2020 Calendar Animal Stories

Keely, 10 – COVER

Keely loves water sports, tennis balls and nap time. Adopted as a puppy when her owner could no longer take care of her, Keely is a star with a multitude of fans.  Keely’s family report that she is absolutely adorable and without a doubt the best ‘person’ in the household!  At 10 years of age, Keely remains enthusiastically puppy-like and active.

Golden Retrievers are one of the most beloved dogs, known for being even-tempered, intelligent and affectionate. They are playful but also gentle with children. Friendly with everyone (strangers, children, dogs, cats, smaller pets), their bark is welcoming rather than protective.  Golden Retrievers respond well to training as they are eager to please and wonderfully responsive, and will do practically anything for a little praise and some food. This makes them a great choice for first time dog owners.

Riley, 16 – JANUARY

Since he was adopted at age 13 from the OMHS, Riley’s days are filled with love, relaxation and contentment … he is truly living “the life of Riley”.  

At 13 years old, Riley was abandoned by his previous people, left outside in the cold winter, ill with diabetes and rotting teeth. Luckily, he was quickly rescued and brought to OMHS. After medical care including a full mouth extraction and getting his diabetes under control, Riley started to feel much better and enjoyed the attention of the shelter volunteers and staff while waiting for his new forever home. He waited a long time as some people were scared off by his age and diabetes. Not us! It was love at first sight and Riley settled into his new home with ease. Every day of the past three years with him has been a joy. He’s loving his retirement and all the comforts he deserves as an indoor cat, including the company of our three other cats. He loves to sit at the screen door for fresh air and bird watching. Sometimes we’ll carry him around the backyard, securely in our arms, so he can smell the flowers!

Reese, 3 – FEBRUARY

Loaded with charm and personality, Reese is one of the goodwill ambassadors of our Humane Education program. Surrendered when his family could no longer care for him, Reese has blossomed with all the great care he receives here and truly enjoys working with the children in our Kindness Clubs, P.A. Day Programs, and March Break and Summer Camps. Find out more about our Community Outreach and Education Program on our website: omhs.ca.

With their furry features and funny personalities, guinea pigs make excellent pets and are fun for the entire family. While every guinea pig will have its own unique personality, they are very curious animals and love to explore. Just like cats, guinea pigs purr when they are happy. They also like to pop! ‘Popcorning’ is unique behaviour more commonly seen in young guinea pigs when they are happy or excited. They jump up straight into the air over and over. Reese will ‘work’ at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society for a year and then he’ll be off to his forever home.

Lucy, 5 – MARCH

Lucy is proud to be a therapy dog and enthusiastically provides support and the invaluable joy of animal companionship to people in the community. Lucy makes all the difference to those she visits.

Therapy dogs provide an important service. If you’re a dog lover, just being with your pet feels good. So it’s no surprise that therapy dogs are healing companions for people with health conditions such as cancer, post-traumatic stress syndrome and dementia.

When dogs like Lucy are humanely trained and professionally evaluated to participate with their guardians/handlers in animal-assisted therapy applications and in social visits to hospitals, nursing homes and similar facilities, they can make a world of difference to the people they visit. Their comforting nature can lift someone’s spirits and improve the overall well-being of those who need support whether it is mentally, emotionally or physically.

Rory, 3 – APRIL

Rory is like a dog because he gives kisses, grunts to get your attention and gets excited when someone greets him.

Rory’s family have a hopping good time with him. They rescued him this year and report that “he is a real love! Rory is full of kisses and loves to be petted. Rory is missing his bottom incisors but that doesn’t slow him down. He loves to eat, especially treats of banana and shredded carrot. He gets monthly trimming of his top incisors by his veterinarian who is so good with him!!”

Rabbits can make wonderful indoor companions. They are adorable and brimming with personality. Of course each rabbit has his or her own distinctive personality. Being social, rabbits need lots of time with their humans to be happy and need daily playtime and exercise outside of their pen to stay healthy and trim.

Rabbits can’t be picked up by the ears (or stomach) though. Instead, you put one hand under their front and support the other end and hind legs with your other hand.

Playful and loving, rabbits are meticulously clean and like to be gently brushed. Did you know that rabbits are smart and can learn to use a litterbox? While rabbit pellets are delicious they also need lots of hay and fresh veggies. Yummm!

Just like dogs and cats, rabbits form close bonds with their pet parents so it is very sad that many of the rabbits at OMHS were abandoned in the wild where they would not survive. Voting for Rory has helped the rabbits at OMHS. Thank you!

Sophie, 3 mo. – MAY

Meow! I’m Sophie! Paws up to all my pawsome fur-ends who voted for me. Did you know they found me and my sisters (J.K. Meowling, Fleas Witherspoon and Meowly Cyrus) abandoned in a field? It was a cat-astrophe! We were fur-tunate that we got rescued by the Oakville & Milton Humane Society. We were orphans and couldn’t have survived without our mom. Fur-real! We were so lucky ‘cause we got rescued and we got to stay with a furry nice volunteer foster family so we could grow big and strong.

Newborn kittens are adorable with their sweet little faces and tiny folded ears. They weigh between three and five ounces and cannot see or hear. They are exceptionally fragile. Some of the kittens are orphaned and at this delicate age it’s essential for the kittens to be kept warm and be bottle fed every two hours.

While kittens can be born at any time of the year, the greatest number of kittens are born during ‘kitten season’, which begins in early spring and runs through late fall. This is the time of the year when pregnant cats, and nursing and orphaned kittens come into the shelter.

Your votes for me provided special kitten formula, food, supplies and vaccines to raise me until I was ready to find my fur-ever family.  Now that’s something to purr about!

Luna, 4 – JUNE

As sweet as she is pretty, you would hardly know that Luna destroyed two sofas, six TV remotes and several pairs of shoes all before she turned two.

Hi my name is Luna. I’m a very sweet, fuzzy Golden Retriever. I live with my family – human mum and dad, my Golden Retriever sister and my two brothers who are cats. Lots of action going on in my house, which I do enjoy. But my very favourite thing to do is sit on the window ledge watching the world go by. I’m not really allowed to do this, but it’s so much fun. You’ll note that, on this day, I got caught (tee hee).

“Golden retrievers are not bred to be guard dogs, and considering the size of their hearts and their irrepressible joy in life, they are less likely to bite than to bark, less likely to bark than to lick a hand in greeting. In spite of their size, they think they are lap dogs, and in spite of being dogs, they think they are also human, and nearly every human they meet is judged to have the potential to be a boon companion who might, at many moment, cry, “Let’s go!” and lead them on a great adventure.” – Dean Koontz

Yukii, 11 – JULY

Yukki’s parents report “We rescued Yukii a few years ago. We don’t know much about her first home, but in her second home, she was abused by a young child and she was declawed. When we brought her home, her whiskers were cut short and she was so shy.

Shortly after bringing Yukki home she was sick and would drag her leg while crying. Our veterinarian did some testing and found out she had a sensitive tummy and her knee-caps were slipping. Luckily our vet was able to help us find a solution (dasuquin for her knees and occasional probiotics for her tummy) and now she’s all better!

Yukki is now a very happy kitty! She spends most of her day watching the leaves blowing in the wind and animal/people watching out the window. In the morning, she always joins me in the bathroom as I get ready and she always greets us when we come home and rolls around on the floor for pets. She loves to play with her “bug” (a fake bug on a string), “scraggly” (a once copter toy made with feathers on a string that she nearly destroyed but she loves) and her ball of nip that she will zoom around the apartment after. After playing she will sleep belly up with her adorable floofy toes curled!”

She has really blossomed and is full of confidence in her fur-ever-home with us and we love her very much and look forward to many more years with her!

Cozmo, 2 – AUGUST

Children in the neighbourhood park love to pet and play with Cozmo – he even has his own Fan Club!

Cozmo is an adorable, loveable Shih Tzu who loves his doggy treats. Friendly, lively and devoted, Cozmo can melt many a heart with his abundant looks and distinctive face. Children in the neighbourhood park love to pet and play with Cozmo – he even has his own Fan Club!

 James Mumsford, an American teacher and composer, perhaps described the Shih Tzu best: “Nobody knows how the ancient eunuchs managed to mix together: a dash of lion, several teaspoons of rabbit, a couple of ounces of domestic cat, one part court jester, a dash of ballerina, a pinch of old man, a bit of beggar, a tablespoon of monkey, one part baby seal, a dash of teddy bear, and, for the rest, dogs of Tibetan and Chinese origin.”

Shih Tzus are known for their perky, happy temperaments. The personality of a Shih Tzu is a dynamic blend of the attentive and affectionate lap-dog, and the dignified companion. Shih Tzus don’t hunt, herd or guard as they were bred to be a friendly companion. They are lively and friendly and tend to get along well with people and pets. They boast a classy background as they were originally kept by royal Chinese families during the Ming Dynasty.

The name means little lion but there is nothing fierce about this dog breed. Shih Tzus are affectionate, happy, outgoing and want nothing more than to be with their people.

Oliver, 4 – SEPTEMBER

My twin brother Eli and I spend our days chasing anything that moves and making everyone around us smile and laugh. Thank goodness that our Mommy, Jasmine, was adopted just in time for us to come into the world!

My name is Oliver and I’m four years old. My mom was a stray Tabby and she was rescued. That was the best, because it meant we were born indoors in a wonderful home where we were safe and cared for.

We have an amazing life and we want the same for all of our friends at the Oakville & Milton Humane Society (OMHS)!  When you voted for me you helped all of the animals at OMHS. We are thankful for the wonderful caregivers at the shelter who never let any of our friends go without the best care

Did you know that having a cat as part of your family is good for your health? Cats help lower your risk of heart disease and reduce stress and anxiety. Cats can also bathe themselves, are litter-trained and fun to play with. The purring of a cat is one of the most comforting sounds in the world!

Charlie, 13 – OCTOBER

Charlie’s Grandma wanted to play fetch with him but she forgot a ball so threw a stone!  He was hooked and now prefers a stone over a ball!

Charlie was adopted when he was one and a half years old as his previous owner was going to euthanize him. Charlie got the second chance he so deserved with a loving and caring family who opened their home and hearts. Charlie’s family report that he is the sweetest and most caring dog!

One day, Charlie’s Grandma wanted to play fetch with him but she forgot a ball so threw a stone. Charlie loved fetching the stone and was hooked! He now prefers a stone over a ball! His family make sure he does not chew on the stones which can be dangerous for dogs.

No one told Charlie he’s a ‘senior’. At 13 years young, Charlie loves to play fetch and go for walks. While every animal is different, there are general guidelines that help to determine when an animal becomes a senior. Dogs in general may be called a senior at eight years of age but larger dogs age more quickly and may be a senior at seven whereas a smaller dog at this age might be just middle aged.

Senior pets should have annual check-ups, and you should talk to your veterinarian about special diet, exercise and care.

Abigail, 7 – NOVEMBER

Abby had a rough start in life. She was found on a bitter cold November morning under the hood of a car after travelling on the 401 highway. Just a kitten, Abby was scared, hungry and near death. With medical intervention and a miracle, Abby survived.

Since her rescue, Abby enjoys happy and peaceful days in her favourite lounge chair.

Abby is now seven years old and her parents report that she “has the most beautiful coat and colouring. She is timid, gentle, curious and very loving. Abby has, and continues to bring a lot of happiness into our home. We are very fortunate to have her.”

Abigail wishes everyone a purr-fect month.

Rory, 11 mo. – DECEMBER

Rory loves nothing more than being chased. It’s her favourite game and will force you to play by taking all your stuff.

Hi there! My name is Rory – yes, as in Rory Gilmore. I’m an Australian Shepherd pup living my best life here in Oakville. You can usually find me at the doggy park or at the Starbucks down the road enjoying an occasional puppucino.

I hate to admit it but I am so spoiled by my hoomans. My one wish is for all the animals to be cared for and loved as much as I am.

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent and energetic working dog with strong herding and guarding instincts. Known as the ‘Aussie’, they are not from Australia but thought to have originated in Europe. They are lively and vivacious yet easy-going dogs.

The great intelligence of these dogs, necessary to out-think and control livestock, can be detrimental when left untrained and unused.  Aussies are quite capable of out-thinking their owners. Training is highly recommended as a means of teaching owners how to channel the typical Aussie’s innate desire to please, into appropriate behaviours.  Aussies learn very quickly, so be certain you are willing to keep your Aussie occupied with walks, play and training to benefit both mind and body.

Australian Shepherds can be a wonderful family companions if their intelligence and energy are channeled into dog sports or activities. Herding, advanced obedience, agility, jogging, chasing balls and playing Frisbee are constructive outlets for their enthusiasm.