Hello folks at HART Rescue and other K9 lovers,Chance entered our lives on March 5th, 2011. He has helped to make our family complete, once again.
We had heard of Chance through a volunteer at Hart Rescue. He was a six year old, mostly golden retriever. He had a malignant tumour on his right paw removed after he was taken in by Hart Rescue. He had lived 6 years on the end of a 6 foot chain and had a horrific tale to tell.
My husband Pat, and I assured Cathy, who was promoting Chance, that we were not interested in an ill 6 year old dog. We had just recently lost our 13 year old Shamrock and felt we were not ready to accept the challenge and responsibility of Chance.That quickly changed when reluctantly I looked at Chance's wee face in an e-mail sent to us. His expression begged for love and his huge kind eyes longed for a home. Within our first glance he had found his home.
We drove in a bitter snowstorm to Markham where Chance was living in Dr. Selinger home.She had removed the tumour from his paw and neutered him. She too had fallen under Sir Chancelot's spell as she described him as a very special dog who would fit into our world.
We offered Chance an acre of room to run in, bush walks without a leash, a lake to swim in, too many tennis balls to count, soft beds, lots of love and best of all---no chains.
He in return gave us every ounce of his being.
He is an obsessed ball fetch and return player. He entertains all who visit by catching the balls mid air and returns within seconds for the next throw. He can find his prey anywhere with a zeal unmatched. When the ball game ends he becomes once again a gentle and loving member of our family.
A month after adopting Chance we received a phone call regarding another ill, unwanted 4 month old female golden retriever.She was in the care of Hope and Dr. Janice Gander at the Walden Animal Clinic.She is known in our home as Orla.We took Chance to meet her, as again we were not interested in another dog. He was immediately smitten and thrilled at the prospect of having a K9 friend.Chance stepped back and let the Orla factor be the centre of the universe. When we watched his kind and gentle interactions with her, we fell in love with him all over again.If it is one thing we are sure of, it is that these two dogs were meant to find each other.
We have had a fun filled summer being trained by our new K9 kids. So far it is working out very well for them. As for Pat and I--well our world is once again complete.Our everlasting gratitude to Cathy and Ann from HART, Dr.Janice Selinger and all of you folks at Hart Rescue. You are amazing in your dedication and efforts. Thank you to Cathy, Ann, and Dr. Janice Gander for letting us be part of the "Orla Factor's"adventures.
Thanks once again, for being the kind of people to save these beautiful but unwanted souls.
Patrick and Kathy
