Overseas pups find welcoming homes in Huntsville

Local business owners Kathy Sheridan and Marc White have been instrumental in connecting dogs from abroad with local humans.

At the root of it all is the shared belief that a house is truly not a home until it has a dog wagging its tail at the front door.

Kathy and Marc have had as many as five dogs at once. “People saw us out walking and thought we were dog walkers,” says Kathy. “As we get older, we might rescue smaller dogs but we have been staying with bigger dogs for now. We had three golden retrievers, a Bernese mountain dog, and a German shepherd all at once.”

Their most recent dog, Faith, was rescued from Cairo, Egypt.

Why adopt a dog from overseas when there is a need right here? Mostly because the need is greater.

The OSPCA says that dogs in their shelters find homes relatively quickly. In Turkey, golden retriever puppies are a status symbol that may be turned onto the street once they’ve lost that ‘cute puppy’ factor. Pets are being blamed for the spread of Covid-19 in Egypt and in China dogs are at risk from the meat trade. Many people in all of those countries love dogs and have them as pets but the sheer number of abandoned dogs has galvanized local and international dog lovers to act and to find them homes at home and abroad, including in Canada.

Golden Rescue is one of the largest single-breed rescue groups in Canada. Kathy sings their praises for the work they do and the support they give to adoptive families.

It was a video she posted that prompted Kim and Richard Sasson to adopt a dog from Golden Rescue as well.

“I saw a video on social media of Kathy picking up Faith at the airport and I reached out to them about the exciting new family member,” says Kim. “Her experience and her connection with the Golden Rescue organization helped move our adoption of Sully along.”

A general love for dogs and the urge to help a dog in need motivates all of those who adopt. But the Sassons had a unique reason for adopting from Egypt. “Richard’s dad was exiled from Egypt during the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956 and nationalized British,” she explains. “What better way to honour Richard’s father than by adopting a golden from Egypt?”

Kim and Richard both grew up with dogs. They have had three golden retrievers over the past 30 years of their marriage. “All three of our other goldens came to us as second-chance dogs. We have not had a dog for the past 10 years for many reasons, but our daughter and son-in-law have two dogs and we have been lucky enough to have one or both of them in our home over the past few years,” says Kim. “I knew about Golden Rescue for years and have always thought ‘one more golden’ before I fully retire would be great and why not give a dog a chance at a new life here with us?”

Their new dog, Sully, arrived in Toronto on June 26. “I was at the airport to greet him and 40 other new Canadian goldens,” recalls Kim. “My emotions were all over the place. Have we made the right decision? Is this going to work? Will he fit in? Is he healthy? Will he get along with the grand dogs?”

Breathing a sigh of relief she reveals, “He proved that he was up to the challenge! He has been here just over two weeks and he’s won the hearts of everyone he meets… except for the cats across the street.” Sully has a few medical issues, but the Sassons say it’s nothing that some good food and medication can’t remedy.

Clockwise from top left: Sully’s first steps on Canadian soil; Kim Sasson gives Sully a cuddle at the airport; Sully is loving his new life in Canada; Richard and Sully cheer on England’s football team. (Photos supplied by Kim Sasson)

Arlene and Steve Barends were introduced to Golden Rescue by Kathy Sheridan as well. “Her dogs were always at her store [Reflections of Muskoka] and she told us about the program. We decided to complete an application after we lost our two labs leaving our 11-year-old golden retriever, Austin, all alone.” Carly, the three-year-old pup they adopted from Egypt, now has her very own hashtag, #carlyfromcairo.

Having a dog is a family affair and everyone needs to be onboard. “My husband Steve is amazing with animals. They always gravitate to him. He’s calm but playful and always makes time for the dogs. We both discussed the idea of adopting a mature dog especially with Austin being a senior,” says Arlene. She was once given a dog from a customer who was moving out west. “We already had two labs and this golden needed a home for a few months, which turned into forever,” she adds. “We have always had a soft spot for dogs.”

It’s fairly obvious what being adopted means to rescued dogs. But that goes both ways. “At first it was about adding a second dog to keep our 11-year-old retriever company,” says Arlene. “But Carly has brought fun and activity back into our home. Steve and I are spending more time together outside. Carly has gotten us to be more active as she’s younger and needs exercise to burn off energy. It’s been a win-win.”

Carly from Cairo with her new family, Arlene (left) and Steve (right) Barends and Austin (far right). (Photos courtesy of Arlene Barends)

As long as Marc and Kathy keep adopting dogs that are so visible in each of their downtown Huntsville businesses, they will keep inspiring others to open their hearts and homes to dogs in need of a forever home.

“We could not have a home without a dog. It is just not a home,” says Kathy. “The dogs give us as much love as we give to them.”

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