My husband and I adopted Jumaira (formerly known as Cricket) a few weeks ago. It was apparent from the moment we met her that she had not been treated well in the past. This made us want to love and help her even more! The changes in this sweet and gentle dog have been amazing since she has become part of our family. While she continues to learn that she can trust us, she becomes even more playful and interactive. One of her funniest playtime habits is jumping straight up and down (which may be why she was named Cricket at the Humane Society).
Jumaira accompanies me every day to Sultan's Bazaar on Princess Street, where she has become an instant hit with our neighbours and customers. Sometimes I think that people come into the shop to see her more than me! While Jumaira has only been in our lives for a few weeks, we can't imagine life without her. We also want to thank all of those individuals who have, and continue to, offer advice and assistance with helping this sweet dog to adjust to her new family.
We adopted our dog Mackenzie through the humane society 9 or 10 years ago. We were down to deciding between
2 dogs, the short one or the one with "the long nose". We went with the long nosed one and haven't regretted it. After
eating a few shoes in her early days with us, she settled right in. Until recently, she loved to catch frisbees, tennis
balls, sticks, snacks, snowballs....anything at all really. We had a standing order at Matchpoint tennis for all the used
tennis balls we could get! Lately she's found it a little harder to get around- she has arthritis and creaks a bit now. But
she still loves to chew tennis balls and makes me smile every time I visit her. We're so glad we found her, and I like
to think she's glad she found us too!
We adopted Tequila on Dec.,27,2002. She is adjusting quite well. She
just loves the snow, chewing on any sticks outside, playing and of
course running. She is very well house trained and has never had an
accident. She enjoys going to our family farm in Westport on weekends
and loves to ride in the truck. Thanks again Kingston Humane Society
!!!!
After being a regular walker of dogs at KHS, I finally found the perfect dog for myself. Max
wasn't a stray, but instead had to be given up by his former owner. I can't imagine the sadness in
having to part with such a wonderful dog, and can only hope that this person will be happy in
knowing that Max gets all the love and attention he needs daily. I can guarantee that Max
wouldn't have been in the shelter any longer than 1 day if I hadn't been lucky enough to see him
when I did.
Although Max, who is Husky and Malamute, makes for a pretty big dog, he's really nothing more
than a big baby. He craves attention, always wants to meet other dogs and people, and is a
guaranteed friend-for-life of anyone who will give him a belly-rub. He has a wonderful
temperament and personality which, in addition to his great looks, makes everyone instantly fall
in love with him.
I adopted Max on Sept.26, 2002 and on the first day at home he got brushed for about 2 straight
hours before his coat showed any signs of letting up. On the first snowfall of the year, Max went
absolutely crazy, and would have stayed out the entire night if he could have. He prances around
like a kangaroo in the snow, and tosses it up in the air with his snout. I got to bring him to my
hometown over the holidays, where he met my family. Of course everyone loved him, an d
despite Max showing off his strength by dragging my father belly-down through the snow, he
was immediately accepted into the family. Although initially intimidated a little bit by Max's
size, my niece (seen with Max and myself in the picture) quickly made a new friend and now
can't wait for me to bring Max home again.
Although max takes up a significant amount of my time, I never regret having to put in the extra
effort, even despite my still being in school. It was an easy decision to adopt him, and he
reinforces that fact every day that I spend with him. Maybe if someone were to take my place in
walking some of the dogs at KHS, something as wonderful as Max would happen to them, too!
I adopted my little lhasa mix at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend
which is appropriate because I have much to be grateful for with Sammy
in my life.
There were some arguments about why I should not have a dog
at this time - I have a chronic illness which involves pain and fatigue, and I have two cats (one
from the Humane Society) who I did not want to distress because they have been wonderful
companions and one being a very senior citizen.
One of my doctors recommended that I get a dog for a variety of reasons, not the least that it
would help create a reason
to exercise, a necessary activity that I was not very motivated to do.
I took her advise seriously and listed a criteria "if" I were to get a
dog. It would have to be more mature and house trained, not too large
or energetic, friendly with other animals and gentle and good natured.
That weekend I perused the net and look at animals in the different
rescue shelters. Some were darling, especially a three year old cocker
spaniel in Niagra area, but there was no way to could get to them.
I decided on whim to call the Humane Society first thing Tuesday morning
after the long weekend and found what I was searching for and more.
Through a collection of circumstances (divine intervention is how I see
it) Sammy was available. I went to look at him and saw this little mop
without a handle. We went for a walk in the fields behind the building
and I fell in love. Of course I did not want to be impulsive so I went
home and ask a friend to come and give me a second opinion. Within two
hours Sammy was at my home and my stunned cats and I were looking at
this new addition .
Sammy has given me many gifts, in a way he is an angel - not only do I
walk at least three times a day (short distances but I have found a way
so he gets more exercise than I am able to provide), but I am less
isolated - having a dog makes you a member of a friendly club I did not
know existed - especially if you are walking a cutie with a fleece
leopard jacket. He makes me laugh and my attitude is lighter. Even
Raven, one of my cats, is snuggling with him during naps. If I am
giving to Sammy half of what he has given to me, I know I am doing a
good job.
He is not perfect, but he has become perfect for me with his little
quirks.
Any one who with a chronic illness who thinks that a pet would
be a burden, please think again. Decide on your priorites (hint: mature
pets are much less taxing and calmer - they are grateful for our
attention), take the leap of faith and see how much good healing is
added to your life. Thank you K H.S.
Nina
