January 18th, 2010 was a life-changing day for my family and me.  That was the day we adopted Kito (nee Hazelnut), our Plott Hound mix, and not, as it turns out, a Boxer/Lab mix, as he was originally thought to be. 

A week before, our beloved Rottie, Marley, passed away from cancer at only 8 years old.  I couldn't bear the loss.  I was inconsolable.  I also realized that Marley wouldn't want me to be broken-hearted.  He would want my husband and I to give a dog who needed a home an opportunity to live a happy life with us.

We have another dog, Keegan, a soft-coated wheaton terrier who was three at the time.  Keegan was grieving the loss of Marley too.  He was listless and he was barely eating and he went half-heartedly on his walks.

I  looked at different dog adoption websites until I saw Kito's photo on the SPCA of Western Quebec website.  I felt an instant connection with Kito.  It was almost as if he was looking past the lens on the camera and straight into my heart saying, "I am a good dog.  Please bring me home."  Which is exactly what we did!

After persuading my husband, I phoned the SPCA and requested that Kito be made ready to come home with us that day.  Keegan came with us to meet Kito.  After a few tentative nose to nose sniffs, Keegan gave his stamp of approval by wagging his tail happily. 

Kito was 2 years and 8 months old when we adopted him.  The first six months proved to be a bit of a challenge.  We discovered that Kito is an accomplished athlete.  He can jump fences, he can climb trees and he can run like the wind.  We took him to obedience school, we moved to a house in the country with a bigger yard and we installed a 6 foot high fence. 

At first, I only walked him on leash, because when I took him to the dog park he'd catch a scent and run off into the woods after it.  I was afraid that he wouldn't come back.  So, I kept away from the dog park, and walked him on leash, but that is no life for a dog like Kito who needs to run. 

I felt that the problem was that we needed to work on him developing a stronger bond with me.  As a way of achieving this, I decided that I would see if I could bring him with me on my Brightening Lives visits with the Ottawa Humane Society.  Up until this point, like other members of my team,  I had been taking staff-owned adopted dogs on my visits. 

Kito underwent temperament testing with the OHS.  He passed except for the fact that he has a strong prey drive.  So, it was decided that he wouldn't accompany me when there is a cat as part of the group, which, as it turns out, doesn't happen that often.

Kito has turned out to be a WONDERFUL Brightening Lives dog!  He is gentle, patient and loving.  On the command "I love you!", he'll give the residents who request it a big fat doggie kiss on the cheek!

The experience of being a Brightening Lives dog has served to help Kito cement his bond with me.  Now I take him to the dog park almost every day where he loves to run and play with Keegan and other dogs, or just walk along beside me.

And even when a scent catches his fancy and he runs off into the woods, I know that Kito will always come back to me.  He is my dog now!    

My husband and I wish to extend a huge 'Thank You' to everyone at the SPCAWQ for providing a safe haven for our beautiful boy, Kito, by giving him shelter, sustenance, and loving care until he found his forever home with us. 

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