FOREVER Home!
From the moment we learned of the sad little elderly girl languishing in a Los Angeles shelter, we knew we had to try to save her. We named her “Hope” because it would be three days before the shelter would release her. We didn’t know if she would survive … and we “hoped” and prayed she would.
Of course we had no way of knowing Hope’s history, but from her physical and mental condition, we suspect that she lived her life as a breeding dog, being bred repeatedly. And it was clear that her last puppies were born not long before she landed in the shelter. Hope was desperate for attention and probably had never had a human “mom” to love her.
Hope’s first month of freedom was spent with her foster-mom in Los Angeles, who provided her the love and care (and trips to the vet) that were badly needed for her to become healthy enough to travel to our home in Colorado … Harley’s House of Hope. After her arrival, we continued nurturing Hope, but we knew that she wouldn’t be able to go to “just any” forever home – it would have to be a special home, as Hope is considered a “hospice case” because of her old age, physical condition and degree of kidney disease.
Most of the people who inquired about adopting Hope were not prepared to care for her once they learned of her medical condition and the prognosis that she likely wouldn’t live one more year. But then Vickie inquired … A PERFECT MATCH!! Vickie is a friend of mine, a friend of Hope’s foster-mom in Los Angeles, and a Harley’s Hero. She was ready, willing and able to provide the special care and all the love that Hope would need for whatever time she has left.
And so it was arranged … on adoption day, Vickie drove 7 hours from her home in Minnesota – and we drove 7 hours from Colorado – to meet up halfway in the small town of Kadoka, South Dakota. This tiny, quaint little town will forever be special to us because of Hope! It was there that Hope’s new life truly began.
The moment Vickie held Hope for the first time, it was as if Hope knew she was finally where she was meant to be … in the arms of her forever mom at last!
We are so grateful to Vickie for giving Hope a chance to know nothing but love for the rest of her life. It’s so true what they say … saving one dog won’t change the world, but for Hope, her world has changed in a very big way. Thank you, Vickie! Have a wonderful new life, Hope!
“When I first saw Hope on Facebook, I let Rudi know that I was interested in adding her to our pack. I was very nervous and excited while filling out the adoption application. I never dreamed that she would be our very own. Rudi and Dan met me in South Dakota where I met Hope for the first time. Hope is fitting in well with her two canine sisters, Lonnie 10 and Camilla 3. She likes to follow them around the yard and we have already been on walks together. Thank you again for entrusting Hope to our care – she is exactly what we needed! We love her!” – Vickie
May 4, 2019
Congratulations to Hope and her new momma! The best Gotcha Day EVER!
May 4, 2019
Hope, George and Elvis waiting for Hope’s new momma to arrive!
May 4, 2019
We made it to South Dakota! #PitStop #HopesGoingHome #AdoptionDay
May 4, 2019
Traveling through Nebraska! #HopesGoingHome #AdoptionDay
May 4, 2019
Hope is on her way home!
We’ve been driving for about 3 hours now and are currently in Wyoming, on our way to meet Hope’s new mom in South Dakota (halfway to Minnesota). Besides Hope – also along for the road trip are Cricket, Olive, George and Elvis!
May 2, 2019
On Saturday, Hope will travel to Minnesota where she will join her new family! We will drive part of the journey (as far as South Dakota) where we will meet up with Hope’s new mom, Vickie … so expect updates from our road trip!
May 2, 2019
Beautiful Hope!
Apr 30, 2019
Great news!! On Saturday Hope will travel to Minnesota where she will join her new family! We will drive part of the journey (as far as South Dakota) where we will meet up with Hope’s new mom, Vickie … so expect updates from our road trip!
Apr 25, 2019
Hope spent a little time with Dr. Eberhardt at Berthoud Animal Hospital this morning so we could discuss an ongoing care plan for her …. because …. she will soon be GOING TO HER FOREVER HOME! It’s true, Hope will soon have her very own mommy (hopefully within 2 weeks)!
Apr 18, 2019
It’s hard not to feel emotional when I look at Hope’s precious face, remembering she would have been euthanized in the shelter had we not saved her. Hope was one of the lucky ones, but most dogs that land in the shelter aren’t so fortunate. If you’re looking to add a new pet to your family, PLEASE visit your local shelter first.
Apr 16, 2019
George, Elvis and Olive are running (barking) to the gate because they hear Dan’s truck coming in the drive, but Hope’s still trying to figure out how she ended up in Colorado with this crazy pack!
Mar 16, 2019
Just over a month ago, we saved little Hope from being euthanized in a Los Angeles shelter … and this morning she is enjoying the view from our livingroom window!
Mar 15, 2019
Our Harley’s Dream residents, Elvis and Hope meeting this morning for the first time!
Apr 15, 2019
A few pictures of Hope (including Dan and America) taken at the Los Angeles airport yesterday. The flight was delayed 4 times and Dan finally arrived home with Hope at about 4:45AM …. long day/night! Hope is the most adorable little girl, very sweet and happy! Thanks to all the love and nurturing her foster momma’s America and Maria provided her.
Apr 14, 2019
Today, foster-mom America had to say goodbye to little Hope after nursing her back to health for the past month … but Hope is now safely in Dan’s hands at the Los Angeles airport and soon the two of them will board a flight to Colorado.
America sent me his text message, “Dear Rudi, my Queen Hope is with Dan. It was really hard to leave her. It feels sweet and also bitter. Sweet to see her in the hands of Dan, knowing that I was a part of Hope’s second chance at life and knowing that she will someday soon have a lovely forever home – but bitter to know that she will not be with me anymore. Hope, I love you forever, my Queen.”
Once Hope arrives in Colorado we will provide additional veterinary care and then we will find her the most perfect, loving home.
Apr 10, 2019
Our precious little Hope has spent the past month in Los Angeles with her wonderful foster-moms, America and Maria, gaining strength and becoming healthy enough to travel to Colorado to Harley’s Dream… and that will finally happen this Sunday!! (we’ll provide updates, of course!)
Thank you to everyone for keeping this sweet girl in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you for donating toward her medical care – we are very grateful. Once Hope arrives in Colorado we will provide additional veterinary care and then we will find her the most perfect, loving home.
Mar 24, 2019
Hope’s foster-mom tells us that she’s always wagging her tail and she loves to explore the yard! She’s getting stronger every day and soon she’ll be able to travel to Colorado. Once she arrives, she will receive additional veterinary care and then we’ll find her the perfect forever home!
Mar 21, 2019
She is such a trooper! Hope continues to eat and drink (and take lots of naps). She is continually gaining strength and her foster-moms say she gives kisses and has become quite the love bug!
Hope’s last 2 test results came back favorable, which was such a relief. Early next week blood tests will be re-run and at that point, assuming her questionable values have improved, we can make plans to transport Hope to Colorado. Once here, she will receive additional veterinary care and then we’ll find her the perfect forever home.
Mar 19, 2019
The good news is she is eating, drinking and she has been following her foster-mommy all over the house! We had a long talk with her doctor in Los Angeles and the results from the series of tests aren’t the best, but there is “hope”. For now, our sweet girl is on medicine that is assuring she is comfortable and happy. She will be re-evaluated in a few days.
PS: Hope is being fostered by our wonderful Los Angeles-based volunteers, America and her mom, Maria. Hope is pictured here with Maria – and from what we are told, Hope loves her!
Mar 18, 2019
These pictures were taken just yesterday of Hope exploring her foster-mom’s yard. This was so good to see because previously she didn’t have the strength to move around so well. But today Hope isn’t feeling very good and we’re hoping it’s just kennel cough. We’ll update you again soon, but meanwhile, please keep this precious little girl in your prayers.
Mar 14, 2019
As expected, Hope’s bloodwork results were not promising, so she had another doctor appointment today and this time they took chest x-rays and did a full body scan, plus a urine culture, and they are also testing for tick-borne disease. These tests will help decide the best course of action. We’ll have more information after talking to the doctor tomorrow. But meanwhile, Hope is enjoying all the love and care she’s receiving from foster-moms, America and Maria.
Mar 13, 2019
Our wonderful foster-mom America took this cute photo of Hope on her way to visit the doctor this afternoon. As you can see, she’s very alert – but she is also very weak. There are some serious concerns regarding Hope’s health. In particular, she has a grade 6 heart murmur and she also has a hernia that might be affecting her bladder. She has only 2 teeth and they are both very bad. We are waiting for results from her blood panel and urinalysis. But most importantly, we’re making sure Hope is pain-free, comfortable and happy … and that she is!
I really don’t like asking for donations but without them, we couldn’t have rescued Hope from the shelter and provided her the medical care she needs.
Thank you so much for helping us help this precious little girl. She deserves to be loved and receive the best care possible for however long she has left… and we’ll be sure she gets that.
Mar 12, 2019
Good news! Hope ate and drank and is now sleeping like a baby! Tomorrow she will have a complete veterinary assessment and we’re praying that nothing too serious is wrong. Please continue keeping Hope in your prayers, we’re positive they are helping. Thank you so much for caring about this little girl.
Mar 12, 2019
Hope survived 7 days in a cold, noisy and very scary shelter in Los Angeles. She’s about 12-years-old, terribly underweight and not healthy. But MOST IMPORTANT – she is now safe and sound in the home of our awesome volunteer America. These pictures were taken by America after pulling Hope (on behalf of Harley’s Dream) and she told me Hope kissed her and licked her fingers after leaving the shelter. This makes my heart so happy! America (and her mom Maria) are angels and I am so grateful for the love and care they give the dogs we rescue. Hope is in the best hands!
Nar 12, 2019
By the time you read this post, little 12-year-old Hope will be SAFE in the arms of our wonderful Los Angeles-based volunteer, America. We’ll have pictures and an update later.
It’s YOUR support and donations that made it possible for us to save this precious little girl’s life.
PS: This picture is of Hope in her cage at the shelter. NEVER AGAIN will she be caged.
Nar 10, 2019
We named her “Hope” because hope is the power to believe anything is possible. This tiny girl is suffering right now in a Los Angeles shelter and, though we have a signed agreement that she will be released to Harley’s Dream, the shelter won’t let us pick her up until Tuesday evening. She’s sick, scared, underweight, and likely blind – our concern is if she’ll even make it until Tuesday. Our hearts ache for her. Please keep Hope in your thoughts and prayers – she deserves a second chance and we want to give her that. If everything goes as planned, little Hope will soon be safe in loving arms and receiving much-needed medical care.
We’ll update you again once Hope is safe. Thank you so much for supporting our senior dog rescue program.