Hap

2013

"Hap" the chained dog is rescued

Hap's miserable life on a chain, where he remained year-round
This smile shows the kind of happiness that "Hap" is capable of now that he's off that chain!

Animal Advocates got an email about a chained dog that is sadly, still common.  It was originally sent to the SPCA, but when nothing improved for the dog it was sent to AAS.  As you read Hap’s story keep in mind that the SPCA is the pound in this place, and since it does not do home-checks before or even after its “adoptions”, Hap’s abuser might have purchased him from the SPCA.  Keep in mind that the SPCA has made media-attracting puppy-mill seizures, and had charges laid, for conditions no worse.  Keep in mind that the SPCA made a p.r. “Chained Dog Campaign” announcement in 2009.  If only AAS could trust that when a dog like Hap is reported to it, that it won’t do nothing, or next to nothing, and that if it seized the dog or had it surrendered to it, that it wouldn’t kill the dog or sell it to another abuser.  But we can’t trust the SPCA yet.

Hap waiting for someone to love
He was often low on water and the witness had never observed him being fed

This is an edited version of the email that was first sent to the SPCA, and then to AAS:

“I frequent a place where this dog is visible to me. He is so kind and sweet. Seems he wouldn’t hurt a fly. I witnessed him chained up neglected with no shade for half of the day until the sun moves. It looks like his collar has never been removed. It looks like he's never been brushed. And he is on a chain and is prone to being eating by any wildlife that comes over that hill. He had about an inch of water in his dish (I gave him more yesterday) and I’ve never seen them feed him once while I was watching. He is very thin underneath that matted coat and his teeth are worn down, probably from helplessly chewing on his chain to try to get free.  I brought him dog treats yesterday and he was so excited to eat them. His right ear looks like it was sliced as seen in one of the pictures. The dog remains there all year long in –30 and +30 on its chain. I am aware that this man had previous dogs. Let’s help this dog please.”

His right ear looks like it was sliced
Hap's neck — it looks like the collar had never been removed

When the SPCA didn't help Hap, someone else did.  These pictures speak for Hap when the SPCA didn't.

From Hap's new family: "We are soooo lucky to have him in our lives!"
From Hap's new family: "Indeed, Hap is a winner. Everyone who meets him thinks he is such a nice, likeable and sweet dog. Forever thank you!"
Relaxing before going on an adventure
I'm ready ... let's gooooo!
Full speed ahead!
One of life's great joys: running with friends
Look at how bushy his tail is! When AAS first got him it was so matted it had to be shaved down to the skin.
From Hap's new family: "He gives a smile when he is a happy camper which he appears to be a lot of the time. There is always a big smile on his face when we come home."

Hap loves going to the cabin on Orcas Island!

The cabin that Hap gets to stay in on his trips to Orcas Island
Tough to focus on the newspaper when Hap is around!
An example of the types of places Hap gets to play in while on Orcas Island. Sure beats the gravel and concrete he was used to!
Smiling and relaxing in the shade
Animal friends everywhere!
Relaxing in the cabin after a long day of fun

February 2015 update: Sadly, Hap has now crossed over the rainbow bridge. Here's the email we recently received from Hap's family:

Hello Judy,

We want you to know that Hap is now only in our hearts, where he will remain forever.

After several weeks of badly declining energy and appetite, Hap was not doing well yesterday and today he had lost his appetite completely and also started having slight difficulty breathing. It was a good thing that we had made an appointment with the vet for this afternoon. We had no regrets for Hap's sake.

A very kind vet came to our house and, without us even asking, she suggested to give Hap a sedative first. After that she gave us some time alone with Hap before she came back. It was totally heart-breaking for us to say goodbye to Hap, but we know that he is now in a much better place, probably already sniffing our former dogs, Smukke and Finna, and suggesting a good walk with them.

At this point we need to grieve for our little boy, and this will take a very long time. One day I am sure that the tons of good memories we have of Hap will make us smile again.

Please convey our thanks and gratitude to your contacts in Northern BC and let them know that Hap really rescued us (more than we rescued him).

I have you tell you, once more, how happy you made us by letting Hap into our lives. He is the most wonderful dog anybody could EVER wish for, and Anita and I are totally heart-broken that we had to let him go, but it was the right thing to do for his sake. It is exactly because we love him so much that we made this difficult decision for him.

Thanks, again, for having trusted us enough to let us have this wonderful gem in our lives. Too bad we were only allowed to have him for a little over two years. We just wish he could have stayed with us so much, much longer, but sadly it was not to be.

Friendship,

Eric and Anita

Eric saying goodbye to Hap
Anita saying goodbye to Hap

There has been such a flood of appeals for help this year that we may not be able to reply very quickly or at all to more appeals. AAS is now so well-known for its experience in all animal welfare and rescue matters that we are asked for advice and help from all over BC, Canada, the U.S. and the world.  For years I have answered each and every appeal with detailed advice that I have learned from 20 years of rescue and advocacy. Our high standards are well-known to the public, that is why we are so often asked for help and advice.

We are currently working on so many projects that I am sorry to have to tell you that we may not be able to help you with your rescue and/or your personal bills.

Judy Stone

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