Happy Tail: Benny

Julia D Happy Tails

Anna had been wanting to adopt a cat. One day she was in PetSmart and they gave her information about Last Hope and the adoption process. She completed an application and was approved to adopt. Shortly after that, she was contacted to set up a time to meet the kitties at the Adoption Center.

Anna would like to say she chose Benny but really Benny chose her. She and a volunteer were setting up times to meet some cats that were in foster care when Benny started pawing at the glass door. The volunteer let him out into the room because he was a very social kitty and just wanted to see what was going on. He walked right up to Anna to say hello. Her roommate was also there and she took pictures of Benny with Anna. At one point, Anna held him up and looked him in the eyes and she just knew he was going to be her new best friend. Her roommate caught the moment in a picture and Anna says you can see the pure joy of love in her eyes while looking at him. He is FIV positive but Anna didn’t hesitate for a minute.

When Benny came to live with Anna the adjustment went smoother than she thought it would. He cried the whole car ride home so she was nervous he would

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just hide when they got home. But as soon as she got him home and opened his carrier he walked right into her lap and started purring very loudly. He then went to explore his new home and never did hide!

Benny is doing very well in his forever home and Anna can’t imagine life without him. He quickly became king of the house and gets along with every person he meets. He loves to be around people so any time a new person walks through the door, he’s the first to greet them.

Benny is the first to say good morning and the last to say goodnight. He always seems to know when Anna is having a bad day and is really good about finding her, laying on her chest, and purring until she feels better. He is a major snuggle bug and is always down to cuddle.

Benny loves to birdwatch. He has a perch in the window where you can almost always find him. He is also a big napper; if he’s not watching birds he most likely is curled up on his perch or on his bed in the rocking chair (which is now *his* rocking chair!). He also loves to play with his toys, especially any that dangle in front of him and move.

Anna and Benny are doing great and we’re so glad they found each other. Benny is now living the good life and Anna has a great study partner!

Dog of the Week: Trigg

Julia D Dog of the Week

Trigg is a very smart, energetic pup who will need continuing training to help with his manners as he is just over one year old. Trigg will thrive with active owners who can meet the needs of his breed with high mental stimulation and exercise! Trigg loves going to doggy daycare and could likely live in a home with another easy-going female dog that has a similar size and play style!   Take a chance on Trigg today and you’ll enjoy a playful companion that will excel in a FREE basic training course at Cedar Run Company #2 – this is included in his adoption fee! Trigg will do best in a cat-free home and is best suited for older kids who will enjoy his playful energy.

Trigg’s adoption fee is $250 and includes neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, a microchip with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If you’d like to meet this energetic pup, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Cat of the Week: Catherine

Julia D Cat of the Week

Catherine is a beautiful brown tabby that was one of many local cats that came into rescue together and although she does have an ear tip from when she had a spay surgery, Catherine is people-friendly and seeking an indoor-only home.  Catherine is a lower to medium-energy kitty; she enjoys pets and attention but isn’t overly demanding of your attention.  She has settled in very easily to a daily routine and would make a terrific companion in a home that has other cats or as a single kitty.  Catherine might be best suited to a semi-quiet home, meaning no overly rambunctious pups or younger children.  These would be new to her and she may not settle in as well in a home where she doesn’t feel relaxed. Catherine is about one year old.

Catherine’s adoption fee is $85 and includes spay surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, and a microchip with free lifetime registration.

If you’d like to meet this sweet, pretty kitty please complete an adoption application HERE.

Dog of the Week: Lacey

Julia D Dog of the Week

Lacey is a friendly and outgoing chocolate lab looking for a family of her own! She spent her first few years of life as a farm dog but is ready to be a city girl now and enjoy the finer things in life. Lacey was spayed when she joined the rescue. She is now on a journey to live the best life possible so this means she would like an owner who will help her to start living an active life. Lacey is an extra large pup, currently weighing over 100 pounds,  A little moderate exercise will help Lacey to slim down a touch and in turn, we think she’ll make a terrific walking companion. Don’t let her size fool you though, this girl is all lap dog! Given the chance, she will make herself right at home on the couch and is likely to steal the best spot in the house.

Lacey can be selective about the other dogs she wants to live with; she did live with another large male with no issues.  However, she hasn’t been fond of younger, high-energy dogs that get in her face and she doesn’t seem to do well with other females.  Lacey would do just fine in a home with elementary-aged kids or older.

Lacey’s adoption fee is $250 and includes spay surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, a microchip with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If you would like to meet this great gal, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Cat of the Week: Ruckus

Julia D Cat of the Week

Ruckus first joined Last Hope in 2020 He was adopted by a wonderful family and lived very happily with two kids and two other cats.  Unfortunately, one of Ruckus’ parents passed away in 2023 and he was returned a few months later to our care. Ruckus is so friendly but understandably a little brokenhearted as his whole world fell apart very quickly. Ruckus would love a home with people of all ages and we think that with a proper introduction, he can live easily with other animals as he has before.  We hope that Ruckus can find his forever family and that we can assure him he will never be rehomed again! He is about 4-1/2 years old.

Ruckus’ adoption fee is $85 and includes neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations, and a microchip with free lifetime registration.

If you’d like to meet this great kitty, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Dog of the Week: Oreo Blue

Julia D Dog of the Week

Kisses, Kisses, Kisses – Oreo Blue (Blue) is a loving and playful puppy. When she came to Last Hope, she was not potty trained, she did not come when you called her, and she was only somewhat crate trained. She is now potty trained, is listening better, and is crate trained.  We would not leave her out of her kennel alone just yet; she can be a little sneaky because she’s still just a pup after all! Blue is very calm inside the house for still being in the adolescent puppy stage. Blue wants to be around people and loves to play with other dogs but has not been around any cats yet.  She loves to be by your side, whether in your bed, on the couch, or lying in the same room.

She is very playful (ball and rope) and has lots of energy.  She rides well in the car and has no issues getting into the vehicle. She is game for anything and with anyone.  Blue is on dry dog food and is on a schedule that she reminds you of. A fenced-in yard is a must as this girl has wanderlust and she will love having a big yard to run in.  She is currently learning to be on a leash and she loves being outside.  Blue is very smart and if you take the time to work with her, she will catch on very quickly.   Oreo Blue will make a family very happy and she will flourish in her forever home. Blue is about one year old.

If you’d like to meet this sweetie, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Cat of the Week: Ellen

Julia D Cat of the Week

Ellen is a beautiful Lynx Point Siamese, estimated to be around 1.5 years old.  Not familiar with this breed mix of cats? You can learn more HERE. Ellen is one of many local cats that joined the rescue just before Christmastime. She is social, friendly, and outgoing and currently shares space with other adoptable cats. Ellen enjoys playing with enrichment toys such as cardboard scratchers or running around chasing and batting fuzzy kitty toys.

She does very well living with other cats, and we think she would enjoy this in her new home as well. Ellen is not a big fan of being picked up, but she will gladly stop playing for some pets and affection. She will be best suited to a home with older or cat-savvy children for this reason.  She is happiest curled up in her cat bed with another feline companion, and we believe she will make a wonderful addition to a new home!

Volunteers of the Month: Cristi and Darrin Hearn

Julia D Happy Tails

Cristi and Darrin Hearn adopted a dog, Maggie, from Last Hope and that’s how they came to know about us. They liked the care that the foster home and Last Hope gave to Maggie and the lengths we went to to keep her safe. In 2017 Cristi and Darrin themselves began fostering.

In addition to fostering dogs, they also make treats for events and donate some of their profits from their Etsy store to Last Hope.

When asked why they like volunteering they said, “We believe in the mission of doing whatever is necessary in protecting the animals that can’t help themselves.”

They say they love Last Hope and everything it does. Cristi and Darrin are happy to do their part.

Their Cat Bianca

We could not save as many animals as we do without dedicated foster homes like that of the Hearns!

Dogs of the Week: Stella’s Puppies

Julia D Dog of the Week

Stella is a beautiful brindle-colored female who joined Last Hope in a state of emergency; she was pregnant, in labor, and one of her puppies was stuck in her birth canal. She required an emergency c-section to save the lives of her unborn puppies as well as her own.  On December 4th, ten perfect and healthy puppies were born! Stella’s litter of TEN puppies are all seeking homes now; they are old enough to have had their vaccines and dewormer and are healthy, roly-poly puppies!

If you are interested in adding a puppy to your family, we ask that you please submit an adoption application for consideration.  Approved adopters will be invited to join us for a get-together where you can meet all of the available puppies and from there let us know which puppy you feel is the best match. Please let us know if you have a specific puppy in mind, or if you have a preference on the sex of the puppy that you would like to adopt. There are SIX male puppies to choose from and FOUR females.  We have brindle, grey/blue, white & grey, and black & white puppies.  Each puppy is cuter than the next! We do not know the specific breed mix of these puppies; momma Stella looks to be a staffy mix female around 50 pounds.

The adoption fee for each puppy is $300 and includes spay/neuter surgery, being up to date on vaccinations and preventives, a microchip with free lifetime registration, and a free obedience class.

If you’d like to be a part of the get-together to indicate which puppy you’d be interested in, please complete an adoption application HERE.

Happy Tail: Ippos

Julia D Happy Tails

Ippos, formerly Baymax, found a wonderful home with Irene and Blake. He has separation anxiety and is deaf; special needs pets usually have a hard time finding a home. But Irene and Blake were very open and accepting of his needs and learned hand signals to communicate with him.

“We heard about Last Hope through an acquaintance when we were looking to find a new companion after one of our dogs passed away unexpectedly.  She put us in touch with Last Hope who thought they had the perfect dog for us once they found out we were willing to take on a special needs dog.

When choosing a pet, we primarily were looking for one who not only fit our lifestyle but would also get along with the dog we had at the time.  Family members also have dogs, so it was important that we find a dog who could be around both people and dogs.
Ippos is doing well as part of our family.  He loves to go on hikes, walk with his human and canine friends, chew on his Nylabones, swim in the local lakes and rivers, chase his big red ball, visit friends, and nap on the sofa when we work at home. He mentally knows where his canine and human friends live and will attempt to take us for visits on his daily walks.  Ippos has made his dislike of the cold well-known and will refuse to go on walks when the temperature is below 20°, and will steal the chair in the greenhouse if given the opportunity in order to soak up some warmth. He enjoys playing fetch with a rope and watching the deer walk past our house.
We had several adjustment periods as he has separation anxiety and is deaf.  There was his adjustment to a new home, our adjustment to communicating with a deaf dog and dealing with his anxiety, our former dog’s adjustment to having a new sibling again, the adjustment to her passing, getting a deaf foster puppy, and then moving. Overall, he’s dealt with the majority of these fairly well.  We’ve picked up his commands and continue to work with him on a regular basis.  We have found a routine and a medication regimen that minimize his separation anxiety–this was the toughest adjustment for the humans as it was absolutely heart-breaking to listen to him when he had to be crated.  Now that we have a routine, things are usually good and we know how to adapt when nonroutine issues pop up.  Dealing with the foster puppy was probably the most frustrating adjustment for him after adapting to a new routine because the puppy was not hearing his warnings.  Despite this, he did a wonderful job of trying to teach the puppy how to play, how to sunbathe, and demonstrating what different hand signals mean.  He showed no distress when the foster puppy found a home.
What we love about Ippos is that he’s very loving.  If we manage to get home without him realizing it, it’s amazing to see his eyes light up when he realizes his people are home, and he gives hugs (which we have not had any luck breaking him of) to all guests.  He was also good with our former elderly canine after their initial adjustment period.  Prior to Autumn’s passing, Ippos would patiently wait behind her when she insisted on going upstairs by herself and stand in a location to try to prevent her from falling down if possible.  He was also incredibly patient with her on walks as would insist on going but struggled to go very fast or very far.  Ippos is the perfect mix of adventure and couch potato for me, as he will happily hike all day when the weather is nice (we’re still working on the wearing of a pack for his water) but in winter he’s happy to curl up with you while you read, work on the computer, or watch movies. Blake, on the other hand, wishes Ippos didn’t dislike the cold so much so snowshoeing excursions could be longer. His favorite person is his Aunt Christen, who is a friend who lives a few blocks away.
For those who worked with him and knew him, he still likes to hug everyone he sees/meets.”
Ippos now has two new canine siblings: Freyja and Bilbeau. He has managed to teach Bilbeau the fine art of walking and sitting on the back of the couch!
Not everyone is able to take on a special needs dog and Irene and Blake have done a wonderful job with Ippos. He’s a very lucky boy!