City Dog, Country Dog

Thursday, February 14, 2013 - 9:15am
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Kay, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon with an impressive silver mane, looks as though she was born to romp around in the snow. It took some time and special care for Kay to get to where she is now, but thanks to her adopters, Robert and Nancy Leete, Kay regularly gets to do just that.

When Kay arrived at the ASPCA Adoption Center in 2012, she suffered from heartworm. She reacted poorly to her initial treatment and became very sick after her first round of shots. It took a while, but eventually, Kay recovered and soon after, she joined the Leete family in Massachusetts.

"We fell in love with Kay the moment we saw her picture and read her bio," Nancy says. "Our decision to adopt Kay just felt right and we couldn't get to Manhattan quick enough."

Kay’s pet parents decided to move to a 12-acre homestead in Vermont. With plenty of fresh air and more than enough room to play, Kay is thriving there with her dog brother, Gus. Before this winter’s snow arrived, Kay and Gus took long walks through the woods, exploring their new territory. Robert tells us that Kay shows her enthusiasm for nature by bouncing and prancing along the path during their frequent hikes. Kay and Gus also dearly enjoy paying visits to their dog neighbor, a golden retriever named Spencer.

While Kay wasn’t too thrilled with the first Vermont snowstorm, she has learned to enjoy being outside in the fresh air and sunshine, even with snow on the ground.  She never tires of getting love pats, eating yummy treats after playing outside, and going for walks with her family. We can’t imagine a better place for Kay to call home.

Got a happy adoption story of your own? Email it to happytails@aspca.org and you could be featured on our blog.

Tags: 
Adoption

Comments

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:03 — Deborah Straker (Visitor)
What a beautiful story! Kay is a very lucky girl!! Thank you for sharing.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:27 — Laura (Visitor)
So happy that Kay has found a loving home. She is a beautiful dog and deserves all the love that is given to her. Thank you to her new family for giving her the attention she needs.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:33 — Bonnie Williams (Visitor)
I'm happy for Kay and the family. I wanted her the first time I saw her picture. I'm glad she's happy now.

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 21:42 — lyndell (Visitor)
I am soooo happy for Kay we rescued a black lab/grifon mix she is a wonderful asset to our pack

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:41 — Susan (Visitor)
She is just adorable. Thank you so much for opening your hearts to taking in a second dog to love. Rescues seem to know that they are special, and give us so much love. I have only owned rescues, and will continue to do so. God bless you and Kay.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:43 — Janet Cooper (Visitor)
Thank you for your love of dogs. I am happy to read of Kay's rescue and happy new life. We need to support shelter animals and stop euthanizing them. We need to have Sanctuaries located on large pieces of land where animals can live in large enclosures with others so that they have companions. They should also be able to have access to the outdoors-be able to walk on dirt and grass, and lie under trees if they want. I believe that if we partnered shelters with sanctuaries there would be more animals who would be saved (even if they are not adoptable, for what ever reason) and wouldn't that be a lovely legacy?

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:35 — AbbyandSadiesMom (Visitor)
I love reading these stories. It makes seeing so many broken down, discarded pets at our no-kill shelter bearable just knowing they will eventually get wonderful homes. As for the poster who said we should stop euthanizing dogs, let's just get one thing straight. When a shelter, vet or ACO puts down an animal for any reason other than sickness, it is NOT euthanasia...it is KILLING THEM! Euthanasia is a term strictly used for the sick and dying animal who can no longer enjoy a quality of life. Having no room to board an animal and putting them down is strictly KILLING, pure and simple. It is disgusting and until the general public gets off their collective fannies and FIGHTS WITH EVERYONE TO STOP IT, it will continue. Our city had "the pound" with animal shelf-life being anywhere from 3-10 days before they were killed. THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY DEMANDED A NO-KILL SHELTER. When the ACO didn't agree, the city banded together and had the ACO fired from his job. The 2 new ACOs worked with the citizens (all volunteers) and they worked out a plan and we now have a 100% No-Kill shelter that can house up to 12 dogs and 25 cats. Since the ACO has an office in the building, the City pays the bills and maintains the facilities. We don't accept animals when we are full and we either put people on a waiting list or direct them to other shelters, providing them with a complete list and we indicate which ones are high-kill and those that are not. For people we don't approve for adoption, we steer them to a high-kill shelter. Even if their app is a bit iffy by our standards, they still get a chance to adopt an animal whose life would otherwise be snuffed out. Speak up people and DEMAND your town/city/community open NO KILL shelters. If you're not part of the solution, then you are obviously part of the problem.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 16:30 — Ariel Bright (Visitor)
YEA Abby & Sadie's!!!YOU are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO RIGHT ON!!!! EVERYONE Please Note the difference b/n Euthanisia and Killing described in her reply.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 23:45 — Billygoat (Visitor)
Right on !! Thanks for taking the time to write,

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 21:54 — SUE GRIFFITHS (Visitor)
That's a very good idea, to partner shelters with sanctuaries or to turn shelters into sanctuaries. Instead of dogs locked in tiny, damp rooms with only a bed, there could be massive enclosures where dogs would have companionship of others. Same goes for cats. There could be trees, grass, plenty of toys, somewhere to swim and agility courses to keep them happy and occupied. There would be a need of a decent size piece of land. If these things are available for other animals, then why not for dogs and cats while they are waiting for adoption. Prospective adopters would see animals in a more natural environment where they wouldn't be stressed and not looking their best. There would be spay/neuter and no euthanisation. High kill shelters could be closed down and a few shelters could join forces to share costs and fund raising. At night time, instead of them being unnaturally on their own in tiny rooms, let them be together in rooms that resemble real homes. Happy animals are adoptable animals.

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 11:19 — AbbyandSadiesMom (Visitor)
While I applaud the idea of shelters joining sanctuaries or a combination of the two, please keep in mind that it is not that easy. It worked for our shelter because we have a strong network of volunteers and local government whose land we occupy. We do not have the land you speak of; however, we do have areas where dogwalkers may exercise the dogs. We still have kennels and cages for cats; however, we also have a big "Adult Room" that's cage-free. We rotate the cats periodically in this room, thereby giving them a chance to get out of a cage and mingle with other felines. It also affords us the opportunity to observe them to note on their charts whether certain cats get along, who doesn't, who's got certitude, who's just laid-back - you get the idea. As for dogs roaming freely at night, that would never work. Dogs live in packs. In a perfect world, that would be nice. For dogs to be together at night, unsupervised, would be tantamount of signing someone's death warrant. Anything can spark a dog's ire, even the placid ones. How would it be if we left them together overnight, alone, and a fight broke out? Surely, someone would be dead the next morning when we arrived. It's a nice thought, but given the budget constraints and dogs of unknown origin that we take in, keeping them separate in their kennels at night is for their own safety. Thank you for the suggestions though. This is how it starts. When we all take the time to weigh in the ideas from each other, we can each take something from them to apply to our own situation. To accept killing animals for the sake of making room for yet another is just unacceptable. Our continued research and ACTION is what is needed. Keep up the great work everybody!

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 11:22 — AbbyandSadiesMom (Visitor)
I just noticed a typo in my reply. In the Adult Room, we observe cats to see if they have CAT-TI-TUDE and try to match them up with adopters who appreciate that aspect of the feline.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:55 — Shawna (Visitor)
I love hearing stories like that! I'm sure Kay will enjoy a long, happy life with her new pet parents and living in the country.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 11:55 — Project Hope An... (Visitor)
That would be a lovely legacy and that is exactly what we do! We are located on 30 acres of land way out in the country. It is priceless to see a dog that was sitting on death row on a cold cement floor transform to a playful, bouncy dog once they are out in the country air.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 13:21 — Eileen Bellamah (Visitor)
Great story and thanks Leete family for giving Kay such a good life. Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone went out and adopted a rescue today? I did this a few years ago and this darling dog thanks me every day. Rescues are so apperciative! Please pass the word!!!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 13:35 — Patricia Walker (Visitor)
I can see how you could fall in love at first sight. Always good to hear a story with a happy ending.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 14:44 — Jaime Perez (Visitor)
This is a feel good story. I'm so happy for Kay. She is living the good life now. Bless her parents for loving her so much.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 16:00 — Emma (Visitor)
Kay is so glorious! I look at her face and fall in love with her. Thank you to Robert and Nancy Leete for their goodness and kindness. I am overjoyed for their Kay and their life together in peace, care, and love.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 16:55 — Leah (Visitor)
Thank God Kay has a good home! I love these stories. She is adorable!

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 17:51 — susan cobe (Visitor)
Hurray for the Leete family! I wish there were more like them. I know they'll be blessed for the kindness and love they have shown to Kay and Gus.

Fri, 02/15/2013 - 20:17 — Dianne (Visitor)
I am so happy that Griffon has found a loving home..An end to such a sad beginning! lol

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:48 — Marilyn D Coulson (Visitor)
I adopted an abused dog from Petfinders who face was almost exactly like the picture. Her breed was unknown, but she looked like a softerer, slighter smaller wire-haired pointing Griffon. When people asked me waht she was I would say, "She is a very rare breed. One of a kind." When I got her Mattie was afraid of almost everything, including men. She ducked if you moved too fast. With must TLC and training, Matti overcame most of her fears, got her CGC and became my therapy dog at work. I am now retired, but I am a clinical Social Worker and counseled veterans with PTSD. She would go to work with me and sleep in the corner of the office until she sensed she was needed. If someone strated crying, she quietly got up and put her head in their lap. She did the same if someone began to have a panic attack. She sensed it before it was obvious. She was loved by everyone who ever met her. At home she gently trained any new animal who entered the household. She trained them to ride elevators, not to fear loud noises like trains, to go through automatic doors confidently, who got to sleep by my head at night, and so forth. She lived to be 15 years old and is still sorely missed.

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 11:41 — Vicki Gore (Visitor)
What a sweet story! Her forever home sounds perfect, and I know she is content and happy. We have 2 rescues and wouldn't take anything for them! Thank you for this happy ending!

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 13:41 — Samantha (Visitor)
I love you guys so much keep up the good work by making those dog living a happy life

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 17:53 — Tucker (Visitor)
IT IS HAPPY DANCE TIME FOR DOG NAMED KAY!! YOU ARE SAFE AND IN YOUR LOVING,FOREVER FAMILY!! PLUS YOUR FURRY FAMILY BROTHER GUS!! YOU ARE BOTH SAFE!! AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU 2 GET ALONG!! HAPPY DANCE ALL THE WAY AROUND!!

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 16:13 — Lorena (Visitor)
I am so happy Kay found her furever home! Thanks to her new pet parents. May she have a long, healthy and happy life!

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 13:09 — Elisha (Visitor)
This dog you so-called 'rescued', is probably being beaten up right now with a stick by their children or something. No animal is safe...

Sun, 02/24/2013 - 11:39 — Diane (Visitor)
Kay is a great looking dog. I love the looks of these Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. They look like such happy dogs! So glad Kay found such a wonderful home! A vey lucky dog!

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 18:49 — Patrick Oliver (Visitor)
Congratulations Kay!

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