Adoption Success Stories

*Jax*	*Chance*	*Beeps*	*Bandit*

When my first WFT , Stryker (who was the absolute love of my life), passed away last year, I began working with Fox Terrier Rescue to find a companion for my second WFT, Digsby. The situation was a complicated one because Digsby, whom we had rescued from our local Humane Society in February of 2002, had some serious behavior issues, including fear biting, and a major case of separation anxiety.

After inquiring about several dogs that were posted on the WFT website, Shirley Taylor (who is wonderful) referred me to Kathy Lauer, who had a little girl named Lola. After learning that Lola had a case of separation anxiety herself, Kathy and I determined that she would not be a good match for Digsby as we felt they would only promote each others fears. This commonality did, however, serve as a base for a great friendship between Kathy and I. We compared notes on our "troubled ones" and kept in touch via e-mail while I searched for another WFT. I communicated with several of the great rescue volunteers, and inquired about several available WFTs , but after several months of searching, I still hadn’t found a compatible friend for Digsby. Then … fate stepped in!

Kathy L. had an owner in her area that was looking to place an 8 ½ year old little boy named Jax. Although I will admit that I was like everyone else at first and wanted a younger dog, something about this little guy just spoke to me and I knew he was meant for my family. Kathy put me in touch with Jax’s first mom, also named Kathy, and she and I had several telephone conversations so that she could get to know me, and I could get to know Jax. Thankfully, she decided to place him in our home.

I live in Michigan and they lived in Minnesota, so I met his first mom and Kathy L. in Wisconsin so that I could pick up Jax. When I met him it was love at first sight! He is an absolute little bundle of joy and proved right off the bat that we should never underestimate an older Fox Terrier. He proceeded to play ball with my best friend (yes, in the car) for the entire 3.5 hour drive back home to Michigan and basically only stops playing ball to eat and sleep at night. He has more energy than Digsby, who is not even ½ his age! Jax gets along perfectly with Digsby – which was a HUGE relief to us. I’m certain that a puppy would have annoyed him – not knowing any better. But Jax, being older, immediately understood Digby’s personality and they’ve never had so much as a tiff.

If you are considering adopting a dog, and are stuck on the idea of a puppy, I strongly encourage you to reconsider and think about adopting an older dog. After having done so myself, I can honestly tell you that I doubt I will ever have a puppy again. No one likes the necessary evil of potty training and the disciplinary actions to avoid chewing, etc. With an older dog you get to avoid all of that and still have all the benefits of dog ownership, as well as giving a dog love, and getting all the joy and love in return! If you’re worried about the "bonding" time that normally accompanies puppy hood, I can assure you that Jax has bonded with us just fine. He sleeps snuggled to my feet every night and wants to be near us all of the time.

If energy level is a concern, trust me – with Wires, it shouldn’t be. A typical day with Jax consist of several hours of ball playing over the course of lunch hours and evenings when we get home from work. He also loves to play tug of war with his rope, running around our backyard, and playing in his swimming pool.

As for his 4 year-old brother, Digsby … he very much enjoys watching Jax (who just turned 9) run around the back yard like a fiend from the comfort of his lounge chair – with absolutely no intentions of joining him!

Adopting Jax has been one of the best experiences of our lives. We couldn’t love him more if we had gotten him as a puppy. Puppies are wonderful, but I’ve now learned that older dogs can be just as wonderful and have just as much love and joy to give their owners.

Chance: (Deaf Wire Fox Terrier) I had been looking into getting a WFT puppy and a friend of mine told me about WFT rescue in MN. I asked my husband what he thought. He was happy not to go through another puppy after all we went through with Teagen, our 1 1/2 year old Airedale! As I started my search for a WFT I met Kathy who had a lovely girl named Lola. After many e-mails we felt that Lola would not be the best match with my girl Teagen - ya' know how terrier girls can act together! Kathy helped me find Buster who we renamed "Buster's second Chance". We call him Chance and he is a special dog.

Kathy guided me through the process of getting Chance, which included an application process and passing a home visit by some people from rescue. I also met Bonnie who was Chance's foster mom. He had lots of love from her, too.

Chance is very special because he is deaf. He is a very loving dog. I forget sometimes that he is deaf because he doesn't act any differently than any other dog. He is friendly and loves people, and we call him our snuggle bug. Chance has been going through classes with a trainer that teaches sign language to dogs. He will graduate May 23rd!!! We are proud of you Chance!!!!! Chance has been to my son's school and we talked about dogs for adoption and special needs dogs. Chance loved to be star of show!!!! Our son Alex is 6 years old and he and Chance love being together. Our family is very blessed to have Chance and Teagen they are only a month apart in age. I guess they were meant to be together.

I can't thank Kathy and Bonnie enough I wish I could give everyone the joy we receive from Chance. Thank you for your wonderful friendship.

Beeps: (Wire fox terrier) My husband has never had a dog before, and I wanted to make sure his first experience was positive. Although we opted to stay away from a special-needs dog, an older dog appealed to me. I figured less training was necessary and an older WFT might be a bit calmer than an enthusiastic young pup. Plus I was happy to take a dog that might be more difficult to place because of her age. Adopting an older dog was a great decision.

Beeps is the perfect fit for our family. She doesn't chew or bark. She's relatively calm and mild-mannered, but she's also full of spunk and sass. She can turn it on whenever she chooses. She is friendly with adults and children, and loves to go on adventures. Our friends and family adore her.

Happiest when we take her for three walks a day, Beeps struts with determination and confidence. More often than not, we can't keep up with her. Passers-by are surprised to learn she is 7 years old; they assume she's only 3 or 4 because she is so spry. We live by the Mississippi River and take her for walks there daily. One day I passed some speed-walkers. They teased me that my little dog walked faster than me. And I explained that she was my exercise coach!

The first few weeks we had her, my husband and I stared at Beeps adoringly and wondered why we were so lucky to get such a perfect dog. Well, after a few months now, the honeymoon is over and her true colors are shining through. We experienced behavioral issues once she settled in, but we were able to work through everything quickly. Beeps now is completely settled in doing great! We have a blast with good old Beeps. She is our Baby Girl, our Puppa Dog, our Red-Hot Beepster.

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Already, we've learned a lot from Beeps and she's learned a lot from us. And I know we have more to share. We're looking forward to many more happy years together! Maybe in another 7, she'll slow down enough for me to keep up with her!

During the adoption process, we considered dogs in other states and we also passed over a couple of dogs whom I'm sure were very sweet, but just didn't seem like a good fit. I can't thank Kathy enough for her help in finding the perfect match for our family. And I'm grateful for all the advice and support she has provided since we adopted our sweet sweet girl.

Bandit: (Smooth fox terrier) Here is a letter I received from "Bandit" after he went to his new home in Montana - I think he may have had some help typing it....:

Hi Nancy & Kathy! Mom says that I need to update you on what's happening here with me.

    She says that I'm being very good (honest!) and that I'm learning things very fast!

    I haven't had one accident in the house since I've been here & now know to come & get Mom or Dad when I need to go outside! I've learned to come when my name is called whether I want to or not (I like the hot dog treats!) and I even came back on the first call when Dad accidentally left the gate to my yard open last week! Mom was very proud of me!! I have a new training leash called a Gentle Leader and it helps me to walk without tugging so hard & also to remember not to do annoying things like bark & jump when the hair dryer or the garbage disposal run! I only wear it when I go for walks or when I get overly excited.

    Mom made me a flag cover for my collar for the 4th of July & I wore it when we went to Glacier Park on Sunday. I met lots of people & everyone thought I was very handsome.

    I've learned to sit & wait while my meals are being prepared & eat only after I'm given the OK command! I'm learning to hang out with Mom & Dad when they do fun things like go on picnics, go to Glacier Park & stuff. They say that we're going on a camping trip to Canada in @ 3 weeks so I'm working very hard to be ready! I've learned which furniture I can get up on & which furniture is only for people.--At least for now! Bandit