Even a gift of $1 shows you care.......
Give a worthy pup a second chance
Give a worthy veteran a new life.......
CANINE ANGELS FOSTER DOGS
10/1 Meet Tomo
Tomo is a 1 year old female shepherd mix, with some rotty and some lab thrown in. Donated to Canine Angels, with her complete trust in us, by Amy of Oak Island, NC, Tomo is a gentle and sweet girl, in need of training and discipline, but already displaying great strides to show her willingness to get with the program. She is especially fortunate, as she is being fostered by two supreme dog lovers, Janet and Bob of Longs, SC, proud owners of two magnificent greyhounds, Kinky and Blaze. Even after one day, the threesome are getting along as if they have been friends for a lifetime. Here are some pics from today:
we will keep you posted on Tomo's progress......
10/1
Louise loves to sleep on her back, and when she sits on the couch she sits like a person. She doesn't sleep on pillows on the floor anymore she promoted herself to the bed. I'm trying to get better pictures but Louise is so fast that by the time I get the camera she has moved. Usually when I'm at my desk grabbing the camera I turn around and there she is, poof, little ninja girl, quiet and quick. Talk to you later, Jim
9/25 Our blessings and best wishes to Bob, former owner of our newest working dog, Barney, serving Mary and Joseph Modica. Bob, who loved Barney for six years, was faced with an unthinkable decision regarding Barney's future, not wanting to leave Barney behind to potentially do damage. We at Canine Angels congratulate Bob for his trust in us, and for his compassion for his buddy to have a chance to move on in a new and happy life. As you know, Barney has since been trained and is already on the job. Good health & long life!!!
9/22 Louise continues to improve: Jim writes:
Today Louise had quite the morning. We went to the beach and walked and she got in the water up to her chest, once she was in it didn't even phase her. Then when we got home I hosed her down and dried her off, she was a hesitant but as you said, we're going to do it, either the easy way or the hard way, and I think it's starting to make sense to her. She's doing great on the potty training, no accidents in the house. Thanks for all the training help.See ya, Jim, Cathie, Lola & the brave Louise.
9/21 Stella continues her training with Amy. Stella is becoming more and more adept at taking, holding, and carrying various household items on command, one of a service dog's most important tasks. Pictured here, she carries her dinner dish around the house proudly. Then a trip to the beach for some R & R, well deserved!!!
9/21 Louise: Foster Dad Jim Miller happily reports that Louise is, after 3 weeks, is finally making some breakthroughs in her state of mind and concentration. We are all rooting for you , Louise!! Great job, Jim & Cathie
9/21 Thelma:
Thelma continues to respond to her training, with more and more adventures every day. Here Sydney takes her to the beach for a walk.
9/16 Welcome Aboard, Thelma!!! L: Cason & Thelma R: Rick trains
Thelma, and her sister Louise, were set adrift by a human in Loris, where they were rescued by Selena Bellamy 2 months ago. Selena, the ultimate humanitarian and dog lover, housed them, cared for them, groomed them, and saw to all their medical needs, until they were brought back to health. Timid, and scared, they needed to be separated in order to find their own strengths. Thelma now is being fostered by Kathleen Devine and family, in Carolina Forest. It has been 2 weeks, and her socialization is coming along fine. Today we gave her her first obedience lesson, and she responded beautifully, heeling and sitting on leash on command.
Canine Angels L-R: Ginger, King, Abigail, Toby, Leroy, and Freddie sit and witness Thelma's introduction to service training - all old news to them!
Good luck Thelma!!!!
9/2 Letter to Jim Miller from Rick Kaplan, President
Dear Jim,
Canine Angels wishes to express our deepest gratitude for service beyond the scope of duty that you have performed for our charity. Your foster work for Toby has been exemplary, as he is now prepared for service training in record time, and will be a phenomenal dog in months to come as a result of the hard work and dedicated effort you have placed in him. Your willingness to accept Louise, our new black lab, and work with her through her issues is a gift to us, and to some yet to be identified veteran who will have her in his/her life because of your unheralded and pure charitable contribution. You are a man of special spirit, and we are honored to have you on board!!!
Rick
9/1 Wishing our Layla luck in her new home!!! We will miss you, bu we know how happy you will be with your new Mom & Dad in Georgetown! Thanks again to Jennifer Sheldon, your great foster mom, who made your new life possible with her love and patience. We will think of you always, and know what joy you will bring to you new home!
8/3 Here's Toby!
Hey Rick,
We had a good day today. Toby' is in his crate right now, waiting for me to finish this. He is doing very well with "stay" and "come" so tomorrow I'll start working on "down", which could be a challenge. I did what you said about the barking when he sees another dog and that works well. We got 2 good long walks in today and 3 little ones with Lola. He is eating and sleeping well.
How do you tell a black lab that the couch is not a bed? You don't. It was about noon, and I was tired. My wife was sleeping in the bedroom, after a midnight shift, so I thought why disturb her, I'll just open the sleeper sofa and take a quick nap. That's something I wouldn't of thought of if Toby wasn't here, I've had this couch for 3 years and never opened it. Well I open the sleep sofa, I lay down and am joined by my best buddy, Toby, he zonked out right away and looked like he was in heaven. Well after a quick nap I closed the bed and made it a couch again. The next day at around noon Toby is sticking his head under the couch cushions and pushing them up, so I'm like what's up? He kept doing this until I realized that he wanted me to open the sleeper sofa for his nap. I thought -no way- but sure enough as soon as I opened the bed he grabbed his pull toy, jumped in the bed and zonked out. Now I open the sleeper sofa every day for his afternoon siesta. So tonight when I go to bed I'm going to pray that I'll wake up smarter then Toby, probably won't happen but it's worth a shot. Jim
Jim
7/26 Toby Update:
Hey Rick
How do you get a black lab to do yard work? You don't. I went out back to fill the bird feeders and Toby was following me. Ten seconds later I turned around and he was on the screen porch, waiting for me to finish my work. I think I heard him say, "I'll wait here, get me on the way in". Last night was a little rough, because of the thunderstorms. Toby and I didn't get much sleep. I don't know who jumped higher when it boomed, him or me. They didn't scare Toby but the noise would rattle the house and he would sit up and be alert. Today we just got back from a long walk between the rain showers, we're walking at a pretty good clip now. While I'm typing this and checking my email Toby is resting in his crate, his choice. Yesterday Toby met two new friends, beagles, while we were walking. He greeted and played with them and when we left he actually barked, that's the first time I heard him bark and it's very macho, I think he was saying good-bye to his new friends. Toby, Lola(my little Queensland) and I are gonna relax a little today with some short training and a couple more easy walks. See Ya, Jim
7/25 Meet TOBY
Thanks to Laura of the K9 Country Club grooming and boarding facility in Little River, SC, Toby was brought to our attention for an evaluation, which he passed in 5 seconds. A two year old male black lab who roamed the countryside with a pack of dogs, living as if he were a wolf, Toby made his way into civilization, and was rescued, brought to a local veterinarian for all of his vaccinations and tests, (he is in perfect health), and donated to Canine Angels in the hope he can become a working service dog. A new foster, Jim from Tidewater in North Myrtle Beach met Toby and there was an immediate mutual connection, and it has been a success from that first second. Toby did walk into Jim's house and pee right on a plant, but since that greenery has been relocated outside there have been no additional markings. Toby did just fine through a loud thunderstorm, and slept noiselessly through his first night in his crate. Toby and Jim: a great start!!!Here are Jim's first reports:
Rick,
Things are great with Toby. He took a little nap in the foyer. He's been taking the toys and putting them in his crate. We've been walking every 2 hours, I'm tired but he seems like he could go forever. Toby really wants to get as close as possible to me when we're on the couch, it's like he wants to crawl inside my skin, I love it that he's so affectionate, what a great boy. My girl, Lola,(their 14 year old dog) seems to not really care about Toby, one way or another. He got real close to her a few times when she was laying in front of the fireplace, her favorite spot, she gave him a little teeth and he just walked away. Toby wants to play with Lola but she wants nothing to do with it, I think she's too set in her routine. I'll work on it. So far so good. Jim
Toby wasn't phased by the thunder at all. He likes his crate and slept in it last night. When I sit at my computer he lays in his crate. Last night he met my wife, Cathie, he loves her and sat on her lap quite a bit. She said she wanted a lap dog but didn't know he would be this big, she got lots of kisses from Toby. Today we'll do a lot of walking and I'll work on his sit, stay, and come commands. Lola's getting more normal and seems to be working it out. Things are great, I'll let you know if there's problems. Jim
No other accidents in the house. I have been leaving the crate door open for him and he lays in there every now and then. Things are good.
Jim
7/23 Abby and Arlette write from NJ vacation
Hi Rick,
Sorry if you are missing me, have been on vacation up in New Jersey. Enjoying my daily walks on the beach and the Best Jersey Ice Cream Around.
I have been Trying to do my daily tasks assigned to me, but with this beautiful weather and beach, hard to focus. All the people are saying want a beautiful dog I am.......Arlette and Ray leave me alone in the a/c between 3 and 6 so, then can enjoy their old friends from before their move to Calabash.
Hope all is well. See you when I get back.... hmmmm when ever that may be... going to visit my cousins up in Hopewell this weekend. and show those dogs all my new lessons. I learned...... well ttyl getting back to my Ice Cream.........
Abby and Arlette
7/18
Stella gets her updated vaccinations at Seaside Animal Care: picture of 7 Canine Angels along with Rhonda at Seaside
7/14 Amy reports on Stella
Hi Rick!
It was great to see you and the "gang" at the meet and greet yesterday!
Stella slept all the way home and was anxious for dinner last night. I think being around the other dogs has brought her out of her shell a bit. She and Leland are now starting to interact more now around the house. We practiced her taking and giving and she is doing beautifully. Last night was a treat for me as she took everything I presented to her even the spatula which is her least favorite item so far. (with the newspaper being a close second!) Today Stella made a few new "people friends" at Seaside and also at a local pet supply store where we selected a new collar. She was very well behaved and received quite a few compliments on her good looks as well as her manners. We did have to discuss the topic of shoplifting as we walked through the aisle of assorted treats which were right at nose level for her. She would have taken one of each kind I think!
We had some time before our appointment so we stopped by the puppy park in Shallotte and played with 2 miniature poodles. She played for about 20 minutes and was ready to relax so off we went to the vet. Back home for a quick walk and then her first Frosty Paw.
Amy, Leland and Stella
7/10 Stella learns to "take"
Hi Rick!
Stella and I had a great time yesterday at the Meet and Greet! She was exhausted yesterday afternoon so she took a long nap before our afternoon training. She is continuing to "take and give" very well. She is starting to take items (when asked) without my placing them in her mouth.
Waiting for treats is an easy task for her now even with Leland sitting next to her. They have both learned to wait for permission! I Love it!
Our afternoon walk with both dogs was enjoyable today. I find less corrections are being needed, however I switched up the route today and that caused some extra excitement as we went into "new territory". She responded to the correction and we continued our walk without issue. She is not fond of the large trash cans sitting next to the road or the sound of weedeaters and lawn mowers. Each time we go outside I walk her by my trash can. She will come about 3 feet away and stop. No barking or growling - more of a shying away. Most other yard items don't seem to affect her at all.
We are also working very hard to master coming up and down the steps at heel. Stella is making slow progress on this. She still prefers 2-3 steps at a time instead of 1.
She shows progress each day! It looks like you will be back at Doggone on Wednesday night? If so, Stella and I will plan to attend.
Thanks again for all your help and encouragement!
Amy
7/7 Update on Stella
Hi Rick!
Thank you for your encouragement and all the training. Seeing Stella respond makes me proud of her and anxious to work even harder on our new skills. The story of Lady on your website brings me to tears everytime I think of it and hope that Stella and I will have a wonderful story too!
Last night Stella was very hyper, though we had company so there was alot going on in the house. People in and out of the kitchen etc.. so she wanted to join in. She would lay down at the "line" when asked but did not want to stay for long so we will keep trying. She did eventually calm down and relax to watch a movie with us.
We had an excellent walk this morning (short walk with both dogs) and a super training session with "taking" the rope. She took the rope everytime and held it until I ask for it back. Is the command "give it" when I want it back? On the walk, I only needed to correct her once to remind her and she went right into the "heel" position. I feel like she is really starting to watch me for direction and praise. It is funny to watch Leland while Stella and I are working. I think he is picking up on some of the new "rules". We will continue to strive for progress as I seem to be the one needing the training, not the dog! HAHA
Take care and try not to work too hard today!
Amy
6/19 Update on Leroy.....
We saw Leroy with foster family Denise and Kelsey at our Veterinarian, Seaside Animal Care, in Calabash, NC. Leroy had a checkup and an ear cleaning, and got a good bill of health. We then trained for an hour, and he is doing very well, ahead of schedule, getting comfortable with heeling and coming on command. Here are some fotos of Leroy at home, relaxing and "lawn surfing".
Hi Ricky:
just giving you an update on Leroy. He is doing great and has turned the corner. I left him in the house by himself for an hour with no problem. He was also left outside for about 3 hours on the back deck and only gave a short whine. He is bringing in the paper and delivering it to whomever is there. Leroy is finally starting to believe he lives here and is venturing to spaces without people, looking for peace and quiet. Leroy went to the beach and was really well behaved and even lied down as people approached him. He is still intrigued by the wheel bike or skateboard and wants to be on the run with them. The kids were riding skateboards and he took the sit command and stayed without too much trouble. He did the same when we were at the neighbors who have 4 pit bulls that run the fence and bark terribly - he ignored them! Yay for Leroy!
See you soon,
Denise, Kelsey and Leroy
Becky reports on Bailey:
Everything is going well. Bailey and I am getting familiar with each other and each other's habits. She is doing well on the come command and even learning to wait when being fed, and also waiting to go out the door. Her leash work is going well, she usually stays right next to me, but it is a work in progress. She gets distracted with birds and bugs, but is quick with correction. She loves riding in the car, so our road trip on Saturday should be exciting. Bailey and Dell play very well together (they especially like tug-of-war). Working on the barking, but I have figured out a few things that she likes to bark at. She has found a new hiding place that she likes....under the bed. I could not find her one day and when I told her to come her little head peaked out from under the bed and she looked at me like "what?" I think she was laying with the cat under the bed. She gets along with both cats now.
Leroy Update:
Hi Ricky:
Last week was busy with watching two other dogs which made our total 4. Leroy and I had some quiet time at the beach and on the dock. He listens best on the dock, I think fewer distractions. He continues to jump and I have done everything I know to do. He is getting better about it - I guess that is a time thing. He also chews things when he gets mad about leaving him alone. He continues to be happy here and loves playing with Tess and the neighbor, Leah. Leroy ears continue to be a concern. I get them almost healed and then he plays with one of the dogs and they begin to bleed again. I have started you using the Benedryl lotion and that has helped alot with the itching. He is eating well, and we are still walking and training. Leroy now shakes hands, sits and waits for his lead to be put one and removed and will come when called. We are putting him on a line more when we do things. He is fine as long as he can see us but when he can't he will do anything to break free and come find us. Trying to get him to stay in the yard with us without his lead.
Take Care and Best wishes, Denise
Josh and Rebecca come to Grandma Arlette's house and meet Abby: Abby update: she heels, comes, sits and stays almost to perfection, and is always sweet and loving; somewhere out there is a very lucky veteran who will have her in his or her future within a few more months! Arlette is a spectacular trainer!
6/1 Update on Bailey:
We are still working on come command and she pretty good with that. She is barking occasionally, sometimes at nothing at all or at something I cannot hear, but she is responding on command and she comes and sits next to me.
She made 2 new doggie friends on Sunday and enjoyed playing with them in the yard chasing a ball. Everyone thought she was adorable and were impressed with how well behaved she was after I told them a little about her and how little time I had had her.
Leash work is going well. She is not pulling like she used to when we go outside and if she does she responds quickly to correction.
We have had only had 1 set back. I am not sure what happened, but when I was about to take her collar off last night she got upset and was nipping at me. This morning she let me put the collar on, but when I tried to put her leash on to go outside she ran. She would come back over to the door (Dell and Mickey were waiting to go outside) and when I tried to put it on her again, she laid down, rolled over, but when the leash got close she got up and bolted. I took the other 2 out and when we came back in she eventually let me get her leash on to go outside. She had been doing really well with getting on her leash on. She would come over and sit in front of me, hold her head up for me to put her leash on, and just wait. So again, not sure what happened last night.
Will give you another update soon.
Becky
Becky, Bailey's foster Mom reports: "Bailey is enjoying herself. She has found a new friend in not only me, but also in Dell. She seems comfortable and did eat food last night. When it came time to go to bed, Bailey jumped on the bed too (Dell one side and Bailey the other). At 4 a.m. Bailey decided I needed kisses. She is very energetic. Bailey played with Dell this morning, chasing each other and trying to get the toy. I spent some time working this morning and she laid by my chair for a while, then had to go find Dell and bring him in the office too. Worked on "come" command even during play and she did well. Tonight going to do leash work." A great start!!!
New foster dog for Canine Angels, BAILEY! Our thanks to Kimberly Miles of Myrtle Beach for donating Bailey, in the comfort of knowing that she will have a wonderful future, full of training, love, and service. And thanks to her new foster Mom, Becky Stanard, and daughter Kylie, of Myrtle Beach, who met Bailey today, and had a mutual love fest.
Becky writes: "Hey Rick, Just wanted to let you know that Kylie and I enjoyed meeting Bailey today. We are very excited to welcome her into our pack and know that she will be a great benefit to someone because she is a lover. We are looking forward to helping her became the best she can be.
Becky
The actual transfer will occur later this week... Stay tuned.
5/18/11 Update on Layla with service jacket: She is doing fine and is more well behaved, as if she knows she is destined for glory wearing that jacket.. After the Barc Parc we stopped at the post office, then to the farmers market, where she was well behaved and kind to everyone who wanted to meet her. A lady at one of the herb stands was proud of the work Canine Angels is doing and gave us a lemon mint plant - how nice! Then off to the boardwalk where motorcycles were everywhere. Layla was obedient and sat at the lights til they changed, and even a stranger (a veteran) came up and wanted kisses, which she gave after a minute of reassurance that it was OK. She has a good heart and is a fast learner.
Jennifer, Foster Mom
Welcome Leroy! 5/17/11
They just would not take "NO" for an answer! Meet two special ladies from Surf City, NC, which is way too far outside of my radius for fostering, but would Denise Hoffman and her daughter Kelsey Kent listen? No way! And now there is LEROY, a 1 1/2 year old yellow lab mix, adopted today from the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society, that has a new horizon in view: SERVICE DOG. Special thanks for the tireless efforts of one of our best volunteers, Bethany Shipman, who has dedicated herself to working with Leroy at the shelter for more than a month, and has taught him all the basic commands. Bethany gave Leroy Jenkins Kelsey Kent (his new official full name) the tools necessary to have a chance at glory, and all the hard work paid off today. Denise and Kelsey have a 13 year old pup at home, and the new report is that she and Leroy hit it off instantly! We all had an extended training lesson, and Leroy, Denise, and Kelsey got a grade of A+. Kelsey will keep a journal to keep us all up to date on their progress. We at Canine Angels wish them all the best of luck!!!
5/6 Lady and the Canine Angels kids train together
5/3 Layla joins the crew for a therapy visit....
Today Layla and Jennifer joined Rick, Freddie, Ginger, King and Alfie at Active Day Care in Myrtle Beach for a 1 hour therapy visit to about 40 day patients. What a blast! Smiles, rubs, laughs, treats, and scratches for everyone. (sorry about the orientation of the pics - trying to fix)
5/2 Layla: taking it easy!
Jennifer and Layla are doing incredible work together: she is a sweet and eager pup, and is, by far, the fastest gun in the dog park. Nobody can catch her! Here are some pics of her today, ad visit the Videos page for more.
Meet LAYLA......
A fantastic rescue story....... Selena of The Grooming Barn in Little River, SC, rescued this sweet girl several months ago from the Food Lion parking lot, and has since kept her in her boarding kennel, while she paid for all her expenses and medical care. Today this pit/lab mix is as spunky and healthy as she should be, thanks to the warm and kind heart of her rescuer. After only 1 week of basic training, Layla is on her way to a foster home to begin her service training. We will post updates on this story often.
4/23/11
UPDATE!! Layla left her rescuer's home today and is with her new foster Mom, Jennifer of Myrtle Beach. She is a happy and excited pup, and shows all the signs of willingness to learn obedience. Updates as they happen...
4/26/11
Layla is now in her third day with Jennifer, pictured here, and is sleeping through the night, heeling, and not at all interested in the 2 cats running around and hiding under the bed. Layla is comfy in her crate, has a good appetite, and seems to be housebroken without a doubt. She got her teeth brushed and nails filed without too much ado.
Little Layla gets herself a little wound up in the morning, and has something to say to certain strangers and dogs on her walks, but we are hard at work on that. All of Selena's good work is in Layla, and that will make Jennifer's job th her that much easier. This pup is headed for glory!
ABBY....
4/26/11
The Canine Angels Crew met Arlette and Abby at the North Myrtle Beach Walmart for some distraction training, and she did a super job! New noises, movements, and smellscaught her attention, but she did her work nevertheless, and is doing a fine job learning what it means to become a service dog. Arlette is a loving and serious foster Mom, and Abby has come miles in only 6 weeks.
A shepherd/pit/other mix, she is a winner to be! She has passed her first 2 weeks with flying colors. She so far has learned successfully to heel on a leash,go into and come out of her crate on command, sit, stay, wait for food and water, be 100% house broken.
Her foster mom, Arlette of Brunswick County, NC, is a loving, caring, yet serious no-nonsense mom, and Abby is attached to her at the hip. Arlette's dedication, and the love and support Abby feels after living in a shelter for many months combine to give Abby the security of a safe environment, and the eagerness to learn from such a caring and authoritative alpha. This is a miracle story in the making.
BOURBON......Bourbon adopted by his Veteran 4/23/11 (please see veteran's page)
A lab/shepherd mix, Bourbon, or "Bourbs" as he is now known, nearly 5 years old, was hopeless, after his family of 4 years discarded him like trash upon discovering he had developed heartworms, as they had never given him the preventative medication. Through the graces and open hearts of the North Myrtle Beach Humane Society, Bourbon was taken in, treated, and now has a clean bill of health. He stayed in the shelter for over 1 year. See the handsome boy here with his foster mom, Diana, who has taken him into her home and her heart, to be part of their pack with her husband, and her dog, and 2 cats. Bourbon is loving the comfy beds, the peaceful life, and the caring training that Diana puts him through. Bourbon is now wearing a service vest, and is accompanying Diana to stores, malls, and other places in her day. Diana's generous gift to Bourbon, as well as to a yet unknown soldier who will eventually be paired with him, represents the rare and special human being of unbridled compassion that we seek to take part in the magical journey of shelter to canine angels service dog. Bravo Diana and Bourbs!!!
LADY.........
Lady, pictured here on the right, with her new brother Bode, is a gift of love to Canine-Angels from a very caring owner who believes in our cause and who will give up her special 2-year-old Golden Retriever so that she can help a needy serviceman or servicewoman. Raised as an outdoor dog, Lady has shown amazing potential in just a few brief training sessions. She will transition to her Canine Angels foster home and full time training on April 11. Her new pack will consist of a 5-year-old Golden Retriever, Bode, and his mom, Jeanne Maxon. Bode and Jeanne are certified members of Therapy Dogs International and recently achieved Active Member status with more than 50 documented therapy dog visits to schools and medical facilities. Jeanne is an experienced trainer, and we expect that Bode will be a model example to help with Lady’s training.
ALFIE......
Alfie is an AKC registered English Springer Spaniel that is now part of our pack, Fred & Ginger, and King. He is quite a guy, taking to complete obedience in just a few weeks. He is learning every day, and could not be cuter if he tried. He has fit right into the pack, and is as smart as they come. Glad to have you here, Alfie!!
LADY....(again)
Lady is our newest addition to the Canine Angels team, here pictured with her new friend from next door, Rayne.
Lady's foster mom, Jeanne, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, is an experienced trainer, and has her own golden, Bode, who is both handsome and magnificently well behaved.
Be sure to visit our new web page, "LADY GRAMS", as Lady has so graciously volunteered to write a journal of her experiences toward becoming a working service dog for a disabled veteran. Thanks.....
