Happy Endings
Spaz (aka “Dexter”) Boxer/Hound
When Spaz first came to the Shelter on June 12th, by way of Daytona Animal Control, he was afraid and let you know not to mess with him. He had a deep bark that would make anyone stand-offish, and it was noted on his kennel card: “Would make a good watchdog — deep bark.” But he turned out to be a real sweetheart who sat on command and walked nicely on a leash. After a little over a month at the Shelter, Spaz picked out his mom. A woman was looking at another dog when Spaz came over to her and wrapped his legs around her. Well, that did it. Spaz went home with a new mom and dad…and a new name. His mom said “Dexter” fits right into the family and is spoiled rotten. When Dexter first came home, he didn’t know how to play. Now, that he’s adjusted and doing well, Dexter is healthy and happy. His mom said, (just as noted at the shelter), “Now that Dexter has settled in, he has turned into a great protector and uses that deep bark of his to let people know to beware.”
Jersey – Border Collie
A citizen found Jersey in Palm Coast, and kept her for three weeks prior to dropping her off at the Shelter’s overnight holding area. The note left said Jersey was good with kids, barks, is playful and house trained. It took a little over two months for Jersey to find a home. She now lives a little farther north in Jacksonville and her name is now “Jeannie”. Her new dad said when she first came home, she was very “skittish” but she’s a very loveable dog. Jeannie has lots of energy and the vet said she still has a lot of puppy in her. She also had ear mites and is constantly scratching. However, with all of the above, her dad made no indication that he would give her up. Jeannie will be going back to the vet and starting training lessons. Her dad said the whole family loves her.
Rosalyn – Lab Retriver
Rosalynn came to Shelter from the streets of Ormond Beach. She wore a studded leather collar, the type usually seen on dogs to make them look “bad to the bone”. Well, this is far from reality. Those at the shelter know her only to be a very nice, sweet gal. Rosalynn’s dad said she’s one spoiled rotten dog and that Rosalynn is even better than he expected. Rosalynn and her dad have become best buddies. Her dad also said she doesn’t like raised voices. In fact, there are times when dad’s watching TV and he yells about something shown on it. Rosalynn gets up and he has to calm her and tell her he’s not talking to her. Her dad also said that she never barks unless she hears a lawn mower outside. Yes, these two have become best buds even at 5 a.m. each morning when Rosalynn wakes up her dad and rolls over for a belly scratch. Dad hasn’t set his alarm clock since he adopted our Rosalynn.
Alex – Lab Retriever
On March 24, the Ormond Beach Animal Control picked up a large black lab from the streets. He was wearing a collar with a rabies tag, but the owner never came for him. So, the Shelter named him Alex, gave him his vaccinations and tested him for heartworm. The test results were positive. Alex now had two strikes against him for being adopted: first, he wasn’t a pup and, secondly, Alex had heartworm. Alex remained at the Shelter for almost two and a half months before a couple took him home. And, where was home? Back to Ormond but this time, Alex with responsible parents who thinks he is great. Alex just finished his last heartworm treatment. His new family said Alex is a very sweet and obedient dog who now gets plenty of TLC.
Cleo – Beagle
Cleo’s owner surrendered her saying “no time or money” for this 7 year old gal. Amazingly, even though she had her age against her, Cleo was at the shelter only about two weeks. A family with 6 and 5 year old children adopted Cleo. The kids chase her and Cleo chases them but when Cleo gets tired of playing, she goes to her bed or into her crate for a nap. Cleo’s mom said she is good with cats. When Cleo goes for a walk, the cat who lives down the street comes over to say hello. After they meet and sniff each other, the cat returns home. Cleo now has a big back yard and is never left alone outside.
Dillon
When Dillon first came to the Shelter, it was because he was hanging out on the golf course. A citizen picked him up and kept him for 5 days before bringing him to the Shelter. The note stated that Dillon was good with other dogs and kids; he was playful and sits and shakes. He was about 2 years old then. Dillon was adopted for a short time, but although this owner agreed with all the above qualities (adding good with cats), Dillon came back to the Shelter because “He is too rough with the wife.” Dillon spent about two months at the Shelter before going home again at the age of 3. This time, he won’t be returning. Dillon is doing great and is spoiled rotten according to this owner. He sleeps on his own bed next to his mom and dad’s bed. Dillon is a good watch dog, however, he’s afraid of the vacuum cleaner. In fact, he runs and hides from it as soon as it comes out of the closet. Dillon is still playful, but when he chases and gets his ball and toys, there’s no returning them. What’s his is his! Dillon’s dad said “He’s our baby!” Dillon is very attached to them as well - his dad said Dillon won’t eat or drink until his mom and dad sit down to eat too.
Chalupa
Three strikes and she’s in! Some times it takes a couple of tries before a dog finds his/her forever home. For Chalupa, it took 3 adoptions but she finally made it. At the age of 6 months, Chalupa was found on the streets of Palm Coast. Chalupa was adopted, but returned because this 8 month old pup was “not housebroken.” Again, Chalupa is adopted and at the age of a year, again she is returned. Reason “chews up everything.” Now, Chalupa fights her new mom for her side of the bed. Chalupa found a home with a mom, dad and 7 year old girl. Her mom says “she’s great; she’s just wonderful.” Chalupa plays with the 7 year old and the mom’s niece. “She’s great with the kids.” Chalupa loves to ride in the car and when mom stops at the store, Chalupa takes over the driver’s seat behind the wheel and mom has to fight for her seat back!
Huck & Buck: Two Hounds from the Streets to a Home
Two hounds were found on the streets of Daytona Beach and brought to the Shelter in January 2010.
The Shelter folks named them Huck & Buck. It wasn’t until April that Huck finally found a home. It wasn’t with his sidekick, Buck, but he did find a new friend:
Huck: Almost three months after Huck came to the Shelter, a woman (whose surname, coincidentally, partially included “Huck”) visited the Shelter. When she saw Huck (a hound with a scared nose which looked like the hair had been ripped out by its roots) and read his name, she said to herself, “I can’t believe it! This is meant to be!” And so, Huck went home.
About three weeks later, a volunteer called the woman to see how Huck was doing. The answer: “Huck is doing very well.” He has two new playmates. One is an eight-year old dog whom Huck plays with a lot but when the older dog decides he had ”enough”, he chases Huck until he backs off. Huck also lives with another companion — a cat whom Huck chases until, one day, the cat may also say “enough”.
Now, how is Huck, himself doing? “He’s coming along great with potty training. He’s as sweet as he can be. Huck is still chewing things but the woman admits it’s her fault because she leaves things laying around for him to get.” She is “very happy with Huck; he’s a sweet boy; we just love him.” And, where does Huck sleep? Well, wherever he wants to, on every bed and couch!
Buck: It took almost a month after Huck left that Buck’s luck changed. A woman with two young boys came to the Shelter and noticed Buck. They already had a dog, but decided that both their dog and the two boys needed another friend. Buck turned out to be that friend.
In the follow-up call, the woman said Buck is a very good dog. He’s a joy to be around and he gets along well with the other dog. “Buck is just perfect for us. He’s well behaved and every day is a new experience with him. He has learned to sit and down on command.”
And, where does Buck sleep? In bed with the family, of course!
Huck and Buck may not have found a home together but they each found love, safety and new companions. Buck and Huck came from the streets to spending three-to-four months in a cage to finally finding loving homes.
