Sad news was received all over the globe this morning with the sudden passing of Anthony Bourdain.
We also cant forget the toilet bowl that Ontario is spiralling down!
But instead of focusing on all the sad things going on in our world let me tell you about the newest member of my family.
FINALLY!!!
Meet TOGO <3
We also cant forget the toilet bowl that Ontario is spiralling down!
But instead of focusing on all the sad things going on in our world let me tell you about the newest member of my family.
FINALLY!!!
Meet TOGO <3
Togo was rescued in the Innu Community of Natuashish. He was found partially frozen to death in a puddle at nearly two weeks of age!
He is a Huksy Mix and is tipping the scale at 50 lbs, 5 months of age!
He suffered from frost bite and as a result lost part of his tail and has scarring on his hind legs that he will have for life.
He was born with an Entropion of the left eye lid meaning that his eyelid was rolled inward rubbing against his cornea.
He spent two months in Labrador with the lovely woman who rescued him before taking his first plane ride to Gander, Newfoundland where he spent some time at the SPCA before being adopted.
Togo came named, we had the option to change his name but It totally suited him.
"Togo" is a Country in West Africa, it is known for its palm tree lined beaches and hilltop villages.
If you look at Togo's hair, it kind of reminds you of a Palm Tree, a Fro if you will.
Fitting don't ya think?
For many years I had my heart set on getting a Border Collie puppy. Border Collies are a working and herding dog, meaning that they are extremely driven- have a high drive, not to mention intelligent. Given the lifestyle that I live, a Border Collie was a perfect fit, or so I thought.
I did my research and found a Breeder, but after some serious thought and time I decided that I wanted to Adopt.
This came with many setbacks.
Who would have thought that it would be so difficult to adopt a Border here in Newfoundland.
The closest adoption agency is located in New Brunswick and they do not adopt out of province as they like to meet the new parents, visit their home and send the dogs out on a trial before completing the adoption process.
Fair Enough.
So I started looking farther away such a Ontario, Alberta and BC.
None of these agencies had any puppies at the time and the cost to adopt was increasing, not to mention shipping costs. After becoming frustrated one afternoon I opened up facebook to change my train of thought for just a moment and there he was at the top of my feed.
He is a Huksy Mix and is tipping the scale at 50 lbs, 5 months of age!
He suffered from frost bite and as a result lost part of his tail and has scarring on his hind legs that he will have for life.
He was born with an Entropion of the left eye lid meaning that his eyelid was rolled inward rubbing against his cornea.
He spent two months in Labrador with the lovely woman who rescued him before taking his first plane ride to Gander, Newfoundland where he spent some time at the SPCA before being adopted.
Togo came named, we had the option to change his name but It totally suited him.
"Togo" is a Country in West Africa, it is known for its palm tree lined beaches and hilltop villages.
If you look at Togo's hair, it kind of reminds you of a Palm Tree, a Fro if you will.
Fitting don't ya think?
For many years I had my heart set on getting a Border Collie puppy. Border Collies are a working and herding dog, meaning that they are extremely driven- have a high drive, not to mention intelligent. Given the lifestyle that I live, a Border Collie was a perfect fit, or so I thought.
I did my research and found a Breeder, but after some serious thought and time I decided that I wanted to Adopt.
This came with many setbacks.
Who would have thought that it would be so difficult to adopt a Border here in Newfoundland.
The closest adoption agency is located in New Brunswick and they do not adopt out of province as they like to meet the new parents, visit their home and send the dogs out on a trial before completing the adoption process.
Fair Enough.
So I started looking farther away such a Ontario, Alberta and BC.
None of these agencies had any puppies at the time and the cost to adopt was increasing, not to mention shipping costs. After becoming frustrated one afternoon I opened up facebook to change my train of thought for just a moment and there he was at the top of my feed.
I mean, How Could I Not???
It just felt right.
Immediately I filled out an adoption application and sent it in. I then followed my application with an email to ask some additional questions. I had waited two days before calling the SPCA to chat with the manager to get some more information. I just couldn't wait!
I then heard the once sentence that I did NOT want to hear. "Togo is currently out on a trial with another family". My heart broke. Something in my gut told me that this puppy just had to come home with me and at that moment all my dreams were crushed.
I chatted it up with Bonnie a little longer, telling her all about myself and how badly I wanted to welcome this puppy into my home. She ensured me that she would keep me in the loop and let me know ASAP if the trail fell through.
Two days later mom called my work line. No one in my family ever calls my work line unless there is an emergency. When I answered I simply said, "Whats up?". Her response took all of three seconds, " SPCA just called for a referral, cant chat, late for work, love you, bye!" and hung up.
I was ecstatic, were they going to call me??? Did the trial fall through?
I sat waiting- impatiently , staring at my phone.
Within a half hour the SPCA had called and Togo was Mine.
I immediately started to cry!
Productivity for the rest of the day- Out the Window!
I hadn't owned a dog since my last pup who had passed ten years prior. Ultimately I am a cat person but there is just something about a dog that is good for the soul.
I had my new running and hiking partner.
We were going on vacation the following day and wouldn't be able to bring Togo home until we returned. The timing worked great because Togo needed to have his entropion repaired in Gander so we decided not to bring him home until after his surgery.
May 5th we drove to Gander to bring Togo home.
It just felt right.
Immediately I filled out an adoption application and sent it in. I then followed my application with an email to ask some additional questions. I had waited two days before calling the SPCA to chat with the manager to get some more information. I just couldn't wait!
I then heard the once sentence that I did NOT want to hear. "Togo is currently out on a trial with another family". My heart broke. Something in my gut told me that this puppy just had to come home with me and at that moment all my dreams were crushed.
I chatted it up with Bonnie a little longer, telling her all about myself and how badly I wanted to welcome this puppy into my home. She ensured me that she would keep me in the loop and let me know ASAP if the trail fell through.
Two days later mom called my work line. No one in my family ever calls my work line unless there is an emergency. When I answered I simply said, "Whats up?". Her response took all of three seconds, " SPCA just called for a referral, cant chat, late for work, love you, bye!" and hung up.
I was ecstatic, were they going to call me??? Did the trial fall through?
I sat waiting- impatiently , staring at my phone.
Within a half hour the SPCA had called and Togo was Mine.
I immediately started to cry!
Productivity for the rest of the day- Out the Window!
I hadn't owned a dog since my last pup who had passed ten years prior. Ultimately I am a cat person but there is just something about a dog that is good for the soul.
I had my new running and hiking partner.
We were going on vacation the following day and wouldn't be able to bring Togo home until we returned. The timing worked great because Togo needed to have his entropion repaired in Gander so we decided not to bring him home until after his surgery.
May 5th we drove to Gander to bring Togo home.
Since bringing Tog's home, we have learnt that he gets incredibly car sick, loves the water, likes cats, belly rubs, napping outside and will be an amazing running partner one day.
He is extremely intelligent, funny and lovable.
Training a puppy is a huge learning curve. Especially when you don't want your pup to be just a house dog.
Herding, recalling, luring, spatial pressure, leash pressure, the list goes on and on but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don't have kids of my own, by choice.
My animals keep my on my toes, fill my days with love and laughter, I am incredibly blessed. I love them as if they were children, and in a sense they totally are.
Thank you to the Gander SPCA for trusting me with this handsome devil and to Jonathan for supporting me in all my crazy endeavours, even if it means that the house is already at full capacity and I felt we needed a little more crazy in our lives.
Happy Friday
Go hug a Rescue, They do it Better!
-E
He is extremely intelligent, funny and lovable.
Training a puppy is a huge learning curve. Especially when you don't want your pup to be just a house dog.
Herding, recalling, luring, spatial pressure, leash pressure, the list goes on and on but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don't have kids of my own, by choice.
My animals keep my on my toes, fill my days with love and laughter, I am incredibly blessed. I love them as if they were children, and in a sense they totally are.
Thank you to the Gander SPCA for trusting me with this handsome devil and to Jonathan for supporting me in all my crazy endeavours, even if it means that the house is already at full capacity and I felt we needed a little more crazy in our lives.
Happy Friday
Go hug a Rescue, They do it Better!
-E
- Adopt don't Shop