Waiting patiently — dogs find forever homes

Aggy and Olivia have found new forever homes after their previous owner died. Photos/Provided

By Kyla Long

What started out as tragedy has turned into love and joy. You may have heard the story of the woman who tragically died in a fire on Kingsbury grade in the ponderosa Mobil home park.

On Nov. 16, Tahoe Tails and Trails agreed to care for her dogs who survived the fire, Aggy and Olivia. The girls were very sad and mourning the loss of their human. They were brought to us by Debbie and Ray Winters, who found them wandering on Kingsbury Grade. Aunt Debbie is what we would call her from then on. The Winters’ were really the dog’s saving grace. Debbie took them to get vaccinated and microchipped, Tahoe Tails and Trails groomed them and got them looking good.

At first, the girls were very sad and not really wanting to do anything other than sleep, so we let them.

We decided to let them open up to us when they were ready, and they sure did. Once they started opening up and loving us we had so much fun with them. They are hilarious, very playful, sloppy kissers, sweet girls with very waggy tails. I decided to let them stay with me at Tahoe Tails and Trails until they found their forever homes as there was no next of kin and no one to take over their care.

So they stayed with us and became part of our family at Tails and Trails. Daily forest walks, lots of love and attention, and slowly came out of their mourning and into living. Aunt Debbie and Uncle Ray came weekly, sometimes more to visit the girls, bring treats, food and take them for a walk. It was good for the girls to have them visit, they knew them in their previous life and I think it brought them comfort.

Olivia’s connection with me and Aunt Debbie was growing stronger by the day. We were concerned that she would struggle adapting to another new home. But through this experience, we have all learned with a little love, anything is possible.

Both Aggy and Olivia went on a couple overnight visits with potential forever families, but it was not the right fit, and they let me know. So we just kept being patient and reminding ourselves that the right person will come along, and so they did.

Adam Marshall contacted me with an interest in Olivia, but it was Aggy who fell in love with him. The connection was immediate and perfect. The way she looked at him was so sweet. Not wanting to separate the girls, we both had to take some time to think about separating them. I decided to take a chance and see how they would do without each other. My heart told me if they both had loving homes they would be OK, and I knew Adam and his family would be a great start for Aggy. So she went on an overnight to meet the family. The way she walked out of Tahoe Tails and Trails made my heart
melt. Head held high, tail up and wagging looking up at Adam with love and admiration. She was saying “let’s go Dad, I am ready!”

Aggy settled into her new home very quickly. She has kids to play with, a loving home with — all attention on her. I would say she is stoked! Aggy has a knee injury and needs ACL surgery. She has been doing very good for two years, but being only three she needs to get it repaired. Ironically, Adam has some knee issues himself and is willing to help her through the
recovery. He is such a patient person, with a huge heart. Adam is a dog lover and has been missing his companion for a long time. When his last dog passed it was very hard to replace him, but Aggy sparked a fire that had been put out for a long time. They both have a long story and have the rest of their lives to tell the next chapter together.

With Aggy happy in her new home, all focus was on Olivia. She was doing just fine at Tails and Trails because she had all her doggy friends, endless amounts of love and exercise. We knew it was going to take a special person for Olivia to open her heart, but she did.

About a week and a half after Aggy left, Ron Hallaway came into Olivia’s life, thanks to Lisa Pinto. Ron had lost his beloved Turbo at 15 years old and was waiting for the right dog. When Olivia and Ron met each other it was love at first sight ‐‐ just like Aggy and Adam. I had never seen Olivia take to anyone that quickly. She knew he was there to take her to a great home with her own beach. She proudly jumped into the back of his truck and looked at me with eyes of content. Lisa went to visit
that day and both she and Ron sent pictures of her on her new beach. She looked so happy.

Aunt Debbie and I went to visit a couple days later and much to our surprise, she had already attached herself to Ron and vice versa. Olivia is his new sidekick, skiing, biking, beach days, oh yeah, and as a carpenter she will be a great dog to keep him company on the job site. I am pretty sure Olivia knew Ron needed her, and he knew she needed him.

When I told Adam about Olivia’s new home, he was thrilled because he knows Ron. What a small world and so perfect that Adam and Ron know each other. Even though we could not keep them together, they will be able to see each other and have great new homes right here in Tahoe. They were both so patient in waiting for their new forever homes and honestly I could not think of a better situation for either of them.

All of us at Tahoe Tails and Trails are so happy we could help these wonderful dogs find homes. We are not a rescue organization, but we strive to help in situations like this. We have actually placed 11 dogs in the past 6½ years. I am very thankful for my amazing staff and support of the community.

Special thanks to the people that helped with Aggy and Olivia. Debbie and Ray Winters, Sandy Shields, Lisa Pinto, Linda, Susan Glascow, Carrie Turner and of course Adam Marshall and Ron Hallaway.

If you are interested in contributing to help with Aggy’s knee surgery, please contact me  at Tahoe Tails and Trails. I will be setting up a Go Fund me account on her behalf.

Love is powerful. If you open your heart, it will find you. Always choose rescue. There are so many wonderful dogs with similar stories.

Kyla Long is the owner of Tahoe Tails ad Trails in Stateline.