Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Amanda & Jason Reynaert – Nov 14, 2011 – Ontario, Canada
Hello Friends, It’s Kopol here.
I’m so happy to be here in Canada with my new family! They changed my name to Polo. They were inspired from their recent trip to Venice Italy, and the fact that just like Marco Polo I travelled the world too!
I joined my mom and dad in November along with my big brother Bear. I’ve heard a lot about their angel Mackee and how by him passing on they were able to welcome me into their family. They tell me all the time that I keep them hopping 😉 I love my new family so much that I’m always listening to see if there is any danger coming our way – they call me Radar because my one ear is always listening. I’m slowly learning to trust Mom & Dad that they aren’t going to let anything happen to me.
My brother Bear is still getting use to the idea of having a younger sister who wants to play all the time. I think I play a little to rough for the boy. I’m learning how to play fair and we both really love to run! Mom and Dad introduced me to Bear’s favourite spot this past weekend. It’s now my favourite spot too! It’s a big, beautiful piece of farm land that has a great big swimming hole in the middle! I jumped in and brrrrrrrrrr…. it was COLD! But I can’t wait for it to warm up so that I can swim in it like my big brother does!
I want to thank everyone that helped get me here to my new family. I’m so excited about the summer and moving into a new house with mom & dad. They tell me it has a bigger back yard and it’s really close to the big swimming hole! We’ll get some photos of me swimming soon! xoxo Polo (aka Kopol)
My mom attached a few photos of me.
Apr 16, 2017
Adopted by Marianne & Family , October 2011, Perth, Ontario, Canada
In the end of October, 2011, I saw a picture of one of the most beautiful dogs that I have ever seen. I am not a stranger to beautiful animals given that I have had some of the rarest large/giant breeds on the planet. After losing one of my dogs, another awesome creature.
A one blue-eyed, one brown-eyed, red-merle catahoula (Andromeda was her name, after the constellations on her back), in North Carolina in a freak ice storm in Feb, 2010, and nursing my white shepherd back to health after her shattering her leg in 8 places between the knee and hip from the same accident (my eternal thank you goes to the awesome surgeon (Dr. Jack Gallagher, North Carolina, you will NEVER find a better orthopedic surgeon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) we got a Bernese-Golden here in Canada (from the local rescue, Lanark Animal Welfare Society, or LAWS).
One year later, my white shepherd (Komiko, named because she had the courage, dignity, and presentation of a Geisha) was diagnosed with cancer. After all the horrifying tribulations that that poor girl went through, which was so totally unfair (She was two years old), I decided to look into a shepherd breed that was less prone to genetic issues. I found the Anatolian Shepherd. And I started looking for one.
I found Ashley. She had the most beautiful expression on her face and her eyes were so trusting. She came to Canada over 3 long days of travel, from pillar to post, from air planes to cars, across oceans and continents. She was put in small cages (NEVER AGAIN), and made to stand up to the most rigorous of testing to come here.
I don’t know if she was meant to be with us, but from the first time that I saw her picture, I thought so. I think she does too. I talk to her about Maysam (THE most generous of foster parents that TRULY took his responsibility to heart that our animals are not here for the good times, they are here for the long run……., and he put everything he had into making that true when he knew he could no longer look after her. That takes GREAT heart.).
When we got Ashley, we started calling her Shadow because she followed us everywhere, her name now is Strider. Because that is what she is. She was shy, scared of everything, and I do mean everything, paper bags, toilet paper, people, dogs, EVERYTHING!!! Now she takes cats, dogs, people, paper!!!, in stride. She looks, doesn’t freak, and doesn’t run. With those long legs (no kidding, she’s got a long drink of water legs that don’t quit and I originally thought that her sway back was an issue……..(no, no, no……it’s the way that she is built), it’s like watching an antelope, she strides, with no fear………….. it’s AWESOME!!!!!
Strider now lives with us (Marianne and Lucy) and she’s still the most beautiful creature. I no longer have to look at her photo to see those wonderful trusting eyes. I get to look into them every day, from the moment that I wake up, to the moment that I go to bed. She is Strider.Thank you Vafa Team for letting us bring her into our world. We will cherish her and protect her for as long as God decides that she is with us. And she does the same for us.
Marianne, Lucy, and Strider.
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
