Ferdie is so happy here. He has put on weight, is still skittish and terrified of roads, but the local community has embraced our new addition. Just today he got stopped on the street and gently approached and patted by two lots of people who have been monitoring his progress. Rescue affects more than just the people that adopt...it affects people on the street, in the park and friends..they all seem to open their hearts to rescue dogs. Thank you for your hard work and this vital community service.

We have a lot to experience together.

This is just a quick note to let AAPS Staff what happened to Sassie, a Sable and White collie, adopted by Jackie (Victorian Collie Rescue) in December.

Sassie came to me as a 12yr old girl with a little old age arthritis and completely shaved by her previous owner that had surrendered her. When she came in she was a little shy, and I doubt she had ever been solicialised with any other dogs in her life, not agressive at all but no doggie manners, but she was great with children.

She was the most confusing dog to assess. She had great teeth, no gray on her muzzle and a beautiful playful temperment, but her body was old and couldn't keep up with her mind. She had the head of a young dog, but the body of an old dog!!!

After assessing her she was put on Joint Guard to see if that would help with her ageing bones, which it did, then she was advertised available for adoption. I didn't hold out much hope that she would be adopted because of her age, and was enjoying having her around so much I was really half hoping that nobody would adopt her and she would have to stay here forever. She is such a sweetie. But it seems that if you wait long enough there is a dog that suits everyone.

She was seen advertised by a lovely lady that lives on her own with two other dogs, one which was a very old little Sheltie, and fell in love with Sassie straight away, and Sassie took to her like she was already part of her family. After the usual home check and meet and greet it seemed the perfect home for Sassie to spend her twilight years.

Sassie is now living happily ever after in her new home with her new companions, and she has especially grown attached to an 18 month old Lab Staffy X who is very gentle with her. She and her Lab X pal now sleep back to back every night.

Thank you for allowing us to meet Sassie and ensure that she goes to the best home possible.

Kindest regards,
Jackie
Victorian Collie Rescue

Hi – we thought we’d give you an update on how pretty little Millie is going (formally known as Zsa Zsa). It’s been 2 weeks now and she’s settled in really well, considering she wasn’t the ‘one’ we were booked in to meet.

We brought our boy Busta along for the trip to your shelter because ultimately it’s all about him right? When they met, they had a sniff and a play and things seemed to be going really well. We let them have a run and took them for a walk and it was signed, sealed and delivered. When they both collapsed next to each other after running around is when my heart melted and knew they were mates.

Things have been pretty good since. Busta is still trying to be top dog (when will he ever learn) and Millie gives him a good nip to tell him off. Apart from that they share treats, swap food bowls (just in case one got something better then the other) and lounge around for the most of the day. I think she’s finally starting to realise that being spoiled is an every day occurrence here and that she’s starting to mellow out a bit when we give her a cuddle or a treat. Busta is definitely better for it too - he seems to be really happy with her and both the tails are a wagging when they play. Each day is an improvement with her as she’s gaining confidence and weight and learning to trust us and Busta - and we learn something new about her too, she has a few tricks up her sleeve!

They each have a Kong but that’s not good enough and as you can see Busta clearly thinks he’s missing out on something when they each had one filled with the same goodies but both had to squeeze in the clam shell to show it to each other. The other half of the clam gets filled with water and I think she’s learning from Busta to really enjoy the water as she copies what he does – splashing around and digging into the water where as at the beginning she wasn’t too sure of water and how to play in it.

She quickly learned where the bed was too! Busta is teaching her all the tricks.

And on a separate note – I would like to thank all the staff especially Nicky for being so helpful and understanding. You are all doing a fantastic job and I commend you all for it. And Nicky for the lengthy emails I send with all my concerns and I get nothing but a quick response and helpful information in return.

Thank you once again for giving us Millie, we know that they’ll be life time companions.

Sean and Danielle

Fletcher has been a part of our family for almost a year now. He was at a Bendigo shelter, and was only at AAPS for one day before he came home with us. (you renamed him Phabian, but his original name was Fletcher, so I kept it as it was familiar to him)

What an amazing dog he is. I was worried when I got him home and he tore around the back yard like a tornado "growling", but soon learnt those areFletcher's happy noises, some of which are "growls". He even "growls" (it's more of a vocalisation, not angry at all) the word "hello" after only one day of training, and ends it in a howl when he is particularly happy to see us come home! It also took me only one day to train him to shake hands etc. He still pulls on the lead but we are working on it.

I'm a mere mortal, I can't keep up running pace with a kelpie, lol.

That dog does not have one bad bone in his body. He is the softest little soul, with a great sense of playfull humour and he really, deeply, loves his family. He is patient and tender with my son and I , but always keen to protect us. He trots about with his "dummy" (a toy or ball) being part of everything we do, and as soon as there is dancing or laughing, he prances about howling "hellooooooooo!!!" with a full body wag.I'll have to get a video of it to upload, it's precious.

I couldn't ask for more from a dog. He is the kind of dog that really needed to be part of a family, and I'm so thankful that the staff led us to him.

On the 25th of January, 1995 a new addition arrived in the family.
Boisterous and hairy, Miss Molly fits right in. She was an intelligent and hungry 9mth old Labrador cross Kelpie who was to be my best friend. Molly lay by me when I did homework, allowed me to cry tears on her through my teenage years, and eagerly pinched treats from under the dining room table.
More than fourteen years have passed and nothing is different. She is still my best friend. Still sneaks up to me when I cry. Still demands to be fed at five pm on the dot. I hope to have many years ahead with her. She is my everything. Thankyou aaps. Nina

I just recently adopted Tyler! Have had him nearly a week and I already can't live without him! He has such a kind nature and is extremely obedient and well behaved. He loves playing ball in the backyard. I'm so glad I adopted him and just wanted to let you all know that he's being looked after. He's just a big baby who loves all the attention you give him (and more). And he doesn't go without in my house!

He fitted in straight away and although I don't have any other pets. I have visitors all the time who bring their dogs and he gets along with all of them. I have bought him a new red studded collar which is engraved and a Staffy ball because all the other balls Ii gave him disappeared about 30 seconds after they were given to him. I have bought a clam for him which is filled with water for the hot days. He has also had a Hydrobath which he enjoyed.

Just wanted to thank you once again for letting me adopt Tyler and let you know he is doing great! He's just my little baby boy!
Regards,Claire

To all the staff at the AAPS – We would like to give you a quick update on Zoe (formerly Jenny), the Greyhound.

Zoe came to us frightened of stairs, main roads, cars, bicycles, and small dogs. However, it did not take long for Zoe to build up courage. She now flies up and down stairs, launches into the car, ignores angry little dogs and parades along the footpath without a care. She has settled very well into her new life.

Zoe spends most of her time asleep, in true Greyhound style – and now has a bed in every room of the house! She loves to socialize with other dogs and people, and is happiest when she is the centre of attention.

Zoe has given us much happiness and enjoyment over the recent months – and we look forward to many more! Thank you for all of your amazing work and for bringing Zoe the greyhound into our lives.Thanks again, Renee and Robert

Barney (was Rusty) has been with us 2 years now. He is a much loved family member and is my daughter's best friend. She is nearly one and shares everything with him especially her food. He licks her and sits with her even sharing his mat. Barney is wonderful we are so happy that Nicky paired us up with him we could not want for a better dog.
Sarah and Craig

I adopted Oscar (formerly Dominic) back in September. I went into the shelter looking for a female kitten and came out with a 6. y.o. male cat, but I have never been happier!

Oscar spends his days sleeping on my bed, then when I get home from work I have a little shadow that follows me around just wanting a cuddle. He loves giving you kisses (hence his nickname Smoochy!) and loves to sleep on top of you, getting as close as he can! He is such a beautiful cat, and very much a handsome young man! Or as Sam who's 4 puts it, "He's a little smoocher!" At night he sleeps in bed with me! He also enjoys playing with my stress ball and has now claimed it as his!

He has obviously had a tough life, and it has taken him a while to adjust to being in a new home. He is still scared of most people, loud noises & sudden movements, but day by day he is getting better and becoming more relaxed with his new home. I would love to know where he was before he came to the shelter, to try and help him overcome some of his anxieties.

Thank-you to those at the shelter who linked Oscar & I together. He has been the best thing to happen to me! You are all wonderful! You give the animals a chance at a second life! Nina

Just thought I’d send you an update on our beautiful girl.

We adopted Bonnie 3 years ago as a 3month old Ridgeback X puppy from your shelter. We were cautioned at the time she would be a big dog but we wanted something big – and I guess at 40kg you could say she is. But she is just wonderful and her beautiful eyes are just as mesmerising now as they were then. So many people comment on how beautiful she is.

In no time at all she was a major part of our lives and still now we can’t imagine being without her. She is so gentle with people (especially children) and loves to play with other dogs at every opportunity. She is our big laze-about cuddle pot. Bonnie’s best doggie friend is my parents dog Nikki who is also a rescue dog, and Bonnie has shown her the ropes on how to get everything she wants from her people. She has been amazing as a mentor to Nikki and Nikki just idolises her big best friend.

We take Bonnie to agility with Underdog Training and she really enjoys it, although everyone agrees she’s not the fastest dog there – she’s happy to take time to smell the roses so to speak, whether she’s on top of the A-frame or trotting across the dog walk. She’ll just stop mid way, look around at the scenery, enjoy the view, then continue on her way when she’s ready. It gives everyone a good laugh. She has fun and that’s what it’s all about for us. We just love seeing her enjoy herself and if she’s happy, we’re happy.

I’ve attached some photos so you can see the big, beautiful, happy girl she’s grown to be. Thanks, Tracey

Just dropping you a quick note to let you know how I'm doing with my new family. My new Human Mum is Anisa, a beautiful 10 year old girl who loves me lots and takes me on walks and to lots of fun
places with the help of her Mum Debbie. I've sent you some photos of me, with Anisa and my cousins Molly and Soda, who are a similar size to me. I've also got two big cousins, Reg the Giant Schnauzer and Zhana the Black Russian Terrier, who I see every Sunday morning when I go to dog school.

Anisa and I are doing some Basic Obedience and I've made friends with lots and lots of dogs. Don't care much for the work, but love the treats and all my new friends. I've also got a boyfriend next door who I'm going to have sleep over's with when his family go away on holidays.

Gotta go now.....thanks for looking after me and placing me with my new family. Just thought I'd let you know I'm very happy in my new home and sorry, but I don't miss you all!!!! Love & Licks......Molly (Woof)

I thought I would send an email to let you know how Ruby mastiff x is doing. We have only had her for 3 weeks and now I cant remember what it was like without her.

She is an incredible animal and has made our family complete. She loves just to lay on the floor and get as many cuddles as possible, she also loves to chew down on bones and special treats she gets when she is being good (nearly all the time).

We are very happy to have her in the family. A little daunting at first when we saw the size of her but she is a gentle giant for sure.

She has put on some weight now and is looking very healthy. Loves to go for runs and walks; we even have her chasing after balls and chewing toys which at first we didn't think would happen.

Big thanks to everyone at the AAPT!!! Great job

Kerry

I thought you might like to know how Ella has settled in since we adopted her on the long weekend in January.

When we arrived at AAPS, Ella (or Ellie as she was then) was in the foyer with another family and we said hello and gave her a pat thinking she was off to a new home. The Lab we had gone to look at wasn't suitable for our family but it turned out that Ella had just been surrendered - it was meant to be!

We spent some time with her straight away and even allowing for the fact that she was a little overwhelmed about where she was, we were struck by how well mannered she was.We also quickly discovered that she knew some basic commands. It was very clear that she wasn't staying at AAPS for long.

The following day we went back with our other dog Maggie (Jack Russell, Terrier cross) to see how they got along. Ella was very welcoming and although Maggie was a bit stand-offish at first we could see that there wouldn't be a problem in the long term.

We felt really awful leaving Ella behind that day but she had to stay for a Vet check so we arranged to collect her the following weekend.

Right from the word go Ella has been fantastic. She travelled well in the car on the way home (it takes an hour) and she settled in at home very quickly. Ella and Maggie were reacquainted and have been firm friends ever since. Maggie had lost her long term companion Billy at the start of the year and had been very unsettled and quite unlike herself. Since Ella arrival she has been like her old self again although sometimes a bit put out about the new arrival hogging all the attention - and Ella does like the attention! She is not backward in gently demanding a pat.

Someone has obviously spent a lot of time with Ella in the past as she is very well trained and I'm sure we'll never know the extent to what she knows. She is fine wearing a harness for walks and walks fairly well on the lead. She is great with getting a bath and stays close when let off the lead at the park. She is good with new people once she knows they are friends and she doesn't jump or get aggressive at all. She barks a little a night but not excessively - mostly after the pub shuts and all the yobbo's are walking home past her fence and making a racket. She has put on a bit of the weight she needed but unlike every other Lab we've known she isn't obsessive about food. Our teenagers think she is wonderful and she loves them right back.

Ella has turned out to be more than we ever expected to find in a dog. Well trained, obedient, full of personality and great company - even if she does shed a little! OK so she sheds a lot and we could knit a jumper with the tumbleweeds rolling around the back yard - but we love her! Thanks AAPS.

Allison & Richard.

The first photo is just after we bought her home, with our other dog Maggie. The other two photos are today, five weeks later, just after a bath

To AAPS, a big thank you for rehabilitating Monty (formerly Mickey). In the period of one week, he has become an integral part of our home and lifestyle. Monty is showing steady progress in learning basic commands and seems to enjoy all the things we enjoy - gentle walks, visiting people, gardening! and the al fresco coffee scene. At first we had 'conduct unbecoming', however he now knows we can outwit him with loving patience. He is all we could have hoped for and we look forward to sharing his continued progress with you over time. He has commandeered our former cat's bed and settles in with his bed buddy Penguin for the night. He shows no other tender interest in toys, only 'kills' them. Monty had a good introduction to his personal physician (local vet) and has already made friends with two toy poodles at church - Pookie and Isabella. He is a delight with other dogs and it is a real pleasure to share his joy. Thank you.

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