Adopted March 2009

8/10/10:

My partner and I adopted, Chance, from you in March of 2009. He's such a special dog, and is such a joy in our lives.  

I have included in this email Chance's picture with Santa at Christmas 

4/4/09:

Just thought I'd give you an update on Chance's first week as a Canadian.

Everyday, it become even more apparent what an amazing dog he is! Where to start?! He first made friends with my parents in Salmon Arm, and the family that my mom does childcare for. I cannot begin to tell you how loved he is already. Every person that he meets is his new best friend. The three little girls (ages 4, 8 and 12) that my mom looks after were all over him with hugs and kisses, which he adores. Teslyn, the 4 year old, is a bit shy of dogs, but not of Chance. On every walk, he meets new dog and human friends - he has met every kind dog from a puppy rottie to shepherds to terriers . . . never a second of dominant or anti-social behaviour. He is also an angel with the cats - one of them grooms him, while he grooms the other. He actually seems to share his calm-submissive state with others (Cesar Millan would be so proud!).

When we go out, we still take him with us. Its not hot yet, and soon we won't be able to leave him in the car, so we want him to see as much as possible now. When we come out of stores, we almost always find him curled up sleeping, not a hint of stress or anxiety, calmly waiting for us to return. He has been into almost every pet store here - he's averaging about 4 cookies per visit from staff.

Chance also seems to be a magnet for people - I have never seen a dog attract people like he does! We have been followed by people in pet stores because they feel the need to meet and pet him. When Chris has taken him out to have a pee while I am in a store, he always attracts attention - I have come out to see strange men talking baby talk to him!! It is absolutely amazing! I am starting to think he needs business cards. :) In fact, he should be an ambassador for rescue dogs everywhere.

I've included some more pictures of his adventures this week. In a couple of pictures, there is a larger Bernese Mountain Dog cross with Chance - he is the dog that we found for my dad (he lost his best
friend, Spike, at age 14 a couple of weeks ago). After Chance met my dad, he started talking about what a wonderful dog he was, and started showing signs that he was ready for a new dog. So we looked around, and by a stroke of luck, we found Charlie, the Bernese Mountain Dog! Suddenly there are two Bernese Mountain Dog crosses in the family - Chance and Charlie. Like it was all meant to be. :)