Pawsitive Tail – July 2014
Over a year had gone by since our beloved Chihuahua, Chico, had passed away and my husband and I decided it was time to start thinking about bringing a new 4-legged family member into our lives. Having found the Pawsitive Match website and being so impressed with what this amazing group was doing right here in Calgary we took a look at the pictures of the dogs that were needing forever homes. As soon as I saw Burke’s picture I knew there was something very special about him – and after reading his profile I realized that he belonged with us!
Burke’s foster mom was wonderful in giving us all of the background on Burke and being very honest about the challenges that he had. That helped cement the feeling that Pawsitive Match was truly an organization that cared about finding him the right home and not just any one. When she brought him over to meet us for the first time I nearly cried as soon as I saw him as I knew that we had found a very special guy! Burke has a tough-guy exterior that is his defense with people he doesn’t know – but if you’re willing to be patient and gentle with him the reward is the sweetest, most affectionate little bundle of fur and love that you’ll ever see! We owe a great deal of thanks to his foster mom who put months of time and patience in with him when 4 other foster homes had given up on him.
It’s been a month since we brought Burke home and we couldn’t be happier! We like to think that Burke feels the same way too 
He has beds and toys everywhere and gets so many walks that most evenings he falls asleep curled up in our arms completely tuckered out. He gives us endless kisses, snuggles, and cannot get enough tummy rubs! Every morning starts with tail-wagging excitement and enthusiastic cuddles – it’s certainly not a challenge to get out of bed for that! He also loves and snuggles both my husband and I equally – and sometimes he lets us know that we both have to take him for a walk that particular day not just one of us! It’s pretty funny to watch as he will go running down to the basement mancave to herd daddy upstairs while I’m waiting or tug on my pantleg when I’m in the kitchen instead of with daddy getting his harness on! He definitely has an opinion on what he wants and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We are still careful with new people to make sure they know to give Burke time and space to get to know them before they start trying to touch him. But even in the short time that he has been with us he has made huge progress in how much more relaxed he is when people come to visit his house. Knowing the kind of trust that it takes for a dog like Burke makes every moment with him very special – and every moment where he learns to overcome a fear that much more rewarding! We love our little Burke so very, very much – thanks Pawsitive Match for all of the great work that you do!!!
About PMRF: Pawsitive Match saves dogs facing life-threatening circumstances in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The dogs in our program come from shelters that have no choice but to euthanize due to over-crowding or because they are shutting down. We also help save dogs on local reserves and occasional owner surrenders. In many cases we are the only hope these dogs have, as many shelters come to us when they are out of options. We do not discriminate by age, size, breed, location, temperament etc. We are here to help all dogs.
Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, a registered Canadian charity, is a not-for-profit, no-kill dog rescue based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We are run independently and made up entirely of a dedicated group of volunteers. We work very hard to save dogs in life-threatening situations and give them a second chance at life. Our second focus is then on placing these amazing animals in the right family and creating what we call a “pawsitive match”.
Since 2007, PMRF has successfully helped over 2,850 dogs find a loving home.
