Our Big News

Hello dear friends.  
And now for our BIG news. 

Chowdah has a sista!!

Our sweet little girl was found on the streets in Houston, Texas.  She was travelling with her brother, who has since been adopted by a couple in Connecticut.  They were rescued by the most wonderful organization called Houston Shaggy Dogs.  Kathy Wetmore, the founder of the organization, took the dogs to a groomer and then had them checked out at a vet.  She then placed "Tricia" in a home with the best foster mom in the whole world, Tilani. Kathy has placed over a thousand homeless animals in loving homes since she started the nonprofit organization in 1996.   

This picture was taken the day that she and her bro were picked up and thrown into an overcrowded animal shelter.  They had no idea what kind of dogs they were because their coats were so matted.  Houston Shaggy Dogs came to the rescue.

When I spotted Tricia's photo apres her makeover on Petfinder, I fell in love.  I read her bio which was glowing.  Tilani, her foster mom, said that she was a sweet dog that was very quiet.  She was about 4 years old.  These were the pics that were posted on line. 

I contacted Kathy and she explained that although Tricia was in Houston, she works with a wonderful transport company called Rescue Road Trips.  For an additional charge to the adoption fee, Tricia could be driven from Texas to Connecticut, where I could pick her up there.

This is Greg, who is the heartbeat of the operation.  He leaves from Ohio twice a month and drives down South to pick up the rescues.  He than makes multiple stops to drop the lucky dogs off to their new owners.  He calls those happy days Gotcha Days.

Greg stops along the way to meet the "angels" who volunteer to walk the dogs and give them a hug along the way.

Tricia and Greg

One of the many angels that Tricia met along the way. 

 Another angel taking our girl for a walk.

Now you're probably wondering why I wanted another dog.  I knew that Chowdah loves to play with other dogs.  I felt he was suffering a bit from only child syndrome.  I also knew I wanted to rescue a dog.  We rescued our dog, Gypsy, coincidentally, when we lived outside of Houston.  She had just had pups and evidently the owner decided to keep the pups and put her out on the street.  We had 12 wonderful years with her.  Her foster mom said she was the best dog in the world.  She was right.

Gypsy Rose Lee

When I discovered that Tricia was rescued in Houston, I knew it was meant to be.  So I talked to the Mister about it.  To say that he was less than enthused about the prospect of having another fur baby in the house would be an understatement.  But I talked him into it with the condition that he can buy a boat next summer.  
I didn't tell him that I meant toy boat.  

On Saturday, in the pouring rain, the Mister and I drove an hour to Connecticut to pick up our new addition.  Kathy and Tilani, her foster mom, told me to make sure to bring a sign welcoming Tricia.  I felt a little silly, as a post-menopausal woman, holding a homemade sign welcoming a dog to our family.  But hey - I wanted to make a good impression on Tricia.   I made a couple of signs.  Yes, I am an overachiever.  And no, I am not an artist.

Chowdah helped me make the sign.  

I also made a sign to Tilani, who was a wonderful foster mom.  She kept in touch with me and sent me photos along with sweet stories about our girl.



When I took Tricia in my arms, she licked my hand and slept all the way to her forever home.

I'm sure you are wondering how Chowdah has adapted to having a sister.  You know I don't sugarcoat anything.  The first night I was worried whether it was going to work.  It brought me back to the days when my girls were screaming hormonal teenagers.  Today, I feel that they are working on their rhythm, figuring out each other's boundaries, and hopefully will soon be best buds.

There are many unsung heroes in this story.  I found myself in awe of  Kathy Wetmore, tireless founder of Houston Shaggy Dogs, who takes these dogs to the groomer, vet appointments, and finds foster families while she is a full time realtor.  Greg, from Road Rescue, drives for days and is more excited than anyone that these dogs are finally going to their forever homes.  The loving "angels" that meet the sweet pups along the way give up their time and energy.  And Sweet Tilani, who works as a Veterinary assistant, and lives in an apartment, who devotes her free time to fostering unwanted, last chance dogs.   I asked Tilani what was the best and worst part of being a foster mom.  This was her answer.

The best part by far is watching the transformation from leery matted mess to lively love bug. Hardest part is the obvious, having to give that final hug and put them in the truck. It's a mixed bag of emotions. My part in their life ends, I'm a leg if the journey that's passing the torch but in this case the torch is a living, breathing loving scruff ball that's clawed it's way into your heart. On the flip side, you know what awaits. You know that they're never going to spend another night alone or scared and in my case I know it's a better environment since I live in a tiny space and work so much. Plus with social media, I get to watch them flourish to their full potential with a loving family. 

To me, that says it all.

Thank you, Kathy, Greg, sweet angels, and Tilani for taking care of our newest, precious member of our family. 


Happy Monday!

We have changed Tricia's name to
Chili
to pay homage to her home state.

I do not have a picture of Chowdah and Chili together because we are still respecting each other's boundaries.