It is hard to forget the photos of the badly matted poodle-mix dogs as they were being assessed at the BC SPCA’s Kelowna animal centre. Thirty-one dogs in total were surrendered by an irresponsible breeder in Clearwater after they were found living in a dark building without adequate heating, bedding or veterinary care.
One of those rescued dogs was a one-year-old golden doodle named Avery. She, like the other dogs, was severely matted and her nails were overgrown. She also had a wound between her eyes that required treatment. She also had a surprise for the team at the Kelowna animal centre – she was pregnant.
“When we suspected she might be pregnant we booked an appointment for an x-ray” says Shannon Paille, manager of the BC SPCA’s Kelowna animal centre. “The vet confirmed there were eight puppies and possibly more. She gave birth to 11.”
Avery’s puppies were healthy and undeniably adorable. After they were weaned from mom and eating on their own, the BC SPCA began the work to find them their forever homes. And they did. From a puppy with a great dane bff to one who comes in like a wrecking ball, we share the incredibly happy stories of some of these puppies.
We didn’t forget about mom…Avery found herself a happy home too!
Bear, formerly Berry, – a family affair!
It was a wonderful surprise for their eldest son. A visit to the BC SPCA to meet and take home one of Avery’s puppies. Bear won Ethan and his parents over when they picked him up and looked into his eyes. They knew he would make the perfect friend for Joey, their three-year-old Aussie doodle, and the perfect addition to their family.
“He has been an angel puppy,” says Sara. “Bear and Joey became instant friends. He really looks up to him and follows him everywhere. They play together and sleep together. It just couldn’t be going any better.”
She adds that Ethan’s two siblings love taking care of Bear and take turns holding him, although he is quickly getting too big for that. “We shortened Berry to Bear, and it suits him so well. He loves being outside and will climb up the little hill in our backyard and just hang out there on his own. He is much more adventurous than his big brother Joey.”
Miley, formerly Violet
“Miley comes in like a wrecking ball,” says Lori giving Violet’s new name some context. “She is a fireball who zoomies all over the house and loves to play with her toys, especially her octopus. She loves food and is a huge fan of her venison, blueberry treats.”
They fell in love with Miley when they first met her, and she gave them lots of kisses and cuddles. “She loves to be on your lap,” says Lori. “If you stop petting her, she will give you a little nose bump, a little “hey I am here and I need more cuddles.”
Murphy, formerly Storm
Murphy was a surprise to both the kids in the family and their three and half-year-old great dane, Diesel. “We got a call that there was a doodle puppy available and to come down right away,” says Andrew. “When we went to pick up the girls from school that day we had Murphy with us, they were so excited.”
Diesel was a little less sure of the tiny little dog that kept running and launching at him. “Murphy kept running back to Diesel, he just couldn’t get enough of him.”
Diesel is enjoying the company of his new little brother now. “He has figured out which toys Murphy loves and will show him the toy and then run away from him to get him to play. They are constantly chasing each other around the house.”
Andrew says that Murphy is a dream dog. “He has been so easy to house train. He watched Diesel ring the bell by the door when he needs to go out and he follows Diesel out to poop and pee. I am not sure if he saw that when he was at the foster home or if he is just that smart, because he figured it out so quickly. He now rings the bell whenever he needs to go.”
Daisy, formerly Clementine, chose her family.
“We were sitting down when they brought the five puppies in, and as soon as Daisy saw my husband Barry, she ran right up to him,” says Susan. “All the other puppies were off playing with each other in the corner of the room, she just wanted to cuddle us. She curled up right in front of me.”
When they brought Daisy home, she got a chance to meet Joey, their English co*cker spaniel. “He has the same colouring as Daisy. They look so good together,” says Susan. She adds that she was shocked at how well they got along. “They both seemed so thrilled to have a playmate.” They play hard but when they get tired and both need a nap, they do something even more adorable. “They sleep facing each other with their paws on each other’s chest.”
Susan says Daisy is a very smart girl and is thriving in her new home. “She is eating well and growing so fast. She is a very quick learner and has been good on her walks on leash. She is very observant and loves to meet people. When Joey is out on his walk, his nose is stuck to the ground, she loves to have her head up looking at everything and everyone. We are just so thrilled she is part of our family.”
Pine
Little Pine was the last puppy to be adopted. “We were so happy to have the opportunity to bring him home,” says Madeline, Pine’s new mom. “My son, Ethan plays with him all the time. I am fairly sure Pine thinks he is his litter mate.” Madeline adds that they kept Pine’s name because he loves to play with pinecones.
Madeline adds that Pine has been a very calm puppy. “Both of my children are on summer vacation right now, so he is getting a lot of attention and care from them. My teenage daughter Lisa makes sure he has plenty of fresh water and gets his meals ready.”
She adds that it has been so good for the kids to have Pine in the home. “Just like other kids their age, Ethan really loves video games and Lisa has her phone, but now they spent their time sitting around Pine, playing with him.”
