Author: Taylor Huestis

Power of Pets

May 19, 2020

By Taylor Mundy

The bond we share with our pets is so powerful. They bring us comfort, companionship, and motivation. COVID-19 has put a serious emotional strain on all of us. So, in honour of mental health week, we asked you to share stories of how your furry friend helps you.

We received hundreds of *warm fuzzies* and compiled a list of some of the many that made our hearts swoon. Enjoy the cuteness below!

 

 

“This is our girl Sadie. She’s an almost 7 year old Border Collie who is my rock. After returning from an overseas deployment, I went through a very rough time and I ended up getting her in that time. She was what actually motivated me to just get out of bed every day. She has been my constant companion since she came home with me and knows when I’m upset. If anyone cries in the house she is immediately by their side, giving hugs, nose boops, and even licks the tears off our cheeks.  She’s never been trained as a support animal, she’s just instinctively always been great at being a best friend.” – Meaghan

 

 

 

 

 

“This is Calypso. She always greets me at the door when I get home from work. ❤️ She lets me cuddle her when I’m having a bad day.” – Leah

 

 

 

 

“Stella is my best friend. I got her from the SPCA 6 years ago. She motivates me to get outside and walk everyday even when I don’t feel like it at all. She sleeps beside me every night and she sits on top of me (she’s 65 pounds) when I’m upset or angry. She’s moved to many apartments and finally for the last year I’ve given her the best beach life when we moved, she’s in the ocean almost everyday and chases crabs in the sand and I know she deserves the best. Wouldn’t be here without her love.” – Francheska

 

 

 

 

“Chester always cuddles me after a long day working in the pharmacy. This is a photo of him I took a while ago. He likes to be tucked in at nap time.” – Sarah

 

 

 

 

“Remy is a piece of velcro lol. Always there when I need him (especially during the loss of both my cats), he never strays far, a great hiking buddy, an awesome coworker, and is always up for a cuddle. Still a pup at 2 years old, I can’t imagine my life without him.” – Jennifer

 

 

 

 

“These three. Calico (Maggie) and Ginger (Merle) were adopted through the spca almost 2 years ago on June 10, 2018. My tuxedo (Mya) was found 2 months later at approximately 7 weeks of age dumped in the middle of nowhere. They have brought so much joy into our lives and comfort through many health struggles. They are our greatest joy for our family!” – A

 

 

 

 

“Casi has been keeping me company while I work from home. She also does an excellent job of reminding me to get up and move – downstairs so she can go out, then back in, then out….all day.” – Alice

 

 

“We got Graham at the shelter almost 2 years ago after we lost our dog Zoey and cat Simpson within a month of each other. Although toothless (or dental score of ZERO as the vet likes to say 😃), Graham is an amazing kitty. He is comfortable in our home and around the other pets and the kids. He comes up into our laps every evening to “mash potatoes” and drool and falls asleep curled up on top of us, and follows up to bed only to repeat his nightly ritual. It has been really tough mentally lately being stuck at home trying to work from home as well as raise 3 kids and homeschool them, one of which has special needs…but Graham’s evening peaceful ritual helps unwind at the end of the day. He is a special kitty and we are so glad he chose his furever home with us!” – Joella

 

 

“Kip was adopted from the Cape Breton SPCA six years ago. I have been suffering from PTSD for most of my life. He simply knows when to play and when I just need a cuddle. His gentle and quiet nature calms me and has helped me to heal. Love my Kippy! ❤️” – Lisa

 

 

“We adopted Luna from the SPCA. SHE found us at the pet store one day and the love between her and my daughter was instant ! These two are inseparable. They sleep together, watch shows together and eve play hide and seek ! ( Luna is very good at finding Clara when we tell her to ! ) She is a perfect fit into our family and makes my daughter so happy, I don’t know what we did without her! There are soooo many pics of the two of them snuggling together, but I thought I’d pick the one where they are both smiling 💖” – Vanessa

 

 

 

“This is Emy & Sneakers. They bring something into my life that is like nothing else. I cannot articulate nor measure it, I only know that they make my world a better place.” – Traci

 

 

 

“This is Patches. I adopted her from the Dartmouth SPCA several years ago (July 2014 to be exact). She has been my support animal since day one. Any time I get depressed or emotional she crawls into my arms and just lets me pet her until I calm down. She knows immediately when I am off and she loves to cuddle. She even goes on walks with my husband and kids! She follows right along and keeps us company. She also is one of the fastest cats I’ve ever seen! Having only three legs never slows her down. She has been a huge help on my mental health and I don’t know what I would do without her. ❤️” – Eva

 

 

 

“My sweet boy Pluto came into my life (as a rescue) shortly after going through a rough breakup. He makes me laugh; he’s so goofy, even though his name says otherwise 😉” – Jacqueline

 

 

 

 

“This is Iggy. He is about 3 years old now. Also adopted from Colchester SPCA at the same time we adopted Princess. He is my son’s support cat. Josh has ADHD and autism. Iggy helps de-stress him. As you can see he loves being held like a baby, going for walks on his leash and playing fetch. We think he is part dog.” – Sarah

 

 

 

 

“My boys, Charlie and Ace. I always joked Charlie is my therapy cat. He’s a very social, comforting guy. When my dad died, he would lay on my chest and thunder purr until I eventually fell asleep.” – Marie

 

 

 

 

“This is Gordie. Gets me out of bed in the morning when times are tough. Been through a lot with him in 5 years. He’s always at the door waiting when I get home, always snuggles me when I’m feeling sad, and he’s just… my little best friend 💖” – Christianne

 

 

 

“These are my babies! I recently lost my furry best friend of 9 years, but here’s a sweet tribute of him and my other sweet boy 💓 Quincy has been the best quarantine buddy, he snuggles when I need it and provides play when we go a little stir crazy from being cooped up inside! I love him endlessly and couldn’t imagine my life without him by my side.” – Tessa

 

 

 

 

 

“My boy Max! Impossible to feel alone when he is home with me 💖” – Brittany

 

 

 

 

“My Zoe! She’s such a model💕 helps me with everything! Homework (by climbing on my computer), and being my therapist🥰” – Emma

 

 

 

 

“Here is my fur family. They have been amazing during this pandemic – spreading joy to me (but also to my Middle School students!). I appreciate that they give me constant love but also cheer up others whenever they make a surprise appearance at virtual meetings. I’m so happy to have them during this pandemic. I think that I need them more than they need me.” – Heather

 

 

 

Do you have a pet that makes you smile everyday? Please give them some lovin’ from all of us here at the SPCA! You can spread your love even further by virtually adopting a shelter pet. Simply choose a pet to support here and donate whatever you can to their care. You’ll receive a virtual adoption certificate and updates on their pawsitive progress while they await a forever family. Thank you for your compassionate support!

 

Taylor Mundy

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need.

SPCA Pet Health Insurance to the Rescue

May 19, 2020

By Taylor Mundy

When it comes to your pets, we know you want to give them the best life possible. After all, they are family! Accidents and illnesses can happen. When providing expensive care for your sick pet, it is not just an emotional strain but a financial one, too.

So, is pet insurance worth it? Tori and her fur-family think so!

Meet their three kittykids: Twinkie, Indiana Jones, and Nelson.

“Twinkie is the dainty lady of the home,” says Tori. “She loves headbutts and kisses, lasers and reflections on walls to run up after. Her only dislike, but let it never be underestimated, is her brother, Indiana. Indiana was found in the engine of a former co-worker’s car. She was unable to keep him, having three cats herself, so we happily agreed to take him. We chose the name Indiana Jones for his sense of adventure.”

“As much as Indiana is fully committed to the idea that Twinkie wants to be stalked and pounced on at every opportunity by his 22lb self, his true occupation is as a food worshipper,” laughs Tori. “He will howl, moan, and whine until he gets wet food… even though dry food is always available. Though it must never fall below the half full mark to avoid panic!” I think all cat owners can agree with this hilarious statement.

When Indiana was young, Tori thought they should get him a playmate before Twinkie packed her bags and left home. Nelson, a cat rescued from a hoarding situation, was available for adoption at the Nova Scotia SPCA. Tori and her husband instantly fell in love and were devastated when they heard he was pending adoption. Luckily for Tori, the adoption fell through once Nelson’s age was assessed to be around eight years old. “I couldn’t bear the thought of a cat not having a home for one more night simply because of his age,” explains Tori. “He is the most loving, affectionate cat that I have ever known. He does have the oddest obsession with the vacuum. He would even ride around on our old vacuum!”

With every cat and dog adoption at the Nova Scotia SPCA, pets receive a FREE eight-week trial of SPCA Pet Health Insurance. Accident and illness coverage like hospitalization, medication and exam fees are included. Plus, every pet insurance purchase makes a difference and helps support our shelter pets. “When we were first told about it, we immediately had that ‘why didn’t we think of this?’ moment,” says Tori. “We arranged to have our other kittykids added to the policy right away.”

You cover the hugs and snuggles. SPCA Pet Health Insurance will help cover the bills.

“It wasn’t a big surprise when Indiana was diagnosed with diabetes at the end of 2018 although it was the timing that caught us off guard,” explains Tori. “At the time, we had been focused on Twinkie who had just been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The realization of suddenly having two cats that would require lifelong management of their treatments was very overwhelming.”

“Knowing we had insurance to help with medication, testing, procedural expenses allowed us to focus on Indiana and Twinkie and managing their conditions,” Tori explains. “Indiana receives two insulin injections daily and Twinkie takes one pill and one liquid dose of medication per day. Both are seen regularly by our amazing vets who I jokingly refer to as their Godparents.”

“I would advise anyone to get pet insurance and the sooner they do it the better in order to benefit the most from their plan,” recommends Tori. “It truly gives us the greatest peace of mind and it allows us to ensure Twinkie, Indiana, and Nelson will always have the best veterinary care possible. I just couldn’t imagine what it would be like if we had never set up health insurance for our kittykids. We would have paid regardless, as our cats are our responsibility, but it would not have been easy.”

Now… the big question we have all been waiting for. Did Tori’s plan for a playmate for Indiana work?! “The plan for Nelson to distract Indy from Twinkie sort of backfired,” laughs Tori. “They both like to join in the chase together and drive her nuts. But, if anything, dodging them helps keep her agile.” So cute!

Tori’s SPCA Pet Health Insurance helps to keep all her fur family members safe and protected. You can learn more and get a free quote for your pet today here.

Taylor Mundy

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need.

When He Needed a Hand, He Found a Paw

May 19, 2020

By Judy Layne

All of us need a helping hand at some point in our life – a good friend who will listen to our problems with a patient understanding ear…… a friend who will not judge us for our feelings, fears  or failures….. a friend who can lift our spirits when we’re down and can help to brighten the gloomiest of days.

Two years ago, Daniel Little found himself needing just such a friend.  “I was going through some work-related stress and it was tough,” says Daniel. One day, he found himself on the Nova Scotia SPCA website and decided to look at the cats available for adoption.  A sweet tuxedo kitty named Wanda caught Daniel’s eye. “I remember thinking that she looked so sad. I decided to go to the shelter to see her in person.”  Cats have always been attracted to Daniel so he found it very strange that on that day, none of the cats he had met so far seemed to gravitate towards him. Then he saw Wanda and both their lives changed.

“Wanda was in rough shape. She had a respiratory infection, was very thin and wasn’t eating much,” Daniel explains. “She looked so fragile and seemed to need a good friend as much as I did. I stuck my finger into her kennel to touch her paw, she touched my finger back and started to eat a little. We had an immediate connection.  My decision to adopt her (or her decision to adopt me??) was made right there and then. I had to leave her at the shelter for a week while she recovered, but it was well worth the wait.”

“Having Wanda to share my life with made a huge difference. I’d come home and tell her about my day and she seemed to listen (probably thinking all the time when will he shut up and give me treats?!),” Daniel chuckles. “Her presence had a calming effect on me and was a wonderful distraction from thoughts of work when I was home.”

“I couldn’t imagine going through these unprecedented difficult times without her,” Daniel relates. “Wanda keeps me focused on things other than negative events that are happening in the world. Without her, I’d be glued to the TV news channels and growing my anxiety over everything going on out there. She also keeps me on a routine. That’s vitally important in times of stress. There’s no lazing about in bed in the morning, as every cat parent knows. By the time I get up, feed her and clean out her litter box, I’m in a positive place to start my day.”

It’s been said that the best therapist has fur and four legs, and Daniel wholeheartedly agrees. “Wanda plays such an important role in my life. There’s nothing like coming home to be greeted at the door by your dog or cat. You can’t buy that kind of therapy!” shares Daniel. “Wanda was 10 years old when I adopted her and I’d encourage people to consider adopting a senior pet. They deserve a second chance at happiness – a chance to live a safe, happy and full life in a loving home.”

And Daniel’s final thought?  “Sometimes pets rescue us as much as we rescue them.”

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

How Volunteering at an NS SPCA Shelter Rescued Me: Emma’s Story

May 19, 2020

By Judy Layne

Where can you turn when the world seems to have been pulled out from beneath your feet?  When Emma’s life fell apart, she never imagined that she would be rescued by new friends with four paws.  Emma selflessly agreed to share her experience so it might help other people who felt like her.  Here’s her story……

”I’ve always dealt with anxiety and depression.  Being around new people would make me anxious, being alone would make me depressed and I wasn’t always sure how to deal with it.  But this was different.  My dad died, a relationship I was in ended badly and I got laid off – all within the space of 3 months.  I felt like my world was going to come crashing down.  I was a mess.

After several weeks of feeling hopeless, I told myself that ‘Enough is enough’.  I wanted to change.  I needed to change.  With encouragement from a close friend, I found a new job.  I always had a love of animals, so I started volunteering at an Nova Scotia SPCA Shelter.  I got to help socialize the cats and walk the dogs.  These may be simple tasks, but they meant so much to the animals that they meant a lot to me.

I had read that the act of simply petting a cat or dog could improve your mental and emotional health, but I didn’t think it would work for me.  But it did.  Each time I left the shelter, I did so with a more positive mindset.  I never could have imagined how volunteering with these sweet homeless animals would change my life in the way that it did.

When I was volunteering, it never felt like ‘work’.  It was something that I started to look forward to.  I thought it would be exhausting, but it wasn’t.  It was actually a great time to de-stress, to rid my mind of any worries or problems that I had and focus on the animals.

On my second day there, I met a 10-year old cat whose owner had just died.  Smokey was very sad and understandably scared.  I talked gently to him and told him that I knew how it felt to be so down. After a few minutes, Smokey came out of his kennel, curled up on my lap and fell asleep.  It was such a simple thing, but it was beautiful.  To think that an animal trusts you enough to sleep in your arms and find comfort in being held.  It helped me so much.

I was amazed to see what care, patience and love can do to restore broken bodies and spirits.  I saw animals that had been neglected or abused learn to trust, open up and bloom.  And to know that I had a small part to play in their transformation made me feel great and boosted my self-confidence.  Although it was hard to say goodbye to an animal you’ve become attached to, when their perfect ‘forever’ home was found, it reminded me of why the Nova Scotia SPCA is so important.

All the animals I have met give me unconditional love and accept me for who I am.  The shelter staff and other volunteers make me feel welcome and comfortable because we share a common purpose. I still have some depression and anxiety, but volunteering at the shelter gives me a purpose again.

If you get the chance, I’d encourage you to volunteer.  It can be a life-changer. I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to share my love with these wonderful animals and help them on their journey to finding families who will adore them.  I wish the animals understood the positive impact that they have had on my life.  I wish they knew that they rescued me.”

This year, the Nova Scotia SPCA will care for more than 6,000 pets. Some pets were abandoned, injured, homeless or abused… but they all deserve a second chance. It’s tough – but you can make it easier. Learn some of the many ways to help and get involved here.

 

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Gracie. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Small Kid – Big Heart

March 16, 2020

By Taylor Mundy

You’re never too small to make a difference.  Just ask eight-year-old Riley Pepler!

Image may contain: one or more people and people standing

In October 2018, Riley was inspired by the upcoming season of giving and wanted to raise funds to help furry friends in need. With Christmas around the corner, he started making ornaments and selling them by-donation. In two and a half months, Riley made 52 ornaments and raised more than $400!

Determined to double that – Riley set out with a new goal of $1,000!

He kicked off 2019 with a whole new list of ideas from his mom and family – starting with his own birthday. Instead of accepting birthday presents, Riley asked that people make donations to the SPCA in honour of him. He also started hosting bottle drives on a regular basis to collect change to help change pets’ lives.

Riley went to work on Christmas ornaments and teamed up with his memaw to make some handknit items that they could sell to raise money. At the end of the year, they tallied up all of the donations and Riley proudly walked into the Dartmouth SPCA donating……. $1,227.30!! How out-of-this-world wonderful!!

When we asked Riley why he wanted to help shelter pets he explained, “It is important to raise money to help take care of the pets so they can be healthy and have lots of food and toys while they wait for their new family.” We totally agree!

Riley has two dogs at home – one rescued from California and another that was rehomed with them. The whole family are big animal-lovers! “I couldn’t be more proud of Riley and what a sweet caring boy he is,” Riley’s mama, Kelsie, shared. “He worked very hard to make his goals each year that he has done it and last year he went above and beyond. He loves helping others and is always thinking of ways to do it. He donates his time as well and likes to visit the SPCA to cuddle the cats or walk a dog with his mom or dad.”

Riley and his family know that the SPCA does not receive any government funding for our shelters, so donations are especially needed to help save lives.  Ready to hit the ground running or not sure where to start? Riley gave us some advice to share with other kids that are looking to get involved: “Just do what you can. Any little bit helps and you are never too little to try to help. Anyone can raise money! If you need help with ideas or to make your ideas happen, ask for it.”

No matter your age, you can support local animals by fundraising and helping thousands of sick, abandoned and abused animals that need our help every year. A special thank you to Riley and your amazing family for your generosity, kindness, and dedication to helping local animals in need.  You’re truly making a difference.

Taylor Mundy

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need.

Deaf Dogs Rock

March 16, 2020

By Taylor Mundy

Seven was surrendered to the SPCA because her previous owner believed she was “untrainable.” But Seven wasn’t untrainable… she was deaf.

A suspected border collie, Seven’s piercing blue eyes and smile stole Amy’s heart. Amy, who is the expert dog trainer for our WOOF program, was volunteering at the SPCA at the time. Amy adopted Seven and was determined to show the world that with patience and proper training there are no limits to what deaf dogs can accomplish.

Signals instead of Sounds

With dog training, Amy always uses hand signals or gestures first. “Using hand signals is actually a much more natural way to communicate with dogs because canines rely heavily on body language to communicate with each other,” explains Amy. The only exception with Seven was that Amy did not add in verbal cues afterward.

“The biggest thing we like to focus on with deaf dogs is making it highly rewarding for them to make eye contact and check-in frequently with their family members. Time, patience, and lots of food rewards… even for the little things.”

The talented Darren Calabrese snapped this photo of Seven competing and gave the SPCA permission to share the cuteness.

The biggest challenge? Amy explains it is difficult getting a deaf dog’s attention when they’re not looking at you. To help with this, Amy recommends focusing on highly rewarding the deaf dog every time they make eye contact – especially when faced with distractions. Startling a deaf dog can also be a concern but many will become vibration sensitive to footsteps and motion.

Giving Back

At only four-months-old, Seven began volunteering and providing comfort and care. Seven visited with hearing-impaired children and children that were separated from their families and experiencing mental health or behaviour concerns. “Seven LOVED children and of course the kids loved her just as much and were delighted in helping train her,” says Amy.

And that’s not all! When seven was seven-years-old, she started WOOF at the correctional facility. WOOF, which stands for Working On Our Futures, is a joint initiative between the SPCA and the Department of Justice. Through the program, Amy and Seven would help teach inmates how to train puppies so they are adoption-ready. Not only did Seven provide a great example to the puppies, but she provided comfort and affection to hundreds of inmates and staff.

Teamwork

Deaf dogs, just like hearing dogs, require time, patience, and energy devoted to training and socialization. As with any dog, it is important to develop a trusting relationship and build the dog’s confidence through positive interactions.

Another beautiful photo Darren Calabrese kindly gave the SPCA permission to share. Check out Darren’s photography at: www.darrencalabrese.com

Being a rescue pup AND being deaf, some folks were skeptical about Seven competing in agility. But Amy believes that any dog can be trained to do anything they are physically capable of at any age. “We recommend using higher-value food rewards when heading outside or to more distracting environments,” explains Amy. “We also use a lot of play and permission to access things in the environment the dog is interested in.” Well, all that training and patience proved successful – Seven competed and received the Agility Trial Champion of Canada title!

Seven’s Legacy

From competing in agility trial championships to providing comfort to hearing-impaired children, Seven showed the world deaf dogs can do whatever hearing dogs can. Seven received a second chance and lived a safe, happy, and full life. Sadly, Seven has made her way to Rainbow Bridge but she leaves behind a legacy of love.

“Seven was a ‘smiler’ and had the most hilarious grins, which was one of her most endearing traits,” remembers Amy. “Once I explained this was a sign of how much she loved people, it was often a contest to see who could get the biggest smile out of Seven.” Seven, we know with your big heart and kind soul that helping spread awareness would have made you happy. We hope you’re smiling up there.

Taylor Mundy

Taylor is the Communications & Development Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA and proud adoptive fur-mama to Bonnie. She is passionate about raising awareness and funds for local animals in need.