Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Christine and Don, December 2011, Trenton, Onatario, Canada
Lucy’s new Mom and Dad have done really well with her over the past few months. Lucy has gained confidence and is not afraid of things like when she arrived.
They may not be people who write a lot but through our phone conversations I know Lucy is much loved and her new family is dedicated to making her happy and giving her a great life. Lucy is so beautiful and sweet, and definitely one of my all-time favorites. Thank you, Vafa, for all you did for Lucy and for all you continue to do for needy Iranian dogs!
Here a short note from Lucy’s forever loving mom:
“Lucy has settled in nicely into our little family, we enjoy her antics and her inquisitiveness. She is a very good traveller, loves car rides and daily adventures on walks.”
Lorraine Marchant / Blue Moon Rescue, Canada
And here are a few lines from Lost (now Lucy’s) rescuer/sponsor in Iran:
After a lifetime of being in love with dogs, I finally came to think about getting one, a pure-bred German Shepherd. It was in March 2011 that I started looking for it. One night, on my way back home from a breeder, my friend called and told me that there was a dog in the neighborhood running loose.
Well, in a nutshell, I got home and saw a beautiful creature so scared hiding between a car and wall in the street. We tried to lure her out with a piece of meat, but she wasn’t interested. We put a metal chain on her like a leash, but again, she refused and resisted to come out. So we quit. We came home and a couple of hours later, after midnight, I heard her barking nervously as if she was crying out for help.
I went outside and found her again behind a car. Trying to build a connection and get her to trust me, I petted her and talked to her softly. I went back home to bring her something to eat, so I left the door open. When I came back, I found her approaching the door hesitatingly, one step forward and two steps backward. Finally she trusted me enough to walk in, and the moment she stepped in I closed the door.
Well, after a couple of days of thinking I decided to keep her, a stray dog instead of a pure-bred German Shepherd. Matter of fact, it was this woman, our dearest neighbour, Mrs. Memarian, who talked me in adopting that dog instead of buying one, telling me that this dog has come to you, she needs help and a home and…. So she came to our lives. I named her Lost, because you know, she seemed to be lost. Actually, she was found rather than lost!
She stayed with us for almost 8 months. I had decided to pursue my education abroad, and I wanted her to have the best life possible. Therefore, I planned to send her abroad too, to make sure that she’s gonna have a kind of life she wouldn’t have here in Iran. And just like that, she flew away.
I haven’t seen a dog like her so happy on walks. She was so playful and loved run and chase especially. I’m extremely happy that she finally found the life she deserves. I wish her and her new family a long happy life.
Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Brittany & Ellie – April 11, 2012 – Seattle, WA, USA
Hello, friends! My name is Cora (formerly known as Jube/Aida). I am writing to you from my very first road trip with my forever family. We are going to Colorado to visit Ellie’s family and my new puppy cousin. Even though I can be nervous sometimes, I am always willing to go on a new adventure.
I love living in Seattle with my family. I miss living with the other dogs at my foster home, and having a yard to play in, but I also kind of like being the center of attention. My foster dad taught me very nice house manners. I am working on my fear-based reactivity; leash walking is kind of new to me so I am practicing not being afraid of the people and dogs we meet in the neighborhood. My favorite way to unwind and have fun is going to the dog park. I am the friendliest and the fastest dog around. I am good at making myself look exciting so the big dogs will chase me. There is also a park with a beach for dogs! Someday I will swim, but for now I like wading out and getting my belly wet.
I am such a beautiful, unique-looking dog! People always ask what kind of mix I am. We are pretty sure I am Corgi and cattle dog and something else, because I have the cutest, floppiest ears ever and a similar feathery tail like many of my friends at Vafa.
One thing that makes me special is that I love vegetables! Raw red cabbage is one of my favorite treats. I fit right in here in Seattle.
My hobbies include running, chewing on my antler, playing with squeaky toys, being as silly as possible (sometimes I wrestle with my bed!), and let’s not forget SNIFFING!
My people are my bestest best friends, but I have a million best friends! Even though I am nervous around people at first, once I get to know them for a couple of minutes, it is hard to resist jumping on them and licking them all over! I kind of have a human crush on my people’s friend Andrew, but he is already spoken for. 🙁
I graduated from an obedience class with flying colors. I am learning more every day. My favorite new trick is “paw”/”shake”.
I traveled a long way to find my forever home, and I want to thank everyone who helped me along the way
Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Sue & Greg Tully on March 11, 2012 – Alameda, California
I like many bumper stickers. I have to give credit when somebody expresses a message effectively in just one-to-six words. Perhaps it is no coincidence that a few weeks ago I spotted, for the first time, the message “Who Rescued Who?”
Kia (originally, Khanumche) has been with us for about four months and we are so happy she is here. Her long trip to the U.S. proved that she is a great traveller. She is a joy to take anywhere, whether it is an all-day drive to Tempe, Arizona or a two-hour drive to Monterey. Once at the destination, she seems equally happy with a desert hike or a short stroll to the beach.
The trips, of course, are not an everyday occurrence. Most days are filled with routine, for both Kia and us. The morning starts with a mile-plus run, in which she gets to experience something new every day. We have read that breeds like Kia need plenty of exercise and we are determined to provide it. The runs are a big part of my life also, as I have dropped about 15 pounds since I started them. Who is exercising who?
It is the routine things that we enjoy most about Kia. When she lies on the ground, she can observe everything without moving her head. She loves to grab a shoe, sock or a branch from outside, not to chew and destroy, but to simply show everyone that she has it. She enjoys playing fetch indoors. She can sleep in on weekends.
We even like it that she is not a perfect dog, but that she continues to improve. She occasionally nips at the unwary. She wants to playfully jump on visitors. She will bark too much at times.
But she will also sit, stay, shake and fetch. She will nudge or lick affectionately when that is exactly what is needed.
She loves people (except perhaps the mailman) and she is a big part of our lives. We certainly hope she is with us for a long, long time.
Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Mark & Natalie – 19 Dec, 2012 – Tracy, California
I received a message from Ms. Azari in one of those beautiful spring days, (20th of Farvardin or April 10th). It said, “Seven helpless puppies, still breast feeding, were dropped off at the shelter in the middle of the night without any prior coordination. Do you know anyone who could help us with their care?”
My spouse, Parsa, and I took responsibility of these seven beautiful puppies without hesitation. Because we were sure finding supervision for all seven is very difficult, we went to the shelter that same day. I found the cutest puppies shaking and wrapped around each other, in a cardboard box. Mr. Karam was saying that they hadn’t eaten anything from the night before and the group whining of the puppies tells from their hungry bellies. Mr. Karam was happy we were taking them all with us.
This was our second experience with caring for breast-fed puppies. With the experience of caring for four previous puppies, it was a bit easier. Some with a bottle and the others with syringe filled milk were fed. The arrival of the puppies in our home was a pleasant experience for us two and also for our daughters, Barfi and Shabrang and Felfel.
Tagarg (now Tango) was suffering from damage to her front right paw the first week, which after consulting a physician, we found out that with the right diet this will soon be healed, and it was. This beautiful and kind boy brought a lot of happy memories for us and his brothers and sisters.
We wish happiness and health for him and his new family.
Afsaneh & Parsa Zarrin
My husband Mark and I were thinking about getting a new rescue dog due to the fact that our current dog Holly is almost 13 years old. We thought it might be a good idea to get her a companion that could encourage her to be up and around more. We had adopted Holly from our local animal shelter almost 12 years ago, she was already about 1.5 years old and fully potty trained. So we were looking for a pup that was also potty trained, at the very least.
So one day I went to look on Petfinder.com and started searching for the perfect dog for our situation and found this sweetheart of a dog, an Australian shepherd/ borzoi mix from Iran that instantly caught my attention and stole my heart. We weren’t looking for a specific breed, maybe even a mutt, then found Tango. We just loved that he was a international rescue from Iran, because Mark is in the Air Force reserve and has been over to Afghanistan before, so we thought it would be really neat to help a dog coming from so far away. Tango was shy at first towards everyone, including myself and afraid of all men, maybe due to his abusers’ gender.
Tango is now the sweetest, happiest, and most loving dog ever!!! He has become such a wonderful part of our family. He loves our cats and our other dog, Holly. He is constantly trying to get Holly to get up and play but is very gentle and kind towards her. He senses that Holly is an old girl and is very understanding of her limitations. We couldn’t be happier at the choice we made and would like to encourage everyone to learn from our experience and open their heart and home to an rescue dog from Iran who will truly appreciate a good and loving home! We love Tango to pieces and wish you the same kind of love, joy, and happiness. 🙂
Natalie & Mark
Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Claudia I. Cooley on May 10, 2012 – Wilmington, DE
YAKUZA, Yalissa – named in honor of Farah Ravon – just threw in the LL’s to make Fallon.
Fallon landed on US soil from Iran on December 10, 2011, at JFK Airport in New York. She was driven to PHL Airport in Philadelphia, PA by Sheyda Ardalan and met there for transport to Faithful Friends Animal Society in Wilmington, DE by Lou. Haley, my friend Lisa and I went to meet Fallon.
All went well between the dogs and Fallon came home with Haley and I.
Within three days, Fallon was crate trained and I taught her how to go up/down the deck steps just showing her once. Doorways were a challenge for a few weeks and so were the household noises. Haley has been Fallon’s mentor – Fallon watches and learns from her still to this day. Fallon has never had an accident in the house. Initially, Fallon grumbled at my four house cats, but grew to love them, especially Cinder.
There were several suitors for Fallon, but for one reason or another they were not the perfect match for her. On May 10, 2012, I signed the adoption contract to adopt Fallon as she was already in the perfect home to fit her special needs from day one.
Fallon and Haley get along wonderfully. Both love people, especially men. Yes – Fallon LOVES the men. She does a silly little dance when she’s excited. She talks to you, loves to go for walks (leash training took a couple of weeks) loves to be brushed, but not fond of bath time. Most of all, both dogs love their car rides together.
While Fallon’s crate is set up, I no longer put her in it – just leave the door open and he still goes in her crate to take a nap – feels very secure in it.
Fallon is a very very happy dog. She is truly amazing and incredibly smart and has been a great addition to my pack. Fallon does not realize she only has three legs and I am not going to tell her. We all are very fortunate to have found each other.
From my heart to yours, thank you all at VAFA for taking such good care of Fallon and all the other animals that are fortunate enough to get into your shelter.
With love and gratitude,
Claudia I. Cooley
Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Trish & Brian Schmidt – June 24, 2012 – Barrington, NJ, USA
On September 8th, 2011 our friend and companion of nearly 15 years, Harley passed away at home with us. When he first arrived in our home from an abandon litter he was so small he could sleep in my motorcycle helmet. But from that tiny bundle he would grow into a wonderful loving Sheppard mix. When he passed away, I swore I’d never get another dog. There was no way I could ever take the chance of feeling that sad again.
Time may not heal all things but it does soften the hurt and there are so many dogs and other pets in need of a forever home. Both Chloe and Sassy were willing to add a member to their pack. Plus my wife and I had the room and the means to welcome one more into our house and were once again hopeful that another dog would be willing to make this their forever home.
This time we wanted to do something different. While there are so many dogs in need of a home, there is also a group that most times is overlooked. Dogs and pets with special needs. While the most special need they require is merely a loving family to be a part of a home to call their own, they possess a disability or condition that makes many people overlook their ability and desire to provide a lovely and caring companion for life.
We began to submit applications for an older dog with special needs. The first one we were glad to hear about had already found their forever family. Another was called the other side of the Rainbow Bridge while in the care of their foster family. The next was an application for a medium sized Shepard we saw her name is Nanaz. She had come from Iran and was missing her ears and one of her front legs. But she had heard America was the land of opportunity and that she was more than willing to give a family the opportunity to be her forever home.It looked like she had both a tough time and a loving life in Iran. Because her ears are cropped it is believed she was at one time a working field dog. But at some point she became just another stray on the streets of the city. She also became the mother to a litter of puppies; sadly what became of them is unknown. She had to survive on the acts of kindness from numerous Iranian people during her life on the street. It was them who fed and cared for her for as best they could for about 2 years.
But she was just one of many strays and like in America; a stray may just fade into the background and become someone else’s problem to deal with. During an effort to rid the streets of stray dogs in Iran, Nanaz’s left front leg was badly injured. I was told one of the people who cared for her while she lived on the street found her and took her to Vafa Animal Shelter for help. It was here despite their best medical efforts, and it was decided her leg was too far gone to save. But now at Vafa she would receive not only protection from the street but the love and care from dozens of volunteers and supporters who maintain the shelter.
Sadly after nearly two years without being adopted and thought to be around 8 years old it was feared shelter life would become too hard for a disabled dog. Because disable dogs are hard to find adoptions for, it was decided she might have a better chance of finding a home in America. Through a generous sponsor and the efforts of many volunteers Nanaz and another tri-paw Shadi were chosen to make the trip to Toronto in March of 2012 and from there on to America. I’m not sure where Shadi went but Nanaz was fostered at Mutts Need Love Too this was a Dog Rescue run by Susan Reaver in Maryland. And it would be through Susan in June that we would finally get to meet Nanaz.
We had set up a big dog crate and since my Harley was already a senior dog, the house already had ramps built to accommodate his needs in his last couple of years. It was decided Nanaz would meet Sassy and Chloe in the back yard for their first introduction. She immediately began to explore both the yard and of course her new sister’s butts. They of course returned the favor. But, there was no fighting and no growling. They seemed to accept each other with no problems. We showed Nanaz the ramp to the dog door and she went straight in and out on the first try.
Inside the house it was much the same. Nanaz went straight to the living room and found the crate. She immediately claimed it as her own and made herself at home. A small grumbling growl let Sassy and Chloe know she had staked her claim to this spot. But she was perfectly willing to let Trish and I have access to the crate and to pet her as much as we wanted. We had already had our references checked. And our house and yard passed inspection. She’d pop out and visit and then run back in. But everyone looked happy and permission to adopt Nanaz was OK’d.
Her first night she spent pretty much in her crate. She looked so scared when Susan left. I guess to her; she must have wondered if her life and world would ever stop changing. It was not the only reason but an important one in why we didn’t change her name. So many things kept changing around her, we wanted her to at least keep beautiful name and make her understand that it was she that was being welcomed into her new forever home.
We covered her cage with a blanket on the sides so she could have some privacy. For the most part she stayed solidly in her cage. But she would pop out for a quick peek of her new surroundings from time to time. We put her food and water in the crate at first of which she was very possessive of with the other dogs, but had no problem with us moving it. In fact she welcomed us to come in her domain and pet her or rub her tummy.
But she was so well behaved and friendly we left the crate open the first night and never had a reason to ever close her in. But over the next few weeks she would rarely come out of it. I’d come home from work, she’d run out and bark her head off to go for a walk. Sadly she only had enough steam to make it around the small block. And I had learned she hates squirrels and will go through anything to get to them. Lucky for them she can’t run fast for long.
Once we are home from her walk she gets a drink and jumps right back in her crate. We even began to worry she would never come out except to get a quick pet or tummy rub. But slowly she began to immerge. She would lay out on the middle of the floor for a little bit and jump back in her crate for a while. Yet as each day passed, she spent more and more time out with her new sister’s. So one day when she went out back to spend some time with Sassy, Trish and I packed up the crate and just placed her bed there. She seemed a little upset when she saw her fortress was gone, but soon acted as if she didn’t notice. It is her spot though and doesn’t take kindly to others entering it. But has since stopped growling over her food bowl, I guess she knows now no one will take her food. And she willingly shares her personal water bowl with her sister’s.
Everyone that meets Nanaz falls in love with her. And her disposition shows regardless what happened to her leg and ears, the people who cared for her both on the streets of Iran and in the Vafa Shelter erased any memories of any harm people may have done to her. She has nothing but kindness for all those she meets and that is a testament to the generous hearts of the people of Iran and Vafa that cared for her for so many years and Susan of Mutts Need Love. They all put forth an incredible effort to not only help Nanaz and countless other dogs have a chance to find her forever home but also for Trish and me to fill a void in our hearts with one of these wonderful dogs.
Brian schmidt
