Diva Dog Vintage

Wanda

I scoffed at the notion that my "life has changed" when my friend found out I adopted Wanda - a gorgeous Rottie girl - from the North Central Animal Shelter. Boy was she right. I adopted Wanda on November 6, 2001 and my life has certainly changed. My vet seems to think she's around 9 months old. She learned her new name in one day, follows me where ever I go, and has brought an immense amount of joy to my life. I was planning on leaving her outside. I have a huge shed that I was going to make her dog house. Needless to say that the doghouse wasn't used. Not even once. She lives in the house and it feels like she's been there a lot longer than a month. I never feel down around her and I rush home to play with her every day. No matter what kind of day I've had, she makes me laugh. She's a natural clown and seems her happiest when she's at my side. She has made me more social (I know my neighbors and their dogs now) and I appreciate the outdoors a lot more. I understand now! Why people love, laugh, and grieve because of their dogs. My original intention was to get a dog because someone broke into my house and the cop said that dogs are the best protection. Ironically, Wanda isn't home when I'm not, because she almost always goes with me wherever I go! I thank God that I found her in that pound. Hope you like the picture of us. ~ Javier Varon (Wanda's Dad)
"May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

UPDATE - It's been almost nine months since Wanda came to live with me. In that time I have learned to train her, we belong to a dog club and we're getting ready for Therapy Dog classes. She loves kids and I want to take her to Children's Hospital. She almost doesn't seem like a dog or a pet, but a friend, a family member. She was there in one of my darkest moments and I can't imagine life without her now. ~ JV

Chloë
Chloe was bailed out on Christmas Day, 1999, from North Central, by Gillian Lange. She stayed at the Lange Foundation for 2 months (which is hard to believe) before I found her. People came and went adopting other dogs, we figure it was because she has a heart murmur, and no one wanted to make the commitment. Gillian, medically sees to it that all HER dogs are taken care of. To reassure us, she had 2 echo-cardiograms done to see exactly what her condition was. After conferring with out vet, we brought her home, with the understanding that she was NOT to be a jogging dog. Yippee, I don't want to run either !! Her personality was such that all she wanted to do was please and visit with anyone who would look at her. Alas, Therapy work was born. We checked out our avenues, took all the required classes for obedience on and off leash, then on to the Therapy class to see if she would qualify. So far so good! 30 dogs were seen at our hospital that day, and I think 15 were accepted into the program. We felt very fortunate and for the past year and half Chloe has walked many miles to bring smiles and joy! Everyone in the hospital knows her by name.....and I.....am just Chloe's mom!! She loves to perform for the kids - as well as all adults - doing her tricks...she plays the piano, honks a horn, rings a bell for room service, jumps hula hoops which just makes everyone smile! 20 different tricks in all. For anyone thinking of ONLY a pup.....open your hearts to someone a little older, and see the joy they can bring.....Chloe is now about 3 years old and she has blessed our family 100-fold thanks to the caring people at the Lange Foundation and North Central Shelter.
~ Pat Carlson and Chloe

Tasha
Hi, I just recieved another email from Ami, the lady wanting the little Shih Tzu. She drove four hours from Murietta to adopt her!
The family had just lost their little ShihTzu in a car accident. When she taped the website photo of this one on the fridge, the kids asked how thier dog has come back to life!
They are SOOOOO happy!
~ Claudia

Jenna & her new dog Tasha

Ofelia & Ross
with Kobe
Kobe was adopted from the North Central Shelter on October 31st, 2001. After months of searching on pet adoption websites and visiting shelters, we saw Kobe's picture on this site and decided to go meet him. On the day he became available we arrived at the shelter very early and waited for the doors to open. We adopted Kobe that day. He was a mess. For the first two weeks, he was very shy and afraid of anyone getting close to him. Well, things have changed now! He's a very loving dog and loves playing fetch. He loves wrestling around and just cuddling up with us on the couch. Kobe has come a long way since the first day we saw him at the shelter. He fills our lives with joy and laughter.
~ Ofelia F.

Patrick
We adopted Patrick the week of St. Patrick's day almost two years ago. He has been a true dream. But, he could have lost his life. We had lost a beloved little cocker. My friend called the Amanda Foundation who knew of Patrick's situation, he was scheduled to lose his life the next day. The director of the Amanda Foundation called the shelter and begged them to hold him one more day. They did. I went in and adopted him. To tell you the truth, I was crying so much I wasn't even sure of what he looked like. I know he was a mess, I know he seemed to have lost hope. He wouldn't even come up to the front of the cage, I had to call him to me. He leaned on me. He's home with my husband and I and our other two Cocker Spaniels (all pound rescues).
Love, Polly

Mike with Patrick (left) & Pookie

Skye, as #A446608

Skye & Oz
Yes, after many visits to shelters and rescues and because of your judgment, I adopted the Red Chow. I value your judgment and agree that he is a wonderful dog and will be a great addition to my "family". Yesterday, the Vet informed me that he'll be ready to go home today, so I'll pick him up this afternoon. I'll keep in touch and send pics... Again, thanks for "Skye" and the Red Chow.

8-27-02 - I took a couple of vacations days to have an extended week-end with the "kids" (Skye and Oz). Yes, I decided to name him Oz, however, he's not named after the L. Frank Baum novel or Motown's feeble remake, but instead after "OZ", the testosterone driven HBO series. I thought is was kinda fitting, since he was an LA County Shelter inmate, and "confined to a cell" with other males :) Also, over the week-end, we did a little hiking in Griffith Park, but stayed on the roads, since it's reported that rattlesnakes are on the trails. Skye and Oz, play, play, play. They are real buddies! I haven't taken any neat photos yet, because my camera is always somewhere else when a photo opportunity presents itself. However, I'll take some kool photos of the "kids" this week-end and email you next week.
More later, PL

Skye's new pal, Oz -
- another North Central rescue!

Reggie
I just wanted to let you know that the little gray Chihuahua mix I rescued back in August has found his forever home. His name is Reggie and he now lives with a wonderful couple in El Segundo.
Thanks again for all you do.
Sincerely, Sabrina

Pearl aka Chowder akaTa-Sheret
Yet another rags-to-riches story of a North Central Chow Chow! This dog was brought to my attention by the shelter vet who asked if I'd seen the "gray Chow". When I saw her, I immediately knew she was in fact a cream Chow - she was just covered in so much grime, she appeared gray! She looked like a feral, junkyard dog, as you can see from the top two photos. Tracy Mynhier of Chow rescue bailed her out and I agreed to foster her. We found out from the vet who spayed her that she also underwent an abortion. She was so emaciated, her pregnancy had gone undetected - poor girl! We had originally named her Pearl (as in gray), but after her second bath, I decided to call her Chowder Puff! It was such a thrill to watch Chowder blossom into such an adorable, loving and happy dog! Once my Zazu taught her how to play, she and my dogs would wrestle and chase each other non-stop. Her photo caught the eye of a wonderful couple who had two other Chows, and so it was that Pearl aka Chowder became Ta-Sheret...
" Just wanted to let you know that Pearl is thriving in her new home. Pearl has a strict regimen of running laps every morning around the yard. She can hardly wait to eat her BIG bowl of food every morning and night. She has learned that if she cleans her plate a cookie awaits her. She of course thinks that's the best part. She is soooooo loving. Wants to be where I am 24/7. She cries at the door when I leave and is always waiting to jump in my arms when I get home. Belly rubs are demanded and received it seems hourly. We have renamed her Ta-Sheret. It means "little one" in Egyptian. We call her Ta Ta for short. It took her only a few days to learn her name. She comes running when we call her. My other Chows seem okay with the new situation. Cleopatra still gives her a warning growl when they pass each other. However the shouting matches are over. Ra has basically ignored her. Although he did a pretty good sniff job on her when she first came. Thank you for rescuing this little gem. She is such a special creature. Your work must be so satisfying. Without you I would not have this incredible Chow Chow. Thanks again. I will send photos soon."
~ April

update from 1-23-02
"Hi Marsha - WOW! What a great dog! Thats all I can say about TA TA! She has settled in extremely well. She went through another shedding and is even whiter that she was before. And she has gained about 5 lbs! Every morning she wrestles with our male Chow, Ra. They chase each other all over then they roll around in the leaves until they are filthy. (I think they do it so that I have to brush all the leaves off of them. Ta Ta loves to be brushed) My other female Cleopatra accepts the situation but is not very happy about it. I bought Ta Ta a new stuffed mouse that she takes everywhere with her. She also loves rawhide shoes. She has claimed her "spot" on the porch couch and hides her extra treats there. It is so cute. My sister-in-law occasionally leaves her Jack Russell with us when she goes out of town on business. It is a riot to watch them play. Hunter the Jack Russell is delighted to have a playmate who can keep up with him. Ta Ta is delighted to chase him across every square of our back yard. At the end of the day they are usually curled up together on the couch exhausted. The only time Ta Ta is remotely nasty is when she is on my lap and another dog approaches. She wants to have me all to herself. She wrinkles her nose, sends a warning growl then turns around and licks my hand. Can you believe a Chow can be a lap dog? I promise to send photos. We have taken video of the dogs playing. We just have to get them on the computer. You will be the first to get them. I promise. Again thanks for finding this special dog. We are giving her the life she deserves. Oh, and thanks so much for the photo. I sent it along to all my friends who have not seen our new addition."
~ April & Allen

Ella
8-26-02 - It was a year ago today that Ella came to live with me. I don't know if you remember that day at all, but I had written you that I had seen her on your website, gone to visit her and was awaiting the day she was available for adoption. When I arrived at the shelter the morning of her availability, there was an older man and his young granddaughter waiting for her as well. I looked at the little girl, who was very excited about getting "her" dog... and I knew if push came to shove I wouldn't be able to deprive her (even though I had kept Ella's "mug" shot from your site on my computer for the past week and had already fallen in love). Just as the man behind the desk was telling us that we could "bid" for her, you came around the corner and I introduced myself and told you what was happening. You were able to find a lovely chihuahua that made the little girl quite happy, and I was able to take home what has turned out to be the best, goofiest, most loving dog in the world (sorry everyone else, but it's true). I'm sure you've heard it a thousand times, but I can't imagine life without her. I'm attaching Ella's original mug shot from the shelter, one of her enjoying the center of my bed (why is it that little dogs always take up the most room?) and one of her using her newly built (with my own two hands!) dog door ramp.
You are doing a wonderful thing! Thanks!!!! Jennifer