How Do You Beat the Heat?

 

 

The Dog Days of Summer are Here!!!

The sun is out and someone has turned up the heat these past few days so we are enjoying it the best way that we know how - pool time! We have one pup in particular that could very well be part fish (try putting that info on Petfinder...) and her name is Lucy! During Lucy's stay at the sanctuary she has learned that she is a great swimmer and loves to lounge in the water but there are also the days that her inner puppy emerges and the result is lots of pouncing and zoomies! Please check out the clip below to see what we mean:

 

 



Lucy has also showed her teachers how smart she is by demonstrating that learning can be fun too! Lucy has opted to learn her lessons in our weekly sanctuary class from the pool this week. She is learning the value of being calm while there are other dogs and activitiy occurring outside of the fence. As you can imagine, this is a skill that is difficult for certain dogs but essential to existing happily at the Our Companions Animal Sanctuary. Lucy looks like she is an excellent student.

This gal is beauty and brains all wrapped into one petite package!

 

 

Zoey checks in

 Zoey here...just reporting in!

 Dear Marie, Jon, Krystal, Other Staff and Volunteers:

I am settling in just fine.  My new "parents" treat me great.  I have my crate from Our Companions along with my blanket so that worked out nice.  I have a nice yard to walk around in and I get plenty of treats (because I'm a good girl).

We went to New Hampshire last weekend - it 'vas a nice ride but I slept most of the trip.  I have a new (to me) crate there and a new blanket and lots of new and different things to sniff out.  You know me ... I have a good nose for sniffing!

I have a new veterinary doctor to meet on Tuesday and he has already received my records so he will be all up-to-date from my last visit at the North Veterinary Office.  We are going to the Connecticut Veterinary Center, Kensington, CT.

I have a Spa Day when it's my day for lotion.  M y Popsy (that's Bob) puts my lotion on for me and I just stand there ... as the good girl I am, until he finishes.  Nary a nip.  I'm trying to get better ... sometimes I forget and let out a little growl, but I am reminded that it's not lady like to growl.

I hope the weather is good over the 4th of July holiday so that we can take some pictures.  If we do, we'll send some on to you so everyone can see how well I am doing.

 Zoey and family – Margaret and Bob

May the 4th Be With You!

May the 4th be with you!

Princess Hera

What small dog wouldn't idolize Yoda? 

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm. And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you; here, between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere, yes. Even between the land and the ship.”

– Yoda

(...Zoey agrees)

Fixing Up Kaylee

 What Are Those Patches On Your Rump, Kaylee?

Well, that's quite a story.  Like many dogs in Connecticut pounds and rescues, Kaylee's is a winding tale that starts down south.  Brought up north, untrained, and under-socialized, Kaylee wound up as a young, high energy pup in a local town pound.  She was adopted out quickly, only to test positive for heartworm and end up being returned.

So what is a good hearted town Animal Control Officer to do with a hyper, heartworm positive pup.  That's where Our Companions comes in.  As we often do, we stepped in to assist with Kaylee's heartworm treatments, which is where those shaved spots on her back end came from, and to provide her a home where she could get the exercise and training she needs to be a happy and highly adoptable dog.  She has since been cleared of her heartworm problems and been spayed while in our care. Now it's just time for her story to wind it's way into a perfect forever home.

SNOW DAY!                                                                                             

Who doesn't love a snow day for play and rest!? Pouncing in the freshly fallen snow and chasing snow balls before headed back to a warm house to dry off and snuggle on the couch is what our pups are up to today.

Enjoy some pictures of our snow day at the sanctuary while you sip your cocoa and rest assured that these guys are as snug as a bug in a rug and loving life!

 

Lucy playing with the Jolly Egg

 

Aggie enjoying some relaxing house time

with an educational DVD

 

Hera having fun with the Jolly Ball

 

Kaylee enjoying one of her favorite toys

 in some of her favorite weather

 

 

 Johnny watching the snow falling

from the warmth of his bed

 



Hera can't resist a run in the

freshly fallen snow!

 

Gidget doesn't pass up the chance

to play with her tennis ball!

 

 

A Grateful Heart is a Happy Heart 

Love Notes to the Dogs at the Sanctuary

It’s obvious that we love our volunteers at Our Companions since they are the heart of our organization and the compassionate providers for our focal point, the animals! It is our volunteers that provide the dogs interactive walks and training and our kitties play sessions and assist with behavioral exercises. We cannot ever fully express how much we love those that provide love to our animals! It was this happy feeling that spurred the idea to have our volunteers share some of their thoughts and memories of being at the sanctuary. We started our love notes project at our second birthday party in October by having attendees write short memories or well wishes for the animals in our care. This project didn’t end when the cake was finished though as it spread into the holiday season, a perfect project for the season! What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving and all of the following holidays than by thinking with intent what it is that makes our precious creatures special and loved by all. In fact, it seems to perpetuate that feel-good spirit that is so important during the holidays. Our volunteers jotted these notes down on some brightly colored paper and all of the notes were compiled in a quilt-like fashion that proudly hangs on the bedroom walls of the cottages. Our animals will be able to take their specific well wishes along with them to their new homes when they end up moving out as a sweet reminder that we are always here, loving, supporting and rooting for them! While the boards are hung for all to see we are always happy to add to them. During your next trip to the sanctuary feel free to leave a love note for some of the sweetest pets we know!

**Special thanks to OC Volunteer, Tina Gould who compiled the notes on their boards. They are so beautiful!

Here are some quotes from our volunteers:

"Gypsy, you are such a graceful and beautiful dog with a heart of gold. Your forever home is just around the corner, who could resist you!"

"Romeo, you are such a sweet, handsome boy! I hope your soon to be forever home has all soft grass for your sensitive feet!"

"Aggie, you are a terrific jogging partner and the best cuddler!"

"Johnny, you are the sweetest dog EVER! You've come such a long way and deserve the best of everything!"

"Lucy Goosey- my Saturday night date- my pittie girl that barks with a message but it the gentlest girl here. Be happy my girl!"

"Gidget, you are such a goofy girl, always bringing a smile to my face!"

"Hera- the little princesss. A pure gentle snuggle bug. Happiest when getting a belly rub!"


Check out some more up-close love that was left for our big guy, Johnny!

 

 

GYPSY'S ON THE HUNT...FOR THE PERFECT HOME

Gypsy's hot on the trail of a new home.  She's looking high and low and everywhere in between.  Out in the field, in the local pet supply store, or under the furniture cushions, she'll find that warm and special family she deserves.

We don't know a whole lot about Gypsy's past.  She came from the south, but fell on hard times up here in Connecticut and ended up in a local animal control.  Someone along the line definitely cared for her well, though.  She came to us with delightful house manners and strong obedience skills.  But for Gypsy, the past is the past, and she is all about the future.  

Gypsy is having a good time with us here at the Our Companions Sanctuary.  She adores people and loves to get snuggly on a couch or bed.  As you can imagine, all of that searching can be exhausting and she's never one to turn down a chance to nap.  She also gets along well with other dogs and is a perfect playmate.  And as any good hound would, she makes sure to announce to us every noise or sight that's out of the norm. But as happy as she is, she still has an eye, and nose, out for that forever home that's just around the next corner.

The tale of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet were dropped off at a local animal control facility just after Easter.  When Our Companions got word of them, two rabbits had become five.  These two special buns have finished raising their little ones and now they are ready to move on to find their own home.  The babies aren't ready to be adopted yet, but they will be soon!

Romeo is charcoal gray and Juliet is snow white, with pink ears.  They are Lionhead mixes and have the softest fur imaginable, so they likely have some Angora in them.  Both are under a year old and have been spayed and neutered, they are a bonded pair and do need to be adopted together.   Romeo and Juliet are both extremely curious, inquisitive, sweet and playful!  We are seeking an indoor home for them, where they will be able to spend plenty of time outside of their cage.