Jackson

            Jackson when he first came to the rescue          

     In January 2009, Kansas K-9 ResQ showed dogs available for adoption, during one of the intermissions at a Wichita Thunder Hockey game. We saw a very scared nearly all black Miniature Dachshund in the arms of his foster mom. We knew within a couple of days that he was going to be our dog.

     You see Jackson, was rescued from a puppy mill, and it was quickly obvious that he needed stability, lots and lots of love, as well as much patience.

     During the first few days, we were shocked with the fact that he preferred to eat his food dumped all over the floor rather than in a bowl or dish. He was extremely skittish around males, as it was very apparent that he had had encounters with males in his past, and apparently in not a good way.

     Within a few days he learned our routines, and it became easier and easier for my husband to show affection to the newest member of our family. My husband longed for Jackson to jump up to sit in his lap, it took several months before he would even join me in my favorite chair, but once he let go of his fears he joins me in my chair any time, many, many times a day. But my heart ached because Jackson could not let go of his fear of men to jump up and sit with John.

     The best "bonding time" for Jackson and John was at bedtime. Jackson learned to let go of his fears of men, and allow John to pick him up to sleep in bed with us. For months, this was the only time where John could hold him, love on him and cuddle, but only in bed. And let me tell you, when Jackson decides he wants to be petted, you are in for a LLOONNGG petting, because if you quit too soon, Jackson will nuzzle you for more. And very soon after we got him, Jackson would sleep by John.

     John soon realized that Jackson loved to play ball. I wish everyone could see this. Jackson does a cute little ‘bunny hop' when he realizes that you have tricked him and not really thrown the ball. Jackson probably will never let anyone take the ball from his mouth, nor will he ever drop the ball at your feet. Jackson drops the ball about 1-2 feet away from the thrower, and then push the ball towards you with his nose.

     And then it happened, the moment that we had dreamed about.

     After repeated invitations from John, Jackson finally jumped up into the chair to sit with John! I sat there speechless with tears welling up in my eyes. This was not only a very happy moment for John, but a HUGE milestone for the little 3-year old dog that was rescued with help from the Pratt Humane Society and Kansas K-9 ResQ.

Koni Foster

Jackson's New Mom 

1. Jackson (middle) with his new brother Max (top) & Foster home brother Dusty

2. Jackson today - February 2010

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Miss Muffet 

 My name is Miss Muffet, as in  "sat on her tuffet", but my friends call me Muffy.  I started out at the city shelter where I had been taken when the animal control people found me on the street; I did not look anything like I do now! I weighed only 4 pounds (like skin & bones only), was dirty, my hair was matted clear down to my skin, I was full of fleas, and I had an injured leg.  If someone touched my back hip just right, I cried and tried to snap at them; this made the animal care people think I was a bad tempered little girl and they were going to euthanize me.  But a kind lady with Kansas K-9 ResQ came in and stopped to talk to me.  She saw that I was just hurt and afraid, so she talked the people there into letting me go home with her.  I got a bath and the fleas were gotten rid of; the next day, I went to the see the vet.  He was nice, but said I was very sick and probably would not live through the worming process.  You see, someone had used me as a puppy mill type dog and even though I was only 1year old or so, I had already had puppies and obviously no medical care.  My little body had every known parasite except heartworms.  But the lady at KS K-9 ResQ knew that I deserved a chance, so she gave me the medicine and took care of me.  After three months, I was healthy, happy, and spayed (no more puppies for me). I was adopted to a couple and now am the Diva of the house.  I have two doggy brothers, but I am the boss!!  And when two legged people come to our house, I think they come to visit me!

Why do I tell my story?  I want people to know that just because dogs are in the "pound" does not make them bad dogs; most of them just need someone to take care of them, train them to be good companions, and to LOVE them.  Thanks KS K-9 ResQ for helping other dogs just like me!  

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BRINDEE

As Foster Parents to some very wonderful dogs, we are often asked 'if you love this dog so much, why don't you keep her/him yourself?"  That's a very good, legitimate question.

Some of the dogs that come through our doors we do bond with - they recognize us as 'saving' them from hardship, and just become closer to us.

Others have so much personality and are fun to play with and watch that we instantly become attached to them too.

Sometimes it is very hard to let go - but what I tell my Adoptive Families is this: "when we find just the perfect family for a certain dog, and the dog 'clicks' with them - it makes all the difference in the world."

I don't need to adopt every dog and keep them in my life to be happy - I trust the family I've found for them to be loving and take care of my small charge while here on earth.  And to see the light and love in the Adoptive Families eyes too when they have found just the right new family member really warms our hearts.

This is the story of Brindee. She was relinquished to our rescue from a person living outside the city limits. They had tried everything in their power to find her home - checking with neighbors, ad in the paper - with no success.

She was a trembling, scared little girl when we first met her.  Small, cold, someone had shaved her long hair from her head, they had been keeping her outside, and she was very scared. From the moment I took her from the crate they had her in, she nestled down into my chest, and stayed right there close, all the way home. And the trembling stopped.

Over the short time we had her she blossomed. She was playful with the 3 month old pup we had in rescue. She was respectful to the older dogs in the home. And she was fun to play with when she had her tennis ball.

We knew from the start we would adopt her out and not keep her - even though we fell in love with her immediately. You see, we have 4 dogs of our own already, and to adopt one more would be against city laws, and we would not be able to work with the rescue and foster any more dogs.  And there are so many more out there.

Brindee found her home.

A Mother and her 3 children came to meet her at Petco one day.  The children were between 5 & 8, and had so many questions - what to feed her, how much, how often did she go to the bathroom, does she play, does she like to wear clothes, what kind of toys does she like - goodness the questions! And in rapid fire succession too! 

We followed procedure, did the reference check, then went to the home for a home visit. Now a whole new set of questions were fired at us, and the family, Dad too, fell in love.

They kept her for several nights to be sure it was the right fit and that Brindee would get along with their kitty too.
 
Well, I was over there the other day. Stopped by to pick up something. Brindee was overjoyed to see me - couldn't get enough loving from me, and I couldn't 'smooch' on her enough. But when we sat down - the Mom and I - Brindee went and laid down at HER feet. She was HOME.

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MOLLIE

Mollie came to us through Pratt Humane Society. She was rescued from a puppy mill along with 86 other dogs in December 2008. Mollie is about 4 years old and had never been outside a crate, and she has had several litters.

Despite all she has been through she is still a very sweet little dog.

She had to learn to negotiate stairs, learn to play with other dogs, and learn to trust the human touch.

Mollie is now in a forever home with a wonderful family, a young girl to play and cuddle with, and another doxie to romp and explore the yard with.

She is truly a success story.

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Kansas K-9 ResQ is a 501 (c) 3 Organization