05/25/2025
Adoption Update
Kauai!
As life goes, not all pet adoptions are “easy”, not all transitions are flawless, and not all of our new animals get along with our existing animals, etc.
What worked? What didn’t work? Who did you lean on for support? What might you do differently if you were to start over again today? If you could give your past self a piece of advice, what would it be?
From Kauai’s person:
“While I knew that we had our work cut out for us adopting Kauai, I could have never imagined the journey we would have together and I’m so grateful.
However, it certainly was not always easy and a lot of patience, time, blood, sweat and tears went into this- and I wouldn’t change it for the world!
Kauai was given a second chance when Becca pulled him to HSIMC from the county shelter. Manina supported him at the shelter and Sarah at IDTE eventually took him in for a board and train. They both helped us in the early transition phase when we would go over to Sarah’s after work to spend time with him before taking him home on a foster adventure.
When we adopted him, we spent several days a week training (well really 24/7 but several days per week in private and group classes) and took him to Sarah’s for doggy day care daily! He was making progress but the world was still a scary place for him and that’s when Sarah recommended we try a Schutzhund seminar. It put me outside of my comfort zone but it put him inside of his- and I was willing to do whatever it took to help him! He needed a job! We trained with the Schutzhund club among award winning dogs, and learned SO much. Kauai finds peace in scent work/tracking and loves obedience training. The training on the Schutzhund field changed how he saw the world and acted when we were out and about. He seemed finally at peace, but he’ll always be on high alert!
Adding his sister Kona, also from HSIMC, to the family has helped him grow even more!
Kauai was at our wedding and laid there calmly throughout the entire ceremony- watching the birds and taking the scenery in. Our family and friends couldn’t believe the transformation! To this day friends that met him early on are shocked at the dog he is now and so happy when he chooses to cuddle with them even if it’s only for a few minutes and on his terms 🥰.
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice it would be to enjoy every day of the journey and take it all in, because it all goes by so quickly! Each phase was special. I’m so grateful to be where we are now and so very proud of Kauai!”
🐾 Adoption Success Stories Start at HSIMC 🐾
No Appointment Needed During Open Hours:
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesday thru Friday
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
📍9700 Uva Drive, Redwood Valley, California 95470
☎️ (707) 485-0123
Apply to Foster or Adopt Online
🐶🐱♥️🐾
