Meet Leo from Spay/Houston!

Leo’s 30 days of free training and boarding has begun!  He is a young Stafordshire Terrier from Spay/Houston, and was accepted into Meadowlake Pet Resort’s New Leash on Life program earlier this month.  Leo has been learning, running, and playing hard since his arrival last week.  When he came to Meadowlake, he already knew a few commands such as waiting at the door, and sit.  Meadowlake Trainer, Tori Hankey, CPDT-KA has been working on expanding his vocabulary which will help him get adopted into his fur-ever home.  She found out pretty quickly that he loves to play tug-o-war with his favorite rope toy!  Leo is such a sweet guy, full of love, and patiently waiting for someone to find him!

Leo was found as a stray in a neighborhood near Meadowlake.  The people who took him in had good intentions, but their family dog didn’t care for the new comer.  The family’s dog attacked Leo, and as a result needed to seek veterinarian attention.  Luckily for Leo, he saw a veterinarian, and the family’s neighbor took him in.  From there he went into Spay/Houston’s adoption program.  He is now at Meadowlake lodging and learning basic commands and manners for the next 30 days absolutely free for Spay/Houston.  Even though this sweet young Staffie has a floating patella from the accident, he sprints through the fields at Meadowlake at top speed!  His favorite play is tug-o-war with his rope toy.  He would love a home where he can run in the backyard and a companion who will play with him all day!  For more information on Leo, or questions about adoption, please send an email to gurukarta@gmail.com. 

Spay/Houston is owned and operated by Adopt A Cat, Inc. (AAC).  AAC is a no kill shelter and sanctuary for cats serving Harris and Montgomery Counties.  AAC is a 501c3 not for profit charity.  All donations are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.  Adopt A Cat, Inc. decided to open Spay/Houston to further the AAC mission by providing high quality low cost spay/neuter solutions for cats and dogs to the general public, developing community education programs with a focus on the importance of spaying or neutering your pets, and providing outreach transportation to areas not serviced by a high quality/low cost spay and neuter solution.

Brutis the Gentle Giant!

Brutis' 30 days of free training and boarding is coming to an end this week!  He is a young mixed breed from Jurassic Bark Rescue, and was accepted into Meadowlake Pet Resort’s New Leash on Life program earlier this month.  Brutis has learned, played, and loved so much over the last 3 and a half weeks, and now he needs his fur-ever home.  He knows a variety of commands including sit, down, sit stay, down stay, leave it, go to your bed, and he is crate trained.  Meadowlake Trainer Tori Hankey, CPDT-KA has been working with the gentle giant.  She found out pretty quickly that he loves human attention and back scratches!  Brutis is such a sweet guy, full of love, and patiently waiting for someone to find him!

Brutis was found at Nacogdoches Animal Shelter.  The pets that end up at this particular shelter aren't so lucky, so Jurassic Bark Rescue had to act fast!  A volunteer from the shelter transported the 1.5 year old, believed to be a full blood Mastiff, to a temporary foster for Jurassic Bark Rescue.  After taking him in, Jurassic Bark Rescue realized that he is not a Mastiff after all!  Whatever his blood line may be, he has striking features including a beautiful brindle coat and those light brown eyes!  He would love a home with a big backyard so he can run but absolutely no cats!  For more information on Brutis please contact Jurassic Bark rescue at jurassicbarkrescue@yahoo.com.  

Brutis the Gentle Giant!



Smile Brutis!



Brutis checks out the Training room!

Brutis, a young mixed breed from Jurassic Bark Rescue, began his New Leash on Life at Meadowlake.  Brutis will undergo 30 days of free training and boarding while Jurassic Bark Rescue continues a search for his forever home.  During his stay, he will learn basic commands such as sit, stay, down and basic manners such as coming when called and proper leash walking.  Meadowlake Trainer Tori Hankey, CPDT-KA began working with the gentle giant and found out pretty quickly that he loves to learn.  Brutis is such a sweet guy, full of love, and patiently waiting for someone to find him!  He definitely needs a backyard where he can run around and then lay in the sun!  His favorite part of this week at Meadowlake?  His private patio access where he can meet his neighbors and sunbathe in this wonderful weather!!

Brutis was found at Nacogdoches Animal Shelter.  The pets that end up at this particular shelter aren't so lucky, so Jurassic Bark Rescue had to act fast!  A volunteer from the shelter transported the 1.5 year old, believed to be a full blood Mastiff, to a temporary foster for Jurassic Bark Rescue.  After taking him in, Jurassic Bark Rescue realized that he is not a Mastiff after all!  Whatever his blood line may be, he has striking features including a beautiful brindle coat and those light brown eyes!  He would love a home with a big backyard so he run but absolutely no cats!  For more information on Brutis please contact Jurassic Bark rescue at jurassicbarkrescue@yahoo.com.  

Meet Briggs from Friendswood Animal Advocates

Meet Briggs!  The now 12 month old Rott Mix was found as a stray in Friendswood and is being sponsored by Friendswood Animal Advocates.  Meadowlake saw his story on Facebook, and had to help this sweet boy.  Briggs was scheduled to be euthanized if he didn't find a foster from the shelter soon, a gracious family scooped him up from the shelter, and then he was off to Meadowlake to begin his 30 days of free training and boarding.  So far he's doing fantastic!  He had a Daycare Evaluation, which is similar to a temperament test around other dogs, and passed with flying colors!  Briggs would absolutely love to have a young companion dog in his new home.  He is still a puppy, and needs a lot of exercise and some additional training would help.  Meadowlake's Trainer, Tori Hankey CPDT-KA, has been working with him and he already knows sit, lay down, and he is crate trained.  Briggs is neutered, microchipped, vaccinated and Heartworm negative.  Please contact Friendswood Animal Advocates for more information about Briggs. 

Carsten has left Meadowlake!

Carsten was only 4 weeks old when he was rescued from an abandoned automobile.  Carsten and his nine siblings would often seek the safety of a hole in a wall near the broken down car.  Pup Squad Rescue pulled the puppies out of the hole one by one, placed them in a foster home, and were nursed back to health. Poor Carsten would attend adoption events, and was somehow over looked each time.  He had to endure watching all nine siblings find their forever homes, while the little black dog was left behind. 

The now 16 month old black lab mix has been given a New Leash on Life. It was bittersweet last week, when Meadowlake Pet Resort had to say good bye to Carsten from Pup Squad Rescue.  During his stay, Carsten learned some basic obedience skills that would increase his chances of being adopted including breaking a barking habit that would turn away potential adopters at Pup Squad adoption events.  His 30 days of free training and boarding had come to an end, and he was ready to show off his new manners to potential adopters.  This past Saturday his good manners and basic obedience caught the eye of a potential forever family.  They are taking him home this week to see how he gets along with the family of five and their pets.  Could this be Carsten's new owners?  Pup Squad Rescue and Meadowlake Pet Resort hope so and wish Carsten the best of luck!

Carsten from Pup Squad Rescue!

          The handsome and happy boy has arrived!  Carsten is settling in at Meadowlake and is ready for training!  So far he has ran in the fields, played with the toys, climbed on the dog playground equipment, met all of the Meadowlake staff, and is enjoying every minute of it.

          He arrived on Friday with his wonderful foster family and received a tour of the facility, took a quick lap around the field, and then rested in his room to prepare for his first big day.  So far he is doing great!  He already knows some basic obedience so Meadowlake's Trainer spent some time reviewing those commands.  Yesterday he starting learning new words and practiced greeting people properly; so when his future family arrives to take him home he will surely impress.

            Carsten’s first few weeks of life were rough, but the great people at Pup Squad Animal Rescue were able to pull him and his puppy siblings out of a hole in the wall and give them a chance.  You can read more about his initial journey here: http://pupsquadtales.wordpress.com/2010/03/30/not-a-dog-house/.  After being placed in foster care and nursed to a healthy weight Carsten began attending adoption events, but was somehow overlooked time and time again.  Eventually he picked up a barking habit that turned people away at these events.  He is now being coached through his fears by trainer Tori Hankey CPDT-KA at Meadowlake! He is now 15 months old and has never experienced a home he can truly call his own.  Are you the one he’s been looking for??  Share his story (and cute face) with your friends so we can help Pup Squad give him the family he needs!

Gracie's update!

Gracie has been with Meadowlake for almost 3 weeks now.  We're happy to say that she is doing very well!  Tori Hankey, Meadowlake's Trainer, shares, "She is still nervous in new rooms, but has become very comfortable and happy in her lodging area.  The noises of the office still catch her attention – mainly the printer when in use, but I reward her with a treat each time.  When in a new room with new people she paces and pants, but we are working to help her understand that every place is positive.  After about 20 minutes she will calm down and settle.  She responds very well to a verbal correction and loves human attention.   She is eating well, enjoys playing, and has adjusted very well to her daily routine!"  Gracie will be evaluated for Doggie Daycare on Monday, May 9th.  If she passes, she will participate in daycare two or three times a week.

Tori continues, "Gracie has sucessfully learned sit, down, come, and is learning to keep all four paws on the ground with the command off.  Overall she is doing great.  Everyone loves her, and we are spreading the word about her in order to find her a home!"

Gracie from Homless Pet Placement League

Meadowlake Pet Resort is proud to announce a new candidate into their “New Leash on Life” program.  Gracie from Homeless Pet Placement League began her free training and boarding.  She will undergo daily socialization, as well as learning basic commands and skills during her free 30 day stay.  Meadowlake’s Trainer, Tori Hankey states “I am extremely excited that this program is becoming such a success.  Meadowlake is so proud that we can help a less than perfect dog find its forever home.”  For more information on the “New Leash on Life” program, visit www.meadowlakepetresort.com/training/new-leash-on-life.php. 

About Gracie: Gracie was found at a construction site, abandoned, with obvious signs of just delivering puppies, but none were found.  After being rescued by the Homeless Pet Placement League, she visited the veterinarian to be vaccinated and spayed.  The veterinarian, noted that she has had two litters, and she might have been used for breeding purposes but then abandoned when not needed anymore.  Even though she has been through a lot, she always has a smile on her face!  She is extremely shy and nervous around new people, but will shower you with kisses once she warms up to you.  She has terrible separation anxiety, which is her main obstacle to overcome.  She will make a wonderful pet to a family who will never leave her side, because she will never leave yours.  If you are interested in Gracie, please contact Homeless Pet Placement League at http://www.hppl.org/. 

Zeus' New Leash on Life

Zeus is a 3 year old blue-merle that was taken in by Great Dane from Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas (GDRST) after his owner surrendered him.  His previous owner worked long hours, and consequently Zeus was left outside during the day.  Zeus' yard was a half an acre or more that was completely fenced in, and he was very protective of it.  After Zeus was surrendered, he spent some time at a local boarding facility.  While he was there he stopped eating and drinking.  The environment was too stressful for the gentle giant.  He then moved into Meadowlake where he has a very large enclosure with his own personal patio.  Since he began his stay, he's been putting back on weight, and has been entered into the "New Leash on Life".  During his free training and boarding, he has learned sit, sit-stay, down, and down-stay.  Meadowlake's staff is also able to communicate with him with short phrases, like to wait patiently before feeding and before going through doors.  "Zeus is a very fun-loving boy!  He needs someone who is capable of handling his size and strength," Meadowlake Trainer Tori Hankey explains.  "He learns very quickly, and is always willing to please.  He will make a great companion."  Zeus is about 3 years old, neutered, and updated on his vaccinations.  If you are interested in finding out more about Zeus, please contact Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas at http://www.saveadane.org/.

Lottie from Texas Gulf Coast Bull Terrier Club

Houston, Texas – Meadowlake Pet Resort is proud to announce a new candidate into their “New Leash on Life” program.  Lottie from Texas Gulf Coast Bull Terrier Club (TGCBTC) began her free training and boarding at Meadowlake Pet Resort.  She will undergo daily socialization, as well as learning basic commands and skills during her free 30 day stay.  Meadowlake’s Trainer, Tori Hankey states “I am extremely excited that this program is becoming such a success.  Meadowlake is so proud that we can help a less than perfect dog find its forever home.”  For more information on the “New Leash on Life” program, visit www.meadowlakepetresort.com/training/new-leash-on-life.php. 

About Lottie:  Lottie came to the Houston SPCA as an owner surrender with serious injuries on her face and body.  Lottie had Deemodex Mange all over her body, and it appeared that her owners tried to treat it but whatever was used, burnt her little face.  She was covered in open sores and wounds from her head to her tail from the mange, and her eyes were swollen shut from the burns on her face.  After months of recovery, the physical wounds have healed with little scaring.  Lottie is now at Meadowlake learning basic commands and skills to help her find her forever home.  She is around 2 years old, spayed, updated on vaccinations, and is very sweet.  She would prefer a home where there is plenty of room to run around inside and outside.  Joni, Lottie’s first foster mom states, “Lottie is a smart, loving, sweet girl, and I know that Meadowlake will help her.  Living happily requires basic obedience skills, one of the many things she was deprived of before being rescued from her cruel past.”  To see her full story, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CokH9N-2GAQ&feature=player_embedded.  If you are interested in finding out more information about Lottie, please email Texas Gulf Coast Bull Terrier Club at gulfcoastbtc@earthlink.net.  

Gypsy's still living it up at Meadowlake!

Gypsy has enjoyed an eventful beginning to her week.  Monday morning she spent a few hours in daycare after passing the evaluation with flying colors.  She was so happy to run and play with other dogs.  She is definitely more trusting of dogs than humans.  Her tail wags and her tongue hangs from her mouth while she plays. 

With people she is still very cautious, but is now comfortable moving around a room to explore as people walk around her.  She is allowing her tail to hang down instead of holding it tucked between her legs, and as long as no one is looking she will approach a stranger to sniff their pants and shoes.

She allowed us to give her a bath at the salon and received a “pawdicure” with pretty red nail polish.  She is meeting so many new people and doing very well letting them touch her ears, paws, and head without trying to escape!  With a little over 2 weeks of socialization she has done very well and continues to improve!

Gypsy's living the life at Meadowlake!

Trainer, Tori Hankey updates Gypsy's stay at Meadowlake, "We are only on day 5 since Gypsy’s arrival at Meadowlake and she has already shown tremendous improvement!   On Thursday she began using the doggie door from her room to her outdoor patio.  This shows that she is becoming more comfortable in her environment - even to the point of carrying all of her toys outside with her.   Today she received a bath in the grooming spa and seemed to enjoy the warm water and relaxing massage.

                "Despite her fear of being approached by people she is showing the desire to allow interaction.  She is not yet willing to come when called.  In fact, given the space, she looks for an escape route to avoid greetings.  Her most recent accomplishment is responding to a hand signal and the command “down”.  Even though down is a submissive position, she is comfortable allowing me to approach with a leash instead of running away.  I have several volunteers offering her treats in exchange for allowing us to approach and pet her.  Her confidence is steadily improving! 

                "She shows a lot of interest in other dogs and we are anxious to give her an opportunity to interact in a group play environment.  Check back next week to find out about her daycare evaluation!"

Stunning Catahoula receives a new leash on life

Meadowlake Pet Resort is proud to announce a new candidate into their “New Leash on Life” program.  Gypsy from Friends of Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter (FMCTAS) began her free training and board on Monday, January 24.  She will undergo daily socialization, as well as learning basic commands and skills during her free 30 day stay.  Meadowlake’s Trainer, Tori Hankey states “I am extremely excited that this program is becoming such a success.  Meadowlake is so proud that we can help a less than perfect dog find its forever home.”  For more information on the “New Leash on Life” program, visit www.meadowlakepetresort.com/training/new-leash-on-life.php. 

About Gypsy:  Gypsy was found as a stray and was picked up by Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter.  She entered the shelter with signs of extreme abuse.  Her jaw was shattered; she was extremely underweight, with an upper respiratory infection, worms, and kennel cough.  Friends of Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter (FMCTAS) saw this beauty broken and absolutely terrified.  They pulled her from the shelter and nursed her back to health.  This stunning Catahoula is now staying at Meadowlake Pet Resort free of charge and working on her communication with humans.  She will be working on learning basic commands and socializing with people.  She is about1 year old, spayed, updated on vaccinations, crate-trained and is friendly with other dogs, but terrified around people.  She is also partially deaf, so she is sensitive to loud noises.  Jessica from FMCAS and temporary foster for Gypsy, informs Meadowlake, “I want to help Gypsy so badly.  She is such a sweet girl and has had a horrible life.  She deserves a chance at a new life.” 

About FMCTAS:  FMCTAS is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to saving, supporting and providing medical assistance to the animals of Montgomery county (North of Houston) and other worthy organizations. FMCTAS provides medical assistance including spay & neuter, vaccination services, fostering, and adoption programs. FMCTAS covers the vet bills for animals in foster care and supplies the foster parents with dry and wet food for cats and dogs, kennels and medicine.  FMCTAS supports No-Kill programs. An example was in February 2008 No-kill month at the Montgomery shelter/animal control. FMCTAS paid for over 100 animals to be spay/neuter at the vets in the area, to be ready for adoption.  They also supply Montgomery county animal shelter (MCAS) with kuranda beds, water/food bowls, cat litter, dry and wet food, medicine, heart worm tests, desks, generators, and a washing machine. Please visit their website for more information about FMCTAS www.fmctas.org.   

Gypsy from Friends of Montgomery County Animal Shelter

Meet Gypsy, Meadowlake's newest candidate in the New Leash on Life program. 

Meadowlake Pet Resort is proud to announce a new candidate into their “New Leash on Life” program.  Gypsy from Friends of Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter (FMCTAS) will begin her free training and board on Monday, January 24.  She will undergo daily socialization, as well as learning basic commands and skills during her free 30 day stay.  Meadowlake’s Trainer, Tori Hankey states “I am extremely excited that this program is becoming such a success.  Meadowlake is so proud that we can help a less than perfect dog find its forever home.”  For more information on the “New Leash on Life” program, visit www.meadowlakepetresort.com/training/new-leash-on-life.php. 

About Gypsy:  Gypsy was found as a stray and was picked up by Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter.  She entered the shelter with signs of extreme abuse.  Her jaw was shattered; she was extremely underweight, with an upper respiratory infection, worms, and kennel cough.  Friends of Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter (FMCTAS) saw this beauty broken and absolutely terrified.  They pulled her from the shelter and nursed her back to health.  This stunning Catahoula is now staying at Meadowlake Pet Resort free of charge and working on her communication with humans.  She will be working on learning basic commands and socializing with people.  She is about1 year old, spayed, updated on vaccinations, crate-trained and is friendly with other dogs, but terrified around people.  She is also partially deaf, so she is sensitive to loud noises.  Jessica from FMCAS and temporary foster for Gypsy, informs Meadowlake, “I want to help Gypsy so badly.  She is such a sweet girl and has had a horrible life.  She deserves a chance at a new life.” 

We will keep you updated on her progress through this blog. 

Oliver is leaving Meadowlake!

This is a bittersweet moment for everyone at Meadowlake Pet Resort, Oliver from Houston Area Doberman Rescue, Inc, will be leaving us on Friday.  His free three weeks of training and board has come to an end, and he will be going into a foster family, possibly a fur-ever family.  During his stay, he learned new commands, ran in the fields, and made some doggie pals.  He passed his Daycare Evaluation last week and is now a pack member in our Jumping Jacks!  We are so proud of Oliver, and we will miss him so much.  Good luck out there Oliver! 

Oliver's Update

Oliver from Houston Area Doberman Rescue has been at Meadowlake Pet Resort for a little over a week now.  Trainer Tori Hankey states, "He is having a great time!  We have worked on refreshing basic commands he knows which is a piece of cake for him.  He does really well with sit, down, and stay.  The new things we are working on are leave it, drop it, and come when called.  When he has a toy he likes to play keep away.  He will run with the toy when I get close and try to grab it before I do if it is on the ground.  So I have been using 'drop it'  and 'leave it' to get him to exchange the toy for a treat.  He is catching on, but we are still practicing.  This is the best approach for teaching him it is OK to give up a toy – whether it be with a person or eventually – a dog.  We haven’t worked with other dogs yet.  I had him on the other side of the fence from the daycare dogs this morning.  He really doesn’t show any interest in them and I haven’t seen any fence aggression either.  In fact he seems intimidated by them. This has made it difficult for me to get an idea of the severity of his resource guarding issue when nose to nose with a dog.  So for now I am just focusing on getting him to respond to my voice 100% of the time – regardless of the command."

"He absolutely loves running full speed in the fields," Tori explains.  "It is a beautiful thing to see him in a full stride.  It seems like he hasn’t had that type of real (needed) exercise in a long time.  I let him do his thing when we first go out, then randomly and patiently practice come when called.  He did not respond to his name/praise/correction at all when we first started.  Today he showed much improvement in the 'off leash' listening department.  Again, this will be key to controlling any resource guarding issues as we move forward."

The Staff at Meadowlake loves Oliver, and he gets tons of attention when Tori brings him into the office.  He goes from one person to the next, taking any love he can get, paw crossed he will find the perfect home before he leaves Meadowlake. 

Meadowlake Pet Resort Gives a "New Leash On Life" to a Deserving Doberman

Meadowlake Pet Resort is proud to announce a new candidate into their “New Leash on Life” program.  Oliver from Houston Area Doberman Rescue, Inc. (HADR) will begin his training on Monday, January 3.  He will undergo daily socialization, as well as learning basic commands and skills during his free 30 day stay.  Meadowlake’s Trainer, Tori Hankey states “I am extremely excited that this program is becoming such a success.  Meadowlake is so proud that we can help a less than perfect dog find its forever home.”  For more information on the “New Leash on Life” program, visit www.meadowlakepetresort.com/training/new-leash-on-life.php. 

About Oliver:  Oliver’s owner surrendered him when he was about 2.5 years old to Houston Area Doberman Rescue, Inc. (HADR).  His owner had Oliver since he was a puppy, but made a decision to surrender him to the rescue group for reasons unknown.  Oliver came to HADR healthy, up to date on his shots and heartworm negative.  The first few days in his foster home he was very anxious about all the changes, but he eventually calmed down and welcomed the new experiences.  Oliver left his foster family for his new forever family, or so he thought.  Oliver was surrendered yet again to HADR by his new family.  This beautiful Doberman is now staying at Meadowlake Pet Resort free of charge and working on his communication with humans.  He is house-trained and has yet to have an accident inside. He loves and needs exercise and thoroughly enjoys bike rides and jogging. Walks are a little too slow for him right now but he will be working on that while he stays at Meadowlake.  He does well with other dogs and enjoys play time.  For more information about Oliver, please visit www.hadr.org.