everyone wants to be around him and/or take him home. We still can't figure out why he was left with you for so long.
The opportunity you offer animals for a second life is awesome.

Sorry it has taken so long to send some pictures of Lucy and to tell you how great she is doing.

At first she was very scared and nervous but with patience and a lot of love she now loves to go for walks and rides in the car. At first she growled at my grandchildren but now we go in the mornings to get them off to school and she jumps on their beds and wakes them

up with kisses. She went to obedience classes and won a trophy. She loves to play with other dogs too when she gets the chance. When we go for walks she thinks everyone should stop and pet her and tell her how pretty she is.

Thank you so much for giving her to us, she is loved and a joy to be with. She makes us laugh all the time and has made our loves much richer.

Thank you so much for helping us to adopt our newest family addition, Zak. My boyfriend MMike and I adopted Zak (an Australian Cattle Dog known to you at the time as Hailey) in November. He has become a very loved family member and a great little brother to DIamond (our 2 1/2 year old Australian Cattle Dog female). Zak has discovered a love of hunting for mice on our walks in the fields even though the snow has fallen. He has started obedience classes and aside from a little leash aggresion with bigger brown dogs he is doing well and loves to sit for treats.

Thanks again and enclosed is a photo of Zak and one of Zak with his friend and big sister Diamond.

I have my own bed in the living room but when my new Mommy and Daddy go to bed I like to sneak into their room when they are asleep. When they wake up they see my happy face.

I am getting used to Holly, female cat, and I let her rub up and sniff me. Harley, male cat, has not figured out that I am as much afraid of him as he is of me. Mommy feels like she is in a "Keaston Cop" movie when she sees the two of us looking at each other and both run in different directions.

Mommy, Daddy and I are going to school so we can learn how to walk together on a leash. I will also learn some other fun stuff. I will also learn to eat only my food so Holly and Harley can have something to eat too (not sure if that part will be fun).

I play with new toys that Daddy bought me. I also like to make sure some of Mommy and Daddy's things are in my bed. If they take them out, I try to sneak some things into the backyard. Daddy calls me a "sneak thief". Mommy says we will work on this at school as well.

Guess I should go now. Thanks for taking good care of me but I will not be back because my "forever family" was lucky enough to find me -- thanks to you.

Upper Credit's happy endings is our Happy Beginnings. Tyr and Loki came into our lives in October. They are sweet, good natured dogs. Thank you to their past owner who showed these dogs nothing but kindness and love. It was very selfless of you to give these animals up and please know that they have found a forever home and will be loved and cared for until they go to doggie heaven. Loki has taken to our son - he has found a companion and playmate for life. He sleeps snuggled up to him on the bed. Tyr is great with me and the hubby. If I don't head to bed when hubby does I usually have to climb in around Tyr who is stretched across my half of the bed. The boys love car rides and are awesome travel companions. Although they are very independent they do not like to be separated. When walking, Tyr will wait for Loki to catch up. If we take different routes, Loki will whine until reunited with his brother. They are happiest together so we keep them that way. I believe these dogs were very well mannered for their previous owner as they have required no training on the whole. We are having trouble in one area. The dogs walk nicely on a leash until they see another dog or for Loki, a squirrel, then they get uncontrollably excited and pull and lunge. I truly don't think it's the dogs problem, I think we humans need training. So yes, we have signed up for obedience classes. I have the feeling they have done them before so it's more for our benefit as I want to be able to take them everywhere. We are having a fence put in our large yard so they can have some freetime and romp around like dogs should. We groom the dogs daily and put a little grapeseed oil in their food several times per week to help with the never-ending shedding of hair. They have both been to our groomer, a very wonderful lady, and they were good as gold. Each morning they stick their noses in front of the cage and say good morning to Willie, our fearless guinea pig. I can't wait til Summer when they can lounge on our deck and romp in the fenced yard. We plan on getting them a kiddie pool to cool off in. Fun times ahead. THANK YOU Upper Credit and to the past owner for treating these wonder boys with dignity. They are wonderful dogs and deserve nothing less. As a means to provide updates on the boys and for a great Liver Treat recipe that I make for them, head to their very own website www.Tyr-and-Loki.piczo.com. Make sure you type in the www. or it won't work! Enjoy the site!