Happy Endings: Ashleigh (now Bella)
Ashleigh came to Rat Terrier ResQ in December of 2007, just a pup. She was fostered by both Cora and Greg in Arkansas. Ashleigh weathered an unsuccessful adoption, and thankfully, bounced back superbly! Sadly, no matter how hard we work to screen every adopter, there are some bad apples that slip through the cracks. Ashleigh (who was now answering to the name Bella) went to foster care with Jacki in New Jersey. The good news is that Ashleigh didn’t hold any grudges and was still the same loving dog she had always been.
In December of 2008, Bella went to live with Kathy Presti and family in New Jersey. This time, Bella’s lottery ticket was a winner — she hit the jackpot! Kathy has a ton of great news to share about Bella’s new life:
“Bella loves every member of the family, especially 8-year-old Diana. Occasionally Diana’s toys lose eyes, noses, and feet. Bella goes to Diana’s room like a teenager to a shopping mall!”
Kathy reports that the greatest thing about Bella is that she is such a good listener. Bella minds and obeys her humans very well. She says Bella loves chasing rabbits and squirrels, “but (thank God) did not get lucky yet.”
Bella’s favorite things are crawling under the covers at night with her mom and dad, listening to opera (”You can see her eyes closing and ears spread; she looks like she is dreaming of being on stage”) and riding in the car. When she uses her paws to grab things, her family jokes that she is part monkey. The Presti family is thrilled with Bella, saying that she brightens up life. We are so happy for them all!
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Happy Endings: Sparky Terribilini in Idaho
Sparky was fostered by Clare in Idaho and adopted by Anne Terribilini and family in January of 2008. Anne writes:
“As you can see, he is a very happy boy. Sparky had surgery last summer in hopes of fixing a damaged front leg, but unfortunately, it was unsuccessful. He now walks with a limp, but it hasn’t slowed him down. We love Sparky very much and even though he occasionally eats our shoes, we wouldn’t change him for the world.”
ADOPTED! Bruiser
Adopted!
CongRATulations to the Diestel family!
Meet Da Bruiser! Bruiser is only a puppy, about 12 weeks old. He is the survivor of a litter of rattie pups that was dumped in a shelter in NW Arkansas. Bruiser is just like any puppy, affectionate and playful, and all he needs is a family of his very own. He currently weighs 6 pounds at 3 months old. He is already learning the doggie door, and loves to cuddle with his fostermom, who is working very hard on spoiling this cute little guy. He has his full tail, and it never stops wagging. Surely you have room for such a personality-packed little Bruiser?
Happy Endings: Lily/Sparky/Daisy
Eleven days before Christmas 2007, ResQ got an urgent email from Teresa, a cousin of one of the employees of Arrow Coachlines in Little Rock, Arkansas. She told of a sweet girl who was living outside the bus company. While she was being cared for during the day, this darling dog had no protection from the elements at night. The bus company employees had been calling her Maggie and had even taken her to the vet to be spayed; however, she was Heartworm-positive and things were looking grim for Maggie. To make matters worse, a very cold and dangerous storm was churning in to central Arkansas.
Cue Greg the Hero, a ResQ volunteer in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He rushed to save this girl from the storm and got her safe and dry. ResQ volunteer Jacki in New Jersey would foster this girl, temporarily being called Li’l Girl by Greg. Jacki and Greg decided this gal was a Rat Terrier/Schnauzer mix, although one can never know for sure when a dog has been a stray soul.
She made her way to New Jersey and was given an official ResQ name, Amaryllis (Lily for short), started Heartworm treatment, and began her search for a new home. She made fast friends everywhere she went due to her fun, playful, loving nature. Lily was adopted in May of 2008 to a wonderful family in New York, and was renamed Sparky. Sadly, the family fell on hard economic times about 8 months later, and had no choice but to return her to ResQ. Her bio was posted online, and the Applications Team started screening applicants to be Sparky’s new family.
Maggie/Li’l Girl/Amaryllis/Lily/Sparky made her way to Connecticut, where there was room with Annette, a ResQ volunteer. ResQ ensured Sparky was still medically cleared to go to a new home, and just as February 2009 was coming into view, the Blais family of Connecticut, who had fallen in love with her bio and pictures online, became her new family.
This little traveling girl was renamed Daisy and the Blais family reports that she is doing wonderfully! She accompanies Mike and Kate each day to their Adult Day Center and she is beloved by all the participants. She has a large grassy fenced in area which she gets plenty of play time and exercise. Mike writes:
“Of course, she is the best dog in the world…very, very playful, loyal, goofy and extremely smart. Everybody falls in love with her! At night she loves to curl up on the couch and watch TV with us. My wife and I thank you and Rat Terrier ResQ for the good work you all do.”
All of ResQ could not be happier for the little Travelin’ Gal. She has touched many lives, whether she was in Arkansas, New Jersey, New York or Connecticut, whether she was known as Maggie, Li’l Girl, Amaryllis, Lily, Sparky or Daisy. It’s a joy to see her continually touching so many lives each day.
Happy Endings: Tiki in California
Lynn Ainsworth adopted Tiki, fostered by Karen, in March of 2008. Tiki stayed in California and is now called Zoe. Lynn tell us that they absolutely love her! “Her favorite thing is taking walks in the local parks with her big brother Max, our 3-year-old Rat Terrier, and chasing squirrels in our backyard,” reports Lynn.
Last summer, the two Ratties went to a dog beach but they did not like the water (”I guess it’s kinda scary for a little dog.”) Zoe and Max were happy just playing on the sand.
Lynn says that Zoe (”a smart little girl”) and Max cuddle up with their humans each night. Zoe has a good life in Southern California!
Happy Endings: Buffy (now Bridget)
Buffy, fostered by Cora in Arkansas, went home to Nancy Gilbert, of Connecticut, in June of 2008. Buffy’s name is now Bridget and her new family reports in that she is doing well. She likes to play with all her toys and sleep in bed with the Gilberts.
She also likes to play with Santana, her new Jack Russell Terrier sister. They are like bookends, always together. They eat together, sleep together and play together — you name it, they don’t do anything without the other. The Gilberts also rescued a Toy Fox Terrier from a breeder, so now Bridget has a new playmate, but Santana is still her favorite.
Nancy says, “We also got a doggie door for her. That way, she can go out whenever she feels like it. She is so spoiled that if she doesn’t get her way she whines like a baby until she gets her way, which she sometimes gets. Not always.” Sounds like Bridget is living it up!
Happy Endings: Bella and the Ashley family
Bella was fostered by June in California, and adopted by Sandee Ashley in January of 2009. Sandee writes, “She fits into our family like a glove. Bella loves all our grandkids. We have 5 grandkids all under the age of 6 yrs old.”
Bella loves to sit right in the cat tree, next to Sandee when she is using the computer. And Bella is generous with her love! She sits with the Ashleys’ 3-year-old grandson Gavin as they watch cartoons together.
Bella really enjoys her walks with Sandee in the evenings. Her favorite trail is the New York Creek trail in El Dorado Hills. She loves all the squirrels. Bella runs along the creek trail and loves to jump in the water. Sandee also adds that she enjoyed meeting Vickey, who came to do the home visit during the application process.
Happy Endings: Riley and the Thirys
Riley, fostered by Donna in Illinois, went home to his forever family, the Thirys, in September of 2007. The Thirys report that both Mattie (their JRT Rescue) and Riley are doing GREAT! For the Thiry Terriers, now living in Washington state, there’s always something new to explore; they remind Katie and Jason of that! These pics were taken at Cannon Beach, Oregon, where Riley dug up a LIVE Dungeness crab that buried itself in the sand. He was so proud of himself. The Thiry family has joined a local “playdate group” that meets regularly that both terriers enjoy. Please see more pictures of Riley and Mattie.ADOPTED! Harley
Adopted!
CongRATulations to the Creamer/Kesseler family!
“Harley” is a big tough name for such a little sweetheart, but here he is! Harley is about 2 years old, and weighs 10 pounds. He is a big time snuggle buddy. Harley is working hard on his housetraining and is crate trained. He sleeps willingly in a crate at night, but he prefers to snooze in your lap during TV time. Harley is docile and very quiet, and would do well in just about any home. Harley was recently injured by playing with a larger dog, but is recovering nicely from his sore back. We are working on leash training with him, and he’s learning quickly. As luck would have it, his fostermom’s last name is Davidson. Do you need a little buddy named Harley?
ADOPTED! Elmo
Adopted!
CongRATulations to the Blackman family!
Elmo came from a shelter in East Texas when his time ran out, and is now safe in his Connecticut foster home. Elmo is a very skinny 9 pounds, and our vets think he is about 3 or 4 years old. Elmo is very shy at first, but warms up quickly. He loves his comfy crate and is already crate trained and working hard on his housetraining. He was probably a yard dog , but he has learned quickly that indoors is the place to be! When outdoors, though, he’ll need a fenced yard. He plays with toys like a puppy and with the young dogs in his foster home. Elmo is a type “B” rat terrier, which means he has short little legs. You don’t have to live on Sesame Street to love Elmo!
