Heinz was found near Steveston Highway, limping and apparently in a great deal of pain. A quick trip to a veterinarian for X-rays showed that his back knee had been broken several years ago, probably as a result of being hit by a car, but never properly treated. The muscles had atrophied (shrunk) and pulled the tendons away from the bone. Not only was the leg totally useless, but it was terribly painful. Painkillers immediately eased his pain but we were required to withhold any more extensive treatment for seven days in case his owners came forward to claim him. When that didn’t happen within the waiting period, surgery was performed immediately to amputate the ruined leg. For several years after his terrible and untended injury, poor Heinz had to learn how to get around on three legs, dragging the unworkable one along, but now, thanks to the surgery, he can do so without pain.

Heinz is such a brave trooper, and a real sweetheart. Despite his horrible injury, he was gentle and quiet right from the start. Now that the pain is finally relieved, he’s more than willing to return all the love that’s being lavished on him by RAPS staff and volunteers. Heinz is a shepherd-terrier cross, with maybe a bit more mixed in there, which explains how he got his name. Although his body looks like a small shepherd, he has the cutest terrier face and ears and big, trusting eyes. He’s about seven or eight years old.

After his ordeals, Heinz has now recovered his appetite and is enjoying his surroundings. Once he’s totally healed and back to his ideal weight, this sweet guy will be looking for a forever home where he’ll get lots of loving attention to make up for what he missed all those years while living with his uncaring former owners.

If you would like information on how to make a donation to help cover the cost of Heinz’s surgery please click here.

Dear RAPS,

Today is a special day for Kisu (formerly Tawny) and me. It is exactly one year since I adopted Kisu and brought her home from RAPS, and it has been a wonderful year filled with fun, adventures and love. We continue our daily hikes on the North Shore in the rain, snow – and even occasional sunshine – as a result of which I have lost 12 lbs, improved my cardio-vascular conditioning, and accumulated a considerable wardrobe of foul weather gear from Mountain Equipment Co-op! I’ve found myself with a huge smile on my face even as we’ve trudged through monsoon-like rainstorms, exchanging cheerful greetings with other dogs and their humans, many of whom I discovered have also adopted rescue dogs. Rarely have we encountered a grouchy dogwalker. People with dogs seem so much happier and more content than the grim-faced joggers and runners solitarily slogging along the same trails.

My family and friends call Kisu “Kissyface”. I warn folks that she is a killer dog – she’ll smother you with kisses. Her vet has two cats in his office. They were surprised when they first met Kisu. I doubt that they had ever been kissed by a dog before! Nothwithstanding her affectionate nature, like most huskies she combines strong hunter instincts with a keen sense of smell. She is constantly sniffing the trail and the air, and loves to chase squirrels and other rodents and play hunter tag with other dogs. Occasionally she tracks larger game. Not long ago she became extremely excited and, nose to the ground, raced down a road and into the woods hot on the trail of what I suspect was a coyote. During the summer she started up a slope where very tall grass and ferns were strangely swaying in a rolling path. When she realized it was a bear, Kisu quickly but calmly beat a retreat and we happily left the area to creatures much larger than ourselves.

Thanks again to you folks at RAPS for bringing Kisu and me together. Both of our lives, and those of the many other animals and humans you introduce to each other, are richer and happier for that. In closing, I’m attaching some recent photos of Kisu. Cheers!

Abe

Hello,

Rob & I just wanted to let you know that things are working out great with Dimitri! He is such a happy, loving boy and we’re so glad he’s part of our family now. He and Bailey are still getting to know each other, but we haven’t run into any major problems with the two of them.

Dimitri is learning how to sit and stay, and has only had one accident in the house (the first hour or so he was home). We are working on crate-training him and it’s going well. We also found out that he seems to be a-okay with kids!!! His first introduction was today, and it went flawlessly. We are continuing to work on socializing him on our (many) daily walks, and we really couldn’t be happier with his progress.

Thank you so much for allowing us to make this awesome little guy part of our family. We’ll continue to update you on his progress.

Andrea

Hi Guys,

Thought you might like some pictures of Luke enjoying his new home. I’ve learned that I can’t let him play inside, he doesn’t respect that his hips don’t let him spin around and he’s twice fallen.  He’s had some nice walks up the ravine though and has plenty of energy to follow me around wanting more ear rubs.

Thanks for helping me find him

-Jody

Hi, Addison has a new name! She seems to like the name Ricki and her nickname will be Boefje (meaning little rascal). She is having a blast and she knew within an hour what our front door is and no way she will pass that door. She acts like she has always lived here! All our friends are also in love with her!

Happy holidays!
Kirsten & Jacqueline