Happy Tails: Rescue Success Stories

Gimli

Pippin

Gimli and Pippin

On March 21, 2009 Canine Comfort acquired two male puppies from the village of Kalskag. The puppies were born on February 7, 2009. When they came to Canine Comfort, they would not eat softened puppy chow and tried to nurse from other dogs. It was learned that the puppies were actually weaned from the mother dog when they were only four weeks old. We learned that they were fed milk and mashed Vienna Sausages.

After a day in our care, they began to eat the softened puppy chow and plumped up quickly. Both puppies had inquinal hernias and needed surgery. These puppies were very active and playful. We taught them “No bite, kissy kissy,” and they did very well getting to the piddle pads to relieve themselves with only a few misses. They ate their meals in their crates separately, but slept together in one. They came when they wanted to be held, usually before their nap. They got along well with all the dogs coming and going from Kathy’s house on a daily basis. They were not allowed to have a fighting attitude and stopped immediately when a loud voice was used. Gimli and Pippin were adopted May 20^th by a young couple who will provide a stable and loving home.

Dally

March 16 2009: Dally was found between two wire fences one late afternoon just before dark. So tiny a thing, just amazing someone saw her and rescued her from a windy, freezing night that would have meant her demise. She was so lucky someone found her before night fell. We think she is a Pomeranian puppy as the breed book makes reference to many of her physical traits. She is a fluff ball of pure energy with no fear of all the other dogs and cats who live here even though they are all bigger than her. Thanks to the help of Sue’s co-workers’s in Anchorage, Dally was adopted within a day. Dally traveled to Anchorage with Sue who passed her on to her new owners.

Ellie aka Precious

March 9, 2009: Ellie/Precious was taken out of an abusive situation. She now is in a new home. Ellie/Precious was an 8 year old un-spayed female Boston Terrier who was very shy and fearful when she first came to Canine Comfort. We had to wait patiently for her come out of the crate when she was ready. By 11:30 a.m. the next morning she decided it was OK to play. She brought Kathy one of the balls but would not let it go so we had to learn each others rules to play the game. She learned to drop the ball so Kathy could pick it up to throw it for her to chase. Kathy learned to not try to take the ball away from her as she would hold onto it even harder. Good Luck Precious, you surely deserve the happiness you express to others in spite of what you’ve been through! Precious is now known as Ellie and lives in Anchorage with her new family.

Poochie

March 9, 2009: Poochie was found abandoned in -40 degree temperatures. As a result, he lost two toes due to frostbite. His picture was posted on Craigslist and he was adopted. Kathy had a really hard time parting with Poochie-boy. He is a very tender, trusting and joyful fellow. His eyes are kind and soft looking. She is happy that a nice young lady has adopted him.

Mukluk

Feb. 19, 2009: Mukluk’s owner no longer wanted her because she was a female. Canine Comfort took her and her two pups under their care. Homes were eventually found in Anchorage. This Husky is a first time Momma, she is very trusting letting other dogs check out her family. Starving for love and attention she should not have a hard time to learn how to become a great house dog. Mukluk is very active and quick on her feet, aren’t all Huskies? With a little bit of meat on her bones she will be a beautiful pet!

Mukluk’s Puppies

Feb 19, 2009: Mukluk’s two puppies were never named. Almost 8 weeks old, they sure were an armful. These two puppies were never named because they were not here long enough to figure out what names came to mind or what names fit them. They were born in 30 degrees below zero and the little girl lost part of her tail…a too familiar story here in Aniak. Almost 8 weeks old, they sure were armful!

Shanti

February 15, 2009: This is Shanti. She was found by someone who worried about her because she would not let anyone get near her. It was 20 degrees below outside, and finally on the second day she let her good samaritian tempt her onto the arctic entry to eat, drink and sleep in a warm place. Nobody knew where she belonged. Days went by and still nobody recognized this little dog. Finally, with a sign saying, “WHO DO I BELONG TO,” kids saw her, but she was very scared of them and had to be put in a kennel for their safety. Canine Comfort believes she was abandoned from Kalskag in Aniak because of her obvious agressiveness towards teenagers. Someone teased her so badly that she hates kids and teenagers and is very afraid of anyone else. She would most likely end up being put down anywhere else but this life is not her fault, Jim Sweeney decided to let her live here with Kathy’s other 10 dogs and another recent adoptee, Radar.

Rags to Radar

On January 29th 2009, this wonderful Rotty mix was traded for a loaf of homemade bread. It seems that this dog has some kind of problem with his back legs and once he was here, we worried that he would just be put down. We could not do that to him so now, instead of an old coat on top of the ice and snow, he sleeps on the Sweeney’s king size bed with another rescue and 2-3 cats.

Little Bit

Jan. 13, 2009: This young lady was scratching on someone’s window to be let in out of the freezing cold and high winds. She knew they were warm inside. Her photo was posted for 10 days in four different locations - why didn’t anyone claim her?! Little Bit now enjoys the security of her new home.

Greydee

November 9, 2008: Greydee was found wandering around in the November cold looking for food. Thankfully, she wandered onto a Canine Comfort co-founder’s property. After knocking on doors and asking neighbors if they knew her or where she belonged we decided she was another abandoned young female ready to come into heat. She is so sweet and has very good manners. We know she will make her new owners proud.

Annie

July 8, 2008: A true canine success story! Somebody knew this dog by another name when she was abandoned the first time. She became Annie sometime in January or February of 2008. She was left behind again in April, pregnant and had puppies in June. Canine Comfort was asked to help get a new home for Annie. She was sent into Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center were two HUMANE beings fell in love with her as soon as they set eyes on her. Annie now lives a life of luxury. Many THANKS to THOSE WHO HELPED ANNIE FIND a HAPPY LIFE!

Sweet Dreams aka Riley

August 7, 2008: Sweet Dreams-Riley is living in Anchorage and goes to doggy day care. She is Annie’s pup. Taken away at five weeks old and given to a small child, it’s no wonder she started to bite. Canine Comfort had her for two days and taught her “NO BITE, KISSY,KISSY ONLY.” She is one smart puppy.

Once Bingo was bathed and all the dead under coat removed she was transformed into a real beauty. She is Poochies Momma.

Bingo aka Goldie aka Obama

July 21, 2008: Bingo was given to us after having pups. Bingo has had so many puppies taken away from her to never be seen again. She was no longer wanted because they had another dog (Mukluk) that they wanted to teach to be a sled dog. She now has a very loving forever home in Anchorage.

Whisper and Kyle, Kathy Sweeney’s grandson.

Whisper

June 2008: Whisper was always the last puppy to do anything. Her first bark made hardly any noise at all, so her name became “Whisper.” It was very obvious that she had tender feelings and it didn’t take much to discipline her. Care was needed for her to learn what was right and wrong or she would just shut down, feeling confused and sad. Eye contact was real important for her to know that we were doing good with each other. Once it was time to look for new homes for her and the rest of the puppies, the males of course were chosen first. It was very discouraging to realize that Whisper might not find a respectful and loving home that would be considerate of her tender feelings. Kathy Sweeney decided to keep her against her husbands wishes as they already had 8 dogs and 3 indoor-only cats. But he warmed up to Whisper very quickly and decided that, yes, she needed a more loving home than most dogs would. Then he spoiled her, and now she begs for food from him all the time. Whisper is a very happy dog. She is still shy but not so tender anymore probably because she feels secure.

Momma Dog aka Hope

April 2, 2008: This is Momma Dog. She was the first to inspire us to start a rescue group. Momma Dog was noticed, as she was looking for something to eat, as being very skinny. After having 14 puppies in 40 below temperatures and losing all but four pups, we were her and those pups salvation. Momma Dog was adopted here in Aniak by a wonderful family of five. She is a perfectly trained house dog. Makes one wonder why? Her 4 surviving puppies are: 1) Big Bark-recently found (4-17-09) on Alaska SPCA’s PetFinder listing. Three Toes/Smokey/Buddy-living with a family in Aniak. 3) Sweet Pea/Kira/Molly-living in Anchorage with a nice couple and has a new playmate. 4) Whisper Sweeney These puppies were the catalyst that got Canine Comfort rolling.

Big Bark

This is Big Bark. He was the largest puppy, of the four remaining from the litter of fourteen born in March of 2008. He earned his name when his first bark was so big he staggered backwards and looked surprised. He recently has found a forever home with the help of Alaska SPCA. Thank You for helping Big Bark find a happy life!

Sweet Pea/Molly

This is our dear Sweet Pea, now called Molly,with her forever family. She has another brother, a Papillon called George. No more worries for Sweet Pea. She got her original name because she was so much smaller than the rest of her littermates and she was so sweet. Kathy couldn’t help but call her Sweet Pea. She was always so cute running as fast as she could to keep up with her brothers. We took many walks in “the forest” as Kyle, Kathy’s grandson would call it. It is sad to remember she very nearly froze to death and did lose part of her tail. Canine Comfort was so excited when the article published in ADN prompted her new family to let us know how she was doing. Now she looks content and secure. Canine Comfort is so HAPPY to be able to share Molly’s story of success!