Peabody, The Mixed Breed Rescue

When Amanda Karkoutly’s last dog passed away in December of 2019, it was so devastating she wasn't sure if wanted another one.

“During the pandemic, I considered it, but then there was a large brush fire that came dangerously too close to my place in July of 2020. It was a miracle that it burned around me, and my building was fine,” she says. “That night, I was looking at a rescue site and saw Peabody’s sweet face and knew that was my dog. A week later, he came home with me.”

“That night, I was looking at a rescue site and saw Peabody’s sweet face and knew that was my dog. A week later, he came home with me.”

It was his sweet eyes that got her. Amanda wasn’t planning on getting another dog but reading his story and seeing him curled up in his foster picture made her feel connected to Peabody.

Read more about Amanda and Peabody’s love for each other and growth in this exclusive interview!

Dog Whisperer HQ: Tell us about Peabody.

Amanda: I adopted Peabody through the Labelle Foundation and it's just incredible to see his shelter picture compared to who he is now. I feel lucky to be a part of his happiness now. Peabody is now around five-years-old and, originally, the rescue had guessed he was a Maltipoo mix. He has a long body and short legs, so I presumed he was mixed with corgi or dachsund. Recently our vet suggested he looked like a Dandie Dinmont terrier and it floored me. He has silky hair, though, not fur (like the pure wiry Dandie) — he is definitely unique. He loves to go on long neighborhood hikes with a big grin on his face while he trots and people regularly stop to say how cute he is. Multiple people have compared him to Falcor from “The Neverending Story.”

Peabody before, at the rescue.

Peabody after.

“I adopted Peabody through the Labelle Foundation and it’s just incredible to see his shelter picture compared to who he is now. I feel lucky to be a part of his happiness now.”

DW: How is Peabody’s life now compared to when you first adopted him?

A: The rescue found him on the streets of Bakersfield with both eyes crusted shut, his hair like a long snarled shearling rug. They were able to get him double cherry eye surgery before I adopted him. You can still see his street life defenses sometimes: he is a bit jumpy still, and very able to defend himself when a person or dog approaches too quickly. At first, he barely allowed me to touch him, and only on the body. A year later, he'll cry when he wants to be in my lap. He loves to snuggle up close on the couch, he usually always has a paw touching me and now he loves having his face scratched. It's been remarkable to see him trust and accept love.

“He loves to snuggle up close on the couch, he usually always has a paw touching me and now he loves having his face scratched. It’s been remarkable to see him trust and accept love.”

Amanda and Peabody.

DW: What does Peabody bring to your life?

A: So much laughter… he's a clown. He's also a great protector and watchdog (big barks come out of such a short body) and just such sweetness. He's nothing but joy for me.

DW: What are your typical days with Peabody like?

A: If I sleep in, he'll wake me with a tail to the face when I start to stir. He'll have breakfast and we'll go out for a walk. We usually do two miles through the Hollywood Hills in the morning and stop and visit neighborhood friends along the way. He likes to pause at the overlooks and feel the breeze. He's such a curious dog; it's endearing. He'll sleep through the morning while I work, then we do a short walk in the afternoon. After his dinner, we do another long neighborhood walk and he knows exactly where his dog friends live and likes to stop to say hi to everyone. Then at night he alternates being sleeping in a ball on the sofa and then spreading out long on the floor until bed. He starts at the foot of the bed, and then usually I wake up to his head on the pillow next to me.

DW: What are Peabody’s quirks?

A: He's funny and he's always hungry. Peabody is very vocal; aside from his bark, he's a great communicator. For example, he'll lick his lips when he wants a treat and walk in place when he wants to go out. My favorite quirk is he'll spin when I guess the thing he wants. His tail doesn't just wag — it helicopters when he's excited, but his whole body gets into it and he'll move in a circle when he's happy.

DW: What are Peabody’s favorites?

A: He loves cucumbers and yogurt. He likes to be with me wherever I am, curled up on the bathmat while I shower. He isn't a chewer, but will shred toys, so he has a teddy bear made of rope and he likes to fetch with that. He then cuddles up with it when he's tired.

DW: Do you have sweet stories with Peabody?

A: I’ve enjoyed seeing Peabody relax over this last year, accept love and not always be on the defense. He's been such a wonderful addition. He's a great explorer too. I like to watch him discover new streets and areas. Taking him to the beach for the first time was special. He just stood, smelled the air with his eyes closed and then slowly wagged his tail.

“I’ve enjoyed seeing Peabody relax over this last year, accept love and not always be on the defense. He’s been such a wonderful addition.”

Indie Christmas, The Yellow Lab

Eleven-year-old Indie Christmas Uytingco (“Indie” for short) was born in Modesto, California. He's a Yellow Lab and is extremely loving and friendly to everyone and everything (except raccoons, ha). He's also very active, always wanting to play with his tennis ball and have an occasional wrestle. His parents Rob and Sally Uytingco wanted a small to medium sized dog but when we saw Indie at the rescue, they immediate thought he was beautiful and fell in love.

“The fact that his adoption name was ‘Christmas’ further enticed us,” Rob says. “When we finally met him, he was just so excited, curious and a little ball of energy, playing with his reflection in the mirror. Although knowing that he would eventually grow to be a large dog, the connection was there and we just went for it and have no regrets.”

Read this exclusive interview with the owner of the sweetest yellow lab around!

Dog Whisperer: Tell us about yourselves!

Rob: My wife Sally and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and have always had dogs, and cannot imagine not having them in our lives. We are both UI/UX Designers that work from home so we are fortunate to spend all our time with Indie even during working hours. We also play in a band together called "Starry Eyed Cadet" where we gave Indie the honorary title of being our band manager. Our recording studio is also in our home so if you happen to listen closely to some of our songs, you can hear Indie contributing his talents by barking/singing in the background.

“We also play in a band together called ‘Starry Eyed Cadet’ where we gave Indie the honorary title of being our band manager. Our recording studio is also in our home so if you happen to listen closely to some of our songs, you can hear Indie contributing his talents by barking/singing in the background.”

Sally, Indie that band manager, and Rob. How cute!

DW: How long have you had Indie?

R: We have had Indie since he was three months old, so about 10 1/2 years now.

DW: Where did you first meet Indie and bring him home from?

R: Our first encounter with Indie was through the rescue group "Pups N Palz" based in Modesto, CA where we also picked him up from.

DW: What are some special traits about your dog's breed?

R: I think a lab's special traits include always being hungry, being super patient and loving with kids no matter how rowdy, always wanting to play, always being trusting and loyal to their parents, the ability to understand our moods (specifically sadness and attempt to comfort by snuggling and licking) and just always being extremely sweet. Indie has never shown an ounce of anger towards us even at his brattiest and always seems to look at us with adoring eyes even when we as humans are at our worst.

DW: What is your relationship with Indie like?

R: We are definitely a pack. Indie always makes sure he is in a room that either Sally and I are in. We relax together, play ball together and he takes care of us as we do with him. He literally comforts us during hard times and won't leave us until we are better. He sleeps at the foot of our bed every night and wakes up when we do. There is no doubt that he is family just like our siblings or parents. We love him to no end.

“We are definitely a pack. Indie always makes sure he is in a room that either Sally and I are in. We relax together, play ball together and he takes care of us as we do with him. He literally comforts us during hard times and won’t leave us until we are better.”

DW: What are Indie’s favorite activities?

R: Indie's favorite activity is, without a doubt, eating. He’s extremely food motivated and literally drops everything if there is food within reaching distance. A very close second favorite activity is playing fetch with his tennis ball while having a stuffed doll in his mouth. He literally needs to have a toy in his mouth in order to fetch his tennis ball for some reason. Very strange yet the cutest thing ever. Third would be another strange thing, sucking on his plush toy monkey as if it were a pacifier, to relax. We have a couple sets of monkey toys he's had since he was a wee pup and won't settle for anything else.

DW: What are your pup's favorite foods and snacks?

R: Indie's favorite food is Acana Meadowlands kibble (although he can eat anything and make it look like it's his favorite including veggies, except asparagus) and loves to snack on chicken jerky and sliced apples.

DW: Does Indie have any best friends?

R: We recently adopted a one eyed cat named Momochan from our dog sitter, Joyce, who fosters rescue cats for Saving Grace. During one of his stays with her, she noticed most cats stayed away from Indie except this little one eyed one that followed him everywhere. Indie seemed to enjoy her company as well. We thought about adopting a cat before but never pursued it. After seeing their relationship, there was no way we could pass on her, so we snatched her up right away and they've been living in near perfect harmony. We've noticed she sometimes likes to tease him, which gets him a little frustrated, but in the end, it's all love and play.

“We recently adopted a one eyed cat named Momochan... most cats stayed away from Indie except this little one eyed one that followed him everywhere. After seeing their relationship, there was no way we could pass on her...”

Indie and Momochan.

DW: What are some fun facts about your pup?

R: Indie's adopted name is ‘Christmas’ yet his birthday is on Halloween. He was named Indie for a few reasons. We noticed, as a pup, he was extremely curious and did a lot of crazy, sometimes fearless, exploration. We thought of naming him after Indiana Jones or "Indy" but we also loved the Indiepop genre of music. We jokingly called him "Indie Pup" so we decided "Indie" was the perfect name for all those reasons.

“We thought of naming him after Indiana Jones or ‘Indy’ but we also loved the Indiepop genre of music. We jokingly called him ‘Indie Pup’ so we decided ‘Indie’ was the perfect name for all those reasons.”

DW: In what ways has Indie grown since you got them?

R: Indie is not quite the fearless explorer he once was. In fact, he is quite the opposite and very careful of his surroundings and makes sure he does not knock things over or break things. Other than that, he really is still the energetic, excited, playful and the loving pup he was when he was a three-year-old just with a bit more white hair on his face.

DW: What’s it been like raising Indie?

R: Though we've had dogs as children, Indie is the first we consider our very own and our son. Having had to raise him on our own, bring him up at his brattiest and most destructive to the present where he is just bratty... but in the best possible way, he has made us really appreciate the endless love and joy dogs give. In these crazy times where we sometimes lose hope in humanity, Indie can just come up to us without words, with a sincere stare, a meaningful lean into our side and give a simple lick on the face to make us realize that pure love does exist. Even during our darkest moments, that can bring a smile and swing the mood pendulum to the other side. We thank our lucky stars for Indie every single day.

“In these crazy times where we sometimes lose hope in humanity, Indie can just come up to us without words, with a sincere stare, a meaningful lean into our side and give a simple lick on the face to make us realize that pure love does exist.”

Pickle, The English Bulldog And Patty, The Mystery Mix

Liz with Patty (left) and PIckle (right).

Actor-writer-musician Liz Eldridge fell in love with a family friend's English Bulldog and became — per her words — obsessed. She and her partner Marty have had their English Bulldog, Pickle, for nearly 10 years now, since he was a puppy. They also have an eight-year-old mystery mix pup named Patty who is Pickle’s BFF.

“Our current theory is that Patty’s a Boxer/Pit Bull or Boston Terrier/Pit Bull, but the rescue called her an English Bulldog, and I thought she was Staffordshire when she was a pup, but she never ‘chunked out’ like they do,” Liz says. “Patty just captured my heart at the rescue and then was immediately fast friends with Pickle. That's a rarity because Pickle doesn't usually like other dogs.”

Liz says at the dog park, Pickle ignores other dogs to find a tall man, then makes that man play with him. One time it was Ron Perlman!

“But Pickle adored Patty from the moment they met. They're my little gruesome twosome.”

Read more about Liz and her two pups in this interview!

Dog Whisperer: Where did you first meet your pups and bring them home from?

Liz: Pickle was a gift — the best gift of my life! I met him with his brothers and sisters. He was one of the cutest things I've ever seen! I saw Patty on petfinder and then drove out to the high desert to meet her at a rescue called Paws and Hearts. She was a desert stray and we think she was used as a bait dog as a puppy before being dumped in the desert. The high desert has some of the highest rates of death for dogs in the public pounds because people dump animals out there. It's heartbreaking how common Patty's story is; but I know she's living like a queen now!

“The high desert has some of the highest rates of death for dogs in the public pounds because people dump animals out there. It’s heartbreaking how common Patty’s story is; but I know she’s living like a queen now!”

Patty and Pickle being cute as can be.

DW: What is your relationship with your pups like?

L: My life revolves around them — especially in quarantine. I wouldn't have it any other way. Most days, I wake up and feed them around 7:30 in the morning. If I'm late, Pickle wakes me up to demand his breakfast! They get fish oil and glucosamine treats because I'm one of those crunchy moms who won't let them have junk food like a jerk. Then they go back to sleep with Marty for a while and I work. They like to help me write on the couch throughout the day. They eat dinner early, around 3 pm, and then we go for our walk by the river. In the evenings I usually have a rehearsal or acting class. They've always loved music, but quarantine means they're around me acting a lot more since I'm rehearsing and auditioning over Zoom. Patty especially dislikes my acting; she freaks out that I'm really sad or upset and needs a lot of reassurance that everything is okay! I keep them in another room when I have a very emotional scene now so they don't get upset.

“My life revolves around them — especially in quarantine. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

DW: What are your pups' favorite activities?

L: These two love the beach, though neither really swims. They just LOVE splashing around in the water. When Pickle was a puppy, he fell in a pool and sank like a stone. I jumped in and got him out IMMEDIATELY but we decided we'd skip major swimming and stick to splashing. I take them on walks at the Los Angeles River almost every day for splash time. But the ocean is their true favorite. Patty also comes on runs around the neighborhood with me. Pickle can't do that, but he does enjoy a gentle stroll.

DW: What are your pups' favorite foods and snacks?

L: Pickle likes all foods and believes that all foods are meant for him. I like to give him scraps when I'm cooking. He loves greens like kale and broccoli, and fruit like blueberries. Patty is a bit more discerning, but she is also very food motivated. I get them knuckle bones from the Filipino market for a special treat.

DW: What are some fun facts about your pups?

L: Pickle was in a movie called "Improvising" when he was a puppy. He was hired to be the dog in “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” (I was playing Hippolyta) but he freaked out at dress rehearsal and got fired. Poor little guy. I was high up on a balcony when the guy playing "the man in the moon" brought Pickle out and he was just overwhelmed. No more stage time for Pickle! He's more of a cam-boy anyway. He's stubborn and troublesome and barks — but he's just the absolute sweetest when we are sad. In the mornings he's a major snuggler.

“Pickle was in a movie called “Improvising” when he was a puppy. He was hired to be the dog in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” (I was playing Hippolyta) but he freaked out at dress rehearsal and got fired. Poor little guy.”

Liz and Pickle!

Patty is the sweetest and smartest dog. She loves every person she's ever met, but she's terrified of other dogs. Something about other dogs barking can really set her off, and little yappie dogs make her crazy. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad. Patty is so gentle but can be a total beast. Patty's the sweetest and snuggliest and loves to give tons of kisses. But definitely do NOT mess with her!

DW: Do you have an interesting story about your pups?

L: Pickle used to bark at the neighbor kid while he played basketball. The day before Pickle's cruciate leg surgery I noticed the neighbor kid wasn't playing like he usually did. I took Pickle to surgery and was SO FREAKED out, so worried. The vet calls — he seems to have swallowed an enormous amount of plastic. A BASKETBALL. So he had to have surgery to remove the basketball, recover from that, THEN have his cruciate surgery. The ball bounced into the yard and Pickle was so mad at it that he just ate the whole thing. It cost... a lot of money. Still, Pickle 1, Basketball 0.

He's also very protective of children. When my friends bring their babies over, Pickle will guard the child. You have to convince Pickle you're cool to approach the baby. It's very sweet.

Patty also really loves little kids. She just wants to lick them endlessly; parents don't always love that. Patty was obsessed with my neighbor, Nick. She just adored him, but somehow kept escaping my house and showing up at his second story apartment next door! We couldn't figure out how she was getting out of our fenced yard until one day I hid down the block... She was CLIMBING A TREE and then just hopping over the fence! Patty accepts no barrier. We could all learn something from Patty.

“She was CLIMBING A TREE and then just hopping over the fence! Patty accepts no barrier. We could all learn something from Patty.”

Olive, The Dachshund And Poodle Mix

Olive is incredibly sweet and a total “cuddle bug,” as described by her owner Young-In Lee. “She’s the ultimate lap dog princess.” But don’t let that fool you: she has another side that may be surprising. She’s also dominant, feisty and a little mischievous.

Young-In adopted Olive almost five years ago, at eight weeks old, rescuing her from Orange County after seeing a Craigslist ad. 

“Her mom's owners thought she was part chiweenie and part beagle... neither chihuahua nor beagle came back on the test,” Young-In says. “Her DNA test reveals she's mostly dachshund and poodle (poodle was a big surprise), but is overall very mutty.”

Read more about this adorable mutty pup in our interview!

Baby Olive.

Dog Whisperer HQ: What are some of Olive’s special traits that come along with her breeds?

Young-In: As a dachshund, she's definitely a scent dog, constantly sniffing, but not exactly the best at following her nose... 😂 It takes her a while to find treats. She loooves to play fetch and is quite smart. I'd attribute this to her poodle side.

DW: Why did you choose Olive?

Y: I really wanted a dachshund but didn't want or need a purebred. There are so many mixed breed dogs that need love. I don't really have an exact reason why I chose her... she stood out to me amongst her litter because she was one of the runts and looked so stinking adorable to me. 😍

“I really wanted a dachshund but didn’t want or need a purebred. There are so many mixed breed dogs that need love.”

DW: What is your relationship with your pup like? 

Y: She has my partner wrapped around her fluffy tail. He spoils her like crazy. I try to be a bit more disciplined with her so she maintains her manners, but honestly, I'm a total sucker too. She's my little shadow — she always wants to be wherever I am, usually on my lap. 

DW: What are Olive’s favorite activities and foods? 

Y: Olive loves to play fetch, sunbathe, have fun with her blankie and goes crazy for Greenies! 

DW: Does Olive have any best friends? 

Y: Yes! She loves this one malti-poo named Mikko. We call them each other’s first loves. 

DW: What are some fun facts about your pup?

Y: She's a cat-like dog who won't really come for pets if you call her… but she'll come the moment you stop paying attention to her. She can be standoffish with most strangers but there are always the one or two special ones that she goes crazy for (I get jealous!). She also has a habit of sneaking down to the living room to jump on our coffee table and sniff for crumbs right before bedtime. Very naughty, but then I look at her face — how can anyone stay angry? 

“She also has a habit of sneaking down to the living room to jump on our coffee table and sniff for crumbs right before bedtime. Very naughty, but then I look at her face — how can anyone stay angry?”

DW: Do you have any funny or cute stories about your pup? 

Y: There's a door that leads to the backyard in our office. My partner is her doorman every morning from 9 in the morning to noon when the sun is out. She'll want to go outside for 10 minutes, then wants to come back in for two minutes, then wants to go back out to sunbathe. He opens and closes that door for her at least 10 times a day. Now, that's love. 

Clementine, The Pug, Schnauzer And Terrier Mix

Lizzi — a self-proclaimed avid bowler and karaoke singer who works in the fashion industry — adopted three-year-old Clementine just last year from the Pasadena Humane Society. Miss Clem, as Lizzi affectionately calls her, had puppies in the shelter.

“I was very lucky to adopt her the first day she was available after nursing!” Lizzi says.

Lizzi describes Clementine as very loving and sweet, but timid and a little silly at times. 

“According to her DNA test she's a pug, schnauzer and terrier mix,” Lizzi says. “She sits like a human! It definitely comes from her pug side. When I researched it, apparently pugs like to side sit because they're mimicking humans.”

Miss Clem mimicking Lizzi and the other humans in her life… and looking very fashionable!

We interviewed Lizzi to learn more about her darling pup.

Dog Whisperer HQ: Why did you choose Clementine?

Lizzi: Honestly, I wanted a dog who was going to be good around other animals, but also a little bit bigger than our cats, so the cats couldn't boss her around. (They can be a little intense!)

DW: What is your relationship with your pup like? 

L: Clementine is absolutely my baby! Since she's already had puppies, I think she's fully living her best life now. I love living in Los Angeles because I can take her almost anywhere. Her favorite places to go are Sunset Beer and Stories Book Cafe because they always give her a treat.

Adopting Clementine is one of the best decisions I've ever made! Seeing her grow from being a shelter pup to being a happy and healthy girl makes my heart so full.

“I think she’s fully living her best life now... Adopting Clementine is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! Seeing her grow from being a shelter pup to being a happy and healthy girl makes my heart so full.”

Lizzi and Miss Clem.

Lizzi, her husband and Miss Clem.

DW: What are Clementine’s favorite activities? 

L: Clementine likes to go for short hikes (emphasis on short), enjoys sunbathing and loves chasing squirrels.

DW: What are your pup's favorite foods and snacks? 

L: Her favorite treats are bacon and anything that my niece drops at the dinner table.

DW: Does Clem have any best friends? 

L: Clementine's best friend is a dog named Luna! She is also a pug mix, and they have the same temperament. 

DW: What are some fun facts about Clem? 

L: She actually really likes wearing clothes! I think she can tell when people are looking at her when we go on walks. (She likes the attention. 😉) 

“She actually really likes wearing clothes! I think she can tell when people are looking at her when we go on walks. (She likes the attention.)”

Darwin, The Border Collie-Lab Mix

Neha and her husband skipped this honeymoon because they couldn’t bring their new wedding present, Darwin.

“We were so excited to get to know him,” Neha says. “We’ve had Darwin now for a little over two years!”

Darwin was living as a street dog in Beirut prior to Neha adopting him. While his origin remains a bit of a mystery, she believes he is a Border Collie with some Lab mix, and around three and a half years old.

“A friend in our community was living in Beirut and working with some local women to get dogs living on a construction site adopted,” she says. “They were concerned for the dogs’ safety. Our friend took the lead on coordinating the logistics of getting Darwin to the U.S. when they were about to return.”

Neha crowdfunded the effort to get him here, so a lot of people helped contribute to Darwin’s new life in the states! Read more about Darwin and his journey here:

“[Darwin] has adapted to a complete change in environment quite well and became socialized with people and other dogs... My husband and I love border collies and how smart and well-behaved they tend to be.”

Dog Whisperer: What do you like about Darwin’s breed?
Neha: Border Collies are known to be very intelligent, adaptable, sociable, affectionate and vocal. I would say this definitely describes Darwin! He has adapted to a complete change in environment quite well and became socialized with people and other dogs. Despite being a street dog, he quickly adapted to barking whenever people showed up at our door! My husband and I love border collies and how smart and well-behaved they tend to be. We love the “cookies and cream” coloring on Darwin’s nose and paws.

DW: Tell us about you and your husband.
N: We are a couple that loves animals! I am a scientist who focuses on water and environmental issues, and my husband is a musician who owns and runs a screen-printing business. We have a bit of a dual life at the moment where we are based both in Cincinnati, Ohio and Tucson, Arizona.

Neha (right), her husband and Darwin!

DW: What is it like having a rescued dog?
N: It is both an incredible joy and a lot of work at times. Darwin is very smart and world-weary, so we do not have to worry about him getting too adventurous and getting lost or running away. However, he was also abused when he lived on the construction site, so he came to us with some trauma when around men. It has been a lot of work to get him to a place where he feels safe and joyful.

DW: What is your relationship with your pup like?
N: Darwin has been a part of our family and a great adventure buddy since day one, but now, with the pandemic affecting so much of our lives in 2020 — including working from home most of the year — he has also become our coworker and confidante.

“Darwin has been a part of our family and a great adventure buddy since day one, but now, with the pandemic affecting so much of our lives in 2020 (including working from home most of the year), he has also become our coworker and confidante.”

DW: What are Darwin’s favorite activities?
N: He loves car rides and walks, especially if the walks involve bodies of water or puddles that he can drink and/or sit down in. Darwin also loves canoeing, though he mostly prefers to stay in the boat and soak up the scenery. He has a lot of FOMO, so he will often run into the car as soon as the doors open, so he doesn’t get left behind!

DW: What are your pup's favorite foods and snacks?
N: He loves chicken and rice more than anything! He also likes to eat apples and nibble around them until he gets to the core.

DW: Does Darwin have any best friends?
N: His best friend is our neighbor’s dog, Gypsy Moth! They love to run around together and play in our field outside, and visit each other’s houses (and food bowls).

DW: What are some fun facts about your pup?
N: One of the most interesting things to us was that when we got Darwin, he was never and has never been food-motivated! He’s a picky eater, and is hardly enticed to learn any tricks for treats. Instead, he responds to positive feedback and affection. It has made for an interesting (and loving) time trying to train him.

Libby, The Miracle Pup

By Belinda Cai

In the fall of 2017, Andrea Fletcher lost her dog and BFF of 18 years. She was mourning, but wanted to rescue another pup in need. That’s when she came across the perfect match, through the Puerto Rico Dog Fund: Libby. 

“Libby was found at just a few weeks old, near death, on the side of a highway in Puerto Rico right before Hurricane Maria,” says Andrea. “When I saw her face on an Instagram post, I immediately knew we were meant to be together.” 

The stray pup traveled from Puerto Rico to Los Angeles to be with Andrea, only to then be diagnosed with a rare condition. The journey was a tough one, but Libby and Andrea persisted time and time again. Today, Libby is healthy and thriving, thanks to the unconditional love of her owner. 

A happy Libby with Andrea.

Dog Whisperer HQ: How did you get Libby from Puerto Rico to her new home with you?

Andrea: The Puerto Rico Dog Fund got her vetted and gave her all of her shots, and arranged her flight to LA. I picked her up from LAX where a volunteer from the rescue was there with me to take care of the paperwork once she landed. It was love at first sight. I knew in my heart. There was no question. 

DW: What was it like when you first brought her home?

A: Libby instantly knew it was home. She kept picking up the toys I bought her and bringing them to me. It was so cute. 

DW: What issues did you eventually encounter with Libby?

A: I noticed she kept regurgitating her food. The vet diagnosed her with a condition called Megaesophagus, which basically means her esophagus is enlarged and the muscles don't work to push food to her stomach. 

DW: That sounds very serious. What did the vet suggest as treatment?

A: When the vet told me there was no known cure for Megaesophagus and to consider euthanasia, I immediately researched the condition in hopes that Libby could be saved. I found a Facebook support group, Upright Canine Brigade, filled with pet parents all over the world that manage the disorder with their dogs. 

DW: With advice from the support group, how were you able to help Libby?

A: I used a Bailey Chair, which looks like a high chair for a dog. It keeps the dog in an upright position so gravity lets food slide down to the stomach. A family from the support group sponsored us because I didn’t have the money. They paid to have the chair made through Bailey Chairs for Dogs. You take the measurements for your dog and they make them specifically to fit your dog. 

Libby in her Bailey Chair.

DW: Was anything else done to treat this disorder?

A: I then took Libby to a specialist who concluded her Megaesophagus was caused by a birth defect where a blood vessel is overgrown and wrapped around the esophagus. They told me she was a candidate for surgery but it would not cure her Megaesophagus — just make it easier to manage and give her a better chance of gaining weight. Five weeks after surgery, X-rays revealed that Libby's esophagus had totally healed. Even the vet couldn't believe it. 

“Libby is now more than three years old, and is totally healthy. She eats like a normal dog. In the course of a year, she went from 15 pounds to 45 pounds and is the sweetest, happiest dog ever. We donated her Bailey Chair to another dog in need from the support group.”

DW: That is absolutely wonderful to hear. How is Libby today?

A: Libby is now more than three years old, and is totally healthy. She eats like a normal dog. In the course of a year, she went from 15 pounds to 45 pounds and is the sweetest, happiest dog ever. We donated her Bailey Chair to another dog in need from the support group.

DW: What are some of Libby’s favorite activities?

A: Libby's favorite thing is going to the dog park. We spend an hour there every single day and she has a whole pack of friends that she plays with. She also loves going to the beach; she loves to jump in the water then roll around in the sand.

DW: You’ve helped changed Libby’s life — how has she changed yours?

A: Our lives are now filled with love and adventure. Libby goes everywhere with me. She's my best friend and has brought nothing but joy and purpose into my life. For anyone that takes on a special needs dog, don't give up. With love and care, anything is possible. 

Check out Libby’s Instagram @LibbyTheMiraclePup. 

How Kimber's New Home And Pack Made Her The Happiest Pup

By Belinda Cai

Brittany Roetman and her boyfriend Nick have three dogs. Two of the pups, Sam and Norbert, are relatively well adjusted. The female spaniel mix, Kimber, however, has always struggled a bit. 

“We’ve had her about four years and it’s only recently that she has started to come out of her shell,” Brittany says. “She’s definitely been abused and was feral when Nick got her. She used to hide all day from us and never really barked, played or acted like a normal dog.” 

Then everything changed. The second the couple moved into a house together, she became a different dog. 

“She’s currently sitting next to me on the couch sleeping, something she’d never done before,” Brittany explains. “She cuddles now and even barks. Being with her whole pack constantly and not in an apartment has changed her a ton.”

“She cuddles now and even barks. Being with her whole pack constantly and not in an apartment has changed her a ton.”

Brittany and Kimber.

Dog Whisperer HQ: Tell us a little about Kimber.

Brittany: Kimber is a brown and white spaniel mix and has the cutest ears I've ever seen. She’s about four to five years old, and is very timid around new people. It took her about a year to warm up to Nick, my boyfriend, when he got her. When we started dating, she was very nervous around me, but I won her over. Once she opens up, she’s a total goof. We call her “Spaz” because she will just do the funniest thing. She jumps off the back of the couch, runs full force uphill in our yard barking the whole way up, and has even leapt head first into the creek outside our house just for fun. 

She has a bad habit of chewing on everything in sight. Including her own hind quarters. She has some issues to work through but it’s mostly just anxiety-based. She likes to be in a safe and quiet space, so having a house with a backyard is perfect for her. Apartment living was really hard on her with all the noise. 

“Once she opens up, she’s a total goof. We call her ‘Spaz’ because she will just do the funniest thing. She jumps off the back of the couch, runs full force uphill in our yard barking the whole way up, and has even leapt head first into the creek outside our house just for fun.”

DW: Tell us about your other two dogs.

B: We have two other dogs, Sam and Norbert. Sam is a lab-chow mix who came to us as an owner surrender. He has a very calm and dignified personality until he sees grass, and then he starts rolling in it like a complete goofball. Norbert is my dog. I’ve had him for about five years now. He’s a Manchester Terrier that I found on the side of the road. He’s a bum half the time and the other half, he just wants to run.

My sister also lives with us and she just got a mini dachshund puppy named Charlie. He’s the newest to our pack (The East Atlanta Dog Squad, as we call them). He just wants to play with all of them but they’re still getting used to him.

A happy Kimber.

DW: How do they all get along?

B: Sam, Norbert and Kimber all get along great. They enjoy lounging on the couch and running around the backyard together. Because Norbert and Kimber were both strays, they don’t know how to play very much but they have their own way of bonding. Like I said, they are still getting used to Charlie. Kimber isn’t too fond of him but Sam and Norbert are warming up. I’m sure Kimber will grow to love him in time; she just takes a minute to get comfortable with newcomers.

“She’s a completely different dog. Mainly, having a house with her whole pack where she feels safe has helped her come out of her shell. She used to hide behind the couch every time someone walked into the room and would stay there the whole time. Now she will only hide for a minute and then comes out to say hi.”

DW: How has moving into a new house transformed Kimber?

B: She’s a completely different dog. Mainly, having a house with her whole pack where she feels safe has helped her come out of her shell. She used to hide behind the couch every time someone walked into the room and would stay there the whole time. Now she will only hide for a minute and then comes out to say hi.

Before we moved into the house she would even sleep under the bed all night. In the last year and a half, she has started to literally sleep right on my chest all night. While sleeping with a 30 pound dog on your chest isn’t the best thing, I would have it no other way.

Whole gang’s here!

DW: So what's it like with the whole pack?

B: We love our little pack. They all have such different personalities but they meld so perfectly together. I’ve even seen them accept my brother’s dogs and our parents’ dogs as members. 

Sam is the alpha protector and the others follow him. Kimber mainly just likes to be left alone but comes out when she wants to. Norbert likes to be rolled up in a blanket and pampered like the prince he is. Charlie just wants to know everything that’s happening. 

The East Atlanta Dog Squad is a close pack. We’ve even made our own hashtag on Instagram, #eastatlantadogsquad.

One-Eyed Ursula, The Chihuahua-Jack Russell Mix

She may be tiny but she has a larger-than-life personality. Oh, and only one eye — but she doesn’t let that stop her from being the spunkiest pup in the room. We’re talking about Ursula, a five-year-old Chihuahua-Jack Russell mix, who is equal parts bold and loving.

“She radiates joy and positive energy, and has more confidence than any other creature we know,” say her dads, Walker and Rory, who live in Toronto. “Her sweet, fun-loving personality wins most people over instantly.”

Ursula has completely adjusted to life with one eye and has grown leaps and bounds since she was first adopted. The doggy dads also took in Rosie, the Calico Cat, and Watson, the Teacup Chihuahua (their newest rescue). They have a full house, and even fuller hearts. 

Dog Whisperer HQ: Where was Ursula rescued from and what's the story behind that?

Rory: Walker was living in Los Angeles and met Ursula at a mall in the area. She was there with some volunteers and other pups from her rescue to generate interest in adoption. Walker hadn’t been planning on adopting a dog, but was so drawn to her that he contacted the rescue within minutes of meeting her. 

DW: What happened to Ursula's eye and how has she recovered from that?

Walker: We don’t know too much about Ursula’s backstory. Somehow, she ended up in a pound in Orange County with a visible eye injury. She was under a year old at the time. From there, she was transferred to a rescue center that had a program for homeless dogs with medical needs. It turned out she had a ruptured corneal ulcer and her eye had to be removed. I met her after she had healed from surgery. She’s completely adapted to life with one eye and gets around just fine!

“She ended up in a pound in Orange County with a visible eye injury. She was under a year old at the time. From there, she was transferred to a rescue center that had a program for homeless dogs with medical needs. It turned out she had a ruptured corneal ulcer and her eye had to be removed. I met her after she had healed from surgery. She’s completely adapted to life with one eye and gets around just fine!”

DW: How has Ursula grown — physically, mentally and emotionally — since you first brought her home:

R&W: She’s a very adaptable dog, so she transitioned to life in her new home easily. The move from California to Canada was a bit of a challenge for her, though. The winters have definitely been an adjustment! We had some regular behavioral issues when she was younger — mainly potty accidents and chewing furniture and clothes. She’s a smart girl (too smart sometimes!) and very treat-motivated, so she learned quickly with training. 

We’ve really seen her grow and mature since we adopted Watson about six months ago. She was jealous and resentful of him at first, but they’ve become so close and she’s taken on a protective big sister role. She’s so patient and gentle with him. It’s been beautiful to see their bond develop.

Ursula with her dads!

DW: What are some of Ursula's favorite activities?

R&W: Snacking! Food is her #1 passion. She’ll literally eat anything, but her faves are chicken and green apples. She’s also still a California girl at heart and just loves being outside in the summers. She would sunbathe for hours if we let her! Her other hobbies include zoomies (running around in circles), snuggling and playing with her favorite toy, a stuffed avocado.

DW: How does Ursula interact with other dogs? How about other people?

R&W: She’s super awkward around bigger dogs! She gets along well with dogs her size or smaller, so size was a big factor when we started looking for a second dog. With humans, she’s quite the social butterfly. Everyone she meets is an instant BFF.

DW: What is your bond with Ursula like?

R&W: Our bond with her is very special. Walker and Ursula have been tight from day one, and it was love at first sight when Rory met Ursula three and a half years ago. She’s a lap dog so she’s pretty much always sitting on one of us, and we spend a lot of time as a family. She makes us laugh every single day. We couldn’t imagine our lives without her.

Ursula and Watson.

DW: What advice would you give dog owners who adopt dogs with special needs?

R&W: We don’t consider Ursula special needs because her missing eye doesn’t present any challenges in her daily life. But here’s our advice for adopting any rescue dog: make sure you do your research and ask a lot of questions about the dog’s history (if available), personality and temperament... Be realistic about your lifestyle and commitment level, and have a clear idea of what size, temperament and energy level would be most compatible. 

Remember that you’ll be integrating a new creature, with a history and habits, into your life and home, which can be a bumpy process. So most importantly, be patient! It can take weeks or even months for a “new normal” to be established with your pup. It’s all worth it, though!

Check out Ursula’s Instagram @one.eyed.ursula.

Norman’s Training Journey

By Heather Leichner

Norman is a tough dog to train, but through multiple tactics and never giving up, owner Heather and her husband were able to help him make progress.

Norman in his new home.

My husband and I adopted our mix breed puppy from a shelter when he was six months old and weighed 45 pounds. We knew immediately that we would need a trainer. Even though Norman is the sweetest puppy, there were behavior issues apparent from the start. We hired our first trainer right away to help introduce Norman to our cat and make our home a safe environment for both of them. 

“We hired our first trainer right away to help introduce Norman to our cat and make our home a safe environment for both of them.”

As the weeks went on and the training continued, Norman and the cat started to get along wonderfully. Norman had pretty much mastered the basic training commands, but his behavior worsened in other areas. We were taking him to the dog park almost every day because he was so hyper, but his interactions with the other dogs were not ideal. He seemed to play too hard and rough with other dogs. He didn’t understand when a dog no longer wanted to play so it led to a lot of frustration from both dogs.

We then decided to enroll Norman into a doggy daycare to help him learn how to interact properly with other dogs. That didn’t go well either. Norman went to daycare three times and, on the third day, a letter was sent home with him saying that he showed aggression towards a trainer and would possibly be removed from the program. At that moment, we decided to stop taking him to the dog park and stop bringing him to daycare. We hired another trainer to work on his behavior. This trainer said that Norman appears to struggle with impulse control and taught us ways to positively enforce calm behavior while on walks and through games that we could play at home. 

“We hired another trainer to work on his behavior. This trainer said that Norman appears to struggle with impulse control and taught us ways to positively enforce calm behavior while on walks and through games that we could play at home.”

However, I began to notice that Norman had two very different sides to him. When we were with the trainer or on walks with my husband, Norman was well-behaved and tried his best to do what he was told. But when Norman and I would go for walks alone, it was a completely different story. He started randomly lunging at me, latching onto my arm, growling, and — at some points — biting me.

This problem behavior started at a tunnel near our apartment so I thought he was scared of the tunnel, so we just started avoiding it. Despite that, his behavior then started escalating to lunging and barking at passersby on bikes and skateboards. He was even jumping and biting at people holding the door open for us to our apartment building.

In the coming weeks, it got to the point where I was afraid to walk Norman alone, and he even started acting this way towards me when we would go outside for a simple potty break. With the seriousness of these behavioral issues and the fact that they were getting worse, we started looking for a stricter method of training.

“With the seriousness of these behavioral issues and the fact that they were getting worse, we started looking for a stricter method of training.”

We considered signing him up for a board and train program, but instead reached out to our daycare and asked for suggestions. They referred us to our third trainer whose method revolved more around leadership than positive reinforcement. She saw Norman’s issue as him not viewing me as “the boss,” but instead viewing me as a playmate… so whenever I tried to get him to listen to me or make him stop chasing after a person on a bike, he would get frustrated and come after me.

After a one-hour training session, and properly and safely incorporating a prong-collar, Norman was a completely different dog. He no longer comes towards me with any frustration or aggression. He walks right beside me, and we rarely have to enforce with the prong-collar. He continues to struggle with bikers, but not to the same level of aggression, and we intend to slowly introduce him to the concept of biking in the coming months.

“All of this progress happened within three months of bringing Norman home! Without training and working hard to find the proper training solutions that work for both us and our dog, I can guarantee that we would not have been able to keep Norman. But with all the hard work we have put into him, I am positive he is going to turn out to be an amazing and well-behaved dog.”

All of this progress happened within three months of bringing Norman home! Without training and working hard to find the proper training solutions that work for both us and our dog, I can guarantee that we would not have been able to keep Norman. But with all the hard work we have put into him, I am positive he is going to turn out to be an amazing and well-behaved dog.

Keep up the training and never give up!

*This story is one dog owner’s experience. If your dog has issues with aggression, please seek out professional help from a trainer!

Norman’s Bell

When we adopted our Norman from a shelter, it was very clear that he was not with his dog family for very long and had not been properly socialized. The first signs of this were that he didn’t know how act appropriately around other dogs and he didn’t know how to make “proper” dog sounds. He wouldn’t whine when he needed to go potty or wanted to be let out of his crate. Since we live in an apartment, he had some issues communicating to us when he needed to go outside.

So, after doing some research, we decided to get Norman a bell and teach him to ring it when he has to go potty. At the beginning, we would place the bell on the ground and force him to ring the bell by picking up his paw and doing it ourselves. After a week or so of doing this, we started luring him with a treat to ring the bell on his own before we would take him out to go potty.

Now, about three weeks into the training, he rings the bell when told to before a potty break, or when he REALLY has to go — but is not quite fully consistent with it yet. However, we believe in a few more weeks, this will be a great solution for his lack of communication skills, and can even be translated for different skills such as wanting food or wanting to go on a walk!

Kai, The Boxer Mix

Shelby Nungester’s best friend is her 2.5 year old boxer mix named Kai. She describes him as the sweetest, most loving boy — very energetic, but not the best listener (they’re working on it). “He is curious and expressive,” Shelby says. “Kai's breed is very sweet and strong. He is also intelligent, affectionate, loyal and stubborn.”

Shelby chose Kai because boxers are often abandoned. They need close attention and training, and have a lot of zest.

“I knew that I had the time and the energy to love a dog like this,” says Shelby. “I have met other dogs like Kai and they were always really good dogs.”

We spoke with Shelby about Kai, and her little family!

Shelby and Kai cuddles.

Dog Whisperer: So it’s you, Kai and your partner Nate. How did Kai warm up to Nate?

Shelby: Kai and I recently moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Colorado to live with Nate. We live in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver. Kai liked Nate right away, even though he was a little jealous. Nate would go on walks with us when he visited us in Cincinnati and would find cool hikes to take us on when we visited him in Colorado. Nate is actually really allergic to Kai, but that has never stopped him from playing with Kai or carrying him around. Kai loves to be held. I don't think he realizes he is 70+ pounds. When I'm not around, Nate takes really great care of Kai. He has taken him to the lake, taken him out for special snacks and has taught him to catch food when you throw it to him. Nate also got him a special doggy cake for his second birthday. I love our little family.

Shelby, Nate and Kai.

Nate carrying Kai. Look at that smile.

DW: How long have you had Kai, and where did you bring him home from?

S: I’ve had Kai since he was six weeks old. I first met Kai through a coworker. I had been carrying around food, a leash and a collar in the trunk of my car because I figured that someday I would come across a dog that had been abandoned or in need of a home. However, about a year later, my coworker asked me if i was still looking for a puppy, and told me that his mom's friend's dog had just had a litter. I didn't know what Kai's color or gender would be in advance. My friend's mom picked him out for me and I picked him up from her place in Amelia, Ohio the next day.

“Kai is my best friend. A few years ago we went on a cross country road trip together. We drove from Ohio and visited friends in Colorado, Oregon and Washington. We spent every moment together for two weeks, even sharing the backseat of the car as a bed. We got to do some really fun hikes in the mountains and along the coast. Kai was able to meet some of my friends and make friends himself.”

DW: What is your relationship with Kai like?

S: Kai is my best friend. A few years ago we went on a cross country road trip together. We drove from Ohio and visited friends in Colorado, Oregon and Washington. We spent every moment together for two weeks, even sharing the backseat of the car as a bed. We got to do some really fun hikes in the mountains and along the coast. Kai was able to meet some of my friends and make friends himself. On our trip, Kai got to meet dog friends Pono and Starbuck. He really enjoyed getting to play. He also got to go to a restaurant that had a menu for dogs. We have taken lots of long road trips together. He is the best travel buddy. Kai is also an ESA (emotional support animal) so he can technically go on a plane, but I don't think we're ready for that yet.

Baby Kai. Awww.

DW: What are Kai’s favorite activities?

S: Kai enjoys chewing on nylabones or licking peanut butter out of a Kong toy. He likes to cuddle and loves to be pet. His favorite activity is probably going on long hikes or walks. Kai has hiked up to 10 miles. If he has snacks and lots of water, he's good to go for a long time. Kai has been camping a few times and seemed to really enjoy that as well. He had a great time running around in the woods and chewing on sticks. 

Shelby hiking with Kai.

DW: What are your pup’s favorite foods and snacks?

S: Kai is allergic to poultry so we have to be careful about his food and snacks. He loves peanut butter, coconut oil, carrots, cheese, yogurt, watermelon and blueberries. 

DW: What are some fun facts about Kai? 

S: Kai has a lot of nicknames: Peanut Butter Prince, Sir Mushington, Piggy, Bunny, Bubby, Kyle and ‘the one who drinks Monster and punches drywall’ (when he's being bad). He also has webbed feet. Nate says he imagines Kai as a mix between Tyler the Creator and Goofy.

Kai and his bff Norma by the pool.

Sleepy Kai and parents nearby.

A Pup’s Escape From Danger: Lita’s Story

By Belinda Cai

Jason Medina unexpectedly came across Lita, a Jack Russel mix, one evening in downtown Portland, where he lived several years ago. Someone who appeared to be a runaway told Jason he didn’t have the means to take care of Lita, who was a puppy at the time. Jason took her home, and the two have been inseparable since. 

Lita is now ten-years-old but still has the energy of a playful puppy. She can be anxious sometimes, but loves to play — and is always friendly. 

Jason and Lita now live in Los Angeles. One day, when Jason was out with Lita, a larger dog appeared and started to chase after her. Lita escaped her leash, and the two dogs were off. Jason was incredibly worried and devastated, thinking she would either get attacked or the two dogs would get hit by a car in the busy street. What actually happened surprised him, and is nothing short of a blessing.

A happy Lita as a pup.

Dog Whisperer HQ: Describe how you felt that day when Lita escaped and was being chased by a larger dog. What went through your head? 

Jason: When the dogs were running toward the busy main street, I was sure that either Lita would trip and the larger dog would catch and hurt her, or that one or both of them would be hit by a car. Once I saw them successfully cross the street, I initially was relieved, but then had a sinking feeling that if Lita managed to escape, she was going to be lost. I wouldn't be able to find her, especially on foot.

DW: So these two women, who were strangers, offered to help drive you to find Lita? How did you feel when they helped?

J: I was sincerely grateful that they were willing to interrupt their day to help me, but also felt a little bit like I was humoring them. I honestly didnʼt think that we were going to find Lita.

Jason and Lita.

DW: After the long and tiring search, what happened? 

J: I [went back to my car and] saw Lita next to my car — it really felt as though I was dreaming. It went from the worst day ever to the best. I honestly canʼt remember having felt that level of happiness before, having felt totally hopeless just before.

“It went from the worst day ever to the best. I honestly canʼt remember having felt that level of happiness before, having felt totally hopeless just before.”

DW: What advice would you give dog owners who encounter a similar situation, with their dogs escaping or being chased?

J: It still seems like a miracle, but having experienced this, I would say to never, ever give up hope, and donʼt take your dogʼs brain and instincts for granted. I would have never guessed that Lita could maneuver her way back to a location that weʼd only been to once, especially in a high-stress situation.

DW: How is your bond with Lita now?

J: I donʼt know that much has changed since that incident, but I certainly have a different perspective on her — and dogs in general — specific type of intelligence. Iʼm only responsible for myself and for her, so she gets plenty of my attention, and Iʼm happy to give it. Sheʼs a happy dog, and fun to be around. 

Lita at home.

Mochi And Nova

Nova and Mochi!

“I found Mochi on Petfinder. She was rescued from train tracks along with her siblings in Texas. A Texas-based rescue that re-homes dogs up in NYC drove her up to us. We found Nova last year on Instagram through a special done by The Dodo! Nova’s mom looks so much like Mochi; we instantly fell in love. The puppies were rescued by a police officer in Puerto Rico.”

Owner Samantha refers to her two pups as “the two cutest powdered donuts.” It’s easy to see why, because they’re certainly powdered donut-like: sweet, fluffy and dusty white. One pup’s name is Mochi. She's three years old, super friendly, gentle and very mellow. The other is Nova. She's an eight-month-old sassy wild child. 

Upon doing a DNA test, Samantha found out Mochi is 37.1% American Pit Bull Terrier, 26.2% Cane Corso, 10% Australian Cattle Dog, 7.9% Boxer, 5.9% Border Collie and 12.9% Supermutt. Samatha hasn’t done Nova’s DNA test yet, but the girls look very similar. 

No matter what mix of breeds they are, these two pups are 100% adorable and an unstoppable duo. 

Dog Whisperer: Describe the pups.

Samantha: Mochi has a great athletic figure; she runs very fast! Nova is also athletic, and is constantly jumping. She can reach above my nose when she jumps! It’s very impressive. When she does it outside, everyone is shocked at how high she can get!

DW: Tell us about yourself!  

S: I was born and raised in Manhattan. My father is from Washington Heights and my mother is from the Philippines. I have a younger sister who is a nurse, currently working on a COVID floor at NYU. The girls love her and go crazy when she comes home after her shift. I went to Hunter College and currently work for a staffing agency for nurses and physical therapists. 

Samantha and Mochi.

Samantha and Nova.

DW: How long have you had your pups? 

S: I’ve had Mochi since she was five months old and Nova since she was three months old. 

DW: Where did you first meet your pups and bring them home from? 

S: I found Mochi on Petfinder. She was rescued from train tracks along with her siblings in Texas. A Texas-based rescue that re-homes dogs up in NYC drove her up to us. We found Nova last year on Instagram through a special done by The Dodo! Nova’s mom looks so much like Mochi; we instantly fell in love. The puppies were rescued by a police officer in Puerto Rico. They were a litter of newborn puppies found in the mud. After the paperwork was completed, Nova was flown with her siblings from Puerto Rico up to us! 

Mochi glamour shot.

DW: What are your pups' favorite activities? 

S: Mochi loves to run around, especially on grass! She also loves to bathe in the sun. Mochi loves the beach and has her own life vest for swimming. Nova loves food — if something involves food, you can count her in. We are hoping to get Nova on the beach this summer too!

DW: What are your pups' favorite foods and snacks? 

S: Mochi loves ice cream! She’ll close her eyes and lick the container while I hold it. Sometimes I think she’ll fall asleep [ice cream drunk]. Mochi’s other favorite is cheese. Nova, on the other hand, loves chicken, eggs (even the shell) and pumpkin!

Nova glamour shot.

DW: Do they have any best friends? 

S: The girls have tons of friends but I’d say — above all — they are definitely each other's best friends. They love each other so much and are very protective. I love catching them sleeping on top of each other at home. It’s so sweet!

DW: What are some fun facts about your pup?

S: Everyone thinks they are related (sister-sister or mother-daughter) even though they aren’t. They are two very strong personalities, Mochi is sweet and gentle, while Nova is strong and rough! Mochi is affectionate and Nova needs to warm up to you first. After that, she may come sit by you on the couch. I sometimes laugh thinking about how they are polar opposites!

Follow Mochi and Nova on Instagram @mizz_mochi.

The Rescued Dog That Ended Up Rescuing His Owner

By Belinda Cai

When MacKenzie Robinson, 22, moved to Atlanta, she hit it off with Pete* and they quickly began dating. Being new in the city, Pete was her main social connection. They were happy at first, but after a few months of being together, things started taking a turn for the worse.

“When you date an alcoholic, it’s okay for a while — but then everything switches,” she says. “It was early last year when things started getting really bad and uncontrollable.”

They had serious conversations about how Pete needed to stop drinking. Nothing changed.

But then, everything did. MacKenzie found her soulmate: Morty, a one-and-a-half-year-old dachshund-beagle mix. 

“I rescued him from PAWS Atlanta,” she says. “They are a great rescue around here. I got him, and three weeks later, kicked out my ex and turned my life around.”

MacKenzie and Morty.

New priorities

MacKenzie says she was putting up with the abuse from Pete, at the time, because she wasn’t in a good place. When Morty entered the picture, she had a low-tolerance policy for any kind of mistreatment — especially when it came to Morty. 

“I rescued Morty,” she says. “My whole life and priorities changed. It’s like having a kid. I took on that priority so I could focus on Morty. If he couldn't come out with me, I wouldn't go because he was freshly rescued and had separation anxiety. He came from a really hard background.”

“I rescued Morty,” she says. “My whole life and priorities changed. It’s like having a kid. I took on that priority so I could focus on Morty. If he couldn’t come out with me, I wouldn’t go because he was freshly rescued and had separation anxiety. He came from a really hard background.””

Morty was abused in his last home. His previous owners had moved and left him in a cage for three weeks by himself. When PAWS found him, after someone called because they heard howling, he had a broken paw and both of his eyes were infected. 

“After I’d get off work, I’d want to go home right to my dog,” MacKenzie says. “I wanted to make it all about Morty, his training and making him comfortable. He needed a lot of time at first to learn how to be a dog.”

Pete didn’t like that MacKenzie's attention was focused on Morty. It made their relationship, which was already suffering, go even further downhill. 

“The person I was dating was jealous of a dog,” says MacKenzie.

She described how there was one night when Pete expressed he didn’t care whatsoever about Morty. MacKenzie already knew she had to leave and started to tolerate less and less of the abusive behavior.

“He brought a presence of negativity around the house and Morty could feel that,” she says. “He was never comfortable around Pete.”

A few weeks later, MacKenzie kicked Pete out of her home and started on her own road to recovery. She did it with Morty by her side.

“He’s like my best friend,” she says. “I literally look forward every single day to going home to him.”

For a while, she struggled to leave the house due to serious depression. 

“When you live in an apartment with a dog, you have to get up and walk and get those endorphins going,” she says. “He’s made me exercise. We also sleep together every single night.”

Morty being the cutie he is.

Love at first sight

When MacKenzie went to PAWS, she initially wanted an older dog, knowing it’s harder for them to get adopted. She walked several of them but nothing really clicked.

“I walked through the puppy room and there were so many puppies going crazy in their kennels,” she says. 

Morty had on a cone because he had just had eye surgery. He was sitting very calmly, unlike the other puppies, but was shaking ever so slightly.

“We made eye contact and I just knew,” she says.

“‘We made eye contact and I just knew,’ she says.”

MacKenzie took him for a walk and into another room, where Morty hopped up in her lap. 

“I originally couldn’t adopt him for two days because I had to clear it with my landlord,” she says. “I went back each of those days to make sure no one else was going to take him and we formed a bond. I adopted him that week.”

Morty needed a lot of training. MacKenzie put in the work. Both she and Morty have changed a lot since they initially met.

“When I really prioritized Morty, it made me stop going out to bars as much,” she explains. “It helped me get my life together. I’m way more comfortable being alone. When you’re in a low spot and you just have the cutest little guy there, just to love you, it really helps with your healing. It’s corny, but he rescued me.”

*name has been changed

Oliver, Penelope Lane And Margo

Hannah with her pups.

“‘My favorite things to do are listen to true crime podcasts, travel anywhere and everywhere, and gaze lovingly at my three dogs.’ Hannah is a board member and volunteer at Deity Animal Rescue, and has volunteered at local humane societies and donated to various rescue groups throughout her life.”

Hannah Strader is the ultimate dog mom, with three furbabies who she loves more than anything. She grew up in Wisconsin with two “super naughty” wirehaired fox terriers. They sparked her immense love for dogs — even though those dogs were ornery!

“The fox terriers were incredibly smart, but their behavior was just awful,” Hannah says. “We laugh about it all the time now, but I don’t think my parents found it super funny back then. I’ve had all sorts of dogs (and pets) in my family: a Rottweiler, Great Danes, my beloved chihuahua, and even some cats and hamsters thrown in throughout the years.” 

Hannah was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Wisconsin, went to school in Minnesota and moved back out to California in 2012. She wanted to be with family and in the warm weather... and she hasn’t looked back! ☀️

“Fast forward to now: I work and live in West Hollywood. My favorite things to do are listen to true crime podcasts, travel anywhere and everywhere, and gaze lovingly at my three dogs.”

Hannah is a board member and volunteer at Deity Animal Rescue, and has volunteered at local humane societies and donated to various rescue groups throughout her life.

Dog Whisperer: Tell us about your pups:

Hannah: Oliver, 12 (ish): I think he’s probably turning 13 at some point this year. I did a DNA test on him and, believe it or not, there is no corgi or doxie in there! Oliver is 25% chihuahua, 25% Lhasa Apso, 12.5% pekingese, 12.5% cocker spaniel, 12.5% American Staffordshire terrier (ha!) and 12.5% mega mutt. The best word to use to characterize my Ollie is “aloof.” He is along for the ride but would much rather be sleeping. He’s very confident but that is probably a result of his cluelessness. He’s so very, very, very sweet — a grumpy old man, but in a lovable way. 

Penelope Lane, 3 (ish): I did a DNA test on Pen as well. She is 50% shih-tzu, 25% Chihuahua and 25% Jack Russel terrier. I thought she’d be a mix of like 15 different terriers, but turns out she’s only 25% terrier! Penny is insanely smart, which I think she gets from her terrier ancestors. She is hilarious, with so much energy, but is also more than happy to curl up in your lap and sleep. She LOVES her toys, especially the llamas and lambs — she tears them to bits but still chooses to play with them over any others. Penny can be very sassy, but it's just because she cares! She is hysterical to watch as she plays; she definitely has a mind of her own. 

Margot, 5 (ish): Margot is probably a purebred chihuahua. She has that sweet little apple head and is way too tiny for me to assume her to be any other breed. Margot is a SASS. She is the second chihuahua I’ve ever adopted and I was so happy to find out she, just like Mollie before her, is not at all the ’stereotypical’ chihuahua. Margot loves people and other dogs, and thoroughly enjoys playing with Pen. She is pushy (but not overly so), and incredibly loving and snuggly. Margot is the type of dog who can jump right into a pack and it feels like she’s always been there. 

Margot, Oliver and Penelope.

DW: How long have you had your pups?

H: Oliver: since September 30, 2018; Penelope: since November 9, 2018; and Margot: since June 1, 2020.

DW: What is special about each of the dogs' breeds?

H: I love so much that Oliver is a shelter special. He cannot be categorized: he is truly an amalgam, and one that includes two very shelter-heavy breeds, pit bull and chihuahua. You can find traits of each of his breeds that apply to his personality: stubbornness, affection, loyalty, friendliness and being headstrong. He is the perfect mix!

Penelope is incredibly smart. She picks things up quickly, and is very observant. I am convinced she gets that from being a Russel terrier. She is super feisty and vocal, like a chihuahua, but is also incredibly weary of strangers and other dogs, much like her shih-tzu ancestors. 

Sweet Margot is a unique little dog. She doesn’t even weigh four pounds but has so much personality she could be a Great Dane. She is incredibly affectionate, always fighting to get on my lap. She is super playful and a crack-up to watch when she’s feeling active. 

I love that all of my dogs share that they have some chihuahua in them but they are all so unique in their own way!

DW: Tell us about the volunteer work you do:

H: Back in 2018 I knew I was ready to adopt another dog for my family. At the time, it was just myself and my 14-year old chihuahua, Mollie. After some searching, I found the dog I was looking for through a rescue based in Beverly Hills: Deity Animal Rescue. Throughout my life I have volunteered at local humane societies and donated to different rescue groups, but I was always looking for a more sustainable and meaningful way to give back; I just hadn’t found it yet. Once I met the two women who run Deity — Ellen and Lindsay — I knew this was what I had been looking for. 

I kept bugging them for volunteer opportunities and offering ways I could donate my time and skills to them until they just couldn’t get rid of me ☺️… In 2019, they offered me a seat on their board of directors and I thus began the journey of what has been one of my greatest joys. I currently help Deity in any way I can, whether that’s cleaning out and organizing our donated storefront, setting up events (my main job with them!), brainstorming fundraiser ideas, assisting with marketing and PR or fostering. I get to work my regular job and then, on the side, I get to help grow this amazing organization whose chief aim is to save dogs. It’s the coolest thing ever! 

“I currently help Deity in any way I can, whether that’s cleaning out and organizing our donated storefront, setting up events (my main job with them!), brainstorming fundraiser ideas, assisting with marketing and PR or fostering. I get to work my regular job and then, on the side, I get to help grow this amazing organization whose chief aim is to save dogs. It’s the coolest thing ever!”

Deity is a foster-based 501c3 non-profit dog rescue. It is women-owned and run, and a very small operation. Ellen and Lindsay are the boss ladies, and Amanda works to manage everything behind the scenes. We are a group of women taking over the world and saving dogs all over California!

DW: What are your pups' favorite activities?

H: Oliver just wants to sleep. He loves taking quick naps, long naps, short snoozes.. you name it. And he snores... loud. He loves to snuggle but only when he’s sleepy, and he really likes treats! He also has so much fun on walks, but because of his bad joints and arthritis, he goes very, very slowly so, lucky, Ollie gets to do most walks in his bright red stroller. What a treat! 

Penelope’s favorite thing of all time is playing. She loves when I play with her or when her sister Margot plays with her. She has a huge basket filled with toys but her favorites are her Christmas Llama, Roller Llama, Lamby and Shamrock Lamb. She has torn them all to pieces but still chooses them over any others! 

Penny loves going on walks when we go fast; slow walking is distracting for her and she tends to have trouble focusing. She is a great cuddler and really enjoys snuggling in bed with me. Margot loves to play with her sister; they have so much fun together. I’ve never seen anything like it! She is also such a love bug and is happiest in my lap, curled into a little cinnamon swirl. Margot is probably the best eater out of the bunch so she’s always thrilled to be enjoying a meal, and just like her siblings, she loves going on walks. 

DW: What are your pups' favorite foods and snacks?

H: Oliver is on a lot of different medications and gets to eat them with pieces of sliced turkey which he LOVES. He is very particular about what he eats which I think is so weird, seeing as to how he was a stray dog, but it is what it is. He also can never get enough water. Weird little guy.

Penny is fairly picky but not as bad as Ollie. She loves all of the different treats from Just Food for Dogs, especially their chicken jerky... She also loves to sneak some of Oliver’s turkey while I’m not looking. 

Margot is by far my best eater — she likes pretty much anything. Because she’s so small, she can usually weasel her way into whatever the other dogs have if they’re not eating fast enough, no matter what it is. She is an equal opportunity snacker. 

DW: What are some fun facts about your pups:

H: Penelope’s tongue is ALWAYS out! I have no idea why, truly. Sometimes if it's not out, she’ll sit there and stare at you... then stick it out. It is bizarre and adorable and one of my favorite things about her.

I call Oliver my problem child and refer to myself as a helicopter mom in general, but especially when it comes to him. In addition to the normal vet, he also has a dentist, cardiologist and physical therapist… He started physical therapy fairly recently and goes twice a week. He hates it, but I keep telling him it's for his own good! 

Margot came to me with scars all over! She has a big one on her head and one of her ears looks like it was bit into, there’s a notch of missing ear on the side. She’s also missing some hair, but I’m seeing it slowly start to grow so I’m confident that, with love and affection, she’ll really start to shine!

The first trick Penny Lane ever learned was “spin.” She stands up and spins in place- it's super cute. Once she realized that by doing that she gets a treat, she became a monster. Any time she wants literally anything she will run in front of you and start spinning. It's ridiculous.

Penelope loves to dance! If I start singing or dancing (or even just bouncing in place) she’ll jump up from wherever she is, run over in front of me, stand up with her tongue out and wave her arms in the air. It is one of the cutest and funniest things ever.

When Margot went in for her spay and dental surgery, they found a mammary tumor on her; likely a result of her having not been spayed before. She came out of that surgery missing one uterus, eight teeth and one nipple! All of that, and she doesn’t even weigh four pounds!

Penelope has an instagram- @thepenelope.lane

For more information on Deity Animal Rescue, check out their website and Instagram @deityanimalrescue. 

Bear, The Pit Bull Mix

FRONT Ben & Skylar BACK Bear & Winston.

“I was inspired by all of the wonderful pit bulls that Ben and I have personally come to know and, after being around them, Ben was absolutely smitten with the playful personalities and blocky heads.” 

Skylar Wells loves her goofy, fun-loving pit bull and boxer mix, Bear, who is almost two years old. He’s deaf, but his ears still move around actively like he’s listening for something. This doesn’t go unnoticed. 

“Bear’s beaming personality makes him a popular pup at the local vet,” she says. “Anytime he meets someone new, there’s sure to be a comment regarding ‘those ears!’”

Skylar and her partner Ben closed on their first home in April of last year and, within the first few weeks of home ownership, received a call from Adopt A Pit Rescue.

“Ben had been actively applying to several rescues in the hopes that we could find the perfect addition to our family and, after months of searching, we finally received a match,” she says. 

That match was Bear, who was then six months old and in need of a forever home. They went to meet Bear, introduced him to their orange Pomeranian Winston, and realized they wanted Bear to be a part of the family. 

In her senior year of college, Skylar did a capstone project that required a deep dive into researching the pit bull breed. She discovered that, oftentimes, requirements for the breed were not being met by families because they weren't educating themselves prior to adoption. This education is vital and, when properly trained, pit bulls are friendly, lovable dogs.  

“I was inspired by all of the wonderful pit bulls that Ben and I have personally come to know and, after being around them, Ben was absolutely smitten with the playful personalities and blocky heads.” 

What she learned through her capstone project reaffirmed her love for pit bulls. 

We spoke with Skylar about what it’s like raising a dog whose breed is often misunderstood, and what it’s like to take care of a deaf dog. 

Dog Whisperer: What are some special pit bull traits?

Skylar: Pit bulls and boxers both possess high energy levels, paired with a high demand for affection and socialization. Additionally, both breeds tend to be quite trainable. They have a strong desire to please.

DW: What special measures do you take when raising a deaf dog?

S: To most people’s surprise, the day-to-day of owning a deaf dog — once you get into the groove of things — really isn’t all that different from raising any other dog. The biggest difference is that we used a vibration collar. This trains Bear to react to the vibrations by returning to us, which helps us keep him safe when he’s gone too far away or is out of sight. It’s our way of “calling” him back.

Other than that, it’s really just about being mindful and patient with him. We use hand signals to ask him to do certain things. We give him commands like "no," "good boy," “sit,” “come,” “stay,” “release / let go,” and ask if he’s hungry. Additionally, we ensure that we educate people before letting them interact with Bear. We always let them know that he’s deaf, and encourage them to remain visible, so they don’t approach him from behind and scare him.  

DW: What is your advice to someone who is considering adopting a dog that is deaf?

S: Do a good amount of research before you commit to getting a deaf dog. Make sure you are positive you want to take on the added level of responsibility, on top of the already significant responsibility of owning a dog. Think about the dog's wellbeing. If you don't have time to dedicate to the dog, let him or her go to someone who does.

If you’re educated, patient, want to understand how to communicate with your dog, and have the time necessary to build a strong bond with the pup, you’re ready for a deaf dog.

DW: What are Bear’s favorite activities?

S: There’s no debate: Bear’s absolute favorite activity is eating. Breakfast and dinner are his two favorite parts of each day. When it’s time to be fed, he’ll let you know either with a couple of eager grunts or he’ll climb entirely in your lap after pacing around his bowl! Some of his favorite snacks include ice cubes, peanut butter and the occasional dog treat.

His other favorite activities include chasing a laser pointer with Winston, playing tug-of-war with Ben, taking naps on the couch with me and taking long off leash walks through our local nature trails.

DW: Does Bear have any best friends?

S: Bear’s best friend is Ben, but Winston is a close second. Bear also spends a lot of time with his cousin, Binx the Shnoodle, and his neighbor, Koda the Goldendoodle.

DW; What are some fun facts about your pup:

S: Bear can chase his tail in a circle infinitely without giving up or getting tired. Usually he stops only because he’s been distracted.

Bear absolutely LOVES watching television. If a character is moving aggressively towards the screen, he’ll even flinch as if it’s going to burst through the TV and get him. His current favorites are squirrel footage on YouTube and Game of Thrones. The dragon scenes really excite him.

Learn more about raising a deaf dog here.

Franklin, The Chiweenie

Franklin and Breena (from Breena's IG: @breenaylaya)

“Honestly, when I first got him, I had no clue how scared he was of other people, because he chose me at the shelter. He was nothing but sweet to me. Since then, he has learned so many tricks. For example: speak, whisper, paw, bow, spin and beg. Every day he does something that makes me glad I adopted him.”

When Breena Ylaya first adopted Franklin a year and a half ago, at six months old, he didn’t know how to play with toys or do any tricks. He would bite Breena’s toes to wake her up, and even tried biting her hair from time to time. While it wasn’t pleasant, Breena knew it meant he loved her — he just didn’t know how to show it in the right ways.

Flash forward to today, and he (thankfully) doesn’t bite Breena’s feet or hair anymore. Breena says he was never the “kissy dog” at first but now he totally is, and shows his love constantly. He’s learned tricks galore and even how to speak on command. Breena calls him her “best friend in the smallest package.”

Dog Whisperer HQ: Tell us a little about Franklin.

Breena: Franklin is a two-year-old Chiweenie: a Chihuahua-Dachshund mix. He’s timid around humans and warms up slowly, but he loves me and my man. He also loves other dogs. 

DW: How did Franklin get his name?

B: Franklin actually had that name at the animal shelter, but when I officially adopted him, I kept it. I'm from a township called Franklin and it made sense. Also, I'm a 90s baby and watched a show called “Franklin” (the turtle). He had to get neutered before I could pick him up, so the Franklin theme song kept playing in my head every night as I wondered when he would finally be ready for his forever home. "Hey it’s Franklin, coming over to your house." 

DW: So Franklin used to have a bit of a biting problem. Can you talk about that?

B: I think it was just a puppy thing. We got him at six months from the Humane Society. He would nibble on our toes to wake us up because he didn’t know how else to tell us he had to go potty. It was surprising that he would even alert us to take him to the backyard door. 

Franklin being cute!

DW: How has Franklin changed and improved his behavior over time?

B: Franklin has changed so much. Honestly, when I first got him, I had no clue how scared he was of other people, because he chose me at the shelter. He was nothing but sweet to me. Since then, he has learned so many tricks. For example: speak, whisper, paw, bow, spin and beg. He’s so loving and demands attention when I'm on my phones sometimes; he will just stare at me. Every day he does something that makes me glad I adopted him. 

DW: You mentioned you and Franklin cuddle and he kisses you. Can you talk about the sweet moments you two share together?

B: Last year I went to the Philippines for a whole month, and when I came back, he cuddled into my armpit, and fell asleep smiling. He’s such a beautiful loving chiweenie doggy. I can always count on him to brighten my day. He is a funny dog too — he was actually on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Overall, I just love how active he keeps me. We love running, going to dog parks and going on walks. He also goes to a lot of tea spots with me and just likes to chill out. He’s a smart dog and I'm so happy I adopted him. I can’t imagine my life without him. 

Check out Franklin’s Instagram @heyfwanklin.



The Wild Dog That Wasn’t

By Kelly Gorman Dunbar

A few months ago, as I was perusing Facebook, I realized I’d been tagged in a post from a local humane society. A click took me to a photo of a creature that looked like the love child of a werewolf and The Swamp Thing.

She was straining at the end of a leash, standing upright, rearing up on her back feet, tail swishing, mucky front paws sticking out in front of her mimicking the posture of a t-rex. The photo had captured her head mid-thrash, mouth open, showing off her sharp pointy teeth. Without even reading any further I immediately realized why I had been alerted to this particular post. She was beautiful, potentially tragic, and I fell in love instantly.

Found roaming in the rural countryside, this swampy werewolf had just been admitted to a small, private shelter with few resources. With one glance, I knew she’d be in trouble if she stayed there even a week. She was a high octane breed of the very same kind as my two boys, Laz and Mars. My Facebook friends were hoping I’d step up to help this swamp monster, and the poor unsuspecting shelter she’d landed in.

The shelter had taken to calling the swamp wolf Gator and upon meeting her a few days later, it was apparent why. Tigger would have suited her just as well; that girl had more bounce than a kangaroo on a trampoline! She’d jump, lunge, snap! With each effortless leap, she’d be at eye level, her teeth gnashing right in my face. She’d grab anything she could get a hold of and tug or hang from the object mercilessly. Pulling toys out of people’s hands, grabbing jacket sleeves, leashes hanging on the fence, nothing was safe.

Walking her was quite a feat. She’d strain to the end of her leash and dig in, facing forward, towing her walker like a sled dog. If we were unfortunate enough to encounter another dog, which happened many times since we were in a shelter, then things really got out of control! Gator would become laser-focused on the animal in front of her, cat or dog, and bark incessantly, pacing and pulling at the end of her lead like a wild animal. There was no redirecting her, no distracting her, no calming her down. She’d either have to be dragged away or we’d have to wait it out until the animal was out of sight.

Some of the behavior Gator exhibited was breed specific and very familiar to me. Other behaviors Gator favored were a bit intense and it was difficult at first glance to tell whether her fits were all frustration and unbridled energy, or whether her actions were laced with aggression. Regardless, for sure, none of this unruly conduct was going to improve in the animal shelter and she was already getting a reputation there as a wild one. The shelter thought she might be a bite risk and was likely dog aggressive and predatory towards small animals. Would she perhaps also be dangerous to children? They weren’t going to be able to confidently showcase her or adopt her out.

So I took her home. I told the shelter my adoption would not be permanent. I would assess, train, and then place Gator in an appropriate, qualified, committed home. That day she hopped in my car, growled at my dog in the kennel next to hers, and off we went. A new beginning deserves a new name, and Nox was born.

“Once I removed her from the chaotic shelter environment, I could assess, test, and observe Nox in peace. It quickly became clear to me that Nox was not the swamp monster/werewolf cross she appeared to be. In fact, she didn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. Once she began to decompress from the stress of her at-large adventure and stay in the big house, her playful, affectionate side began to come out. ”

Once I removed her from the chaotic shelter environment, I could assess, test, and observe Nox in peace. It quickly became clear to me that Nox was not the swamp monster/werewolf cross she appeared to be. In fact, she didn’t have an aggressive bone in her body. Once she began to decompress from the stress of her at-large adventure and stay in the big house, her playful, affectionate side began to come out. When handled, she melted like butter. She’d flop over for belly rubs from anyone willing and loved to sit quietly in my living room, chewing on a bone or chew toy. She loved to play fetch, but was pretty terrible at catch and it occurred to me that probably nobody had ever played that game with her before. The intensity she initially showed when in the presence of other animals started to mellow out once she wasn’t dealing with the constant barrier frustration of kennel fences and shelter induced over stimulation. Her demeanor around dogs and their subsequent responses to her actions informed me that most likely, Nox was not even a year old. It also appeared that no one had ever bothered to train her. She didn’t seem to even understand a basic “sit” request and I tried in several different languages. She certainly did not understand how to walk on a leash politely.

All of these shortcomings, her lack of experience, training, and impulse control (pretty common in an adolescent dog) coupled with the vigor of her breed and the chaos of the shelter made her seem a monster. In actuality, she was no were-creature, just misunderstood. However, yes, left unchecked she could have been a monster in the making. She was a pressure cooker with no steam valve. Without directed release, she’d have eventually blown up.

Thankfully, training and enrichment act as a perfect means of controlled guidance and release.

Nox transformed from a beast of a dog into the best dog. I helped her find her new forever human, and they’re nearly inseparable. Together they go to work, travel, ride ferry boats, sail the bay, eat at cafes, go to parties and cuddle at night. It’s a true love story.

Before finding her new owner, Nox stayed with me for three months and loved her lessons. She became the star in a YouTube video series where I documented her progress, training her in real time, so people could watch her learning process. We made the video series as a team, in honor of all the misunderstood teenage delinquent and under-educated shelter dogs out there. Dogs like Nox are just struggling to understand how to get along with us humans so we’ll love, feed, and play with them. They’re just waiting to find a home to call their own.

Many a misunderstood dog is punished, abandoned, labeled dangerous or dominant when really all they are is untrained. Training gives dogs a guidebook for how to act in the foreign land of human desire and expectations. Training provides a common language for two different species to communicate clearly and live harmoniously. Training turns the wild beast into a best friend.

Watch all the “Nox” real-time training videos on Kelly’s YouTube Channel, The Dunbar Diaries

The Right One Will Come Along: Frannie’s Story

By Melissa Jo Peltier

“After going everywhere, from NYC animal control to dog adoption days, a wonderful woman named Cece from ‘Tails of Love’ rescue said, ‘You guys would be perfect for Frannie. She’s a very special dog I won’t let go to just anyone.’”

We were ready. Our beautiful Millennial was out of college and on her own, and my husband and I weren’t traveling as much as we used to for our jobs. We’d finally be able to adopt a dog.

We ended up looking for over 3 months. First, we sat down and wrote out honestly what kind of energy would work with our lifestyle: a medium-small, medium energy dog that would be easy to travel with. That meant the dog couldn’t be aggressive with other dogs or people; neither of us had the time to work on issues that serious. Other problems, we could and were willing to handle.

After going everywhere, from NYC animal control to dog adoption days, a wonderful woman named Cece from “Tails of Love” rescue said, “You guys would be perfect for Frannie. She’s a very special dog I won’t let go to just anyone.” Frannie, – about 3 years old and some kind of herding dog/pit mix – had been pulled from a 72 hour kill shelter in Georgia and brought up north with a group of other dogs. Cece sent us video of Frannie who looked wonderful, but at 52 pounds of solid muscle, we thought she’d be too big.

Cece brought her over anyway. When I met her and took her for a walk down our street, her expressive eyes looked up at me for direction, and once inside our house, she again looked at me for permission to explore. She took treats so gently, you’d think she was accepting them with her lips. When she leaned on me and looked up wistfully into my eyes, I was won over. I asked Cece how this extraordinary dog could’ve been in foster care for a year. She said Frannie had some issues that turned people off. She looked too much like a pit bull to some people, who believed the myths about them. Her foster parents said she was notoriously unreliable off-leash – bolting chasing after any nearby critter for miles. She was also skittish around loud noises and crowds, and absolutely refused to get into a car. She’d plant, pant and shake like a leaf. No one wanted a 52 pound dog they’d have to lift in and out every time they wanted to go somewhere.

My time on Dog Whisperer had taught me that those were problems I could fix. But when Frannie met my husband, he said “I just don’t connect with her.” He took her impeccable Southern manners to be stand-offishness.   We agreed we both had to be thrilled with whatever dog we chose. But over the next weeks as we continued our search, I actually had two vivid dreams about Frannie. In the dreams, she was begging me with her eyes to bring her home.

“After a month more of looking, I tentatively suggested to my husband that we take Frannie for a weekend. He agreed, and Frannie’s foster parents brought her to our house with her crate, her bed and some favorite toys. Fifteen minutes in, Frannie leaned her head on my husband’s shoulder. He turned around and said to me, ‘This is our dog!’ The day was January 9, 2015. Frannie never went back.”

After a month more of looking, I tentatively suggested to my husband that we take Frannie for a weekend. He agreed, and Frannie’s foster parents brought her to our house with her crate, her bed and some favorite toys. Fifteen minutes in, Frannie leaned her head on my husband’s shoulder. He turned around and said to me, “This is our dog!” The day was January 9, 2015. Frannie never went back.

I was able to fix the car problem within about two months, and I immediately started practicing with her off-leash on 3 mile walks around a local lake – three minutes on, three minutes off, gradually increasing the durations until she understood that off-leash means staying with us at all times. I have video of her walking off-leash, right next to taunting squirrels on St. Patrick’s day 2016. It’s taken me nearly two years to get her to the point where she won’t sprint after the many deer in our woods-surrounded neighborhood. I put a GPS on her collar for the inevitable times she’d make mistakes, and practiced in the woods constantly. Frannie is like a teacher’s pet who never wants to get the answer wrong, so a stern voice and a command to sit and make eye contact did the trick over time. Just today, two separate herds of deer ran just behind our yard, and I saw Frannie start to get excited. By using a stern “Uh uh uh!” – and calling her to look at me, I watched her relax and wait until they were out of sight. Then we resumed our walk, with me praising her to the heavens. She always walks proudly when she’s accomplished something big.

As for her skittishness, Frannie now goes to every possible dog-friendly place with us. We go to the doctors’, the chiropractor, boutiques, Lowes, the Mac store; we’ve been to hotels, motels and on a plane; and in good weather we lounge around at outdoor cafés and restaurants. She can trot through crowded Times Square without flinching and has even been sailing and to a drive-in. It’s all built on trust. Everyone who meets her remarks on her gentle, loving nature and calm energy. She’s got an amazing nose on her – her DNA says she’s about 10% rat terrier (also about 37% pit bull, 33% border collie) — so I decided train her as a medic alert dog my life-threatening nut allergies. Working with a close friend who has trained hundreds of seeing eye and other service dogs, we’ve got her about 2/3 of the way there. She’s proven she can do it, but needs to be more consistent.

I often think my prescient dreams of Frannie make this truly a tale pre-ordained love. It’s worth any wait to find your perfect dog, even if you have to say no to some winsome faces along the way.