Stories

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A New Beginning for Otis

Our lives changed a little less than a month ago when David and I picked up Otis from his foster family at a shopping center in West Sacramento. I was very excited about meeting him as my husband and I had been “beagleless” for a little more than three years. As Otis and I settled down in the back seat of our car for the trip home, I knew he was a keeper. When he put his head on my lap, I melted. I had told NorCal Beagle Rescue that I wanted an affectionate dog that would keep me company while my husband, who travels a lot, is away. I felt certain that Otis would fit the bill.

Once in Danville and before returning home, we took Otis to Pet Food Express for some supplies. While there I took the liberty to get a tag for Otis to wear with our address and telephone number on it. Upon return home, I promptly emailed NorCal Beagle Rescue and told them they could consider Otis “adopted” and they could cash the check we had left with the foster family. The intention of taking Otis home was supposed to be a sleepover for two weeks at the end of which the determination could be made whether things were working out and Otis would be ours. However, having had beagles all my life, I knew this was a special dog that needed a stable home.

Over the next week, Otis settled in very quickly. As each day went by, we got to know a little more about this wonderful beagle boy. It was almost as if he were on his good behaviour at first and was able to relax a little more as each day went by. I’ll never forget the morning that Otis stayed on the living room chair while I went upstairs to take a shower. I remember feeling a little disappointed and at the same time happy that he was feeling “at home” enough to stay.
Each day brought a small change in his behavior. He got on his bed the third day we had him, even though I had already showed it to him. Now he usually climbs on it after he has his morning treat. He also began to bury his “Greenies” and “pigs ears” in various parts of the house. It was quite amusing to me as I had not thought about this behavior for several years. Another thing that I noticed he did was to begin eating his breakfast or dinner by picking up several pieces of kibble and spreading them on the kitchen floor. After finishing the food in the dish, he always eats the pieces on the floor.

As of this writing, Otis is at a kennel in Walnut Creek. This is the same kennel that we took our other two beagles to for at least 12 years until it was more comfortable for them to stay at home and have someone stay with them while we were away. Being aware of Otis’s history of being shuffled around, we were very careful to get him familiar with the kennel and its owners. Previous to boarding him, I had taken him to obedience classes as well as day care (at different lengths of time) at this kennel. I hope this has made the kennel stay less stressful for him and perhaps aware that this stay is only temporary.

Before we got Otis I heard that when someone gets a rescue dog, the dog spends the rest of it’s life thanking you for it. At this point I’m not sure who is more thankful - Otis or David and myself. I do know that he is a very, very special beagle boy who became part of our family in record time!

- Diana Wilcoxson

Harvey the Blind Beagle

I was lucky enough to be given a second chance when Northern California Beagle Rescue adopted me from the shelter. I was suffering from glaucoma and had suffered infections in both eyes. Unfortunately, my eyes had to be removed and my new foster mom wasn't sure whether she would be able to find me the perfect home. I became quite attached to her, so it was hard for her to let me go when the perfect family was finally found. My new family found me on the NCBR website. They fell in love with my picture and contacted my foster mom through email.

I now live in Santa Rosa with my Seeing Eye dog Woody. He's a big 80 pound golden retriever. I also have two Seeing Eye cats named Oliver & Sasha. I have three Seeing Eye persons in my new family. I have a ten year old little girl named Katy who helps take care of me, and a terrific mom and dad who talk me for walks several times a day. They renamed me Homer (after the blind poet). Mom calls me Mr. Beagles sometimes. They let me sleep with them every night and can't imagine life without me. My little girl Katy loves me so much that she decided to donate part of her allowance to NCBR in my honor. She wants them to help more animals like to me to find permanent and loving homes. A heartfelt thanks to Northern California Beagle Rescue, Eva, and Suzie for giving me the second chance that all dogs deserve. - Homer

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