2024 may be the year of the dragon, but the sanctuary has gone to the dogs as we welcomed three new tail-wagging friends over the past nine months.
Katonah
KATONAH is a gorgeous peach-and-cream, blue-eyed bombshell of a husky. What we know of his story begins with his abandonment in a house when the owners moved out. The new owner didn’t visit the house for a month and was shocked to discover a dog who had survived by drinking out of the toilet. The dog control officer arrived on the scene and initially thought Katonah was deceased. Starving, covered in fleas and mange, Katonah had lost most of his fur and could barely stand. He was rushed to the hospital where his extensive treatment proved successful and he began to heal. Living at a shelter for over a year, he was passed over due to early signs of kidney disease. We agreed to give him a home and were rewarded with a delightful companion for the other dogs. Katonah quickly became best friends with Dolly, often stopping to make sure she is still near on walks. Unlike Dolly, barking is not his favorite hobby; he sings the song of his people with a “woo-wooo” husky howl when he wishes to say something. Also unlike Dolly, Katonah is a very picky eater, often leaving his breakfast untouched, much to Dolly’s amazed glee as she is always happy to help clean up extra food. We nicknamed him Special K and were surprised to discover that he loves to play fetch, happily chasing a ball around the yard or house.
Aware of Katonah’s health challenges, we became concerned a few months after his arrival when he began drinking excessively. Our veterinarian confirmed our worst fear: Katonah has diabetes. He is on insulin twice a day, which has worked to keep him feeling well. However, he has begun to lose his eyesight due to the diabetes. Despite all these challenges, Katonah remains in good spirits enjoying his walks, chew toys and lots of pets. Dolly and all of us are delighted to welcome this happy, handsome husky to our family!
Willoughby
WILLOUGHBY … sweet Willoughby. This senior pup with adorable Yoda ears and a gentle disposition was brought to our attention by a shelter. He spent his life in a loving home, but when his owner was nearing her passing, she arranged for him to live with a friend and included funds for his care in her will. Upon her death, the “friend” took the money and promptly tried to have Willoughby euthanized. What?!? The veterinarian refused and Willoughby found himself dumped at a shelter… where he has been living for the past two years. Willoughby is 15 years old, partially blind and has liver disease, so perhaps it’s not surprising that he was always passed over for adoption. We agreed to give him a home, understanding that as a hospice case, he may not be with us for long. But oh how we hope to have as much time with him as possible!
Willoughby quickly attached himself to Susan, following her everywhere. When unsure of her whereabouts due to his poor eyesight, he gives a soft “woo-woo” call and then follows the sound of her voice back to her side. The only time he barks is when he can see her through the window to the special needs cat room, demanding at high decibel that she return to his side. We are grateful to welcome wonderful Willoughby to our family.
Kingsley
KINGSLEY is a big, goofy pit bull who arrived one cold day in January. We received call that he had been abandoned in the snow with no food or shelter near a mobile home park. Concerned neighbors contacted the owner, who said he just didn’t want him anymore… and could we take him? His rescuer drove him to the sanctuary that afternoon. Out of the car stepped a shivering, starving pup covered in fleas and mange. His eyes looked so frightened. We got him to our vet pronto, where Kingsley was also diagnosed with Lyme disease. We placed him in quarantine and began his rehabilitation process. Unsure of his temperment or how he would get along with other dogs, we were delighted to discover a gentle and loving soul. Initially, Kingsley was scared and depressed, but as he regained his health and learned to trust that he was safe and loved, he truly blossomed. Our biggest challenge was staying upright behind him on daily walks, skating across the icy roads as he bulldozed ahead in the winter of his arrival. Once healthy, Kingsley was moved into the house where he made friends with all the dogs and crowned himself King of the Couch. A couch potato extraordinaire, he loves nothing more than snuggles on the sofa, gazing up with adoring, slightly crossed eyes. And such good manners! Kingsley is perfectly house trained, a novel and welcome experience for Susan who spends a gazillion hours a day cleaning up after the other dogs, not to mention replacing carpets, curtains and couches. We are so glad to welcome this lovable senior pup to our family!
