I unclip Simone from her leash. She feels her release and takes off at full speed. I've never seen her go so fast. I usually only let her off leash in enclosed parks where there are other dogs around, where she feels inhibited by those other dogs. But here, on the dunes, she is the only dog in sight. So, she runs.

She has a funny run, not graceful, a little wonky, like her legs aren't quite coordinated, sometimes like they might be tempted to fly off in different directions, sometimes like her back legs are trying to get ahead of her front ones. She runs without a glance back. Fifty meters. One hundred meters. Still doesn't look back. One hundred fifty meters. Two hundred meters and she is down amongst the trees now and I'm a little concerned. I yell out, "Simone." She stops. She realizes she's on her own. She starts the run back, back out from the trees, across the sand, up the dune. By the time she's reached the halfway point on the incline, she's huffing and dragging her feet. Silly girl. But she's happy. Manic eyes and panting tongue.

The hike around Sandbanks is four hours long. Along the beach, Simone stays away from the encroaching waves. On the trails, she gets tangled and caught in the underbrush. By the end, she is tired and for the next couple of days, she has a bit of a hard time rising after a lie down. It's her back right hip or knee. Then that passes and she's fine.

Simone is maybe five years old now. I've had her for just over two years, a foster failure from Toronto Animal Services South. She is my routine and I am hers. The vet tells me her recent skin allergies are either due to the environment or food which is telling me not much at all but other than that, she is doing well. I wonder about the limits placed on her life because she lives with me in the city but then she's not really a country dog. I think the open environment makes her a bit nervous. I remember the afternoon out on the property in Picton, how it was drizzling, ground wet, grasses too tall for her see over. She didn't like that at all. She was morose for most of that walk. And then later, there's a tick on her, stuck to her ear which at first I had thought it was a skin tag.

I'm pretty sure Simone prefers the comforts of an urban life. It's dry, warm. There are many soft surfaces upon which to sleep. Water and food are available and appear on schedule. There is no scary wildlife except for the black cat who lives around the corner - who is far too friendly for Simone's tastes - except for the squirrels but they know enough to run away, except for the raccoons but they just stare from halfway up a tree trunk. Certainly no coyote, deer or snakes.

Simone is entering middle age for a dog but she still dances when she thinks there's a chance it'll net her some food. And, of course, the warm welcome when I return home from work. And, of course, the occasional nuzzle for a pet, checking in, making sure I am still around and reminding me of her presence. She would be beside me 24/7 if she could be. Of course loyal, of course trusting, of course a constant companion. Those things will not change.

From the owner of Corwin, now Desi:

He loves his new home and is a very happy little fellow. The feeling is mutual . We love him and having him with us. He gets lots of love, attention and walks. He has a backyard to run around in and explore. He is great at fetching his ball. He is also going to the Petsmart’s Beginner Dog Training classes and is learning the basic commands and is getting some socialization.

Thank you again for letting us adopted him.

From the owners of Gomez and Tina (now Gomer and Willa)

We adopted Gomer on February 16, 2012. Fred described him perfectly, as he was definitely a kid trapped in a grown-ups body! We thought it appropriate to re-christen him "Gomer", as while he did often wreak havoc, he was sweet and had a good heart and really never meant any harm. He was our first dog, and the first few months with him were definitely challenging! But as we learned to become better "dog parents" and redirect his energy, he settled down and has become a great friend and companion! He even earned a spot on our wedding invitations!

We adopted Willa after seeing Molly on the blog and visiting her at TAS with Gomer. Unfortunately, Gomer and Molly didn't jive. James asked us to hold on, as he had another dog he wanted us to see. Down the stairs he came with this baby puggle who swarmed us both with kisses on our first meeting. Who could resist?! We adopted her the next day and our doggy odd-couple was born!

Gomer and Willa have been great friends to one another, and we are so happy to have them in our family. We can't imagine our lives without them now, and we must thank James at TAS especially for spending a lot of time with us and for giving us the confidence and reassurance that we could be good dog owners! James you are the best!

 

I remember Raven when she was a pup, a bright young thing with a spring in her step. She's been returned by her owner now almost five years later. I have her outside and she seems diminished. She is fearful of the noise and the people. She doesn't want to walk. She looks at me to bring her back inside.

She's not a small dog but I carry her to a spot which is a little less trafficked where I can take some photos. She's not doing too badly. She just doesn't seem familiar with the environment. She doesn't seem familiar with being outside anymore.

On the way back, we pass by another TAS resident, an overweight, unkempt Cocker Spaniel. They give each other a sniff and for the first time, I see Raven wag her tail and then she twirls and goes into a play pose and jumps and twirls again. Then the Cocker moves on and the curtains fall and Raven is on her own again. I take her inside.

I spend a few minutes with her while chatting with others who pass by. She climbs onto the couch, snuggles against the armrest, lays her head down.

Raven has been transferred to the Toronto Humane Society.

I see Chief in the meet and greet room with an older Golden Retriever. The young couple have brought their dog to see if it will get along with the pup and the harder Chief tries to get the Golden to play, the more the older dog wants to leave the room. The woman picks Chief up and gives him one last big hug and they leave him behind. It's a little sad but for the best. Chief will have no problems getting a home and better a home where he can bounce and bump carefree without disturbing an older dog.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

From the owner of Aubree, now Coco:

Here are a few pictures of Aubree (now Aoco) happy in her new home! she loves to be pet, loves to jump up on your lap and say hello, and now is very good at going up and down stairs! She's adapted really quickly to living at home with us and now everyone in the neighborhood knows her!

Michelle and Margaret do a lot of work with IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) and through them a lot of dogs are rescued from up north, transported and adopted out in Toronto by Toronto Animal Services.

On a recent transport, Lou was rescued from a place called Whapmagoostui which is some place in Quebec half way up to the arctic. Who doesn't want a dog from some place named Whapmagoostui? It's barely even on Google maps is how out of the way it is. No street view that's for sure.

Lou's a big boy and appears to be great with people and most other dogs (but maybe not so great at the vet's office, I'm told). He loves the outdoors and may actually prefer to sleep in the backyard on warmer nights.

Presently, Lou is being fostered by Margaret. Here she is describing him in the car:

I think you can tell Lou is a special guy. I think he is still figuring out the ways of the "south" so someone patient and kind is a must! He has always done as he pleased but was very loved by his owners. On the way home from TO he decided to lie on top of the wire crate which I have set up in my van and it started to buckle under his weight. There is a ton of room in the back of the van with blankets and toys, but I think he was getting bored so had to look out the window from a higher place. I opened the side windows a bit, even though it was poring rain, so he could focus on something and get air. That made him happy. My crate now has a bent roof.

Here's a short video of Lou walking in the woods with some human and dog friends:


If you're interested in Lou or have any questions about him, please contact Michelle at IFAW. She can be reached by email at: mcliffe@ifaw.org, or by phone at: 647 986 4329.

This is Joka's second time round through Toronto Animal Services South. His first adopter put a lot of work into him but due to an unfortunate family situation had to give him up after a year and now this huge snuggle of a dog is waiting for another chance.

Here is Joka getting some snugs:


Here is Joka meeting a JRT:


Here is Joka doing some simple commands. Even though this is his first time listening to Michelle and there were a few distractions around, I think he did pretty good.


The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

Woobie goes up to a typically hairless Chinese Crested and says, "Hey, man, where's all your hair gone to?" and the other CC is like, "You need to shave, dude," and Woobie's like, "You must be cold in the winter," and the other CC is like, "Yeah, but we get to run around naked all the time! Woohoo!" and Woobie's like, "Okay, whatevs."

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

This is Bob. Bob is Eeyore's father. You can tell Bob is a free spirit because you kinda have to be to have a name like Bob and then still have the gumption to name your kid Eeyore.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.