A happy ending!

Hey, everyone...

It's been a while since I last posted to the FoF blog... and there's a good reason for that: Barb has adopted a new dog! I was just waiting to get some good photos of her before I got on here and let everyone know all about her. So here goes.

A few weeks ago, Barb met a dog listed on the Westland Humane Society web site as 'Lucia.' She had apparently been there for three or four weeks, and before that, she had been housed at a pound in Kentucky. How anyone could have resisted her for that long is completely beyond me.

The Westland Humane Society has these little meet-and-greet rooms where you can hang out with your prospective canine adoptee. I came along for the second "interview." My cell-phone camera leaves much to be desired, but here are the pictures I took that afternoon.

You can see that little Lucia was ridiculously cute in her little scarf, and when Barb had headed off to the desk to confirm the adoption, I took one last picture through the glass door at Lucia's triumphant little smiling face, which seemed to say: "I'm going home with that nice lady! I know I am!"

Because her paws are so spotty (as Barb puts it, she looks as though someone went at her with a black marker!), Lucia was promptly renamed Dottie.

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The theory is that Dottie is part border collie: just look at her coloring, and those ears! But she's a tiny little border collie, and she seems a little beagley, too.

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It's taken her a long time to relax and realize she's home to stay. She was terrified of just about everything at first. But she's slowly starting to come around. I got to dog-sit a week or so ago, and I took this picture as Dottie and I went for a stroll around the neighborhood:

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Finally, here are a couple of pictures my sis-in-law Chris took this weekend. Incredibly, after some initial terror, Dottie was suddenly hanging around the kitchen table with us, cool as you please!

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How out of control is that?! Look at that snout! And those spotty paws!

In any case, all is well. You couldn't invent a happier ending. Dottie is happy and thoroughly adored in her new home, and Fiona is well-remembered as her cage continues to be inhabited by other dogs at the Humane Society - thanks to all of you. This blog has truly served its purpose, and it gets a happy ending, too.

I encourage everyone to keep an eye out for more hopeful adoptables at the Humane Society by bookmarking this link. If you're in the area, you could go out and visit Fiona's current cage-dweller and the other dogs out there - they'd love a walk and a scritch!

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All you Friends of Fiona have been so fabulous. You've helped so many needy animals over the past many months. Yay!

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Here's a big doggie thank you!

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Oh! And one more thing. Please take a moment right now (seriously, one moment! Click! Vote! That's it!) to vote for the Humane Society of Huron Valley in the Shelter Challenge at the Animal Rescue Site, which is giving away many thousands of dollars to the most-voted-for animal shelter. Why not help the shelter yet again with just one click? This can be your farewell activity as a charter member of the FoF!

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:-)

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Thanks again, y'all!

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Yay!

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Who doesn't love happy endings?

Good news, bad news, and a press mention!

Well, Smokey has found a happy home, so hurray for Smokey!

However, poor Gigi -- remember Gigi? -- is back at the shelter. I know her main profile picture says she's adopted, but she isn't. I guess her adoption didn't work out, so there she is, hoping the second time's the charm. Cross your fingers. Or, better yet, go get her!


As for the press mention: well, it was the Humane Society bulletin that just went out. If you wrote a check during the Friends of Fiona drive, you probably got a copy in the mail recently, too, which means you may already have noticed the mention of the FoF in the cage sponsorship section! I don't know about you, but I was thoroughly chuffed to see it.

From Beagle to biggie

A few days ago, the right owner walked into Dallas's life and took him home. I knew it would happen eventually! Now make room -- lots of room! -- for Smokey, an Alaskan Malamute and Husky mix. I find myself completely charmed by that silly, smiley face.

Smokey's Humane Society listing says: Everyone here at the shelter just loves this dog. He was brought to us as a stray, and a testament to how wonderful he is is that the people who found him have been back several times to visit, and would take him in a heartbeat if they could. He's a big goofball and very loving. This dog is super laid-back, and he is very smart. Smokey knows 'sit' and 'down' and he is very patient about being groomed. In this hot weather we have brushed out enough fur to dress several other dogs. Smokey is six years old, weighs about 77 pounds, and has mesmerizing eyes, one all light blue, one light blue with just enough brown in it to make him look a little cross-eyed. (He's not: he can see just fine.) He is patient, loyal, and ready for you to find out what a treasure he is! He should be in a home with no kids, and also no cats.

Wow. 77 pounds. Smokey's a great big guy. When Barb saw this picture, her caption for it was: "Look at me. I am the couch!"

Dallas is still waiting

But he seems to be waiting pretty happily!

A new picture of Dallas

What a sweetie!

Happy news and a new friend

At long last, the beautiful Gigi was adopted. Hurray! Sometimes you have to hang out for a few weeks before the perfect match comes along, I guess. Worth every minute, of course. And thanks to the Humane Society, every one of those minutes was spent well-sheltered and well-fed!


Now here's Dallas, an elderly but rambunctious Beagle who's all about making someone's yard his own personal kingdom. His Humane Society page says that Dallas is "an eight-year-young stray beagle who weighs about 32 lbs (all of it Beagle curiosity and energy!). He's a sweet guy who likes kids and who is anxious to find a new family to love!"

Good luck, Dallas!

More about Gigi!

Gigi's still there. They've also figured out her breed: she's now listed as a Swedish Vallhund mix.

I'm sure you're as surprised as I am at her extended tenure at the shelter. I mean, look at her! What a cutie!

Walk & Wag this weekend!

Rachel told me today about the annual Humane Society of Huron Valley Walk & Wag, a special fundraising event going on this coming Saturday, May 17, at the County Farm Park.

Click here for information and a schedule of events! Looks like a good time.

If you can't make it to the event, fear not: fellow Friend of Fiona Stephanie Church will be participating in the dog walk -- she'll be walking with her canine pal Heidi. If you'd like, you can sponsor her with any level of donation by clicking right here!

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Thanks for the info, Rachel!

Hello, Gigi!

I'm happy to report that Justice has found a happy home. Congratulations, big guy!

Now let's welcome Gigi, a sweet, fuzzy bundle of fur who's being kept sheltered and fed at the Humane Society, thanks to all of you fabulous Friends of Fiona:


According to her page, she's a great little gal. She's five years old, housebroken, smart, and cute as a button! Gigi's cage card says she is friendly, affectionate and walks well on a leash. Gigi is here because her previous owner didn't have enough time to devote to her (they have young sons). She should be in a family where any kids are over five years old. Gigi is up to date on everything and ready to rock out of here! Gigi is a wallflower: a shy yet charming canine searching for a patient owner with a relaxed lifestyle. She's looking for gentle guidance to help her come out of her shell. Treat her sweet and kind and she'll blossom.

I'm sure she won't be there for long. Those beautiful, beseeching eyes will win her a home in no time flat, don't you think?

Justice is still there...

Just an update on the denizen of Cage No. 4: it's still Justice.

He was gone for a minute and I was all ready to update the blog, but then he reappeared on the Humane Society Adoptables page... so someone must have adopted him and then returned him.

:-(

Poor guy.

Happy news!

Wow! Upon revisiting Roko and Pantha's page on the Humane Society web site, I saw a beautiful word in cheerful green italics:

Adopted!

Congratulations, adorable twosome! Here's to a happy new start in your new home. :-)

The odd couple

Look at this whimsical pair:

This is Roko the Chihuahua and Pantha the tortoiseshell cat. They are inseparable friends currently residing at the Humane Society, hoping to find a home together.

From their Humane Society listing:

This is an exceptional case, and calls for some exceptional people to step up to adopt this special pair of friends. Roko the Chihuahua and Pantha the tortie cat came from the same house and are best buddies. When they got here, our staff opened the carrier that Pantha was in and Roko raced inside to cuddle.

They are both a bit shy, Pantha in particular. We have made them our first dog-and-cat perfect pair, to be adopted together. Roko is five years old and is a blue-hairless Chihuahua. His notes say that he's very sweet. Pantha is front-declawed, and is an indoor-only kitty -- she also has the softest fur ever: no wonder Roko likes to snuggle with her!

He and Pantha are here because the newborn in their family has medical issues that preclude having any animals in the household.

When we put them in the same cage after they had been apart a few days, Pantha started licking Roko, and he loves her.

Please come get the pair of them!

These close friends may not be in Cage No. 4 (Justice is still there!), but they're so irresistible and unusual that I figured they should surely qualify as Friends of Fiona nonetheless. Pass the word around... this unlikely couple deserves a happy home!

Justice for all!

... or at least for one happy new home! Meet Justice, the new inhabitant of Fiona's memorial cage:


According to his Humane Society page, he's a "handsome, strong, and funny dog! Justice is a three-year-old Rottweiler who loves to run and to play fetch and tug-of-war. He's house-trained. He came to us as a stray, and weighs in at 89 lbs of playfulness! Justice is a big strong dog who needs to be adopted into a family who understands and has experience with the breed and who are not first time dog-owners. Because of his size and energy, he should be in a family where any kids are at least 10 years old. Justice's cage card says he is a beautiful dog, strong but very friendly and he loves to run and play fetch. Come visit this handsome guy and see if he's the match for you!"

Kysha's already gone

Just checked the Humane Society adoptables page, and cutie Kysha has already vanished, off to her new home somewhere. She's chasing a Frisbee in a back yard as I type, I'll bet.

Whoooo!

Rachel, keep us posted!

:-)

Welcome, Kysha

Say howdy to fluffy girl Kysha, our newest pal in #4. She's a one-year-old Pointer/Lab mix who came to us because someone in her previous family became allergic to her.

She will make a perfect dog for an active family, but for now we get to take her to the playard and do our best to get that tongue a-wagglin'!

Stay tuned!

Keep an eye on this blog for a picture of the brand new inhabitant of Fiona's cage, whoever he or she may be. We're eager to find out, too.

And happy adoption, Christopher! I knew they couldn't resist you for long. :-)

Christopher's still there...

... keeping warm and well-fed in his cage, which is good, of course... but still anxiously awaiting his perfect home...!

One of these days, someone will look into those beseeching brown eyes and take him straight to the adoption office. I know it.

Christopher takes a walk

I'm sure Rachel will have more pictures when she visits the Humane Society today, and as far as I'm concerned you can't have too many pictures of Christopher! But Barb and I dropped in on him yesterday, too, and took him for a walk. Or rather he took us for a walk. That boy has bountiful energy! He also rooted several toys out from the snow and demonstrated his ownership of them under no uncertain terms...

Christopher

Leaving his (and Fiona's!) cage

Go, go, go!

This is my free weight!

This is my hot dog!

A new furry Friend of Fiona!

Whoo-hoo! The Humane Society finally put the new inhabitant of Fiona's cage up on their web site. Hurray! Here he is... Christopher!

Look at that sweet little face. I bet he won't be there for long!

Here's the information from the Humane Society about him:

What a playful little guy! Christopher loves his toy. He also loves to run and so needs to be with a family with a fenced-in yard and the ability to take him on long walks and expend some of that puppy energy! Christopher is a little over a year old, knows the command sit, and gets along well with other dogs and cats and kids (age 5 and up). He's here because his previous owner couldn't keep him any longer. Christopher's card says that he loves to run, and also needs basic manners (he is still young, after all!). Come visit Christopher, he's up to date on everything and ready for a new family!

An update - kind of!

While I happily made it out to the Humane Society Sunday, my camera did not, so I was left with a crappy cell phone pic of cage 4's newest resident. But no matter how many times I have tried to send it to my gmail, it will not go through.

Anyhow, there's a spaniel-type dog who was happy and warm in Fiona's cage. He wasn't checked in yet (and still isn't up on the site as of 2 p.m. Tuesday), but Cristopher was very sweet and accommodating for his now invisible photo op.

Thanks, Friends of Fiona! :D

Wait for it...

I was unable to drag my germ-infused self out to walk dogs Sunday, so it'll have to be mystery dog yet again this week. But I cannot wait to go out this week and see who will be waiting for me. :D Paws crossed it's not in the single digits!

Once again, thank you all for making this happen

Such a relief . . . there is my sweet little Fiona's name in lights. I sorely miss her furry, gentle self but so thankful to see her name on a cage at last.


Just before closing time, Maeve and I got to the Humane Society for a quick peek. So exciting to see it there, and I know my little Fifi is wagging her tail too. Thank you Rachel for the tons of time you spend at the Humane Society and for checking week after week for The Sign to appear; thank you Maeve & Rachel for your excitement and work to make the Friends of Fiona happen; thanks Susan for the tip-off today; and thank you again to my very kind family, friends, and coworkers for your very thoughtful and generous donations to the Friends of Fiona fund. Fifi and I are lucky girls.

~ Barb

The plaque is up!

Good news, all you Friends of Fiona! While Susan was at the Humane Society adopting a rambunctious beagle (congratulations, Susan!), she saw that Fiona's plaque has been put up. Apparently, it's on one of the outside cage doors.

So exciting!

As soon as we can get a photo, we'll put one right here.

Still waiting....

We went again on Saturday and still no plaque, but I promise to let you know the second it is up!

Plaque update

Just a note: Rachel reports that someone at the Humane Society told her that Fiona's plaque will be up sometime over the next two weeks.

Good to know!

Thank you!!

Thank you everybody for this completely unexpected and beautiful gift. I appreciate your generosity so much, and when I regain my composure I will thank each and every one of you personally.

How lucky am I to know such great people!

~ Barb

And...

thanks to Maeve for rounding up all of the non-AMGers who contributed. This would not have been possible without you.

Keep an eye out in the near future for pics of your sponsored kennel and who you are keeping safe and warm with your thoughtful gifts. Fiona would be so pleased! :D

Friends of Fiona

I am proud and happy to announce that more than $600 was raised for the "Friends of Fiona" fund. Thanks to all who contributed, a one-year cage sponsorship at the Humane Society of Huron Valley will be put in place in honor of Barb's beloved Fiona.

One more picture of the beautiful sleepy girl in whose memory a whole year's worth of homeless dogs will be sheltered and cared for:

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the Friends of Fiona out there -- especially Rachel, whose brilliant idea it was and who coordinated everything with the Humane Society.

Rachel and I will be announcing the big news to Barb this morning. We're bringing plenty of tissues. For all of us.

Fiona is clearly aware that something exciting is happening at the Humane Society adoption office. And it is -- she's getting adopted!

Excitement at the adoption office

Fiona knows who's taking her home.

After spaying and dental surgery, she's woozy but ready to go home.

Home at last!

Fiona awaits Scott.

Barb's new chair becomes Fiona's new chair.

Fiona perks up upon Barb's return from the store.

A Thanksgiving romp at the Schuers'.

The glory of a car ride.

Scott and Fiona announce their engagement.

Sleepy girl!