Animal Humane Association of Star Valley It's All About the Animals!
Heart warming stories about pets and their people…
Thank you for introducing us to Blue (now known as Huckleberry Hound). He is a rambunctious, slobbering, howling cuddle bug, and we love him so much.
He is settled in here in Denver and is well worth the long drive to come get him. He and his new brother Sully are best friends now and are enjoying life. I would encourage anyone looking for a pet to seriously consider Lucky’s Place for their adoption.
Every year since it was started, we’ve managed to miss Lucky’s Place “Wag & Walk” fundraiser. We would’ve missed it this year, too, if it hadn’t been for our kind neighbor, Lee Robertson. Our family enjoys visiting with Lee when he’s out for a walk and we’re out for a walk with our dogs and our paths cross on the road that leads to the Osmond foothills below Wikiup. As Lee was kneeling down to greet our dogs he asked if we were going to take them to the Wag & Walk. I asked, “When is that again?” He said, “This morning! It starts in an hour.” I felt a sudden urgency to get three kids and two dogs back home and in the car so we could make it to the event! I’m so glad we did because that’s where we met Tesla!
She is one of the four adorable pups that Lucky’s Place staff had brought to the Wag & Walk in the hope of finding them homes. Even before we saw Tesla and her siblings, we were asked multiple times by other dog walkers at the event if our 11-year-old wire hair terrier mix, Pippa, was the mama of the pups. When we saw the pups, we knew why! The pups – Tesla most especially – looked just like Pippa did 11 years ago when Eli (my husband) and I rescued her as a young pup from an abusive home. Ever the terror-terrier, Pippa can be crotchety with other dogs. But, she was totally relaxed with the pups. My kids fell in love with Tesla and asked if we could bring her home. I knew right in that moment that we were about to become a three-dog family!
I called Eli to make sure the whole team was on the same page. He played Belgium, staying totally neutral and saying it was up to me as I’m the one who does most of the day-to-day care for our furry family members. We filled out paperwork and then went home, anxious to hear back from Lucky’s Place. On Sunday, Kerri called us and said we could come pick up Tesla!
She has been with us now for five weeks and fits so perfectly into our mix that we know it was meant to be! Our two-year-old Aussie mix, AnnaBella, loves having a little sis playmate and snuggle buddy. Our grumpy old Pippa has been won over by the feisty spunk and affection of her mini-me. Pippa is busily training her new pack member on how to patrol the yard and take care of the humans. Telsa is so sweet that even our four cats don’t mind her! She loves going on walks in the Wikiup foothills, working in the garden with us (she’s great at shaking dirt off of roots!), and helping us care for our three ewes and a large flock of chickens. She has learned that the canvas storage rack under three-year-old Miriam’s seat on the jogging stroller makes for the perfect place for a puppy power nap during long walks! Tesla is very efficient with recharging her battery!
Mary Ann told us that her litter mates Chevy, Titan, and Porscha are all doing great in their new homes and that makes us so happy! We’re not sure if they all retained their auto-inspired names or not, but Tesla is definitely a Tesla! Kerri did such an amazing job fostering Tesla that she was already responding well to her name and it just fits so well that we kept it! Pippa, Bella, Tesla…all two syllables and end with “a”.
Our nine-year-old son writes and delivers a monthly newspaper for our neighborhood. September’s headline was very attention-grabbing: “Hendersons Get a Tesla…we got a brand new, black Tesla for only $150! Our Tesla has been up and down Bowles Lane four times so far since we brought it home this past Sunday. Our Tesla has to charge every two to three hours and it does not need gasoline.” The story was continued on the back page with a cute picture of Tesla and a good plug for Lucky’s Place!
A big thank you to to our friend and neighbor Lee Robertson (a former employee and devoted Lucky’s Place volunteer) and Kerri Taggert (Tesla’s amazing foster mom), Mary Ann, Jeannette, and all of the other wonderful employees, volunteers, and board members of Lucky’s Place for helping the stars align so we could find the perfect member for our pack! Tesla has already brought so much love and joy to our home and we look forward to many, many happy years with her. Eli, Steph, August, Eliza, and Miriam
Molly is really starting to make herself at home. She’s on a diet of homemade meals with boiled chicken and vegetables. We’re still working on her mats but we’re getting much closer to being done, and then she’ll be ready for a good bath.
Thank you guys so much for her! Soon she’ll have her own Instagram account which will highlight her weight loss journey in addition to documenting her leash training, then thereafter her worldly adventures. It’ll be a bit longer until I’m ready to say goodbye to my previous sidekick and introduce her publicly, but once I do I’ll share her username with you guys.
Just thought I’d let you know that Jareau (formerly Targhee) is doing very well! He is growing like a weed (40+ pounds), eating all his food, and he gets along great with Pippin.
He is a great addition to my small family. His tail is doing alright- he still wears the cone at night/when he’s alone, but it’s off during the day. He is a happy, playful, full of energy, healthy pup! -Taylor
Brodie continues to be the best dog companion we have ever had. He’s whip-smart, laid back, funny, loyal, and responsive.
He roams our property leash-fee and keeps check on the squirrels and chipmunks. He loves splashing in our little creek and enjoys playing with guest dogs.
Thank you for all that you do. -Celeste
Happy Fourth Birthday, Brodie!
Good morning. Just wanted to give you and those who work with the animals there an update. Clyde is adjusting nicely. True to the husky in him he is a little chit at times though progressing very nicely. He and his sis Daisy had a vet checkup today. I feel he had a truly heart-felt connection with your staff there. The way he acted at the vet today showed that. He seemed to be looking for someone behind the unopened door. I just wanted you to know lady, I don’t know you but I love you for what you do and who you are! You’re in my heart every day! I hope to plan my next job at the landfill so Clyde and I can come visit his other family. Thank you and we will be in touch!
Almost two years ago I lost the dog I grew up with to old age. She was my best friend and one of my closest family members. A year after her death (and of letting myself grieve) I decided I couldn’t go another year without a dog, so I did some research on the type of dog that would work best with my lifestyle so that I could make sure both our needs were met. With a few breeds in mind, I went to Lucky’s. After a few visits, I met Ivy. The first time I saw her she was sitting with her ears pinned back with big puppy dog eyes begging to be adopted. I asked if I could spend some time with her they brought her out, she was so sweet and polite.
I talked to the staff about if she was a right fit for me, learning that she was good with kids and other animals. After that, I set my heart on adopting her. So I turned in an application and waited apprehensively. After a week I feared my application was denied, but the following day I got a call and was told I could adopt her! I went straight over there. I brought her home and my roommates loved her! It took her a little time to adjust, but I’ve had her for seven months now and she is thriving. She is so smart, sweet, loving, and my new best friend. I look forward to spending our future together. -Naila Roberts
I adopted Chevy (Zoey) in March 2022 after losing my beloved Quinn. She was very timid and shy when we brought her home. I knew there was something special about this girl. I thought she was the one that needed us, but we were the ones that needed her without knowing it. She has blossomed and really shown her beautiful personality. She is the light of our lives. -Jo Starr
Perch was adopted one and half years ago and has been the best little sister to a particularly picky big brother. Full of energy and sunshine. Never leaves us with a dull moment. Beautiful addition to our family. -Kylie Parsons
We absolutely love Turbo – he is a sweet loving pup. He loves to snuggle and he is well mannered. Our 1-year-old chocolate lab absolutely loves him too. They get along like brothers. We have two indoor cats, and he does not chase them.
Turbo has made our home complete. He’s so sweet. Thank you again!
-Angela and Stefan
Just an update on Walter (formerly Murphy) – he is quite at home here and has adjusted well to the dogs and bonded with Harry. They are so funny to watch. It’s been almost 8 weeks now since we brought him home. He is still pretty skittish around my husband and me. And especially me, after I took him to get microchipped.
He definitely wants to be where the action is, and where we are, more all the time. And follows my husband around when he’s doing things like cooking or vacuuming. He gets a little more trusting every day and certainly enjoys a good chin rub (and purrs like crazy).
Walter and Harry are brothers. The family first adopted Harry and then later adopted Walter.