trō'jən - "...Of courageous determination or energy.  One who shows the pluck, endurance,

     determined energy, or the like, attributed to the defenders of Troy."

Below are some great dogs that are looking for a forever home.  For more information, please contact the person or society listed below the particular dog that you are interested in.

If you have a dog that you would like listed on this page, please email me the dog's information, and your contact information, along with a picture.

Please Note:  The dogs listed below are not being fostered by ourselves.  Most are in local Animal Shelters, SPCAs and Rescues. 

They are listed on this page in hopes of finding a forever home.

 HAPPY ENDINGS                     UNHAPPY ENDINGS

AVAILABLE DOGS

"Zena"  - posted March 23rd, 2009, Updated March 25, 2009

ADOPTED!!!

"Bear"  - posted February 4th, 2009

We have a Rotti here at our shelter who was turned in to us because he growled at the family daughter. He is a very dominant personality, but at age 2.5 yrs. could still make a good pet with the proper training. He looks to be a purebred Rotti, but of course, we have no papers for him.  He is neutered and up to date on vaccinations. He has lots of potential for the right person.  For information on Bear, please contact;

BJ Howe
Branch Manager 
East Kootenay SPCA

Barb Howe bhowe@spca.bc.ca

250-426-6751
250-421-7861 (cell)

"Diesel"  - posted January 26th, 2009

A very good friend of mine has asked me for my help in finding his nephew’s male Rottie a good home. Always a sucker for a Rottie, of course I said I will do what I can.

The family has recently moved here from Calgary and the dog is not getting the attention he deserves as the nephew found a new job that requires him to work long hours. The Rottie, named Diesel, is an unaltered male, 4 years old and weighs about 65 pounds (relatively small). He is a show class dog, really handsome from Alberta. He is very gentle but due to being on his own in recent weeks seems to be in need of some attention. I would take him in a heart beat but transporting him to Chicago is not an option.

If you have any suggestions or know anyone who appreciate and deserves this dog your help would be greatly appreciated. There is some urgency to the situation as the family excluding the nephew is moving back to Calgary in the next week. The nephew is moving into an apartment here in the city.

Please contact:  Helen Fernandes

"Baby"  - posted December 31st, 2008, Updated Jan 11th, 2009

ADOPTED!!!

"Roxanne"  - posted December 21st, 2008

"Kingston"  - posted October 22nd, 2008

Kingston is a large and very handsome 5 yr old pure bred male rottweiler whose previous owner acquired a new dog that Kingston supposedly didn't accept. That owner decided to re-home Kingston and keep the new dog. This picture of him was taken the day his owner left him in our care. Kingston was devastated to be abandoned. Since being in our care, Kingston has gotten along very well with other dogs so we are uncertain if the reason we were given for him being surrendered is true. It seems more likely that Kingston was given up for being too protective of his home. Out in public on walks, Kingston is social and friendly and gets along well with other people and dogs. But once in his home, Kingston will aggressively defend his property from unknown intruders. Kingston is a one person dog, and he is intensely loyal and faithful to that person. For these reasons, Kingston needs a single, mature owner who lives alone, or with another dog, and who understands that Kingston cannot be allowed to greet people coming to the home. In return, such an owner will be rewarded with the most intense loyalty and love imaginable (not to mention the comfort of never having to worry about someone breaking into your home). Kingston's favourite things are riding in the car with his head way out the window, eating lots of yummy food, and going for long walks where he can sniff and pee on everything, and then coming home to lie calmly by his beloved owners feet (which he likes to lick). This big lovable teddy bear will be eternally loyal and we want to find him a home where that loyalty will be returned so that Kingston will never be abandoned again. Kingston's adoption fee is $250.

Please contact a Better Life Dog Rescue at Email: info@betterlifedogrescue.org  or by Phone: Jenn - 778-688-6340

www.betterlifedogrescue.org

"Bella"  - posted March 5th, 2008, Updated March 17, 2008

ADOPTED!!!

"Callie"  - posted January 23rd, 2008, updated January 24th, 2008

ADOPTED!!!

"Nico"  - posted November 2nd, 2007, Updated April 16, 2008

ADOPTED!!!

"Ceasar"  - posted August 13th, 2007, Updated September 23rd, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

"Brutus"  - posted July 20th, 2007, Updated Sept 30th, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

"Blueberry"  - posted June 19th, 2007, Updated July 28, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

Brutus is now called Brewster or Brew for short.  He is living with myself,
my husband and our little Am Esk/Pap cross.  He is a wonderful boy that has
fitted in well.  He is eager to please, a dream to walk, and has great house
manners.  We love the older rotties and Brew is the 3rd to join our little
family.  We all think that we are pretty blessed to have him with us.

"Brutus"  - posted June 19th, 2007, updated June 26th, 2007

"Eve"  - posted May 3rd, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

"Dixie"  - posted March 4th, 2007, updated February 25th, 2008

ADOPTED!!!

"Puppy"  - posted February 7th, 2007, Updated February 15th, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

"Maverick"  - posted November 26th, 2006, Updated April 25th, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

"Bo"  - posted November 17th, 2006, Updated January 29th, 2007

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Bo on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"Rosie"  - posted October 12th, 2006, Updated October 23rd, 2008

ADOPTED!!!

"Logun"  - posted October 5th, 2006, Updated October 10th, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Logun on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"Dakota"  - posted September 3rd, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Dakota on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"Dutchess"  - posted August 21st, 2006, Updated September 19th, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Dutchess on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"Keeper"  - posted August 3rd, 2006 - Updated September 10th

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Keeper on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"Dex"  - posted August 3rd, 2006, Updated October 16th, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Dex aka Dozer on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"Duncan"  - posted August 3rd, 2006, Updated Dec 20th, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Duncan on our "Happy Endings" page ~

"China"  - posted August 3rd, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

"Taiwase"  - posted July 29th, 2006 - Updated August 8th, 2006

ADOPTED!!!

~ See Taiwase on our "Happy Endings" page ~

HOW COULD YOU?

By Jim Willis 2001


  When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"
you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.


  My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.


  Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your home comings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her.

  I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."


  As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.


  There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.


  Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.


  I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."


  You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you.


  You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked.... "How could you?"


  They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared..... anyone who might save me.


  When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry.


  My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The "prisoner of love" had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.


  She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"


  Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.


The End - Jim Wllis


  ** A note from the author:
  If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.