All posts by Rick Cognyl-Fournier

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Tyson 4 – $3,000 later

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$3,000 dollars later, I’m still looking for that forever home who will love me unconditionally. Here’s the latest update on me:

One of Sophie’s great foster homes had offered to take me out of hiding and try fostering me with his two old dogs as I’ve always been good with dogs I knew. Being experienced and knowledgable, my foster Dad introduced me to his two old girls and I was in heaven. He called Sophie within the hour to say that I was happier then a pig in shit and was having a great time with the girls. He felt so good about taking me out of there, it looked like it would be a great place until I find that forever home.

Unfortunately it didn’t last, the next thing you know he was calling Sophie to say I had grabbed his dog and injured her pretty badly. She told him to rush to her vet where she met them, and thankfully the injury, even though extensive, turned out to be a huge skin laceration, but no serious damage was caused. Poor old Saffy walked to the scale still wagging her tail.

Even though my foster Dad described the incident as being horrendous, he never saw any aggression but obviously Sophie decided it was time to have me evaluated by a professional to determine at this point whether I should be euthanized as this situation totally surprised her. She has always claimed that I’m very submissive, have no aggression issues, that I was simply not good with some dogs, she started doubting her assessment of me.

I’m ecstatic to have passed the evaluation with flying colors as far as the danger to the public determination made by the city. What seems to happen with me comes from early on (3 to 5 weeks old) when I lacked the socialization needed to learn my limits with other dogs. So basically I see another dog as a toy and shake the hell out of it as I do not understand the screeching and screams coming from the other dog. So the assessment is this, I’m extremely submissive, passive, easy going but have absolutely no aggression issues and certainly do not pose a threat or danger to humans. Of course I can never go out without a muzzle, cannot go to dog parks, and can only interact and play with other dogs wearing a tight fitted muzzle that cannot come off, as I really do love the company of other dogs.

Sophie is therefore going to try to get my death sentence lifted so I can return into a normal environment and get out of this cell. My evaluator told Sophie that keeping me here will not affect me as I’m so easy going, however let me tell you I hate it here and want to get out!

All the money that has been spent to keep me alive means less to save others and I feel really bad, but Sophie would never have put me down just because of financial reasons. So if you want to help you can make a donation or by buying Sophie a coffee, every little bit will help. Hugs and kisses to all of you who are rooting for me, I will soon be free again! As they say in New Hampshire, LIVE FREE or DIE.

Adopted

Chico 4

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My name is Chico 4. I am a miniature Pinscher, about 1 and a half years old, and looking for the right home.

I am right now, an ankle biter, I walk you down the street (on my hind legs), I want to lunge at everything that moves (bikes, roller blades, etc..) but Sophie has been working hard with me so I am no longer the boss…..

I am a quick learner, but I will need someone who can structure me, otherwise I will always remain a little pain in the butt.

I am very affectionate, try to play the ‘macho card’ sometimes by showing my teeth, pretending to want to bite (I put my teeth on your hands, but don’t really put any pressure)…. so I definitely don’t want to bounce around from home to home because I am a ‘typical’ pinscher.

Adopted

Dilbert

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I’ve been named Dilbert cause I’m a funny little guy. I’m about three months old, look like a little Husky mix and obviously quite neglected as I’m very skinny and bony. My ears will probably go up as one of them goes up and flips over which gives me that goofy look.

I’m looking for a foster home and eventually a permanent one. Obviously I’m a bouncy little puppy, friendly and seem pretty smart as I have not messed in my cage since I arrived yesterday.

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Chuck

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My name is Chuck. I am born around Christmas 2009, so about 10 months old. I am possibly a Pitbull/Dane mix (I was supposedly a Shepherd/pitbull mix) as I am quite big already and have big feet

I am very smart for my young age, already housetrained, and I get along great with other pets (dogs, cats). I am also very gentle and submissive, so really good with kids.

I am hoping to find a good home while I am still young, as I have a lot of potential and want to show it off to a permanent home soon!

If you want to share your life with me, contact Sophie at (514) 523-5052 or info@sophiesdogadoption.com

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Oprah

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My name is Oprah, my sisters are Dawn and Christelle, even though we look nothing alike. We are born on November 23, 2009 and are looking for new homes.

Our Mom is a Beagle/Teckel mix and Dad, believe it or not, is a Shepherd/Husky mix. I seem to have Dad’s hair as I have longer hair which is poofy.

I am the most dominant of the 3, probably the first born. Our size as adults is a real guess, but it should be somewhere between 30-60 lbs. hopefully not more.

If you think you want to be my new family, contact Sophie at (514) 523-5052 or info@sopheisdogadoption.com

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Simona

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I have been named Simona. I was found running in the middle of a busy street at rush hour, and I looked a mess. If you look at my picture, it gives you an idea of what I looked like. The other pictures are me now! Can’t wait till the hair grows back nice and shiny.

I am about 10 years old, have some cataracts in both eyes, and my teeth all had to be removed. I was not yet spayed, my nails were curled around so far it’s a wonder I got as far as I got. I could barely walk as they were digging into my pads.

My hair was one big matted pile, I had to be shaved down like a rat, and pop – my ears popped up! It looks under all that messy hair, like I might have some Schnauzer and Shih-Tzu.

I am very skittish, not yet housetrained to go outside but seem to know paper training to some point, but I am very sweet and gentle. Quiet as can be, mellow, but yet playful and loving.

By the way, I am great with cats, dogs, kids as well as people. The only drawback now is I can only eat soft foods, but I was unable to eat anyway with my rotted teeth. So I don’t mind, it’s better tasting anyway!

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Baby Doc

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My name is Baby Doc. I originally came into Sophie’s Dog Adoption a few years back, I was part of a litter named The Seven Dwarfs, and I was Doc.

I was adopted by a wonderful family with kids, and they renamed me Baby. Unfortunately, I have to find a new home as I have become very controlling in the house and insecure outside of the house. So I am now going by the name Baby Doc. I am a mutt, mixed with different breeds but definitely some Australian Shepherd or Cattle dog, and I do have some ‘herding’ instincts from that side of my family.

My family has been working really hard with me and have done great work. They took me to get professional help several times and things are better…but…I have a need to control the kids and bite them when they get excited or run around, or if I simply don’t want to be petted.

If I’m on ‘my’ territiory, I get over protective. I sometimes react, and sometimes don’t. It’s become hard for my family to know when I will or will not react.

What has helped me in the past is homeopathic granules to help stabilize a chemical imbalance in my brain that makes me so ‘worried’ but then the Holistic veterinarian who was seeing me took his retirement and I was no longer able to get the meds. But at this point, with or without meds I should not continue living in a home with children.

I would do great in a home with one person or a couple, and it seems now that the Vet has given his files to a new one, so I could be put back on the granules if you want.

So if you think you want to work with me, give me a new home, help will be available to you in order to integrate me properly. You will be strangers at first, and I am an insecure dog.

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Rayann & Raylen

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I’m Raylen, the biggest pup (already 20lbs) and my sister Rayann is the smallest one (only 14lbs), all our siblings are in the middle. Both of us are still looking for homes and both of us look a lot like Mom, Rayann even has that white line on her nose like Mom and our brother Rayven.

We have been together since we were born and left Mom about three weeks ago so we’re very well adjusted and socialized. We’re now ready to be split up and find some wonderful homes and hopefully see each other once a year at Sophie’s reunion.

It’s hard to say how big we’ll get but by the looks of things I expect to be about 90lbs and little sis should remain petite like Mom, probably around 60lbs.

If you want to give us a new life, a forever home, contact Sophie at (514) 523-5052 or info@sophiesdogadoption.com

You can see more pictures of us taken by our foster home on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=206006&id=513633945&l=2c378c469d

Adopted

Bert

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My name is Bert and here’s my story…

I came to Sophie’s Dog Adoption at the age of 8 weeks old after I was found during a police raid in a town that banned Pitbulls. Despite my young age, I was given a death sentence. The vet who was to perform my execution, knowing I was an innocent victim, called Sophie to save my life. This was now almost 4 years ago.

At the age of three month, I found what Sophie hoped would be my forever family, but they had lied to her claiming Pitbulls were not banned in their town. Goofy as I am, I decided to explore the neighborhood and to play hide and seek in someone’s backyard. They didn’t find it funny and called the city to report a Pitbull in their yard. That led the city to seek me out, bring me home and proceed with an eviction notice.

Having ten days to get out of the city, my family called Sophie and admitted having lied about the Pitbull ban and despite the fact that Sophie was very upset, she took me back and swore to find me a real forever home.

The family she found wanted a perfect dog and she knew I was exactly the right dog for them despite their “prejudice” against “us vicious killer dogs”, she gave them the opportunity to take me in and see how perfect I truly was.

I’m very vocal and intimidating when I play which made them nervous at first, so Sophie came to work with them on getting to know my body language and showing them how sweet I really was. She warned them of the judgments, dirty looks, refusal from friends and family to come over and gave them plenty of time to make sure they were ready to cope with the fact other people would be prejudice, the adoption contract was officially signed and I became their Romeo.

For a year I was that Romeo, I went from a teenager to an adult and became more dominant and rough in my play with other dogs and my Mom was banned from the dog park. We were no longer welcome there and I guess the others ruled the park. That being said I started becoming more and more frustrated of having no friends to play with so I started wanting to go see dogs I met while on walks. Being very vocal it scared people and again my Mom started getting the look.

All that to say she did everything wrong by tugging me away, crossing the street, avoiding other dogs and forgot all the training Sophie had given her and in the end I was dragging her down the street to go meet some dogs. So what do you think happened next? Sophie got the call saying I had to go, “the true Pitbull, vicious killer” personality was coming out in me and I had to go.

Bottom line is she would rather keep going to the dog park with my “siblings” (little dogs) then to have people give her the look. So I came back to Sophie’s and I truly am the best dog ever, but I am a bully with other dogs. And the longer I stay here and share my space with other foster dogs, the more dominant I am getting with new dogs. I am also lacking exercise, but once I find that right family who will truly fulfill my needs (exercise, structure, discipline, love and attention), I will shine once again!

Adopted

Baby

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My name is Baby and I’m still looking for that forever home. I am the cutest pitbull mix you’ll ever see, from my ears you’d swear I was mixed with a Chihuahua!

I am about 4 years old, female, and sweet as can be (that’s the pitbull in me). My mix is unknown, my ears are big and upright which gives me a funny and gentle look.

I am a strong girl, quite muscular, so very little kids might not be good, but otherwise I would do great in any family. I am good to stay alone during the day, I am housetrained, and generally a good girl. Some work is needed on the leash walking thing, but I seem to be a quick-learner.

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Chewbacca (ACDC)

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My real name is Chewbacca, even though ACDC was a pretty cool name. I’m in fact three years old and tonight I was reunited with my human Dad. He had been looking for me since the 28th when I snapped my makeshift leash by chasing a squirrel.

Even though the Berger Blanc is useless, the Montreal SPCA came through for me by giving out Sophie’s number when they got a call about me having been lost on Mount-Royal. I was so happy I howled my little head off and danced around with joy.

Adopted

Raymond

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Two down five to go. I’m Raymond, the second one of Sunshine’s 7 Rays to get officially adopted. I went to my new home tonight where my playmates are three cats a one, three and twenty year old cats. The two younger cats should enjoy playing with me, just hope the old one is not going to be grumpy in whack me to much.

Now I’m hoping my sister Raynelle will be the next one to be adopted as she is now left all by herself.

Adopted

Squeaky

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This is Squeaky and I was rescued by Sophie back in November (2009) and I’m thrilled to tell the world that I finally found my new home.

I was a scrawny little thing who had been abused. I’m now a little over 2 years old and have filled out and turned into an absolutely gorgeous Pitbull.

Despite the fact that I had been beaten with chains by my previous owner and had become so scared I was put on death row, I have never shown aggression and remained faithful to the human race. I will now have two loving humans and a doggy sister to fill my life with happiness.

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Boy

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Well I’m back with my original foster mom for a while, but I’m still looking. She agreed to take me out of Sophie’s place, mostly to help her out and to also give me a chance to reduce my stress as well as give me somewhat of a normal life. Being at Sophie’s is ok, but it’s taking it’s toll on me as she has very little time.

However my foster mom now lives in a very small apartment and I have to share it with the two cats. The place is so tiny that stretching out means taking up half the floor space, plus she lives in a very dog friendly building and with my leash aggression problem it may be a daily challenge for her when we encounter the neighbor dogs.

So if someone else with a bigger space, less dogs around and time to walk me regularly can come through for me it would be good for the both of us.

Adopted

Rayven

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I’m Rayven one of Sunshine’s 7 Rays, the first little boy to be officially adopted. My foster mom, who had adopted Havana from Sophie, absolutely fell in love with me.

Even though I really look like mom, my big sister Havana is in fact mistaken for my mom as we look very similar. I hope all my brothers and sisters find a good home soon and maybe some of us will be able to get together for play dates.

Adopted

Francis

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Yay! I’m adopted! I’m Francis the two year old Pug who got lucky as I went into a foster home who was interested in possibly adopting me.

Since I’m such a great boy, charming and funny, after living with me for a couple of weeks they knew we could never part.

They love me, I love them and I’m such a little clown that I hope to brighten up all their days.

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Sophie’s Dog Adoption – Reunion 2010!

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Please join us in celebrating 16 years of dog rescue, and Sophie’s upcoming 50th birthday!

The Annual reunion party is taking place at Percy Walters Park for all of Sophie’s dogs and their families.

Saturday & Sunday, September 11th & 12th

Starting @ 1:00 pm

At Percy Walters Park

(Located on Dr. Penfield Avenue, between Redpath & Simpson streets)

Hope to see you all there.

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Tyson 4 – In September

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Please someone come through for me… I’m getting restless, stressed out, extremely bored and depressed. Sophie came to spend some time with me today and she noticed how much muscle mass I have lost as I’m not getting any exercise.

Sophie is really sad to see me in this situation but she’s helpless right now. There is no way I can return to her place as the city inspector tried to reach her again this week asking for proof of my execution, to which she replied she would go to jail before killing me based on that crazy letter he pulled out of his …

Im in a very safe place right now but this is the best she can do. If funds were available, she could find me a nice boarding facility where I would get playtime, long walks, daily exercise and people to hug and kiss me.

Adopted

Augustina

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I’ve now been to the vet and the little warts are nothing worrisome. They are common and will go away on their own. They can be contagious to other dogs but only if I’m in close contact such as wrestling or playing around as they could rupture and that would be how they spread.

I’m a bouncy, energetic, playful and of course somewhat annoying little girl. I’m doing fairly good with the crate training, and with someone to teach me stuff, I would be a quick learner. I’m desperately looking for a foster home, if you have other dogs Sophie can provide little pj’s and t-shirts to prevent the spreading of my warts. So please open your home to me as Sophie has no time to start educating me and the older boys here kind of pick on me. I’m too young for this old crowd.

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I’ve now been to the vet and the little warts are nothing worrisome. They are common and will go away on their own. They can be contagious to other dogs but only if I’m in close contact such as wrestling or playing around as they could rupture and that would be how they spread.

I’m a bouncy, energetic, playful and of course somewhat annoying little girl. I’m doing fairly good with the crate training, and with someone to teach me stuff, I would be a quick learner. I’m desperately looking for a foster home, if you have other dogs Sophie can provide little pj’s and t-shirts to prevent the spreading of my warts. So please open your home to me as Sophie has no time to start educating me and the older boys here kind of pick on me. I’m too young for this old crowd.

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