Meet Powder and hear his journey to his new life!
By Sarah Smith
It was the end of June when I joined the shelter staff as the Adoptions Counsellor and it was on my very first day on the job that I met Powder. And what a handsome boy he was. I am a big fan of the strong powerful breeds and he caught my eye. I started asking around about this powerful soulful dog and I was disturbed about some of the things I was hearing. He wasn't happy at the shelter and I felt that it was 100% my job to make him happy. I started watching his routines and his behaviours and I knew he was just waiting for the right people to find him and give him the love he needed and very much deserved. Over the next few weeks, I got to learn his story - his history - his tail! Powder's tale is one of abuse and neglect - however, he never let that get him down. His time at the shelter was a journey - just like the ocean, sometimes it is calm and serene but at other times it is rough and bumpy. However, his journey was a powerfully touching story and he touched all that knew him in many ways.
Around early August a massive digital plea was put out to find Powder a new home, whether it be a foster or a forever home. The staff and volunteers all pulled together - we knew that Powder needed to leave the shelter and be in a loving home. We even had a fantastic photographer (Sara) come into the shelter and capture the real Powder for everyone to see (thanks Antevasin Photography).
Cori Thom (Manager of Clinical Operations) spent hours with Powder everyday trying to ease his torment. With time, Powder learnt to trust her. This was the key to the successful meeting of Hanah and Powder.
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It was a week or so after the first round of pleas that Hannah and her adopted family seriously came into the picture. Please read below for the first hand story from Powder's new ohana.
Below is the original plea that was put on Facebook, Craigslist and our website for everyone to share in hopes that his family was out there looking for him too.
Name: Powder
Age: 2.5-Years Old
Breed: American Bull Dog Mix
Adoption Fee: $200
Medical Notes: Up to date with all shots, micro chipped, heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention.
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Powder has a story that will pull on your heart strings. He was a very neglected boy when rescued. He is good with most dog—he just needs a proper K9 introduction. He is a big puppy , however he is strong. He needs some basic obedience training and strong/dominant owners. He loves his baths and walks. He would do best in a home with no small children. He is desperately seeking a foster or adopter as shelter life just does not agree with him. Please contact us if you are interested in Mr. Powder.
Here is a quick note from Powder:
“I need a foster or adoptive home ASAP ! My name is Powder and I am an xlarge American bulldog mix.I spent the first year of my life being neglected and mistreated .In the short time I spent with my owners I received few meals ,many harsh words,and a backyard ear crop job .I have grown increasingly stressed and depressed at the shelter .I enjoy long walks,fall asleep during my relaxing baths ,and am ok with most dogs and cats .I would do best in a home with no children under 12 and a firm handler due to my large size and strength. “
"A Story From Powder & Hannah's New Ohana"
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| Meet the star, Powder, and his loving sister, Hannah. |
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| Dad, Powder and Hannah lounging around the yard! |
About a year and a half ago Hannah was being fostered by a friend of mine. They loved Hannah but felt she might not be good fit for their family and decided not to adopt. My wife and I had spent time with Hannah during her foster period with my friend and his family. We thought she was a great dog. Every time we passed the old SPCA location we thought of Hannah and wondered how she was. We already knew she was a great dog, gave it a lot of thought, decided she would be a great addition to our family and decided to adopt her. Shortly after Hannah's adoption, we thought it would be nice to have a companion for Hannah so she would not have to be alone while we were at work. We stopped by the SPCA and I saw this dog that was severely neglected with no hair what so ever and nearly skin and bones. I called my wife over and said this dog named Powder is amazing! She looked at me as if a coconut fell out of a tree and hit me in the head. We decided to give it more thought and went home. As time went on we would stop in from time to time to see the dogs. After the shelter moved to their current location, we stopped in again and I was shocked to see Powder. He was looking much healthier thanks to the great work of the team at Oahu SPCA. This time he appeared to be stressed and a bit agitated, which was the opposite of when he first saw him. His temperament was a bit of a concern and we decided to give it more time and wait for the right dog.
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A couple of months ago I read a post on Facebook from the SPCA stating there was an urgent need to find powder a home. I spoke with Cori (the clinical manager) and she informed me his behavior around his kennel and outside of the SCPA grounds were very different. We arranged to go on a walk with Powder and Cori. I watched some volunteers avoid his kennel and it felt like I was about to meet the real Hooch from the old Tom Hanks movie. On our walk we turned the corner and I was amazed to see Power approach two very small Westie Terriers and begin to play with them without any aggression. As we sat in the grass, Powder was very affectionate towards Cori but a bit hesitant with me at first, as expected. My wife and I decided to move forward and arranged a meet and greet with Hannah. I will be the first to admit I thought it might be disastrous, and was shocked when not only was there no aggression but they ignored each other. We were unsure if this was good or bad, but the fact that they were not attacking each other was great.
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| Cuddles all around with Powder and Mama! |
The next step was to see if Hannah would be territorial to our home. We picked Powder up at the shelter and took him home for the day. I walked Powder to the park next to our house and my wife went and got Hannah and met us there. We sat in the park for a little while and walked together to our house. As soon as we walked in the backyard Hannah immediately shared food, water and her bed with powder and the my wife and I watched them play endlessly. It was then we realized the skinny hairless dog we saw over a year ago was going to be a part of our family from that point on.
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| It has been a long search, but it is over. I am home! |
We are glad to say both of them are loving their forever home and attending their first day of school this week. Mahalo to the kind hearts of the staff at Oahu SPCA and Cori's dedication to Powder for bringing so much joy into our lives. Mahalo!
Thanks - from Powder.
And thank you to all who helped Powder in his forever home search.
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| And on that note - I'm having a nap. |
The
Oahu SPCA recently celebrated our third anniversary. In our three years
in existence, we've saved over 3,000 cats and dogs from euthanasia. We
have so much to celebrate as well as so far to come. 
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