Adopting Another Stateside Shelter Dog!

(guest blog by Shannon)

After our dog Bristol died this past February (RIP 2/7/13), we adopted our new one-yr old Lab "Chukar" from a rescue group in North Carolina. Ken already posted about that experience. At the time we chose Chukar, he was at the rescue ranch with his yellow Lab brother (Rex), they had been brought in together from a shelter where they were dropped off as strays.

  

We had sentimental reasons for choosing the black brother (Duke), mostly because he reminded us of our previous dog Chuck (RIP 10/14/11), which is why we re-named him Chukar.  We kept tabs on the yellow brother and were happy when he went to a home a couple weeks later, and stayed in touch via Facebook with his adoptive family who re-named him Ike.  We were always a bit sad about separating the brothers.

Chukar was a handful.  Crazy like a crazy cat, pouncing and playing and jumping on the counters and generally using our house (and us) as a jungle gym.  We love the little guy though, what he lacked in manners, he more than made up for in personality, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.  Our older dog Bo Peep loved him too, having another dog to cuddle with, but sometimes didn't like being his jungle gym accessory and so wouldn't play back with him and he has energy to burn.




After six weeks or so, we got a call from the rescue group (Joy at Ruf Creek Ranch!) that the yellow brother had been returned by the family that adopted him.  They had a hard time keeping him in their partially-fenced yard, he chased squirrels, darted out their door and didn't get along with their older dog.  Hmmm.  Did we know anyone that might want him?....  Immediately, we knew the answer... Chukar wants him. We needed to re-unite the brothers.  The decision was easy, we were on board.  The logistics....?  Not so easy.

It is never easy getting a large dog on or off the island, especially in the summer months.

This came up during the first weekend of May.  We were facing some challenges with the weather, as we had to transport him by plane to the islands.  Delta Airlines shuts down all pet travel in the baggage compartment on May 15th. American Airlines allows pets, but only if the temperature at all airports along the way is forecasted to be less than 85 degrees.  St Thomas? Miami?  85 degrees was getting to be pretty normal.  We were limited to early morning or late evening flights. American won't fly the large size kennels on the smaller plane they use out of Raleigh-Durham, and we looked at every logistical solution and concluded that we had to get him from North Carolina to Miami, and then fly out of Miami on the night flight.

After the dust settled, here is how it worked, my "Memorial Day Road Trip with Blake" (we re-named him Blake, sounds like Ike, but liked it better).  Ken stayed home with the other dogs, I needed a trip off the rock, to drive on the right side of the road, go to big box stores, and eat Taco Bell!

- Friday night, I flew from St. Thomas to Charlotte, NC on American (was supposed to be Charleston, SC on US Airways, but US Air cancelled or delayed all my flights and I had to rebook at the airport, etc, was typical nightmare flying experience). Spent the night at airport La Quinta in Charlotte. got three hours of sleep, grabbed my complimentary banana and headed back to the airport for another cancelled flight.

- So the rescue group and I connected and changed all plans.  I rented a car in Charlotte, NC, went to PetSmart to get some basic supplies.

- The rescue group found a volunteer pilot from Paws and Pilots (www.pilotsnpaws.org) to fly the dog from Raleigh to Charlotte on a little Cessna.  At the last minute, they were re-routed to Monroe, NC, another 45 min drive.


- I met Blake for the first time, he was so sweet! Confused, anxious, but incredibly focused on me and so affectionate.  I knew this would all be worth it.

- We drove six hours to Jacksonville, FL, I exchanged the rental car for a mini-van, bought an airline approved travel crate, spent the night at the pet-friendly Red Roof Inn by airport rental lots

- I drove down the coast of Florida with many fun stops at dog parks and dog beaches, bonding with Blake! Took scenic routes, spent 6 hrs on the road. Spent Sunday night at pet friendly La Quinta in West Palm Beach.

 - Monday morning, we leisurely made our way down to Miami, about 2.5 hrs plus a stop at another beach, with a final potty stop at a dog park right near the airport

- Returned the mini-van rental at the Marriott airport hotel Hertz counter, awesome! Thank you Ken for that part, would have been nearly impossible logistically any other way as one person to drop the car off at airport rental lot

- Met up with Francisco, a tour mini-van operator who Ken found online, that agreed to meet me at the Marriott and drive me and Blake and the crate to the check in counter.   It went so smoothly that we were early.  Check in went smoothly too and we had an extra 40 minutes to chill out on a bench in the A/C with a chew toy and get Blake calmed down for the flight.

- Boarded the flight, got confirmation from the pilot that Blake was on board!  We were an hour delayed taking off due to mechanical issues, but it was cloudy and drizzly and 81 degrees, so he was okay waiting down in the cargo hold for our departure.

- Landed in St. Thomas, they unloaded him promptly (which doesn't always happen!), he was scared to death coming around the baggage carousel.  He and Ken met for the first time, and home we went!

We reunited the brothers that night, it was late and dark and raining outside, Blake was amped up from his crazy trip, Chukar was surprised, and it didn't go great.  They had a little sparring match, but then settled in together for the night. We know that with some patience, they will be best of friends again.

Blake has been a great addition to the pack. Our senior Bo Peep loves him, such entertainment to watch now.  Our pack of three Labs is our family.  And brothers will be brothers with the bickering, but Chukar loves him too!  They play chase, share bones, and are both learning more manners.

What an adventure for me and Blake!  We are so happy we went through the effort to go get him.  He's in his forever home now.  It is not easy to bring large dogs to the US Virgin Islands, but we have done it now (four times), and it gets less stressful every time.

Blake's an island dog now, enjoying his Life on a Rock!

New Shelter Rescue Lab Arrives in St Thomas!

What do you do when you lose your best friend? You find another best friend?

As you may know we lost Bristol about a month ago. We were left with Bo Peep as our only dog, something I haven't experienced since 1999 and one that Shannon hasn't experienced since she met me in 2001. In total we went from 5 Labs to one in a matter of 20 months. Poor Bo Peep was just as devastated as we were with the loss.

We do have a shelter here in St Thomas, and yes we do support the Humane Society here, recently spending over $1500 on their recent Doggie Ball. But, I have always had Labs my whole life. I know there are dogs here that need homes, but I know what I am getting with a Lab. Floppy ears, sense of adventure, swimming, happy go lucky demeanor, loyal and the list goes on.

After about 4 days of losing Bristol, I began to surf the net on Lab rescue groups, Florida, Atlanta and North Carolina (my father lives in Cedar Point, NC). On the first day, I found one in NC that looked intriguing  but there was only one picture. I sent an email to get more pictures, but this person works full time and does rescue in her spare time, so it would be a few days. I found another in Atlanta that I thought was going to be a match, but he already got adopted. We debated on adopting two from Florida, but they weren't too keen on the dog going to St Thomas, and by the time I heard from anyone, the dog was adopted.

After about a week, pictures finally came of Duke, a one year old male in NC. I fell in love him as he so much resembled my old Lab, Chuck has passed away 18 months ago. This shelter was a two hour drive from my dad's house and I had asked him to go visit him on a Saturday (can only see the dogs on Sat and Sunday as Joy works Mon-Fri). We watched Duke on our IPad with Facetime. He looked great and good personality! Take him home George! The name of the shelter is Ruf Creek Ranch and you can click on there to see their site.

Well, poor George and his wife Pat. This poor dog had been in shelters and rescue groups for the last 3 months. I guess he was turned in as a stray to a shelter in Raleigh (even though the man who turned him and another yellow in cried when he left?) which is a short time kill shelter. Well, he certainly stirred things up at my Dad's house with his two rescue labs. He wasn't house trained, ate my dad's glasses, ruined a vase, ran rampant and was a little crazy. He was a sweetheart though!

I made my flight reservations on Delta with frequent flier miles to fly in and spend a few days with my dad and the new dog and get him used to a crate for his big flight. I arrived on Wednesday night with him in the back of the 4Runner. He licked my face! That night he slept in the bed with me.

George's house doesn't have a fence, so trying to house train him was an experience. My first morning it was 34 degrees, something I haven't experienced in a while. That morning we loaded up and took Chukar to the vet for his health certificate. Wait a minute, I thought his name was Duke? Well, Joy named him Duke. I had promised Chuck that when he was dying that I was going to get another boy like him and name him Chuck Junior or Chukar. Chukar is a bird, just like a quail, and there are hunts with Labs in California and Nevada. Sorry for that diversion! He checks out at the vet so off to Pet Smart for a crate. Assembled that in the parking lot, in you go Chukar. Now off to Taco Bell (those who know me, I have an addiction).

The rest of my days were spent walking Chukar in the rain, yes whenever I visit George it rains, I am not too sure if it only happens when I am there or is Coastal Carolina always rainy? Also had a nice time with his neighbors and going out dinner and some shopping for supplies at Wal-Mart to bring back here. Triscuits and Salad dressing are two things I focus on. Here in St Thomas, there isn't much of a selection of lite salad dressing not to mention $4.50 a bottle, and triscuits are double the price here.

Sunday, Daytona 500 and getting the crate and paperwork ready for my trip on Monday.

Monday 1:30 AM, I am awake and stressed. Quick shower and off to walk Chukar to see if he will go potty before his big trip. Well, I got a pee out of him. Load the suit cases, walk him again, no poop. 3AM - depart for Wilmington, NC airport. We stopped after an hour for another potty break, got another pee. Getting nervous now that the crate will be filled with poo upon its arrival in St Thomas.

Arrived at the airport at 5AM. Small airport, pulled right up to the door and the gentleman at the check in counter was awesome!  Thanks Kyle! He got my suitcase checked in first. Then had me bring in the crate and put it on a trolley. He said to leave it there and come back at 6 AM. Awesome, I can try to get him to poop! So we parked in short term and I took him up to the pet walking area, and he presented me with a great big turd! Relieved again!

6 AM - TSA comes over to inspect the crate and dog. Zip tie him up, he has his tray of ice cubes for drinking water. Kyle closes his line for check in and takes him to be loaded.

I went and boarded, gave the pilot a bag of cookies with a card asking him to make sure he is on board. The flight attendant came back and told he was on. Off for a 1.5 hour flight to Atlanta. Arrive in Atlanta 10 mins late, we still have an hour layover. Board my next plane to St Thomas. Gave the box of cookies to the flight attendant to give to the pilots. The captain came back to my seat and told me he was an animal lover to and that he will ensure that we will not leave without Chukar on board. What a relief! I was watching them load the plane and saw the crate going up the conveyor belt.

3 hour flight now to St Thomas. I had the movie, Lincoln on to distract me. I should have napped instead though, but I was too nervous.

We arrived in St Thomas and parked. As I exited the plane down the outside stairs, I waited by the wing to see Chukar come off. He was the second item out.  I could see his black head moving around! Now time to go and meet Shannon in the baggage area.  Out comes Chukar and Shannon gets to see him for the first time. We got a porter to help us out to the Toyota. Loaded him up for the 20 minute ride home.
(We do not have an animal quarantine here in the Virgin Islands) Well, one thing went wrong that day. We have curvy and steep roads here. The crate tipped over to a 45 degree angle, the next curve he went back down. Sorry buddy!

Finally we are home, let him out of the crate and into the fenced yard! He went potty right away. He got to meet Bo Peep too!

Yesterday we tried swimming. The first beach we went to was too rough with waves and he was scared of the waves. So I took him to a more calm beach. Still afraid, so I carried him into the water. He swam, but wouldn't come back in. When I got home I carried him into the pool to rinse off and yet again he was afraid of swimming?  Hopefully he will get used to it!

So far all is well, he had two pee accidents, but is adjusting well to island life here in St Thomas!