Today we have the rescue stories of THREE now sibling pups! Meet White Socks, May, and Nico, two rescued from Fetch and Releash...Let's begin with White Socks...

White Socks is a 45lb, 12 year old Potcake from the Dominican Republic. We met a lady online who was going to school there and had planned to bring him home with her to Canada to help find him a home. We adopted him at the age of 3.  

Socks is an absolute sweetie. He has a love for all dogs and humans like no other dog I've ever met. He is gentle, loving and even at 12 years of age he is still playful. He is a big talker! He squeaks and cries every time he sees anyone on the street, he thinks he knows everyone. He is just a giant love bug. 

White Socks was adopted from a lady who was going to school in the DR. Socks was a street dog that she used to feed on campus. When she was finished school and was headed back to Canada she knew she couldn't leave him behind. She brought him home and posted him on social media looking for a home for him. We met her for a meet and greet and fell in love with him. We paid her a small transportation fee to adopt him. We still keep in touch after all these years. 

May is an almost 2 year old rescue from Texas. She is a 22lb whippet/hound mix. We actually fostered her through Fetch and Releash in April of 2021 and decided after 2 weeks that she was right where she belonged and adopted her. 

May is a nervous little lady but she is an absolute sweet heart. She plays fetch like a champ and loves to eat! Although she requires round the clock focus work she is extremely attentive and thrives best when she is given something to do. We are so proud of what she has accomplished in just one year and we couldn't be more proud of her.  

She was our first Foster Dog with Fetch and Releash. The process to become a Foster was thorough. We had a screening, and the extensive training. We were assigned a foster coordinator who was available to us 24 hours a day. We were provided all supplies we could possibly need to ensure her stay with us would be comfortable. The intake pickup was flawless. They had COVID safe protocols in place. Within a week of arrival she had a rescue vet exam paid for by the rescue. All of their dogs spend a decompression period of 2 weeks sometimes longer depending on their transition to Canada, behavioral and health. After 2 weeks we decided that she wasn't going anywhere. We decided to put in an application to adopt her.  

The adoption process was very organized and thorough. The application was extensive. We had an hour long call with an adoption screener. She was professional. Normally there would have been a meet and greet but because she had been fostered with us that wasn't required. When we got the email that we had been approved we were provided with lost dog protocols, a contract and contact information for aftercare with the rescue. They gave us access to an adoption group and a list of trainers that they work with should we need one. They provided us with all of her vetting records from Texas and from her vet in Canada. 

The experience from start to finish was professional and not rushed. They ensure all their dogs are being matched with their perfect home. 

Nico is a 15 month old, 21lb Kokoni dog from Turkey. We adopted him in March 2022 from Fetch and Releash.  

He is the absolute sweetest little guy with no mean bones in his body. He loves everyone whether it be dog or human. He is obsessed with his brother and sister. He loves to rough house with his sister and snuggle with his brother.  

He loves his walks and car rides and has a passion for food. He literally dances when you make him his dinner. He has been an absolute perfect addition to our family.  

Nico was being fostered with a fellow foster from Fetch and Releash. We had been following his journey from Turkey on IG. I reached out to his foster to ask questions about is behaviour etc. He sounded like the perfect mix for our senior guy and younger dog.  

We applied online and received an email to arrange a phone screening. Even though we fostered through the rescue and had adopted previously we were out through the same process as everyone else. I appreciate that they just didn't skip to allowing the adoption and we went through the process to ensure he was the best fit. 

We did a 1 hour phone screening, and then were approved for a meet and greet. We met with his foster family and were able to bring our resident dogs. We spent over an hour with them. Giving the dogs loads of time to interact.  

Both the foster and us sent in an email to the adoption team with our review on how the meet and greet went. 

We waited about 2 days to hear back from the adoption team. They took their time discussing our app and review with their entire adoption team.   

We recieved an email after a couple days letting us know we had been approved. The email also included our adoption contract, payment information, lost dog protocol, list of available trainers they recommend, what to expect when we bring our new dog home guide, a guide about how to keep our dog safe during the different seasons during the year. They also arrange a 20 mins call to go over everything. They also have a list of mandatory supplies that must be purchased prior to bringing him home. Once we had had all his supplies and payment was sent we were officially allowed to pick him up. 

Adopting overseas isnt much different then adopting locally. You must be prepared to have a solid decompression period for your new dog. They have likely come from a shelter and then travelled by plane prior to coming into your home. They may have even been fostered here first.  

You must remember that it's next to impossible to predict a dogs behavior and full personality. As they adjust to their new home and lifestyle you will almost always experience some challenges whether they are big or small. Most of these dogs have never lived in a home, let alone a condo or apartment. They will have to adjust to noise, elevators and some cases even people. You just have to remember to always be patient while they navigate there new lives. It's a really great idea to work with a trainer if you don't have the skill set already to give your new pal a basic training foundation. Some dogs adjust quicker then others so patience is the key!  Be prepared for them to have accidents, eat things they shouldn't and test you during the transition. 

I love how through the application and screening process was. They absolutely do their best to match the dog with their perfect home. 

Tell me about your overseas/long distance adoption fur baby! 

I have two long distance fur babies! 

1) Boss, from Tennessee, USA. He's a "chug" (chihuahua-pug mix) who is 20lbs, and adorable. Boss, like his namesake, is a bit of a diva, stubborn, but very smart. Loves tricks, playing catch and his best human and dog friends. 
2) Queenie, from Shanghai, China. She is likely a chihuahua mix and is 15lbs. She's sweet as pie but also has an attitude when anyone tries to play rough with her or take her size for granted. She is super brave and loves her people really deeply. 

What organization did you adopt through? Tell me what it was like working with them and what was involved in the process…

I adopted with Fetch + Releash, a dog rescue based in Toronto, who bring in dogs from international locations. I discovered them via volunteering for their foster team as a foster and foster coordinator. I have always been a supporter of rescue and F+R partners closely with the rescues involved all over the world to make sure the dogs are in the best hands! 

Since then, I've become obsessed with the rescue community and talk to many of its members in my podcast, Rescue Dog Love. (our website will be live soon, it is http://rescuedoglove.com) 

For those who might be interested in adopting a pet from overseas, and so they know what to expect, what were the pros and cons of this long distance adoption process?

- We are lucky that in the GTA we do not have an overpopulation issue - to help parts of the world where dogs are seen as pests is an amazing opportunity. Plus, people fall in love with dogs from certain regions, as region in the world has its own rescues with different looks, personalities, quirks... people love supporting our Mexico shelter for example, it is its own welcome community! 
- Pros: You get access to many different types of dogs, personalities. You get a community of rescue-minded folks - you can even volunteer or visit the shelter where your dog originally came from!
- Cons: Likely more expensive due to travel and vetting. You must also screen the rescue you adopt from to ensure that all medical procedures are covered - especially since international locations can bring forward some more rare canine diseases! Ask questions to make sure you trust the rescue you're working with. If you are looking in the Toronto area, feel free to message me or any of the guests who've been on my podcast - we might have some recommendations.

As Vanessa says, "Bryson’s job is to allow owners to practice some of the rehab techniques on him prior to taking their own dog home after surgery." What a great idea for pet parents who need to learn rehab techniques to apply to their fur babies. Since Bryson is such a good boy, he's a great teacher. No need to stress out pets in pain or with mobility issues pre-surgery.

Introducing Nadia: Great Pyrenees / retriever cross, 6 yrs young in June 2022, rescued from a Texas kill shelter. Let's hear Nadia's story straight from her mom, Carla:

Nadia is all great pyri! She is stubborn, does things at her pace, but unbelievably loving and forgets she weighs 90 lbs - as she lives to cuddle!
I am certain she would defend her human family to the end.
She loves all people.
In terms of canine companions, she is incredibly patient with seniors, mothers and bosses around puppies. She has a tight inner circle made up of the first dogs she met when she first arrived in Canada, and my close friends. I have seen her defend those close friends of hers. 

Nadia was found abandoned in a farmer’s field in Texas. Being that they were bred to protect mountain goat herds, I suspect a cattle rancher bought her to watch cattle and then discarded her. Which I cannot comprehend as she knew sit, give paw commands, and absolutely adores children, therefore I have every reason to believe she was a member of a family. 

Nadia was brought into Canada by Redemption Paws. I am so appreciative of them for doing so. The bond I have with her is second to only my other rescue dog and husband!
Redemption Paws did all the hard work by transporting her up to Toronto and clearing her through customs. They tended to her vet care and spaying.

The key to a rescue is time. Sometimes a long time! It takes a dog a long time to get acclimatized. I was certain Nadia was left to sleep in a barn as she was hiding under my wooden bed, which I imagine gave her a sense of familiarity and comfort. It took me a good four months to earn her trust. It was nights of petting, of safety, of letting her lay her head in my lap that was the base of the bond. It was knowing I would provide food for her. Letting her role in snow and taking her to the lake. What helped seal things was taking her to the vet (TPLO surgery) and visiting her every day for the three days she was in the hospital. That was what told Nadia I was always going to return.

Nadia and I are one.
We would not know how to be without each other.

New Zealand was one of the inspirations for Kuri K9 Massage (kuri means "dog" or four-legged companion in Māori), but Aotearoa (NZ) also inspired my middle-grade novel, Peter Little Wing (Book One), so I thought I would share the cover reveal on this blog, too.

Gorgeous cover art by Gordon Bagshaw. To be published February 6th (Waitangi Day), 2023 by Pandamonium Publishing House.

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