Apr 29, 2017
Adopted by Marsha & Stan Laugher – April 9, 2014 – Oldsmar, FL
My husband and I lived in Maryland in the DC suburbs, with our two dogs and two cats and were getting ready to move to Florida. I had become familiar with VAFA through facebook and had sponsored two dogs at the shelter in remembrance of my mother who was Iranian.
I came to know Farah Ravon and the VAFA team better through their heroic efforts to save the dogs from my home country and I had made a vow that our next dog would be from VAFA.
Early in 2014 Farah reached out and asked for some help in fostering a puppy who had been found in the streets of Tehran, I saw Poolak’s pretty face and saw her video, and offered to help in anyway. I agreed to foster Poolak till we moved to Florida – and then got my wonderful husband to say yes.
We were not in the country when Poolak arrived – but Farah kept us updated with all of her trip and we even received a text (in Mexico) when Poolak and her travellers arrived at Dulles.
We picked her up from Sara’s house the day we got back from our vacation – Poolak was even cuter in person that in pictures, she did not like the car and looked so pitiful in her trip from DC to MD.
She arrived and met our pack – Clemson our beagle immediately took to her and showed her the ropes around our small town home. Poolak took very well to the cats, intrigued at first, then playful and then chasing – but in fun, no meanness to her at all.
She took walks in the neighborhood and became a local celebrity amongst our dog friends….everyone wanted to meet the dog from the streets of Iran, and she was friendly with everyone, a little timid at first but she adapted very well and quickly.
Then through the course of fostering another VAFA dog, our beloved Parichehr, my husband and I decided that we had fallen in love with our Tall Leggy Blond – our Persian Princess Poolak, and joined the Foster Failure Club. We adopted our Princess less than two months after we met her…..as my husband says, we have two Iranian natives living at the house – Poolak and me.
Now she lives in Florida, with her 2 dog and 2 cat brothers and sisters. She loves to chase geckos and tries to jump up at all the birds on our walks. She completed a 6 week obedience course and we may even enroll her in agility training – she is a happy puppy and we are a happy family.
Wish we could save all the pups on the streets of Iran…..
Marsha Laughter
Apr 29, 2017
Adopted by Yvonne Formel – Oct 6, 2013 – Glen Ellyn, IL
One year ago I stood in the cargo building parking lot at O’Hare International Airport while my new “jube” dog from Iran relieved himself on a 1 foot by 1 foot patch of grass. The cold autumn wind ripped past us and I wondered how he would adjust to his new home in the suburbs of Chicago. I felt the need to apologize for the lack of mountains and for the frigid long winters that would be coming. Once home, Choupan was greeted by my children and Rosie, my senior beagle.
He quickly went from room to room and while going up the stairs was easy, he was unsure how to come down them. It was late and I thought a walk before bed would be wise. Choupan was new at walking on a leash and would often go in the opposite direction. He never pulled and could be easily redirected. I knew then he would never have trouble walking with me, (I didn’t think about all the squirrels that would be frolicking on the lawn the next morning!) As we walked that night he was curious about the pumpkins neighbors displayed in their yards.
I recalled as children we didn’t have pumpkins in Iran and the annual school pumpkin carving contest consisted of decorated butternut squashes instead.
Unlike other dogs that I had adopted or they adopted me as strays, Choupan had not spent his young life in a house, with a family, with a TV and a vacuum cleaner and a door bell. So his first few days and weeks were filled with so many new experiences. It was surreal for me to think he had come from a country that I had loved with all my heart and was not allowed to return.
I still look at him today, a year later and think, he has seen what I have seen, and we are so blessed to be together.
One year later he is predictable as I am sure we are for him. We run for half an hour each morning. He knows the routes, he knows when we turn, he knows when a car comes we get back on the sidewalk.
He knows my son’s cars by the sound of their engines and joyfully runs to the garage door to greet them. He knows through trial and error that he’s not to go into my daughter’s room and bother the many stuffed animals on her bed. Most importantly, he knows he is loved even if he does have to wear socks outside in the cold winter!
Apr 29, 2017
Adopted by Richard Del Pezzo – April 6, 2014 – Daytona Beach, FL
Princess has been a wonderful addition to the house ever since day one which was April 6, 2014. In a short period of time she has become very popular in the neighborhood as well as the dog park. Everyone here seems to know her background and they continue to be amazed at how beautiful and how well-behaved she is. Everyone is impressed that she has a passport!
Princess is only 14 months old but is very well-behaved for a puppy. However, she has had her moments but nothing too serious. She has a thing for shoe laces and will tear apart the laces and the shoe if she can get to them. Needless to say, I can no longer just leave shoes on the floor even for just a few minutes as she will hone in on it and rip it to shreds. Her other vice is to rip buttons off of pants and shirts. At the moment I have four pants and one shirt that didn’t survive Princess but it is all good though and she is learning to chew her toys instead of my work uniforms.
She is also in the process of digging one very large and deep hole in the backyard. I have measured the hole and it is now 34 inches deep, 36 in. long and 13 in. wide. She easily fits inside the hole and I imagine she just likes the cool dirt on a warm day. What is really funny is that she actually unearthed a plastic pipe that is used for the septic sewer system but hasn’t managed to tear that apart yet.
We go for a long walk every day and I am so proud to show her off to the neighbors and I always get so many positive comments about her beauty. Her name is perfect for her and I could not have chosen a more appropriate one. Right now she is looking at me with those big eyes and wondering why I am spending so much time writing this instead of playing with her. She is being patient but I am not so sure how long that will last!
Richard Del Pezzovery
proud owner in the state of Florida, USA.
Apr 29, 2017
Adopted by Madeleine & Claude Bourget, July 7, 2013, Toronto, Canada
Sheeba came into our lives shortly after we lost our 10 year old Schnauzer. We aren’t sure who rescued who, but its been a great experience. She has found her forever home and protects it, and her new mom and dad, with vigour. She loves to wear her fancy coats as she struts around in her new neighborhood.
At first, she had quite a bit of separation anxiety, but with time and a lot of love, she understands that if we leave her for short bouts of time, we always come back. But boy look out when we do! She is so excited to see us she dances. She has brightened our lives and we hope we have done the same for her. She travelled a long way to find us, having spent the first few years of her life in Iran. Thanks to Vafa Animal Shelter – Foreign adoptions, she was able to come to Canada and start over.
madeleine and claude bourget
Apr 29, 2017
Adopted by Aivaziyan Family – May 13, 2013 – La Crescenta, California
From the time I opened my eyes, we had a dog in our house. I lost my last dog at the young age of 8. After that, it was very hard to imagine bringing home another dog until I met Vafa and saw their activities, which seemed so beautiful to me. I wished to be a part of this kind group. Finally I decided to look for a dog and asked Faranak about Sebastian who had just arrived from Iran. I found out then that he already had a foster home, but they were looking for a temporary home for another dog.
Although I had no idea what breed or size he was, I accepted to become his foster mom.
I had a very good feeling, when I went to Viki’s house and saw a ball of fur sitting at the door waiting. When I got near him, he started wagging his tail. As soon as I picked up his leash he ran towards the car and waited to jump in, it was quite interesting. After I took off, he put his head out of the window and had his fluffy ears fly in the wind. He was so happy that I couldn’t bring myself to roll up the window driving on the freeway. So, when he came into the house he checked everything. My god, he was cute. I must confess that I wasn’t happy with his name at all, it was very hard for me but with every passing day I noticed more and more that why would they name him General. He was a true general; everything had to be under his control. He was with me three days, but I could still see worry in his eyes.
General, a very smart dog, kind, proud, loves neck massages and most beautiful…were his eyes; like buttons! I can’t say enough about him, in fact when I talk about him my heart rate goes up. This was one of the best and most important decisions in my life. Today, General has an aunt who loves him to death. He has a kind grandmother who adores him, an uncle who complained the first day that he doesn’t like small dogs but today I hear love talk from him; words I had never heard from him before. Even my grandmother, who was scared of dogs and has had a dog bite her in the past, loves General. There isn’t one person who sees this handsome boy and doesn’t come over to pet him.If I start talking about my experiences I have to write a book because moment by moment has been an experience with him. Truly, Vafa people are lucky. They can give so much love and receive it back in two folds from these kind animals. I thank the Vafa team on my own behalf. I also thank dear Faranak joon, dear Viki, dear Maryam and her husband Matthew; kind and patient Mamma Elizabeth; dear Fariba – who have dedicated all of their experiences and time and energy to me. Thank you all.
Arlete
From the time he first walked into our home, he took me by surprise. I did not expect to see what I was looking at. His gentle but yet timid eyes and his round nose, together shaped a triangle that was the center of attraction. He was beautiful and lovely. It came to light that he was lost and rescued in Iran. Through the help of Vafa Animal Shelter, my lovely daughter who has very deep feelings for animals adopted him.
The first week, after traveling for 16 hours in a plane, he seemed exhausted and confused. He didn’t seem to want to trust us as new owners but yet had no choice, this was his new home. He felt love, attention, care, and trust from his first moment arriving. So he became friendlier and less confused, gradually. I had a dog in the past, whom I never allowed inside the house, but this one is something else. Very naughty, sweet, and so lovely so he was warmly welcomed inside the house and even in our bed at times!
At first I thought, “I’ll never even let him in my bedroom”, but after the third week, he was jumping on the bed and kissing my face, licking my feet to wake me up. Now I can’t go to bed without kissing him good night.
He has changed a lot. He is more confident; trusts more, better disciplined, and in a better shape physically and emotionally. He has a new healthy diet, a warm and nice bed to sleep in and most importantly a loving family that provides him peace. He is so happy because he knows he won’t be left alone, even for a single moment. He won’t be mistreated or ignored. He is with us wherever we go; he is a part of the family.
Every member of the family is in love with him. He has changed our entire family’s emotion and life. I wouldn’t go out to spend time by myself at all anymore. But with General I go out for walk twice a day. When I see how happy he is when he is out, it makes me happy too. I don’t think we can live without him. He is not only the center of attention in this house, but every single person who walks by him. He gets a lovely look and a compliment. He is our one and only doggy, named General!
We would like to thank Vafa Animal Shelter for giving us such a beautiful gift and helping other homeless dogs to find a warm home.
General’s Grandma
Apr 29, 2017
Adopted by Linda & Barry Potter – July 23, 2013 – Salt Lake City, Utah
We sit in the quiet living room, and the only sound to be heard is the contented chewing of chew toys from my three dogs. It is, as we call it, the evening chew. To me it is the sounds of three contented rescued dogs engaged in an enjoyable social activity while each one is sprawled on in the security of their own part of the very long couch. I think it is their version of smoking a cigar in the smoking room, they even wear their dinner jackets.
Ah Maggie, who we think refers to herself as Lady Margaret, who is also known as Mags, Crazy Mags, and the Bullet although she rather prefers Mademoiselle Bullet (pronounced Boolay). Maggie joined our family in July 2013 when we picked her up in Saint George Utah. Kathy Robinson, a volunteer, gave Maggie a lift from CA to UT, the next to last leg of her long journey from Iran. We are Maggie’s forever family as she fits in as she is quirky (like us), but gives off a good normal veneer.
When she joined us, she met her brother Harry, (half dachshund, half golden retriever). They got along from the start, although Maggie was more timid preferring lap time to chase time. But Harry showed Maggie the ropes, how to sit before dinner, and get along with the quirky servants (us).
Maggie is a love, she hates to be separated from us, earning her a trip to MA in October 2013 to put her paws in the Atlantic Ocean, (as well as having been to the Pacific Ocean). She looked a little shocked at the temp of the Atlantic in October, but it didn’t stop her from giving some Canadian Geese what for! And she amazed my in laws, but jumping up into my father in laws lap and he quickly cuddled and pet her (and he is not a pet person).
She loves to burrow into bed with me in the morning, she delights in wiggling under the covers and putting a cold wet nose on my belly! I swear she giggles when she does this! The other quirky thing is she is quiet and demur until you put a leash on her, then we have the Crazy Maggie, she puts her leash in her mouth and shakes it for all she is worth all the way down the driveway, and sometimes up the street towards home.
She is part of the crew and loves to go out and play with Harry and Luna, but also likes her alone time. She is a fixture in my sewing room, and I spend many enjoyable hours there, with her for company.
Maggie brings a quiet reserve to an otherwise rambunctious home. She enjoys her time spent with us, and watches football with Mommy on Sundays but also enjoys some quiet time, when the other two, have gone to bed.
Here’s Maggie (then Margie)’s rescue story and her trip to the US:
I happened to be at the shelter that very day when the group of small breed dogs were rescued from a very bad situation and dropped off at the airport. There were seven exceptionally beautiful dogs who without a doubt were abused, as they were rather timid. Margie and I hit it off right away. She has such unique kind behavior. Every Friday, when I came to the shelter, I used to ask management if I could take Margie out. She would cry when I had to put her back before I left for the day… –Bahar Tavackoli.
Little Margie’s journey to the US was different than all other transports we’ve had so far. She was small enough that we had the option of sending her in a small crate inside the cabin — of course this would not have been possible without kindess of Mr and Mrs Sadeghi-Sadr. Margie was a perfect traveler, quiet and gentle. Despite all the hardship she must have been through thus far, she was still open to see what’s awaiting her next. We took 3 different size crates to the airport with us, in case if the airline wouldn’t accomodate her inside the cabin. It all worked out — Funny our smallest dog, ended up with most supplies 🙂 The airline crew allowed her to be carried on board the cabin as long as she went in the soft bag, so we put her in there, and our dear travelers went towrads the plane. Thank you so much, Yasamin and Amir for going through the trouble and carrying her onboard the plane.
Farah
About a year ago, a friend introduced us to Vafa Animal Shelter and my husband and I started to follow their efforts mostly online. We were always amazed at how dedicated and tireless they were, considering the challenging environment they had to operate in. I was always hoping to make a meaningful contribution no matter how small and that opportunity presented itself a few weeks ago when we visited Iran and we were asked if we could bring one of the rescued dogs back with us to US. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Vafa Team here and in Iran. They took care of all the arrangements and followed up vigorously to ensure a smooth and flawless experience for us and the little lucky one, Margie, who accompanied us back to US. Thanks to Vafa, this turned out to be our most memorable and rewarding journey and I hope Margie feels the same:) The only problem with this arrangement was that at the end of the trip, we were in love with this little peaceful angel and it was very hard to let go…
Yasamin
