Shooting Star is now Alabama ... or for a nickname, “Bama." It’s been about two weeks since Bama joined our family and we wanted to let you know how she is settling in. After a tragic start to her life pre-coming into rescue - she was found severely under weight as a stray in rural Louisiana shortly after giving birth with one surviving pup - she was taken into AB&TC Rescue and found a savior in her foster, Angela ,and the support of AB&TC Rescue. Unfortunately the trials didn’t end there for this girl. Once she weaned her pup she faced two rounds of treatment for advanced heart worm. This required about 60 days of kennel rest. When she regained her strength she still faced spaying. Once ready to travel Angela put her on a plane. When she emerged from her crate in Seattle she was faced with a bunch of people she had never met before, the big city which must be rather overwhelming and the first on leash meeting with Kentucky (adopted from AB&TC Rescue with her sister, Tennessee, in September 2005). Then back into her crate to travel to our dear friends Michele and Kyle’s who have helped us receive all our coonies on the US side of the border. Next came an off leash getting to know Tucky in the fenced yard. After that went well Mandy, Michele and Kyle's dog, joined the fray. As if this wasn’t enough the next day it was back into the car for her immigration to Canada and the final stop at her forever home in Vancouver, BC.

Her first week was full of pacing, head butting her people for cuddles and establishing herself with a new veterinarian. Learning the new routine and enforced kennel rest as she was still too anxious to settle on her own but really needed rest to regained her full strength. Alabama also met and worked with her tutor who will be the instructor of our obedience class beginning the first week in April. It didn’t take long for Bama to let Tucky know that she was the new dog in town and that once at full strength would be ruling the roost. Perfect for Kentucky because we have always known she is no leader. What we didn’t realize is how much Tucky had been missing her sister Tenny who died June 1, 2006. It wasn’t long before Tucky was staring at Bama to budge over and let her into the same bed. A few more walks and they were initiating play with each other.

Alabama has really caught on to what it means to go to work and is mostly quiet in the offices. Her mouth has softened a great deal as she gains trust that more food is coming and though she did come with a very pretty “sit” thanks to her foster it is starting to become her default for any social setting or person greeting which is wining her many friends and admirers. She is picking up on “downs”,“pay attentions”, “here” , and “out” (of the garden) and has made huge advancements on leash walking. She is eager to please and visibly delighted when she catches on to what the person is trying to communicate. She is gaining weight and muscle strength as well as putting on some of the final needed pounds. She is frequently greeted by strangers who comment on how beautiful she is so soon she will know that as a secondary name! A real delight to have around, we are the ones that need the discipline to not just let Bama have anything she wants as the personality we see showing through indicates she could really take to “owning” the bed, kitchen etc. She has great dog skills and is surprisingly trusting with people after all she has been through. The second week has seen her tail come up from under her belly ... such a delight to see her waging joyously as she realizes life with these people might just work out.

Thank-you to American Black and Tan Coonhound Rescue for all their work making it possible to have another of these beautiful dogs in our life.

Thank-you to Angela, Bama’s foster who had her for 6 months and must really miss this sweet, sweet girl.

We are again left wondering who is luckier the dogs or the people they love.

Janna and Otter