Fan Mail

Thunder
I want to thank you for posting a picture of this very handsome, playful and loveable dog on your website. I hadn't planned on visiting North Central because it was rather far to drive,
but something just "clicked" when I saw THUNDER on your website, and after seeing him
in person, I knew that I just had to take him home! Everyone loves him and my parents spoil
him like they do a grandchild - he now has an assortment of toys plus his own kiddy pool!
Regards, Candace & David

Thunder - December 2001

Bill & Cooper
Cooper's story is a happy one, but could have ended up quite differently...
He and his mom had been abandoned in the yard of the house where they lived - the owners had simply moved away! Luckily, the neighbors caught on, and called animal control. Because of the legal red-tape involved in a cruelty case, this good-natured pup had to stay at the shelter for a month, finally getting his lucky break when Bill adopted him! A great coincidence occurred when Bill and Cooper enrolled in the puppy class where I was the assistant-trainer, so lucky me - I got to see this sweet pup every week for a month!

Sugar & her pal Cinnamon
Sugar (pictured on the left) is Cooper's mom!! It's just a wonderful coincidence that I got to meet both of the nice families that adopted these two dogs! Here is a sweet note I got about Sugar: "Thank you sooooo much for helping us find Sugar. She is a terrific dog that follows you everywhere, is a verrry good walker on the leash, and only jumps up on us a couple times when she is really excited. She is very good with Cinnamon [our other adopted dog]. We love them both and they are a grrreat addition to our family!!! Thank you verrry much for your help!!!"
From, Paige and the rest of the Prindiville's

Lincoln
This exceptionally beautiful one year-old purebred Australian Shepherd somehow found his way into North Central. He was bailed out by Aussie Rescue & Placement Hotline, and after spending some time in foster care where he received obedience training, he lucked into a heavenly home on a 2000 acre vineyard ranch in Atascadero!

Elizabeth & Pepper
Well, I think this photo says it all...
Talk about a LOVEFEST!

Edgar & Shadow
Edgar is a very special friend of mine here in Echo Park. Without him,
there would be no Devil Dog Ranch website! Edgar is a computer-graphics
genius who manages a lab for a local digital arts space called OnRamp Arts.
He is also my computer tutor, and is extremely patient with me!
Edgar adopted Shadow, this darling Rottweiler puppy, from North Central. Shadow is a very lucky dog, indeed!

Hannah
"We met back on September 16 at the North Central Shelter. Thought you would like to see a picture of "Hannah" (AKA "Spectacles".) She is 5 months old and has doubled her weight. You can tell how much she has taken over the house! We wouldn't have found her if not for your website.. We love her dearly...(minus a couple of rose plants and sprinkler heads..) Also is a picture of her with her new brother "Sprocket". He's 3 months, a Golden and is a great "Play Toy" for her, but they do love each other and play non stop... Just wanted to let you know we can't "THANK YOU" enough! We make sure we pass on your website for future dog owners. Take care and thank you so much once again."

Terri and Cliff Fredericks

Jim & Hercules
Jim is a dear friend who met Herc during one of our visits to North Central to photograph the dogs for this web site. It was love at first site for Jim and also for his other dog, Pearl. Herc has a great life with Jim hiking and camping and being a treasured family member, at long last.

Toby
I just wanted to say hello and send you a few pictures of Toby ("Noodles") since you played such a vital role in his rescue. He's really come out of his shell and no longer feels threatened by everyone he comes in contact with. He now weighs a healthy 14.5 lbs. compared to the skinny 11 lbs he was when he was first rescued. He is a happy, loving dog and a wonderful companion.
Sincerely, Sabrina

Jolie's arrival

Jolie, Debra & Dollie
Hello! Get me going on the topic of Jolie, and you may be sorry you asked me to fill you in on how much we love her! April 1st will make one year that Jolie has been with Dollie and I. Jolie is a dream! We have 3 Dalmatians, and Jolie, is by far the sweetest most loving of them all! We call Jolie our "belly rub girl". She will crawl up on my lap, and flip over on her back, so I'll rub her tummy! She's so loving, almost as if she knows that she was close to death in the shelter, and wants to be sure that we know she is grateful for her life. Jolie LOVES children! Whenever there is a child around, she forgets that I even exist. I want to give a BIG thank you to Marsha for spotting Jolie at the shelter and posting her picture, and to Gail for getting her transported here to N.California. And thank you to everyone else who had a hand in bringing Jolie to us!
We will be forever grateful, and so will Jolie!

Debra & Dollie

Fia & Tallulah

On July 4th I found my doggy-mate Tallulah, named after the infamous Miss Tallulah Bankhead. She was at the shelter in a cage with about ten other dogs and I had no intention of adopting a pet....but I couldn't take my eyes off this sweet and very fiesty Dachshund/Chihuahua-mix. Tallulah came up to me and stood on her hind legs and licked my nose. Now of course the other dogs kept trying to get my attention but everytime they'd try and distract me, Miss Tallulah would put them in their place with her glamorous and fiesty snarling. Miss Bankhead let no one steal her thunder or walk on her, and neither did this little dog. I had to have her. Tallulah is my best friend - I adore her to bits! Little Tallulah has taught me about " unconditional love" and" loving discipline". She has given me the most incredible training to be a mommy! Tallulah is a gift!

Red
This gorgeous purebred Australian Shepherd was found wandering on the 110 Freeway, scared out of his wits. A Good Samaritan risked her life to stop and put him in her car, driving him to North Central to see if his owner was looking for him. No one ever came to claim him, but this very nice boy lucked-out when he caught the eye of a nice family from Pasadena:

"I want to thank you for putting Red's picture on your site. We've had him here with us since last Monday and it's been going really well! He and the Cocker Spaniel (Chica) are good friends. He is very patient with my two girls (5 and 9) and has just fit right in. He's intelligent, gentle and no problem at all. He might feel he's landed in dog heaven, since he gets so much love and attention now. I'm really happy that we have him. We love him (my husband, who never had dogs, had bonded with him big time). He's a great dog!"
The Leibman Family

TAI CHI


as Chow #352661
in the North Central Shelter

Tai Chi's story has got to be one of my favorites! He stood out at the shelter as an extremely well-bred Chow Chow. But adult Chows don't do well in the chaos of a shelter. They are aloof by nature, and this attitude is often misread, causing people to fear them for no good reason. Such was the case of this boy, whose kennel card was marked "WATCH" - a notation that identifies a dog as a potential biter. Unless proven otherwise, this label most often results in a death-sentence at over-crowded urban shelters like this one, where prime space must be saved for the more (ahem) adoptable dogs.
I knew from Tracy of Adopt-A-Chow-L.A., that a woman named Linda in Northern California was keen on adopting a cream Chow, so I sent her this photo (left) to forward to Linda - who was very interested. So it was, that a plan to save this dog's life was immediately put into urgent action - the clock was already ticking on this boy, and there was NO time to waste. Once his temperament was assessed and approved, this dog was bailed out by Joan, fostered by Kristi, (both of Adopt-A-Chow-L.A.) and a relay transport was engineered by Gail of the California Rescue Railroad. WHEW! Talk about teamwork!
This gorgeous dog's incredible journey is documented below.
WARNING: you may want to have some tissue handy!

TAI CHI's first bath in his new home.

Dear Friends, The impossible journey has ended in a new year and a new life. Tai Chi who has known more ripping up of his life and emotions than we can fathom is Home..resting in the office with Terry and Quinn and myself. He at first curled into the most pathetic ball and kept his head and tail down and tight.."if I don't move and make myself small no one will see me and I will be safe..". The tail came up after the kind but enthusiastic (for a Chow) transporters left and we took the trio for an evening walk. This is a dog whose psyche is so torn...he needs total peace for awhile. Now he lies with head up or comfortably settled with muzzle between the fat paddy paws on the floor and lets out enormous sighs. He ate happily his homecooked meal and drank long and deeply and acts a little less shell shocked. Poor little man. One can only guess. He flinched and jumped when at first we touched him and now he watches calmly as we move about the room and doesn't pull away if we bend over to stroke him. It will be a long trip to release his true spirit but oh he is so beautful..inside and out. What a treasured beginning to 2001 for us...to think he could have been long dead by now...it grieves us to think of those before and after who share his fate but for the grace of God and a caring rescue worker simply because they too are frightened and depressed. We are grateful beyond belief for *all* of you who cared and made this miracle happen for us. The complete miracle will take time and the bond of trust we will build, but we are all on our way! Wishing everyone the same joys and peace we have felt today.
xxoo Linda

Interesting study in chow attitude... subtle but I think you can pick it up... the park shot was on the first day meeting him from transporters and then wanting to come in the family room after being *home* for a few days..note facial expression, ear and tail set!
:))) Linda

TAI CHI walking with members of his new family: QUINN, Terry & SULEI

For those of you who are following this story - and why wouldn't you follow a wonderful story like the rescue of Tai Chi? - I wanted to post that I have had some brief 'conversations' with Linda. Tai Chi is settling in very well. From initially being very traumatized and a bit off colour after his trip, he is now venturing out with the other Chows, and showing interest in his surroundings. Really, so soon after all he has been through, these are GIANT steps. So many people helped in finding him, arranging to have him transported etc., and Linda would not give up. This boy was NOT going to die and she made sure he did not. We all know that he is not showing every side of himself yet, anymore than you would open up with your deepest feelings in a room full of strangers, but he is showing very good things. I also want to tell you all that this boy was on a 'watch' because he kept to the back of the cage, was quiet and withdrawn and didn't interact. Sometimes you have to listen and just make your own decision. Linda did and it looks like she is going to have the best chowboy she could imagine. Certainly not all rescues go this well so fast, but if you are considering taking this step in 2001, Tai Chi is a story that you should keep in your heart.
Pauline

TAI CHI being brushed by Terry

Dear Friends,
I was in the kitchen tonight when I heard the thundering hooves of the chows blamming their way across the deck in a great rush. I figured it was Terry coming home, and then,sure enough, there was a single syllable happy "Woof!" Terry came in shortly afterwards and happily asked me if I heard the bark..I said yes and figured it was Quinn or Sulei..nope..it was Tai Chi who also greeted Dad with a great flourish of the tail. One week today he has been Home and it was celebrated with a bark that lets us know that he feels like he belongs.

TAI CHI with his new brother, QUINN

Things have been fairly quiet with small victories day to day... Chi let us walk up to him... let us pet him... let me brush him... wagged his tail when he saw us, etc. But today is a red-letter day! I had been away from the house for a short session at the gym (they're always short sessions!) and when I returned three happy chowdren greeted me with pushing for loves and pets. Chi got down on his forelegs and started to bounce and jostle like a pup. I clapped my hands and encouraged play in my best "puppy" voice and all of a sudden Chi started to ZOOM! He zoomed from one end of each deck to the other with a black blurr followed by a red gallop (Sulei is a bit portly...) and out of sheer joy just raced and chased for about four minutes. What a picture. To think the unthinkable... he would have been long dead if not for all the people on the Chow list who contributed to the Rescue Fund. Chi and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. And Terry and Quinn and Sulei too!
Linda

Ahhh...HOME at last.

 

Each day, we began to see little bits of calming and acceptance and a decision from Chi that the world was not such a bad place after all. Small strides mean so much when working with abused rescues. The first time his tail moved ever so tentatively when he saw us... the first WOOF when something bothered him outside the glass doors, ("this is my house..watch out stranger!", the first quick kiss on my outstretched hand.
He now strikes out with a fat paddy-paw at Quinn and Sulei's chests in supplication and enticement to play. He is usually met with some indifference by Sulei and a warning growl by Quinn but I was delighted to see a blurr of red,black and cream fur flying across the deck in some rough and tumble play the other day. He totally adores Quinn and with his street smarts plays up to him as Alpha male and kowtows to His Chowness who accepts it as his Right.
Chi is a smart little dickens who learned his name very quickly and responds now with an acknowledgment of a turned head if not actually coming when called. Of course that is usually Quinn's response also! I had trained Quinn as a puppy to ring a rope with bells on it that hangs from the sliding glass doors in the family room when he wanted to go out for potty. It took Chi only a few "rings" with resulting walkies before he figured out that was a neat way to get to go out.
And so I sit every day with slices of lean turkey hot dogs laid seductively on me and praise at each tentative step to me and quick snatch (with the gentlest of mouths)of the treat. Firmly I hold the short lead that is always on his collar so he can't dance away just out of touch and I run my hands over his body... touching... praising... giving bits of treats. His rigidity slowly relaxes and he sometimes lets me touch his head without holding his leash now. His tail speaks volumes when I greet him and he no longer flees when we walk past as he is lying down.
How I wish I could unlock the secrets that lie within this little Chow heart so that I could take away all fears, but time will have to accomplish that. And now it is Chi's turn to take a leap of faith with us. I have no doubts but that he will, and he will be wonderfully rewarded just as we have been.

On Tuesday, I went over to North Central to check her out. Well, as soon as I saw her in person, I KNEW she was a Dalmatian. Marsha had arranged ahead of time for us to take her out, and we went outside to the lovely lawn area they have over there. Photographer Tracy Mynhier (Adopt-A-Chow L.A.) and the rest of us tried like crazy to get her cute lemon self, delighted to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine, to stop racing around long enough to take a picture of her for my Dalmatian Rescue lists and finally succeeded.

By the time I got home from the shelter, Debi Crowe-Gomez had not only said she'd be able to foster her, she'd tentatively found her a home! The lemon girl, who I called Butterscotch because of her yummy, caramel-colored spots, would be going to a home where Debi had placed a male lemon Dal about a year ago. While waiting to go to her new home, Butterscotch made herself at home in Debi's house and played with her Dalmatian-mix foster sister Patsy, at one point getting her attention by yelling in her ear!!! LOL!!

Here are two photos of the lemon dal pup,
now named TAFFY with her new family!

Mandi with her new family picking
out goodies at the pet supply shop!

Mandi & the Carter family
Mandi has joined our family which includes; Darrell & Mari Carter, kids: Jarrod-18, Darren-16, Rachel-5 and Emma-3. She has made herself part of the family very quickly, and my girls get up every morning wanting to "go outside and play with Mandi." Mandi also has her regular Sat. & Sun. early morning routine with "Dad"; they go down for coffee and a run at the park or the beach in Redondo. She has a wonderful, playful and affectionate personality, and was a perfect fit for all of us, especially the girls at their young age. As a very busy mother of 4, I also didn't have time for the "puppy stage" right now, so Mandi is a welcome addition, with very little training needed. We do fun things like teaching her to jump thru the Hula Hoop. She learned that trick in about 10 min. She is very vocal and speaks her mind regularly, so she has to be a Carter. Thanks to Rover Rescue, as we got her info off their website. We had been looking for just such a pet for a long time, and appreciate all the hard work of all the "Rescue" personnel.
Thanks again, The Carters

as Chow #391559
in the North Central shelter

Peaches
If it hadn't been for Adopt-A-Chow-L.A., it's doubtful that Peaches would have made it out of North Central alive! Not only was she an adult Chow, but she had a limp due to an old fracture that was never properly set. To add insult to injury, her former owner had tried to give her a homemade haircut and her coat looked terrible! Peaches' luck turned around the day her photo was sent to a family in Seattle,Washington who were actually looking for a handicapped Chow as a companion for their own handicapped Chow! Soon Peaches was bailed out, groomed, and flown (thanks to a kind-hearted flight attendant) to her new forever home! Here's a note from her new family:
"Peaches is a very low-key, sweet girl. She enjoys staying in the house and staying close to her human friends. She gets along okay with the three other dogs-2 females (Chow and Westie) and male Chow (Bandit) but prefers following us. We love her very much and hope to enable her run and play with the other dogs soon. Thanks so much for saving our sweet Peaches." Barbara, Ron, Bandit, Daisy, Jasmine & Peaches

Peaches with Olivia, daughter of Adopt-A-Chow-L.A.'s founder, Tracy Mynhier

and here's an update...
We have an appointment with a local Orthopaedic Surgeon next Thursday to let us know how we can repair her dislocated elbow. If he is unable to help us, we will take Peaches to the vets at the Washington State University (WSU) Vet Teaching Hospital for the most current technology and wonderful specialists. Bandit has been there twice for his back, elbow and back leg problems. It is a 8-hour drive each way but they are very good. Our wish is to see Peaches running and playing with the three others. It would bring a big smile to our faces. You can see our dogs mean the most to us and anything that can make their lives better is going to be done. We are very grateful to Tracy Mynhier of the LA Chow Rescue organization for coordinating the rescue and saving Peaches life. Peaches is a laid back sweetheart despite everything that has happened in her life.