Ragmuffin And Nina’s “Happy Ever After” Adoption

Ragmuffin and Nina were returned to HCWS after their family had a new baby.

Ragmuffin and Nina are not biological sisters, but after living together most of their lives, they act like it.  The pair was returned to Heaven Can Wait in 2012 after their owners welcomed a new baby to the family.  Sadly, thousands of cats are surrendered each year because of myths surrounding newborns and felines or because the animal’s early response to a baby in a household isn’t positive.

The ASPCA offers lots of tips to help expectant parents prepare their cat for a new baby and protect against potential health hazards before an infant is born.

One of the main reasons female cat owners surrender their pets, is the fear of contracting Toxoplasmosis while they are pregnant.  It can cause birth defects.  Cats can get the disease from eating small outdoor animals that are contagious.  The disease is typically passed along to a human while cleaning a litter box.

The ASPCA recommends several common sense measures to protect against Toxoplasmosis:  pregnant women wear gloves while scooping litter, give the job to another family member and keep their cat indoors.

The ASPCA’s next suggestion is to prepare a cat for the upcoming change in the household.  Cats need time and patience to accept any change. The group recommends that furniture for the nursery be set up several months in advance to allow a cat time to investigate and realize there is nothing scary about a crib or changing table.  (Of course, you will want to clean the furniture before the baby uses it.)

Finally when the newborn comes home, the family cat should be introduced to the baby in a peaceful room.  These introductions may have to been repeated several times.  Then use common sense when the baby and cat are in the same room.

Nina relied on her big sister Ragmuffin for security and friendship.

When Ragmuffin and Nina came back to Heaven Can Wait they were 9 years-old and 7 years-old, respectively.   Elaine, the Cat Coordinator worried about finding them a new home because of their age and because she wanted them to be adopted together.

Luck played a role when Christine and Colin walked into the HCWS Adoption Center.  The couple had come to see another cat, but Ragmuffin had other plans.

“This big fluffy cat came up to my boyfriend and started following him around,” said Christine.  “Then Nina started following him too.”

As an avid cat lover, Christine was looking to adopt an older cat and Ragmuffin and Nina fit the order perfectly.

“I’ve had cats my whole life and I knew I wanted an older cat because everyone else adopts the kittens,” said Christine.  “I had recently lost my 16 year-old cat to cancer and my house felt so empty.  I know we will have lots of years ahead of us with Muffin and Nina, even at 9 and 7 years-old.”

Christine shared that Ragmuffin felt at ease the minute she walked into the house.  It took about a week for Nina to adjust, but now she loves to cuddle.  Nina also loves to play with her new laser light game.

Recently Ragmuffin went back to Heaven Can Wait for a “Lion Cut” shave to get rid of some stubborn matted fur.  Christine said poor Muffin found the experience to be embarrassing, but she is glad Heaven Can Wait could help out.

Best buddies Ragmuffin and Nina are very lucky cats.  They get to spend the rest of their lives together and enjoy the companionship of guardians who will cherish them forever.

Ragmuffin hanging out in her new home.

MEET YOUR NEW FURRY FELINE FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND AT HEAVEN CAN WAIT ADOPTIONS EVERY THURSDAY – SUNDAY.  Adoptions are held inside Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy (off I-215 and S. Rainbow.)  Check out the cats waiting for new homes at: ADOPTIONS

Best buddies will now get to spend the rest of their lives together.

Meet The Boys From Heaven Can Wait

T-Bone is one of the cutest cats you may ever meet.

Here are some of the adorable boys waiting to find their forever homes at the Heaven Can Wait Adoption Center.  You can meet them every Thursday – Sunday inside PetSmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Parkway (Rainbow and I-215exit).  Or email us for details at: cats@hcws.org.

T-Bone (pictured above) was rescued from a travel trailer where he was living with 70 other cats.  This big boy is extremely affectionate and loves to be around other felines.  Our cat coordinate calls him, “One of the cutest cats you may ever meet.”

Max is a senior citizen who is young at heart.

Max is a beautiful senior citizen who is young at heart.  He is also a special needs kitty with diabetes.  Max needs a home that can help him with daily insulin shots and a special diet.  In return this big boy will fill his family’s home with lots of love and kisses.

Tiger is full of personality.

If you are looking for a cat with a BIG personality, Tiger is your kind of guy.  This cat will love to chase around your house playing with toys and when he is done, he will curl up in your lap being as sweet as can be.

Jess is a little timid until he gets to know people.

Some cats, like Jess are shy and take time to warm up to new people.   Our coordinator says offering Jess a treat or brushing his hair helps ease his timid nature, but this cat will probably need a guardian who is very patient.

Check out All of the wonderful cats and dogs at Heaven Can Wait by Clicking Here.   Not Ready To Adopt?  You can Sponsor a Cat or Dog by Clicking Here.

A Second Chance For Happiness

Taylor’s winning personality got her adopted quickly. Through no fault of her own, a year later she was back with Heaven Can Wait.

By Patty Carmichael

Little Taylor was rescued by Heaven Can Wait Animal Society along with her brother Connor. After a brief stay in our Pups on Parole program Taylor’s winning personality won the hearts of a new family and she was adopted.  Through no fault of her own, she was returned when the family ran into problems.  The story below is about Taylor’s second chance for happiness.

Hi, my name is Taylor Russell, and this is my story. I am a Chihuahua and Toy Dachshund mix. I lived with a small family for about a year but, for some reason, they took me back to Heaven Can Wait. It was scary but the people there were really nice – even made me their Office Dog – but it was still tough. I did like the obedience school that I went to while I was there. The women at the place were really nice but I understand they are in something called a prison. One special woman taught me commands like, sit, stay, and down. They also taught me how to walk really well on a leash!  I really liked the ladies, but I knew I couldn’t stay with them. I wanted a real home, where I never had to leave again.

My mom and dad had been thinking about getting a dog for a while, since they had lost their other doggies. Daddy had been looking online, and seeing what kind of dog he wanted. When the phone call came from HCWS to tell him and mom about me, they were very excited to come meet me.

Oh course, it was love at first sight, how could they not fall in love with me. I’m black and brown with an adorable personality and so cute and lovable. And as soon as I saw them, I loved them to and I knew I would have a safe loving home for the rest of my life.

Mom and Dad are so cool; Dad takes me to the office every day where I can meet new people. Sometimes they even give me yummy treats!!! After work dad and I go on long walks with mom.  I love to get some exercise and put my nose to the ground to smell all the stuff that has been there before us.

Taylor has lots of new toys to play with.

I love my new home. I have a few toys that are my favorite. Mr. Bill and Homer Simpson are so much fun to play with, but my favorite toy is a BIG bear that is 4 times my size. I love to drag Mr. Bear around the house and pretend it is my buddy. I bark and play and run to the front door when it makes this funny music sound. Mom and dad let me sleep in their BIG bed at night, and it makes me feel so loved and secure.

Dad says there are something called cats that live in the house too. They hide under the bed a lot and I hear funny sounds when I put my nose under there. Gee, are they ever going to come out of there????

I finally got to meet the cats. They aren’t so bad, and it didn’t take long before all the hissing and barking stopped. The cats have been with Dad for a long time, so I guess it will take them a little while to get to know how great I am!!!

One day in November, that mom and dad called Thanksgiving, I got to go for a car ride. We met lots of new friends, whose house smelled like turkey. I got to wear my new coat and explore a big backyard. It was truly a day to be Thankful!!!

Don’t I look pretty in my holiday sweater?

I am so thankful for Heaven Can Wait who found me running the streets with my brother Connor, and picked me up and found me. Without them, I never would have found my dad James or my mom Suzanne.

I even have a Facebook page where dad and mom put pictures of me up so all my friends can see me. I love my new life and wish every dog and cat could find someone to love them as much as my parents do.

“I’m so happy I got a second chance for happiness.”

Dogs (and cats) like Taylor are ready for adoption at Heaven Can Wait every week.  Dog adoptions are held each Saturday at Bone Appetit on W. Tropicana and Ft. Apache and cats are adopted inside Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy, Thursday afternoon through Sunday.  You can see all of the pets on our website: www.hcws.org.

Woman’s Dedication Wins Trust Of Special Needs Dog

Thor was given a second chance even as a special needs pup.

By Amber Mahrou

With Valentine’s Day just behind us, love is in the air—especially for Sandra Holton and her loving, devoted companion, Thor. Although the two are inseparable now, their relationship was not always so heartwarming.  In fact, the story of Sandra and Thor is one of perseverance and uncommon dedication, and proves that love, while not always easy, is always worth the challenge.

It was more than a year ago when Sandra was introduced to Thor. Her roommate Joey, who is the proud pet parent of a Heaven Can Wait boxer, met Thor at an adoption event. Joey thought Sandra and Thor would be a great match, and when she saw how cute he was online, Sandra decided to meet the dog. Thor was well-mannered and just as handsome as his pictures suggested.  He seemed to know his commands well, so it was settled; he was going home with Sandra, joining her roommate Joey and their other boxer, Tye.

Of course, there is always a period of adjustment when you bring a new dog into your home, and when that dog happens to be a 100lb boxer who’s still almost a puppy, well, that does complicate matters, even if you don’t happen to be a petite woman like Sandra. Thor also had a few bad habits when Sandra took him in; he was a chewer who would demolish anything he could get his jaws around.  He’s such a big boy it meant that anything from countertops to all but the highest bookshelves was fair game.

But the biggest challenge with Thor had nothing to do with his love of chewing un-chaperoned objects around the house. Sandra’s biggest challenge with Thor was communicating with him.

Thor received training to help his owner communicate with him.

You see, Thor is deaf.  Sandra knew he was deaf when she adopted him, but she wasn’t quite prepared for some of the more surprising challenges that came along. The first shock was Thor’s aggression. Having no way to communicate with him as you would a hearing dog, Sandra had a hard time convincing Thor that he was not her equal in the pecking order, and as a result his pushiness could be downright scary. He would jump on her, and at his size, one jump was enough to knock her down. He would mouth her hard enough to leave bruises and try to intimidate her into giving him treats by barking and growling. Concerned and not knowing how to get through to Thor, Sandra found herself putting him in his crate and appeasing him with treats for her own safety.

At times like this, Sandra wondered what she had gotten herself into. Had she made the right choice in adopting Thor? She read everything she could find about deaf dogs, and some of the things she read were disturbing. She read that deaf dogs could be aggressive, like Thor was, and that at one point deaf dogs were put down as a matter of course because it was thought that they could not be trained. But Thor was not always aggressive, and when Sandra saw how sweet and lovable he could be when he was not acting up, she knew there had to be a way.  Ultimately Sandra’s research led her to Deaf Dog Training.

Thor during his training session with Sandra.

Her internet search brought her to the website of “Sit Means Sit,” a large, well-known dog training organization with locations around the country. She gave them a call and was directed to David Heck, a local trainer who could help her with Thor. David at first came to do lessons in Sandra’s home, and his method employed the use of an electronic collar—on a very low setting, of course.

This is what allows Sandra to get Thor’s attention, since he can’t hear verbal commands. Using hand signals, David and Sandra were able to finally begin communicating with Thor and he turned out to be a much better student than they could have ever anticipated. In fact, it wasn’t long before Thor was able to join in Sit Means Sit group classes and he’s now not only is he participating in advanced classes which are essentially agility courses, he is also a better student than most of the other dogs in the class—and all of them can hear!

Sandra and even the trainer David are amazed with Thor’s progress. Once a destructive, pushy, disobedient dog, Thor is now confident and calm and learning more every day. He lives to please Sandra and will do anything she asks of him, from running up a narrow set of playground steps just to come to her to jumping onto a three foot tall cylinder at her command. The two of them are now so in sync that Sandra can communicate with Thor with just her eyes; he’s learned to read her expressions and her lips, and can understand some of her spoken commands now just by watching her. Thor is a happy, well-adjusted dog, and he’s learning so fast that Sandra and David are having a hard time trying to come up with a new challenge for him—it seems like he’s conquered them all!

Thor resting peacefully in his new “forever” home.

There were certainly times when Sandra wondered whether she could handle Thor, but these days she says, “He’s so worth it.” Sandra is really glad she stuck it out with him, because he’s her pride and joy, and she doesn’t think he’d be in such a good place if she hadn’t held onto him. Her bond with Thor is so close and their communication is so natural, she even forgets he’s deaf sometimes. Thanks to Sandra’s dedication and unwillingness to give up on her companion, this is one love story that will last a lifetime.

Thor was rescued by Heaven Can Wait along with his two brothers.  Each was enrolled into our Pups on Parole program where they received the first steps of their rehabilitation and training.  All three dogs now have new adopted homes.  We congratulate Sandra on her persistence with a special needs dog.

Heaven Can Wait dog adoptions are held every Saturday at the Bone Appetit store on W. Tropicana and Ft. Apache.  You can see all of the available dogs ready for adoption on our website: http://ww.hcws.org

Thor and Tye hanging out together.

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

Help Find A Home For Ty

Ty has 2 New Year’s resolutions for 2013.

Ty is an adorable Chihuahua/Pug mix who has two New Year’s resolutions for 2013. First he wants to find a new best friend and home where he can share his life. Second, Ty wants to continue the diet that helped him shed 11 extra pounds and get to a healthy weight. (Unfortunately the little pup came to Heaven Can Wait a little on the chubby side.)

Ty is a laid back 5 year-old who loves to give and receive tons of affection. This little guy passed all of his training in the Pups on Parole program with flying colors, but hasn’t been able to achieve his next goal of finding a new family.

If you have room in your life (he doesn’t take up too much space) for Ty or know of someone who could give this deserving pup a second chance, please come to Heaven Can Wait dog adoptions each Saturday at Bone Appetit on W. Tropicana and Ft. Apache. We know you won’t be disappointed.

You can see all the cats and dogs ready for adoption by Clicking on the Adoption Tab at: www.hcws.org. Cats are adopted Thursday afternoon through Sunday inside Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy (off I-215 and S. Rainbow). For more details about Ty, please e-mail: dogs@hcws.org or call 702-227-5555.

If you are not ready to adopt, but would like to help a homeless pet please Click Here.

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

Home For The Howlidays

Rescued from a dog collector, Cassie came to HCWS with absolutely no confidence.

Deannalynn Arzola

Cassie, an adorable 4 year-old shepherd mix, has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. She has found a forever home with Toni and Rhonda, who have been a part of our HCWS family for several years now. In fact, Cassie is the fifth rescue they have adopted.

When the Lab mix with the face of an angel came to Heaven Can Wait, our Dog Coordinators knew she had led a bleak life. Cassie was rescued along with several other dogs from a “dog collector.” She didn’t have any social skills with humans or dogs and had absolutely no confidence in herself. She was a dog who never put her head up.

When Cassie first came home with Toni and Rhonda, she had negligible human trust issues, but after settling in nicely with her family was, within four weeks, following her brothers and sisters through the doggie door and up the stairs to settle in for the night. “Crazy Cassie”, as she is lovingly called by her moms, enjoys chasing Molly and Bebe around the pool and enthusiastically hopping up on Bebe’s back to earn her treats.

Cassie hanging out in her new backyard with a dog pal.

Cassie is a graduate of our highly successful “Pups on Parole” program. “Pups on Parole” partners dogs rescued by HCWS with female inmates at the Southern Nevada Women’s Correctional Facility in North Las Vegas, in an attempt to beneficially rehabilitate both. The dogs stay with their foster moms 24 hours a day, learning to adjust to human companionship, to trust, and to become successfully adoptable through behavioral training provided by the inmates. This program simultaneously allows the ladies at the facility to learn a useful skill, receiving the rehabilitation needed to forge a successful life outside of the walls of the prison. The inmate handler working with Cassie spent several months gaining the dog’s confidence and turning her into a more self-assured pup.

This is a time of year when most of us give thanks for the blessings in our lives. Here at HCWS, we are so thankful for pet parents like Toni and Rhonda. We know that Cassie is thankful for her new home, and Toni informs me that she and Rhonda are very thankful for her Basset Hound, Molly, who has welcomed all of her new family members with such patience and open paws.

We hope that during this holiday season, more abandoned animals will have much to be thankful for, and we know what a gift a rescue dog is to a warm and loving family. If you’re thinking of gifting a pet to someone for the holidays, please make sure that they are ready to welcome a new pet into their home and please be sure to adopt a rescued pet. When you adopt an abandoned animal, you are not just giving the gift of a pet to your loved ones, but you are giving the gift of life, and that is the greatest gift of all. Happy holidays from all of us at Heaven Can Wait.

Cassie is happy in her new home – just in time for the howlidays.

Check out all of the cats and dogs waiting for new homes by Clicking Here.  Cat adoptions are held Thursday – Sunday at Petsmart in the Arroyo Crossing Center (I-215 and S. Rainbow).  Dogs are adopted at Bone Appetit on Saturday from 10am to 5pm (Ft. Apache and W. Tropicana.)

A Handful Of Love – Adopt A BIG DOG!

Ryder’s big size made it hard for him to find his forever home.

By Carol Lisowski

Do you remember this handsome guy?  Being Dressed for Success can really sell you.  Putting his best foot forward, or four feet in his case, won the heart of Kim Farkas before she ever met him.  Seeing this big dog’s cute pictures with his glasses and tie on the HCWS website, Kim knew that she would be taking him home as she had already fallen in love with him. 

Ryder, as he was formeraly known, is a very big dog currently weighing in at 95 pounds at three years-old.  Even though he graduated from the Pups on Parole program, Ryder’s size has always been a challenge for this Boxer-Shepherd mix that first came to Heaven Can Wait when he was 10 weeks-old.  As an adorable puppy, Ryder was quickly adopted and settled in with his new family.  But soon he grew too big for his new owner.  After living in a series of homes a Good Samaritan returned Ryder to HCWS earlier this year. 

While in the Pups on Parole program, this big, goofy guy learned all of his commands and a few tricks too.  He flops over when someone says, “Bang, you’re dead,” he spins in circles when asked and will even roll over to show you his belly.

Ryder, now known as Hooch in his new home.

Kim was looking through the pictures on the HCWS website for another dog when she was immediately drawn to Ryder’s.  Her previous dog, which she lost a few months ago, was a medium-sized, very docile pet.  Handling her big adoptee is a handful, but he is so funny and goofy, she can’t help but love him.  Renamed Hooch, after the Turner and Hooch movie, the little rascal seems to know just how much he can get away with.  He only gets up on the furniture and counters after she leaves.  He hates the vacuum cleaner and will try to bite it, but seems to want to protect Kim from it as he stands under her feet when she is trying to vacuum.  His worst habit though, is eating anything plastic.  So Kim has to keep all things plastic out of his reach.  He adjusted very quickly to his new home with the exception that he doesn’t like to be left outside.

Kim wants to commend the Pups on Parole handler for the very thorough assessment she received on his habits and mannerisms.  She said it is very accurate and has helped her to know what to expect.

Like many big dogs that just become too much for their owners, Hooch has been through a lot in his short life.  Kim is determined though that this is a match that will work and that this will be Hooch’s last home.

If you would like to find a big, goofy dog for your own, visit www.hcws.org to see who is waiting for their own forever home.  Dog adoptions are held every Saturday in the Bone Appetit store on Ft. Apache and W. Tropicana.  Cat adoptions are held Thursday – Sunday in Petsmart at 7050 Arroyo Crossing Pkwy.

Hooch enjoying life at last!