So this day last year, we had arranged for a meet up with Tori to pick up Ripley (named Feather at the time)
We had an SUV rented for the next day and plans to meet at a dog park in order to foster her until we could find her a forever home. While her gotcha day is techinically tomorrow, I figured we'd had her 365 days, I could post this today

I won't say we failed, because even though the foster failed, I cant beleive how successful her first year with us has been.

I just finished rereading the rescue mission thread, I remember the state we got her in, she was timid, had terrible teeth, nails, fur and manners!
We began the training right away to stop her begging (she will still relapse if you have something particularly yummy, like pistaschios) She has completely stopped counter surfing and she is so good with the cat and Tika. That being said, the work was not ours alone, she has developed into a more confident dog, one who now respects boundaries and who no longer cowers from men. Her tail is almost always wagging, and she has to be one of the happiest dogs I have ever known.

We recently had her at a huge family gathering, and despite stealing a few chips from little kids who dropped them, she showed us how far shes come when she stayed away from the food, even though it was well within reach and there were loads of options, she allowed our little cousins to play, squeeze, hug, kiss and climb on her and she greeted everyone respectfully with no jumping. I was so proud of my Big Girl that day.

She was a chubby 55 pounds when we got her, now at 58 pounds, she is much more muscular and can run for several kilometers before calling it quits. She loves, adores and protects TIka always, at the dog park she keeps an eye out if Tika is getting bullied. I have seen her check a Bermese Mountain Dog who was chasing Tika playfully because she thought he was picking on her. After we changed her food, there was such a difference in her teeth, energy and coat. It was like night and day. Even in a few short months, my parents couldnt beleive it was the same dog. My dad is a bit of a dog elitist in that he doesnt like mutts, but Ripley stole his heart so quickly, and he cant leave either of them without ear scratches and cuddles.
While it took her a while to warm up to Chris (and longer even for strange men) now most evenings are not complete in her mind without some serious cuddling on the couch.
I could go on all day about what a difference it has been, but its pointless. We called it at the 2-3 month mark and admitted she was staying with us forever. We couldn't bear to separate her and Tika, who seem to be soul mates, and I was unable to even write out an adoption email without crying. She has become a huge part of our family and wormed her way into our hearts completely.

So in short, here is Ripley's year in pictures. You can see the progression in her physique and coat.
The day she got to Tori's house


A few weeks after we got her:




Rip and Tika becoming inseparable


This fall, already a huge change in her coat


After her Christmas day scrap with another rescue dog


Everyone getting along <3


Letting us dress her up for the MS Walk


A hike with a few friends this past weekend


Finally, my derpy big girl



I love you my Big Girl, no matter how long we get you for, I will never regret telling Chris to call Tori and say we'd take You. You have become one of the sweetest dogs I have ever known, with your old soul eyes and your waggy tail.

Happy gotcha day, Ripley! It's amazing to see the changes in her from that first day!

Happy Gotcha Day, Ripley!

She stole everyone's heart. I remember the ride up and there she was in the back of my car, with her head resting on the seats, and my heart was breaking. I met you guys and knew right away you'd be wonderful parents for her and was praying so hard that you'd keep her. I felt so guilty that I couldn't hold onto her indefinitely until I found her her forever home. After I left, biting back tears, I called Meredith on the ride back sobbing. She almost made me pull over



I can't wait to see her again someday! I might love her ALMOST as much as you do!

Aw! I love the MS pic, she looks concerned lol! She looks so much happier and healthier now. She looked sick in that first pic. Congrats!

Happy gotcha day Ripley x

She has gone from rough looking scruffy to gorgeous girly

Happy Gotcha Day Rip!!!!

she looks so good now, you 2 have taken great care of her to get her where she is today. i remember reading the post of are you gonna keep her yet like every week after you got her!

Happy Gotcha day Ripley.. She is a real beauty.. I can see how you have fallen so in love with her..


Many many more gotcha days girl..

Thanks all

wpskier222 wrote:

Aw! I love the MS pic, she looks concerned lol! She looks so much happier and healthier now. She looked sick in that first pic. Congrats!

To be fair I believe she was recently bathed in that first picture.

When Tori picked her up she was real dirty, so She cleaned her up for us. She looks worse than she was in it because she was still damp I'm guessing. Her fur was course though, like straw, and she had massive hot spots on her belly.

It's amazing what a bit of structured exercise and not eating Gravy Train can do for you.



We'll call it concerned then LoL.... She always just looks confused to me

~Chris~

Happy gotcha day Ripley! She looks so much better now!

Happy gotcha day, Ripley, you're one lucky girl!

Happy gotcha day, Ripley!

Thank you all!
To me the biggest difference I see is from the 3rd photo where shes walking to the one in the leaves. You can just tell the huge difference in her coat. Like Chris said she had aweful hot spots and now they are gone. Her fur went from dry and coarse to fluffy and softer.

She really surprised us by becoming the best fit for our home. She absolutly loves her morning runs and her afternoon walks. Not to mention, weekend hikes in the woods. We also couldn't be happier with how well her and Tika get along.

Happy Gotcha Day, Ripley!

I remember that process quite well, including the tearful call from Tori while she was trying to drive home. You guys have done an amazing job with her, and the difference is absolutely striking. I'm so glad she found you guys, and it was so neat to see how the forum came together to get her home.

Happy gotcha day Rip!