Animal Services - Animal Tales

Augusta
Animal Services

Animal Tales

If you have a story you would like to share about an animal adopted at our shelter, please send it to us, or you can email it to cejohnson@augustaga.gov If you have a picture, please include it.

The majority of dogs and cats admitted to the municipal animal control shelter of Augusta-Richmond County becomes a number, a statistic to be counted, inventoried and moved like merchandise. Most will die silently, frightened and alone and disposed of like trash at the county landfill. There are many stories, which are never known, let alone told - like the puppy, who died with a child's necklace around its neck. Who was the child who cared enough to give up a toy? And why did no one come to look for the puppy when it was lost? Here are few animal tales that inspire us. We hope these stories will inspire you to become a hero to homeless animals and donate your time or your money.

Otis
Blossom
Gladys
Charlotte
Greta
Hannah
Paco

Otis

Otis Before Meet Otis, AKA Chucky… Otis, is a 6 year old Basset Hound that was released to the shelter on July 22, 2004. Upon testing, it was found that Otis was heart-worm positive. Since he had no other health problems, it was decided that Otis would be put up for adoption. Day after day, people would come in to the shelter looking for a dog. They would pass by Otis’s cage, with an “oh, isn't he cute” or “Oh, look at all his wrinkles!” but when they found out he was heart worm positive, nobody wanted to take him home. As most people know, heart worm treatment can be very expensive, and not a lot of people are willing to put that kind of money into a 6 year old dog.

Fortunately for Otis, Billy Greene is not “a lot of people”. She saw Otis’s picture on petfinder.com and instantly fell in love with him. I received email after email requesting more information on Otis. When I finally spoke to Billy on the phone, she told me that she wanted Otis. On July 28, 2004 Billy drove 8 long hours from Florida with two of her other basset hounds in the truck, to come pick up Otis and take him to his home.
Upon arriving in Florida, Otis was given a new name, Chucky. Chucky fit right in from the moment he got off the truck. Billy’s five other Bassets accepted him into their family very quickly. In fact, he wasn't even there 24 hours when he rolled over for Billy to rub his belly.
Billy has made a wonderful home for these six basset hounds. Please visit her web site, and sign her guest book!

pages.ivillage.com/bassethoundplace

I hope this story will inspire you. It is nice to know that there are still people out there, who have enough love and time to help out an animal in need!

Otis After

Blossom

Blossom Picture Blossom was released to the shelter by her owner on February 21, 2004. This sweet, little lab mix tested positive for heart worm. Thanks to the Animal Service staff and the generous public, enough donations were received and Blossom was treated and cured!

Blossom was adopted by a loving family who came to visit her at the shelter while she recuperated from her treatment. Unfortunately, when the family took Blossom home, she did not get along with their Chihuahua and Blossom once again found herself back at the shelter.

Do you live alone and need a nice couch-side companion? Are you looking for a dog that wants nothing more than to be scratched on the belly? Then Blossom is the perfect dog for you! Come on down to the shelter and see this beautiful dog for yourself.

UPDATE

After being adopted the second time, Blossoms new family took her to the vet where they were informed that she was pregnant!!!

Blossom had 11 puppies. Blossoms new parents not only kept Blossom but also kept 2 of the puppies, found homes for 3, and brought the other 6 to the shelter. Blossoms shelter Mommy, who is responsible for raising the money for her heart worm treatment, named all of her puppies! The five girls will forever be known as: Rosey, Lilly, Blossom 2, Daisy and Pansy. The little boy, Thorn, was lucky enough to be adopted on 9/7/04. These adorable puppies can be viewed on Petfinder.com. They are all here and ready to be adopted! Come see these cute little girls!

3 Puppies 4th pup 5th pup

UPDATE

Can you believe, Blossom was returned to the shelter AGAIN! Poor Blossom has had a pretty rough life, being bounced from home to shelter, home to shelter. She was brought back in the beginning of February 2005 and had until the end of February to find another FOREVER home. In her last week, a wonderful couple brought Blossom home. Below is the letter that they recently wrote about Blossom:

Blossom is doing GREAT!! I was a little worried about her shedding so much, but the vet said it was due to stress, and it has calmed down a lot since she's settled in at home. Housebreaking wasn't an issue at all; she must have been well-trained in the past because she NEVER tried to go in the house! She just goes to the back door when she's ready to go out. She also is doing really well on a leash, and can sit, shake and lay; we're still working on "stay"!

I was really surprised at how well and how quickly she adjusted to life with us; she was a DREAM to adopt! And my husband is in love with her. I guess it was meant to be...

Gladys

We received this letter from Katie, Gracie, Katie and Breeda:

“In May of 2001, a wonderful soul was adopted from your shelter. She was an older, blind dachshund. Her name became Gladys. Gladys brought so much joy to our household.

She learned her way around and became Queen of the house.

Some of Gladys’ favorite things to do were chew on her squeaky toy and spend time with her adopted family.

During the three years that we were blessed to have Gladys in our lives, we were able to share the joy of knowing and loving Gladys with many of our friends and family.

Gladys taught all of us so much about patience, tolerance and overcoming obstacles. We do not know how Gladys came to be at the animal shelter. We do know that we are grateful for having had her in our lives.

Gladys passed away yesterday of kidney failure. She died knowing she is loved.
We thought you might like to know.

Charlotte

Dear A.A.S.,

We have thoroughly enjoyed Charlotte, the latest addition to our family. We adopted her July 16th of this year. We fell in love with her picture on your web site and even named her before meeting her!

Charlotte was housebroken within 2 weeks! She is very smart, playful and loveable. She loves hugging and being hugged. When Charlotte smiles, her whole face lights up and her mouth is wide open!

Yesterday, Charlotte was spayed by Dr. Edward Gross of CareMore Animal hospital. He is a great doc who loves the animals. Hats off to him and his staff!

Thank you for all that you are doing for the animals of the CSRA!

Pam MacDonald

4th pup
"John and Charlotte"

Greta

Greta It's been several months since we adopted 50 lbs. #C04-044015 but I thought you'd like to hear her story.

She came to you on 10/08/2004 and came home with us on 10/26/04. We first saw her on a Saturday about ten minutes before closing, so we had a few days to think about bringing her home. The major concern we had was how well she would get along with our other dog (another rescue from a different organize who has been with us since he was eight weeks... so very much our baby). We figured HE, Mackey, would have to pick out the new addition to the family as he would be spending most of his time with them. Your new facility is so inviting and accommodating to "try-out" a possible pet. We were able to bring Mackey to meet the potential friend in a nice, clean, big room with toys and treats to observe their interaction. It was a match made in heaven... all the way around. On the way to pick up some more pet supplies with Mackey and #015 in the car, we decided #015 would forevermore be called Greta.

Greta is the sweetest little girl in the world. Unfortunately, she has a bit of a leather fetish/craving and we can't keep the dogs in collars, so we turned to the micro-chip... we don't ever want her to get lost.

She (and Mackey) just graduated Jae-Mar's dog training 101 course and earned the AKC "Good Citizenship" certificate. We are now considering her for Therapy Dog training.

Greta is our 75 pound Rottie/Lab mix lap dog with full couch privileges and I wouldn't have it any other way. She decided to Velcro herself to me and I call her, "My Protector" as she posts herself by my side whenever there is an unfamiliar noise outside.

Truly, we couldn't be happier. I just hope that more people visit your facility and learn what great animals there are to be rescued. And that they can bring their existing pets and family members to find the right animal for their home.

Sincerely,

Blythe and Joe
(Mackey and Greta)

Hannah

Hannah Last April, my Bichon Frise, Bailey got away from me while we were out in the front yard and he was hit and killed. I was totally devastated emotionally and spiritually for he was my child, my baby, my little soul mate. I knew I needed to do something quick because if I didn't, I wasn't going to make it.

The week before Mother's Day I found myself at the shelter dropping off what was left of Bailey's food and his toys. I knew someone could use it for their new adopted fluff. I spoke with Cathy and told her of my loss and through our conversation I just happened to mention that Bailey was a Bichon Frise. That's when she told me that they just had 2 female Bichons dropped off and I could go back and look at them if I wanted to. I followed her to the back and what I saw was appalling! Their fur was dirty dirty dirty and hanging down to the ground! One of them was very shy while the other one more friendly and boisterous. I finally got the shy one to come to me but after she sniffed my hand, she quickly retreated towards the back of the kennel. Cathy told me their story and it was just awful! She also told me that they were going to test them for heartworms and she would call me back in a few days and let me know the results. After playing phone tag, we finally spoke and she was happy to report they were both heartworm negative!! I knew I wanted to take one of them home, so Cathy said she was going to trim them both up and I could come take a look at them on Saturday. (that was the day before Mother's Day).

My Mother and I went to the shelter that Saturday and Cathy had only gotten a chance to trim one of them down, but OMG!! there was a Bichon under all that dingy fur!!! A little white Bichon!!! And it just so happened that it was the shy one! I was finally able to coax her out of the kennel and into my lap and I started to cry and told my Mom that this was the one I wanted. I had to have her. I would have liked to have taken both of them home, but at the time we couldn't do it.

To my surprise, my Mother paid the adoption fee and said, "Happy Mother's Day". I was soooo excited to take this poor little abused baby and show her that not all humans are mean and cruel.

I am happy to report that ~Hannah~ is still with us, healthy as a horse and happy as a peach!! She chases both of the cats all through the house and she is the best little dog! She is a blessing to me because if it had not been for Hannah, I don't know where I would be right now. She is being taking care of by my Mother while I am in Iraq and I cannot wait to see her!! And on another positive note, the other little Bichon girl was adopted out shortly after Hannah was, so now both of them have happy loving homes!

Paco

Paco I adopted a Chihuahua/terrier mix from the shelter in June 2005. My husband is serving in Iraq and I wanted to get a small dog for my kids to have and we went to the shelter and saw this adorable little dog we have named Paco. He is a delight to have and surprisingly he was house broke when we got him. He has become a great addition to our family and I believe that he was meant to be with our family. He sleeps in the bed with me on the pillow and under the covers like a little person. He is doing great and I just wanted to thank you for all you do for the unwanted animals that come into your shelter.
Thanks,
The Penns and Paco