Lady’s Successful Story

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Lucy

Being all alone, in a shelter, can’t be a very pleasant experience for a sociable creature. Unfortunately, it happens more often than needed, for all the wrong reasons.

Some love the idea of a puppy, but can’t handle the fully grown dog. Others adopt a dog only to fill an empty space in their life. Some simply don’t have the time for a dog, and still, they want one. When it gets too hard and busy, regardless the reason, the sad conclusion is that the dog ends up in a shelter, wondering what happened.

Lady has been my shelter dog for the past 2 months. She arrived from a very sad situation, from a home which put her out of balance. Owner with emotional issues and being abused as a puppy equals unstable dog. Unfortunately this put her chances for adoption down to zero.

lady

Gaining the confidence of a damaged dog is an amazing moment. A dog who doesn’t trust people, is a dog which can’t find a home. This is why all my effort was put, during the dog walks, into bringing back the pup she really is.

Going from walking in circles around the shelter in order to build up confidence, to walking longer distances, to walking with multiple people, to playing fetch, Lady went from a fearful dog, to an amazing pup, goofy and happy, ready for a new home.

lady shelter dog

The day finally arrived, and I’m so happy to know she got the loving home she deserves. To celebrate her success, I had to paint one of our favorite moments together. As she always loved to climb on me and be held, I think this picture says everything about our beautiful connection. 🙂

me and lady shelter dog

Thank you for being my doggy for 2 months and good luck in your life’s journey, precious pup!

Contact me to buy an original painting or a very high quality reproduction on canvas

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Kisses for the Doggy

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Lucy

Adopting a dog from a shelter is a very kind gesture. Opening your heart and home to an older dog, gives a very special pup a second chance at a normal life. And why not? All dogs deserve one!

To celebrate Doefes’ adoption, I made this painting for my friend, of them two enjoying a nice day in nature.

I wish you both a wonderful, long and happy life together, full of amazing adventures! Good luck, dear Doefes and have a great time with your new mommy!

charlotte and doefes

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Volunteering Diary – Dogs of Winter and Love at First Sight

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Lucy

Not very long ago I became a volunteer for the local animal shelter, to walk the dogs. Going there when the time allows, is not a full time job, but is a full time commitment in my heart and mind.

Even if the nature of the job is pretty simple, it can get complicated quite rapidly. You take a dog from the shelter for a walk, you have that special connection, and then you have to take him back there, and say ‘see you later’. That’s very hard for me, and saying goodbye is almost impossible and very heartbreaking, even if you know the dogs are well taken care of, by their caregivers. You just can’t help but wonder how they’re doing and if they’re happy.

A Beautiful Walk With Precious Snowy

My second dog, after the first contact with Sharky, was Snowy, a precious 11 year old American Bulldog, deaf but amazingly sweet. Going for a very slow and relaxed walk, we had a nice time in the wild landscape. A long walk and a few cookies are good even for an older pup, and her mood improved quite a lot before going back to the shelter.

I always said you don’t adopt a dog. You have the feeling that you do, when in fact you get adopted by the dog. The dog chooses you, but he will let you think you did all the work 🙂

Taking a dog back to the shelter becomes extra hard when you get adopted by that one special pup.

Walking My Favorite Pup, Sam

Sam, an amazing 2 year old Rottweiler adopted me from the first moment we met. Having a weakness for the breed, when I realized I have to walk a Rottweiler called Sam, I couldn’t help it but have a huge grin on my face for the rest of the day 😀

Me and Sam created a deep connection and friendship. I guess I’ve finally learned the meaning of love at first sight! When we met again, his face and reaction said it all. Also, saying goodbye wasn’t easy, as he just wouldn’t want to leave my sight and go back in the kennel.

Sam left paw prints all over my heart and is very hard to know he doesn’t have the loving family he deserves and needs. Even if adoption is not an option for me right now, I went back a few more times to spend some time with him. I hope he’ll soon be surrounded by a loving family, like he deserves it.

Having fun with precious Donnie

Next on my list of favorites is Donnie, an amazing border collie, full of life and very well behaved. Always paying attention to the human, and eager to please, a walk with such an amazing dog, can’t get any better. I’m always amazed to see dogs so well trained, in the shelters. Most of the dogs shouldn’t be there in first place!

A very nice walk, with sweet Noordjes

Just like Donnie’s, is also Noordjes case, a surprise Cocker Spaniel and Labrador mix, as I was pretty sure she’s only a puppy, when in fact she’s around 4 years old. Very lovable, well trained, and also full of life, the little fur ball really made my day, with a very energetic and lovely walk, in the dunes.

Such a pity people buy adorable puppies, without thinking of the adult dog, and they end up throwing them in a shelter, when they realize the adult dog is now what they were looking for… I wish more people would think much longer about the commitment, before deciding to buy a puppy. No dog should end up in shelters, because people don’t know what they’re getting themselves into! It’s a situation which can be so easily avoided, by doing some research prior to the adoption…

Before my first walk with a shelter dog, I was 100% sure this experience is all about giving, but I couldn’t be more wrong. Sometimes, giving gives back more than you would ever think is possible. The love of a dog definitely makes us hole! And if during walking dogs we also end up with new friends, life just can’t get any better!

To never know the love of a dog is to miss the best thing life has to give

Nothing better than a day spent with good friends and silly Doefes

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Volunteering for the Local Animal Shelter – Foster Mommy for a Day

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Lucy

To everyone who knows me this is no news: I love dogs! Always did and always will. They are amazing companions, and nothing can replace their friendship and the well known happy wagging tail.

I think we all have some extra love to spare, so why not share it?

A few days ago I found out about a local shelter, so I emailed them asking if I can volunteer and help out with the dogs. I couldn’t be happier when they said yes, so today I went there to meet my first furry baby.

Sharky going for a walk

My adoptive baby for today was Sharky, a 9 years old, very shy but sweet Sharpei.

Sitting in a small space all day isn’t fun, so a long walk through the woods definitely improved his mood, and mine. It’s nice to have the love and trust of a dog, even if only for a short while.

I must say I impressed most of all with the number of people volunteering on a daily basis to walk the dogs. Either students or retired people, they go see the dogs and improve their life for a few hours. They are quite lucky pups to get some daily exercise and love, from so many locals!

Doefes goes to a new loving home

At first you believe it’s all about giving, but I got back more today than I wished for. Besides making Sharky’s life a little better, I made a new friend, who adopted one of the dogs from the shelter, named Doefes. I’m very happy for them, and I hope more dogs will share a similar wonderful experience of finding a good loving home.

Now that the holidays season is fast approaching, if you consider adding a new furry member to your family, please consider adoption from the local shelter. So many loving dogs are in need of a good home, that it’s worth trying that first, before going to a breeder. The dogs will very much appreciate it, and I’m sure there’s a dog out there waiting for you!

Also, please remember that a dog is not only for Christmas, but forever. It’s a 15 years or longer commitment, so please do not adopt if you believe that’s too long for you. Seeing so many pets in shelters, is a very depressing view…

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Introducing my adorable pup, Lisa

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Lucy

20141023_2306366 After years of waiting, THE moment is finally here. I’m very proud to let you know I finally have a dog! Her name is Lisa, and she’s an adorable 12 year old Husky Labrador Mix.