Archive for May, 2009

May 22, 2009

Stanley B Furchild writes from his new home

I let The Man play with my toys too

I let The Man play with my toys too

Hello lovely people at the SPCA in Newtown.

Stanley here (previously Sparky).

I haven’t been in touch for a while, so I thought I’d write to let you know how I’m getting on since I went home with The Lady and The Man who came and got me from Wellington SPCA. (I barked this to The Lady and she has translated).

Things are going really, really well for me, and I have been SUCH a good dog. The Lady tells me this all the time.  She also laughs a lot at me when I give her my ‘love me’ look that I do so well, when I do my mad running around the house, when I flirt with my toys and when I wiggle when I sit because I get so excited. I have a nice house with a deck and a back garden, and I have my own kennel outside and TWO beds inside (!), one for sleeping on when it is bed time, and one next to the fire in the lounge to watch the big square thing on (I get very interested when I hear other dogs on the big square thing and have to get up really close to make sure they aren’t going to come and try and sleep on my bed). Both my beds are VERY comfy! I also have a very smart brown collar with bones on. The other dogs in my ‘hood are quite jealous.

I love to bounce on the deck

I love to bounce on the deck

 Things were a bit tricky to start with – I was scared that The Lady and The Man might leave me like the other people did, so I followed them everywhere to keep an eye on them and got really upset when I couldn’t see them. But they gave me lots of cuddles and reassurance and now I know that even if they’re gone for a little bit, they’ll always come back to get me, so I don’t worry so much anymore. They gave me these cool things that they called ‘TOYS’ and I am allowed to chew them and throw them around, and I am very good at knowing which are my toys and which are The Man’s shoes – I am NOW anyway! I also have discovered something called ‘BONES’ which are probably the best thing in the world (or a close second to ‘WALKS’ anyway) and I am allowed to have them out on the deck, but not allowed them on the lounge carpet. I’m also very fond of pigs ears, but I like to bury them for a while and then go and dig them up later on. I find they’re tastier after they’ve been marinated.

The Man gives the best tummy rubs!

The Man gives the best tummy rubs!

I have met lots of nice people, a lady at the Vets place who gives me liver treats and pats, and all the nice people at Paws In The City where I go sometimes to play with the other dogs. (Although The Man was worried that they wouldn’t let me back after I climbed over a fence and got into the office and got paint everywhere. But don’t worry, the PITC people think I’m so cute, that they let me back, no worries!).  I have also done some training with them, and I was very good – although some days Hersey the Labrador puppy distracted me and I barked at him. Sometimes a dog just can’t help it. But I can sit really well, and if they ask me to do something that I don’t understand, I just sit down because I figure that is better than nothing.

I think the best thing is though, that The Lady and The Man love me very much and tell me that I’m the perfect dog for them. And they give me lots and LOTS of cuddles!

Feeling bashful!

Feeling bashful!

Just wanted to say a big thank you to all you folks at the SPCA for looking after me so well and for finding me such a nice home to go to…The Lady says to say thanks from her and The Man too for letting them have such a  lovely dog (awww..I’m blushing!).

Hope all the other dogs and cats and other animals there find good homes too.

 Much love and licks,

 Stanley B. Furchild.

May 18, 2009

Tonka needs a special home

tonka6Tonka was seized by Whangarei SPCA as a 9 month old puppy who had spent most of his life chained up and being regularly beaten. His owner pled guilty to ill treating him in October 2008 and the courts awarded him to Whangarei SPCA. He was named Tonka as he was obsessed with toys, probably because he had never had any, but this has eased with time and training.

While in the care of Whangarei SPCA, Tonka has had training and been fostered into a home to learn about that environment. After 7 months of trying to rehome him, Whangarei SPCA decided the right home for him was not available there as too many potential owners had young children, or wanted him as a pig dog or a guard dog, for which he is unsuitable.  So they asked Wellington SPCA to find him a loving home where he will be treated as a loved member of the family.

The ideal home for Tonka would be with someone who wants a dog to hang out with. He will need a confident owner who will give him plenty of exercise as he has lots of energy to burn. He responds really well to positive reinforcement training, respect and loyalty. Getting angry with Tonka does not work. He feeds off his owners emotions he will be best with someone who is relaxed, patient and calm. He has been excellent with little kids in a controlled environment , but Tonka is a bit too boisterous to live with kids as he will knock them over – not because he is agressive but because he finds it hard to contain his excitement.

Tonka will be a great project for someone who really loves dogs and wants to make a real difference to the life of one dog. The person who adopts Tonka will have a hugely rewarding time polishing this rough diamond and will have a mate for life.

Read the article on Tonka published in Whangarei’s Nothern Advocate