PAWS Happily Ever After Stories

If you are a past adoptee parents and would like to share your happy ending story with PAWS Darwin submit your heart warming story with a picture or two and let us know how they have settled into their new forever homes.

Daffy

In June of 2010, I moved into a house that allowed pets. I was very excited! I wanted a dog and I wanted one now. I did decide to wait and think on that decision and make sure that I really had the time for a pet.

After deciding that yes, a dog it what I wanted. My friend took me to the PAWS Shelter (she has adopted her little Ferrari from there). I looked in all the kennels and only one little dog jumped out at me. His name was Daffy. It was like love at first sight. Jo, Ferrari, Daffy and I decided to go for a walk to see how well he was handled etc. Daffy and Ferrari firmly made friends. I then made the decision to adopt Daffy.

I have now had Daffy for over 12 months and I am thankful every day that this little guy was waiting for me. Daffy now has a little ‘sister’ Hunie and regularly hangs out with his four legged friends Indie, Ferrari, Joey, Roxie, Dixie, Evie, Ellie, Mousey, Chester and the list goes on.

Daffy and I attend weekly class with the PAWS Mob and we have grown into a very happy little family. Daffy has been lucky enough to learn mat, behaviour and tricks. His favourite is Taking Teddy for a Walk’, where he has learnt how to push a toy pram.

Since getting Daffy, I have made firm friends with the two legged and four legged people and animals at the PAWS Shelter.

Thanks guys for such an awesome dog.

Colby

After the death of our first family dog of 15 years, we thought we'd never have another again that filled us with love and joy. But it just had to be, when we popped into PAWS at Pound in Feb '11, and found a Bullmastiff X pup that just won our hearts. He was 3 months already, and was un-named, so we took the pleasure in calling him Colby.

He filled our days with many many laughs with his friendly, yet playfully active personality. He's grown a lot in the time we have had him, and changed in that time too. He used to hate his baths/showers, and now he likes them for the massages and towel drying. He used to be super shy, but now he's rumbustious, and we love him for that.

He's heading up to about 10 months now, and I've attached some photos to see how he has gone with us so far - to ensure that you've let a loving family rescue this adorable boy.

I would also like to thank you guys for holding the seminar class before adopting because that class had really helped us out and made us aware of many other things, and your puppy/juvi classes were awesome!

Thanks a lot, Steph

Claire

Hello, this is Claire. The most beautiful girl in the world. We found her on the PAWS website in March 2011. She was 6 or 7 years old, a few health problems, missing teeth but GORGEOUS. We have loved having her in our lives. She gets a long walk at various parks before and after work everyday. Weekends are spent at the beach, going on picnics, hanging out at the markets. Claire was so excited when she finally ‘taught’ us to throw a ball for her.

All her cousins love hanging out with her. She gets smooched everywhere we go. She is so affectionate.Claire has a variety of outfits for wet and cold weather. Nothing stops her going out. She has been a great mentor to Dusty.

Thanks to the PAWS girls for looking after Claire till we found her.

Kathy and Jerry, Perth WA

Bonnie

In May 2009 we got married and the very next day we decided it was time to extend the family, so we adopted Bonnie. A kelpie X that was already in the shelter for 6 months waiting for a home. We fell in love straight away.

In January of 2010 we moved back to Victoria and of course we could not leave our furry friend behind, so she came with us on a roadtrip, through the center, to finally arrive in Apollo Bay. She really enjoyed the walks on the beach and all the other dogs that she got to play with every day.

Then I found out we were expecting a little baby, and the need to be with my family in Belgian grew every day. So in June we decided we would move to Belgium to have the baby close to my family. But of course Bonnie was still our precious girl, and we could not bear the thought of her going back to the pound. So we bought her a plane ticket to Belgium that costed more than the two of us together - but she is worth it :) She adapted very well, and everybody here loves her.

The baby was born in October, and now the 4 of us are enjoying a cold winter in Belgium. We do have to tuck bonnie in every night because she isnt used to these temperatures but she loves playing in the snow! She is now a well travelled happy girl :)

Evie & Matt

Ferrari

Last August I started walking the Paws dogs on a Thursday night. I saw dog walking as an opportunity to get to meet some new people, spend some time with animals and do something to help out. I had no intention of adopting a pet as I was renting and my landlord wouldn't allow it :( In early October this skinny, funny looking little dog was in the kennels and I loved him on sight (but was trying to be cool about it because I knew I wouldn't be able to adopt him.) The card on his kennel said his name was Ferrari and that he was an Italian Greyhound. I'd heard of Italian Greyhounds before but had never seen one. I walked him that day and thought I'd never see him again as he would be snapped up by someone else. But, each week I came back and, much to my delight, he was still there (but it was a bit sad too to see that he didn't have a home yet.) It wasn't long before I was coming in twice a week, or three times a week to walk him!

In time, the place I was renting was sold and my new landlord allowed me to have a pet. I spent days agonising over whether adopting Ferrari would be the best thing for him as I live alone, work full time and was worried he would be alone too much. In the end I decided that I just had to adopt him and that I would be the best forever home for him. We had a rough settling in period when he peed and pooed EVERYWHERE (including on my bed) and got very sick, but he now very rarely pees inside, is the picture of health and lives in the lap of doggy luxury! He has his own couch (by default - not design! I live alone, so I get one couch, he gets the other :)) He has two doggy beds in the house and sleeps in my bed at night time (very spoilt!) All his food is home made and he gets fresh chicken bones every day. He has an hour (sometimes two hour!) walk every day. Once a week a group of us here in Jabiru have a 'puppy playgroup' where our dogs all get to play together and we sit and gossip and watch them and laugh at them - Ferrari loves it! I work full time and although Ferrari doesn't particularly like being home alone all day, he takes it in his stride and spends most of the day sleeping.

The best part of the day is arriving home and seeing his litte face peering out the front door and his tail wagging madly with excitement to see me home. Ferrari even has an extended 'family' in Palmie. My best friend adopted her dog Daffy from Paws in June and he and Ferrari are 'cousins'. Ferrari sometimes ends up with scrapes and bruises from rough play, but I'm sure Daffy has just as many.. we just can't see them through his shaggy black fur! Some of my other close friends have dogs and Ferrari, Daffy, Ziggy, Sally, and Jett have all formed a little extended doggy family. When we're in town we all meet up at the dog park and the dogs (and kids) run around like crazy things.

I love my little Ferrari and cannot imagine my life without him now. Adopting him is, without a doubt, the best decision I ever made.

Lewis

We adopted Lewis, a Border Collie cross Blue Heeler from the PAWS Animal shelter in 2007.

At first we were not looking for a second dog to welcome into our hearts as we had just rescued a terrier named Scruffy off the streets. As soon as we walked into the PAWS Animal shelter we knew there was something very special about Lewis. Whether it was those beautiful, chestnut puppy dog eyes or the fact that every time we went near his cage he would push his little paws under the mesh we don't know, we just knew for certain that he was a very special dog.

After having a play with him we decided to think about whether to adopt him or not over a couple of weeks. Through a few tears and a bit of sadness from us kids we walked away from the shelter.

After a couple of weeks of thinking we decided that we were able to adopt Lewis. After all the adoption papers had been filled in it was time to take Lewis home. When Lewis entered our home the first thing we did was to introduce him to Scruffy-who at first wasn't very pleased at his arrival but in the end came to love Lewis as a brother. Over the months Lewis turned into a very cheeky puppy, chewing up everything in sight including the sprinkler system that had just been installed.

A couple of years later our family decided to move to New Zealand and of course Lewis and all our other pets had to come too. It took him a couple of months to get used to the weather going from steaming hot to icy cold but he settled in perfectly.

Lewis now resides in Hamilton, New Zealand with the whole family. Some of the things he loves to do are going for swims in the river, playing fetch, going for longs walks up to the park and attending obedience classes.

Another love in his life is going for car rides. Whenever he hears the car keys jingle he runs to the door ready for another adventure. He even has his own seat in the car.

Recently we adopted a little kitten named Tiger- Rambo, who was the runt of his litter. From the day Tiger entered our home Lewis has been amazing, looking after him and being his fur brother. Now that Tiger is a bit older Lewis enjoys having a daily play fight with him- with most times Tiger winning. They are now inseparable, although sometimes Lewis does get jealous when Tiger is getting all the attention but so do most siblings.

Lewis is a loved member in our family and will always be. Thank you PAWS for rescuing Lewis and bringing him into our lives, life would never be the same without him. From the van der Oest family.

Samson

Hi Guys,

Just thought I’d send you some photos of (Turner) Samson. He’s very loved and enjoys his walk time at 6pm, as he goes and gets his lead to tell us its time!

Kayla and Simon

Megan

My name is Megan - Meg for short. I am approximately a year old, and by best reckoning a Great Dane cross. I've asked my people to write on my behalf, but I assure you that the words are all my own. My beginnings are unclear, but my sister and I ended up in Palmerston pound some months ago - that I do remember. To our delight, we were both collected, together, from the pound & taken to PAWS. That's where we met you all. We felt wanted, loved, needed. However, there were so many pups and kitties there... and so few of you to care for us. Slowly, we understood - despite all the love we received from you, your efforts were to find us even better places to go. We watched as families, young couples & some lost souls came to find new companions. Many of our cousins left for new lives. We however watched... we were growing bigger by the day you see. Not everyone wants really big dogs - we're a little misunderstood you see (ask my new brother).

Days became weeks, weeks became months. We were getting older, bigger, and loosing our puppy cuteness. Eventually the day came - my sister had been found a new home, a new beginning... without me. I lost weight - no matter how much they tried to feed me, love me.. I just kept on loosing weight, and the energy and life started to ebb away. I was kennelled in with a smaller dog who would pick on me. I started to realise I would never leave - I would never have what the other dogs were promised. It had been 3 months. The PAWS parents were getting ready to go to the Pet Expo - you know, to encourage people to keep their companions responsibly, & to raise some funds. There was so much fuss. Some of us were going to go too; to meet people, and to show off all the hard work of our parents. Of course - there was a young puppy, a brave cat, a blue-tongued skink... AND ME. They were taking me! Oh I couldn't contain my excitement. But... I was skinny, and had a huge cut on my paw - but they all said it would be OK. I just had to remember my training.

So - off we went. They set up their stall - with lots of flyers, and some stuff to sell. I sat at the back - I was scared, but excited. The cat sat on the display - owning it all. The puppy had many admirers. I could see people looking at me, I felt so awkward. A man and a woman came by - they looked over at me, I tried not to look - but they kept looking and pointing. Then they started talking to my PAWS parents... and started stroking me! I knew they were companion lovers - I could smell their dog and cat. I allowed myself to hope for a split second, but then they walked away. A short while later that very same man and woman came back again. Talking to each other & my parents again. They kept talking about "Bruno & Leo". This time I was allowed to stand in front of the stall - it was my turn to shine. I sat on my mat & tried my hardest to impress. But they walked away again. Finally they came back - they had treats & a lead (must have been for "Bruno"), and wrote on bits of paper. Hang -on, her hands were stroking me again... and he put his new lead on me. I couldn't believe it - I was going.....to a new home. I now live in Rapid Creek, and have a new brother - Bruno. He was bigger than me when I first arrived, and he looks a lot like me. Now everyone says I'm taller than him. I'm also fatter, and healthy - full of energy. I have a big garden with lots of birds and lizards. We go for walks to the beach and the pub. I also have a cat-brother - Leo. I love playing with him, but maybe I'm a little big.

I miss everyone at PAWS, I hope that my cousins have found homes, but I know that for everyone who finds a home, there are more who loose their homes, companions and families. Through no fault of their own, but they suffer. They don't understand what's happened. I miss my sister, but have brought infinite happiness to my new brother Bruno & of course to my companions.

With much love & licks,
Megan & companions Nick & Persia

Obie

We adopted our lil furry friend 'OBIE' who is a Kelpie Cross (Alsatian was vets guess) in Feb 08. He was about 12 weeks old and was a skinny and nervous dog. Dog school, a behaviour therapist and perseverance has equated to a gorgeous 1st addition to our family to Matt and I.

He has a submissive nature but has his strong headed nature also. He doesn’t like the heat much so has us wrapped around his paws without a doubt. He used to destroy EVERY bed we got him and after spending a fortune, a kelpie expert suggested placing him into a CRATE at night- one that can just collapse and easily washed out with the hose. AND HE LOVES IT. We just say IN YOUR BED and he goes right in and he turns around like he is nesting and curls right up and falls asleep. He is a boisterous lil fella but that’s a kelpie for you. He loves his plastic bone and he will lay there for hours and chew on it. He will let us know when he wants to go outside/come inside by nudging us. Subtle but eventually worked out what he wanted!! He is a fanatical digger and im not sure if he will ever stop but he is slowly finding OTHER things to occupy his time....

Overall, we wouldn’t hesitate to adopt a dog again. We took our time and when this one put his head on Matts shoulder and gave one massive lick, it was a PERFECT decision. We both love Obie and being approx 2yrs of age and from what we gather, he loves us very much. He follows us and is extremely smart. If we are sad, he knows. He comes up and puts head in lap and bats his eye lids at us. He has this KNACK to pick up emotions that even we don’t recognise. He is a bright spark, especially in our lives.

THANKYOU PAWS!!!!!!!!!
DeAnne and family.

Arthur Shanbury

This is the story of Arthur Shanbury, who we adopted in May this year.

As soon as we saw Arthur in the Paws shelter, we knew he was right for us. At that stage his name was Rusty. He was sharing a cage with another pup, and was furiously gobbling up some biscuits. We said hi and crouched down next to him, but he continued to eat until he was finished, and left the second full bowl for his friend. We thought he was a very considerate dog!

He was very quiet, and didn’t bark at all. We loved him, but decided to walk away, and think about it overnight. As we walked away, he barked! We knew we’d be coming back the next day.

Arthur has settled in very well at our place in Ludmilla. He sits on the stairs and surveys the yard, chasing bush turkeys and sun baking on the lawn. He is kept very busy riding in the car and trips to the beach. Arthur even has his own blog!

Although he’s not so hairy anymore as we shaved his hair to keep him cool during the build up.

Thanks for introducing us to Arthur.
Kate and Matt