Chester The Lab Mix Seeks a Stable, Quiet and Loving Forever Home

Chester is a laid back boy who is waiting for a special person to share a forever home with him.

By Keely Biggs

When you approach Chester’s cage at the HCWS adoption center, you won’t see him get up to greet you wagging his tail with wide, bright eyes. The easy going Lab mix doesn’t get as excited as a young puppy anymore.  He’s learned that life can bring disappointments and doesn’t always work out as you hope.

Chester hasn’t given up hope he is patiently waiting for the one special person who will prove their commitment to him before “giving his heart” again.

Chester was originally found as a stray running on the streets with his best buddy, a dog named Manny. The pair was rescued by a man who intended to keep them, but ultimately had to find them another home. Chester and Manny were placed in a home with eight other dogs.  All ten dogs lived in the back yard and didn’t have a lot of interaction with their owners.  The ordeal left Chester a little “selective” about meeting new dogs.

Chester’s second home was foreclosed and he and Manny moved around a bit. Eventually they ended up at Heaven Can Wait. Both dogs were enrolled in the Pups on Parole program and did very well learning all their commands and new skills.  The HCWS dog coordinators also got their first glimpse into Chester’s gentle soul.

Chester has learned that life doesn’t always turn out as you hope it would.

Once the dogs had completed the program Manny was quickly adopted into a new home.

Chester’s best friend and stable companion was gone and it was quite a disappointment to him.

To cheer him up, the coordinators had a puppy move in with Chester and the two dogs became good friends.  Chester’s calm nature allowed the puppy to crawl all over him while he just laid back and enjoyed the antics.

The HCWS dog coordinators say that Chester’s easy going demeanor is what is keeping him from finding a new home.  People pass by his pen each week because he doesn’t exhibit the outgoing characteristics prospective owners are used to seeing.

Chester is 4 to 6 years-old and has a mild case of arthritis. He would do great in a quiet home with older children and another mature dog. He is a loyal dog that will sit at your feet and reciprocate the love you show to him. He needs stability, love, patience and companionship but, most of all, a permanent home.

Come by to meet Chester on a Saturday at Bogart’s Bone Appetit at 4985 S. Fort Apache Road Las Vegas, NV 89148 between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm.  Or call us at: 702-227-5555.

Let’s make this the week that shows Chester friends and family stay in our lives forever!

Let’s help Chester learn that friends and families Do Last Forever!

Doggie Door Leads To New Home For Connor And Maximus

A doggie door gave Connor (left) and Maximus (right) the opportunity for a new home.

Life has changed dramatically over the past five months for Brooke and Ryner Grubmueller.  Before September 2012, the couple, who have been married for 10 years, had never owned a pet.  First they talked about it, but came to the conclusion they weren’t ready for the responsibility and later the home they rented would not allow pets, so life carried on for a decade without a furry buddy in their household.

Last year Brooke and Ryner bought a home of their own.  It included a small doggie door neatly installed by the previous owners.  Facing the doggie door every day brought the subject of adopting a pet back into their lives.  The couple felt they were ready to be pet parents, so Brooke began searching online.  Her research led her to the Heaven Can Wait website.

Brooke said she had been looking for a dog for about 6 months when little Connor’s picture appeared on the HCWS website.  Connor, a Chihuahua-mix, was rescued after he was found running loose down a busy street.

Brooke said she was immediately attracted to Connor because he met the requirements she had for adopting a dog:

Connor was the right size to fit through the doggie door and she liked his name.  Actually Brooke knew exactly what she wanted in a dog’s temperament, so she was impressed when she read the profile about Connor’s personality.  It said he was slightly shy, didn’t chew on household items and he was perfect for the person who Did Not like to hike.

Connor’s easygoing personality won over his guardians, who had never before owned a pet.

Soon Connor was home with Brooke and Ryner living up to all their expectations.  And after one incident of separation anxiety and carpeting that was pulled apart, the family settled into a happy routine.

Then Brooke’s sister had a baby and began bringing the infant for visits at the Grubmueller house.  The newcomer took Connor by surprise and he wasn’t pleased.  At times Connor would jump on Brooke’s lap and push the baby away or he would pick up the diaper bag with his teeth and drag it the door.

“My husband and I want to have kids of our own some day, so I knew I had to break Connor of being jealous,” said Brooke.

Next Maximus was added to the family. His owners like the idea of adopting a mature dog.

The family decided the best way to help Connor was to adopt a second dog.  Brooke went back to the HCWS website and found Maximus, a 7-8 year-old Pomeranian.   The couple did not hesitate to adopt and older dog.  In fact Max’s mature nature helped him get along with Connor.

The two have become best buddies, playing tug of war with their favorite rubber chickens and dashing around the house.  Connor has become less jealous and more independent since Max came into the family and Max has found a friend he can hang out with all day.

Both dogs are very lucky to have a safe and wonderful home with guardians who look out for their best interests and find practical solutions to make each pup confident and well-adjusted.  We wish the Grubmueller family many happy years with their first four-legged companions.

Connor and Max have become great buddies and have a wonderful home thanks to a doggie door.

If you would like to add a furry friend to your family, Heaven Can Wait Animal Society holds adoptions each weekend.  Cats are adopted at Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy each Thursday afternoon through Sunday and dogs are adopted at Bone Appetit on W. Tropicana and Ft. Apache on Saturdays.  You can see the pets ready for new homes at: www.hcws.org.  Heaven Can Wait has placed 8,000 homeless pets into loving homes since 2000.  You can help us rescue more pets and support our many community programs Here.

Dakota’s First Day At Pups On Parole

“From an everyday standpoint being sent to prison is not the ideal way to begin a wonderful new life, but for dogs like Dakota rescued by Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, it is the start of an extraordinary experience.”

Many fans of the Heaven Can Wait blog have asked how our Pups on Parole program works.  We would like to share the video above with you that shows a dog named Dakota arriving for the first time at the Southern Nevada Correctional Facility for women.

Two specially trained handlers from the prison welcome Dakota and explain how dogs like him and the Pups on Parole program have changed their lives. Dakota’s handlers rehabilitated, socialized and trained the shepherd mix so he could be adopted into a family of his own.

Some of the pups that enter Pups on Parole have lost their trust in people. They have been traumatized, neglected or simply ignored. At the prison they gain their confidence in humans.

You can learn more about Pups on Parole at: http://www.hcws.org

Boxer Buddies Need Forever Homes

Buster is looking for his perfect home where he can relax and sit on your lap.

Tiger is a 7 1/2 year-old healthy Boxer who is looking for his forever family.

Buster and Tiger are two terrific and fun-loving Boxers rescued by Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. Both are having a tough time finding their forever homes. Our supporters have been great in the past spreading the word about some of the dogs that haven’t met their perfect human mate and we are asking again for your help. Please share this story with your friends and co-workers so both of these wonderful canines can find their soul-mates.

Buster:”I’m Buster, a 2 year-old male Boxer mix. I have many great qualities. For instance, I am protective of my humans and my home. I can be very mellow and sit on your lap, although I can get a little heavy. I get along well with other dogs and I especially like female dogs (does that surprise you)??? I listen well and love to play with humans and dogs alike. I’m happy whiling away the day chewing on my favorite bone. I’m just waiting for that perfect match! Are you the one?”

Tiger:”The name is Tiger and I’m a 7 1/2 year-old, male Boxer who can’t wait to give you a big, juicy lick on the face. Because of an old injury to my right hip, I am sometimes slow to lay down or stand up, but once I’m on all fours, I’m ‘good to go’. I enjoy my daily walks, but prefer to take my time and smell the scents along the way. I’m a friendly, mellow guy with a big heart of gold who gets along with everyone. I especially like to put my head on your lap and stare into your eyes, hoping for a back scratch. I so want to be part of a family again, hopefully with other dogs or kids. Do you have some love to share with me? If so, I’m ready for my forever home and I hope it’s you!”

You can meet these dogs at HCWS adoptions each Saturday at Bogart’s Bone Appetit on W. Tropicana and Ft. Apache. For more details e-mail us at: dogs@hcws.org.

Holiday Cat Adoptions

Cotton is looking for her purrfect family, this Holiday Season.

Happy Holidays! If you are thinking about adding a feline to your family this holiday season there is still time to adopt a loving cat from Heaven Can Wait Animal Society before Christmas Day.

Our adoption center is open Thursday afternoon through Sunday inside Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Parkway in the Arroyo Crossing Center. Our cat coordinator will gladly help you find the purrfect feline for your family.

You can see our adoptable cats at: http://www.hcws.org/adoptions/cat-adoptions

HCWS Girls Give Thanks This Holiday Season

Harmony is thankful for being in a safe shelter with Heaven Can Wait this holiday season. She would love to sit under a Christmas tree and snuggle with her new family.

Happy Thanksgiving from Heaven Can Wait Animal Society.  As you reflect on all you are thankful for this holiday season, we wanted to introduce you to some awesome cats waiting to find new families.  These HCWS girls share what they are grateful for at this time of Thanksgiving.

Lea is a beautiful girl who is thankful to have a full bowl of food and clean water to drink. Lea is a shy young cat who would love to find a patient, caring family.

Meet all of the HCWS cats ready for adoption each Thursday afternoon through Sunday inside Petsmart in the Arroyo Crossing Center – 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy ( I-215 and S. Rainbow exit).  Or check out the felines at: www.hcws.org.

Maggie is a 7-year- cat who is grateful this holiday season to have cat buddies to curl up with, instead of being all alone.

Clarissa is grateful to snuggle in a warm bed at this time of Thanksgiving, but she would prefer cuddling up with her new human.

You can give support to All of the cats and dogs rescued by Heaven Can Wait by attending our Annual Holiday Luncheon.  For details and registration – Click Here.

Playful Cats Are Ready For New Homes

Emo was rescued by Heaven Can Wait along with her brother Heaven. Both are ready to find their forever homes.

Heaven Can Wait has cats of all ages, sizes and breeds available for adoption.  You can meet them in person at our Adoption Center inside Petsmart at 7050 S. Arroyo Crossing Parkway every Thursday afternoon through Sunday or take a look on our website: http://www.hcws.org/adoptions/cat-adoptions.

Here are a couple for you to meet now:

Ace is not only handsome, he’s a real cuddler.

Ace is an 18-month-old male kitty who is playful and full of fun.   This boy also loves to snuggle and will climb into your lap and purr all evening long.  Ace is searching for a family that will love him forever.

Heaven and his sister Emo are kittens who love to play.

Heaven is a very sweet seven-month-old kitten who was rescued with his sister Emo, pictured above.  The two kittens love to play with their toys and love each other very much.

Cats Of All Ages Are Waiting For New Families To Love Them

Gunner and Issy are two of the many cats rescued by Heaven Can Wait. Cats of all ages are available for adoption Thursday – Sunday.

Check out more of the kittens and cats waiting for new homes at: www.hcws.org.

Tammie & Ike

Written by Cecilia Isberg

After the very sad time of losing a loved dog, it can be a difficult and sensitive decision when you are ready to adopt a new dog. You have to grieve and come to terms with the loss of your previous dog in a healthy manner. The time that it takes is different for everyone and there is no right or wrong period before you feel ready to invite a new pet into your home. However, when that time arrives, it is a very exciting experience full of awaiting memories.

Tammie was feeling slightly reluctant to adopt another dog after her faithful companion, a shepherd mix named Scamp, had passed away. It is normal to feel uneasy at first because we don’t want to feel as though we are replacing a departed pet with a new one, nor do we want to find ourselves comparing our new pet to our beloved lost animal.

Tammie felt as though her home was just “empty” without the sound of a jingling collar or a loyal friend to greet her at the door each day.  She got word of a Great Dane mix at Heaven Can Wait that needed a home. She grew up with Great Danes and always had a fondness for them. After seeing some photos of Ike, a huge loveable gentle giant, she knew that he had to become part of her family.

Ike had been with Heaven Can Wait for quite a while, waiting to be adopted.  Each week he sat patiently in his pen at the adoption center as people passed him by for smaller dogs.  Our dog coordinators said he smiled from “ear to ear” when Tammie came to meet him.

At first Ike was a mama’s boy. He took some time warming up to Tammie’s husband and her sons. In fact, Ike didn’t seem to be a fan of boys or men in general.  As an enrollee in Heaven Can Wait’s Pups on Parole program, Ike had spent several months at the women’s correctional facility and apparently developed a soft spot for women.

However, he warmed up to the boys after spending some quality time with them. Tammie’s husband brought Ike along on a camping trip and he has literally been man’s best friend ever since.

Ike has become a wonderful family pet. He thinks he is a little lap dog and loves to cuddle.  He also loves having his picture taken and even smiles at the camera. Thanks to his gentle nature not only has he earned his spot on the couch, but also a spot in Tammie’s heart.

Heaven Can Wait holds cat and dog adoptions each weekend inside PetSmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy. (off I-215 and S. Rainbow).  Cats are adopted Thursday afternoon – Sunday and dogs are available on Saturdays.  Check out all the pets at: www.hcws.org

Scotty’s Amazing Story Of Triumph!

A note from Heaven Can Wait’s Cat Coordinator, Elaine: “Kathy adopted Scotty in June 2011.  The shy kitties like Scotty need more humans like Kathy.  She truly gave him the Love and Patience these type of cats need.  I hope you enjoy her extraordinary story.” 

Meet Scotty doesn’t he have the most amazing eyes?  It took me months to be able to look into them.  Let me take you into Scotty’s story.

One year ago, I walked into a PetSmart to look at the cats that Heaven Can Wait Animal Society had available.  I had a female cat that was very attached to me who got incredibly upset when I left the house.  As I was going back to work, I felt she needed a companion.  So I decided to adopt another cat.  I met with Elaine and we discussed what I was looking for, the type of pet owner I was and what was best for my household.

Then she showed me Scotty.  She told me he was considered “hard to adopt” due to his extreme shyness.  This broke my heart and raised my curiosity.  I asked her why.  As she told me his saga, how incredibly shy he was, how he didn’t like to come out of hiding, how afraid he was and how he didn’t even like other cats in his space…  Scotty had been adopted once before and after a few months, they brought him back because he was “too shy.”  He appeared to need some really special love and attention and that’s why he was “hard to adopt.”  As I sat down in front of his hiding spot, I wiggled my fingers and he came out to get petted.  He was so soft, timid, and sweet.  I was also told by one of the volunteers that he NEVER did that for anyone other than Elaine, not even with the volunteers who had known him for quite some time.  Scotty seemed to want me as much as I wanted him.  The more we spoke, the more I realized that I needed Scotty as much as he needed me.

I came back two days later to pick him up, sign all the paperwork…. and off we went.  He made the most pitiful noises on the drive home.  I felt awful!  He was SO terrified.

The moment he came out of the cage, he ran under the bed… and that was it.  For the next TWO months.

He hid under the bed and would come out to go to the bathroom and eat only when no one else was around.  I realized quickly that he needed to find his own way.  I couldn’t force him or it would ruin our relationship.  So I left him be, under the bed, afraid.

I would come in frequently to lie on the floor and just talk to him, letting him get to know my voice.  Little by little, he started to get closer and wanted to be petted.  He wanted to TRUST.  I let him come at his own pace.  I pet him when he wanted and let him run when he felt scared.  We did this for another month or two before he realized that I wasn’t going to hurt him.  But even so, I realized something odd… he was terrified by my feet. Eventually, we got to a point where he would even jump in bed with me, but when I put my feet on the bed he would freak.  My poor cat was terrified of feet.  No wonder he ran when you walked toward him!

Little by little, I worked with Scotty.  I let him go at his own pace.  He needed to know he could trust me and our household.  This is him eventually rolling around in the middle of the living room.

He was coming along so well until my partner and I decided to move in with each other and he had cats of his own.  Poor Scotty!!!!  It set him back which broke my heart.  After he had made SUCH progress, my poor boy was back to hiding under beds, tables, and other furniture.  We were so worried, because he was taking a long time to bounce back from the move.

But he DID!  We used the same tactics by letting him come at his own pace.  And when he did, boy did he bounce back! Not only did my brave Scotty boy come back, he surpassed where he had been before.

I’ve had him a year now.  We’ve been in the new house for 6 months.  Do you remember me telling you how he wouldn’t look me in the eye?  Look at that first picture.  We look at each other constantly now.  He meows when he wants attention.  LOUDLY!  He runs around the house.  He plays or lies around with the other cats in the sun.

And do you remember how terrified he was with feet?  Let me show you a recent picture of Scotty and me.  He loves to jump up and lay with me on the couch.  This is my brave boy with his fear of feet….

Yes, he’s biting my toe.  I managed to grab the shot just before my natural reflex of jerking my foot away.  He jumped off the couch in fear, but jumped right back on two seconds later.  His fear now seems more reflexive.  He trusts me.  He knows he can.

He looks at me with love and I return it.  It’s so nice to be able to see in those incredible blue eyes now.  He lets strangers pet him.  He roams the house.  His spends most of his time on the couch.  And he is ALWAYS looking to get petted!

Does this look like a shy cat to you???  As it turns out my Scotty is actually a lover.  He wants attention, LOTS of attention, but he’s not terrible about it.  He follows me around.  He comes and spends his time with me in the office.  Sometimes he demands to get petted, other times he’s happy to hang out on the floor (and occasionally nibble at my toes…still haven’t figure that one out.

But I’m so proud of his latest discovery.  He tried to lick me, and then ran away, of course.  When he realized he wasn’t in trouble, he came back and licked me again.  Now it’s a regular routine.  I pet him and he shows me love by grooming me.  We love each other very much and I thank Heaven Can Wait Animal Society EVERY DAY for the love-muffin that is my Scotty!  They trusted me with a shy cat that needed lots of patience and in return I got a best friend who I love fiercely.  I couldn’t imagine life without Scotty.

Thank you Elaine!  I can’t tell you how much your trust in me has done for BOTH Scotty and me!

Loving owner of Scotty the wonder cat!