Ariel's Story
Text Box: Special big hugs and kisses for my sponsor, Lynda Brown for making my adoption possible and for the children at the Indiana School for the Deaf for raising funds for my Delta Society tests. Thursday, January 11, 2007 Ariel went back to the Deaf School for the first time since before Christmas, and she didn't miss a beat...in the first class. Half way thru the second class she crashed - just tired and not used to all the attention and activity.  When we finally left and got in the van, there was an urgent call from our vet. A 5-pound Yorkie needed a blood transfusion for the protein. He was leaking protein internally. They need to do exploratory surgery, if they can get him perked up a little. So we headed to the vet's. Ariel is a "universal donor." Of course I asked her permission first. And she said "Ok." When we got to the vet's, Ariel visited and checked out all the sick animals she could find to tell them to get better. Then the vet tech. was ready for her. I'd given her some healing touch treatment, Reiki, and prayers. They only needed a large vial of blood - not the pint she usually gives.  Ariel amazed us all and stood very still while I petted her. NO SEDATIVES or anesthetics. We put the needle in her neck and drew a vial full - enough to fill up a little Yorkie! Then she walked back into the "sick room" and said more healing thoughts and good-byes. They gave us a can of special food to boost her system - much like human blood donors getting their O.J. And she visited a few more incoming patients on her way out! She slept most of the evening but managed to eat all her dinner. What a girl! What a blessing!  What a sweet heart! The Tattletail, September/October 2006 Humane Society of Johnson County newsletter Adopting the Possibilities! Seven months ago I had occasion to visit Johnson County Animal Control with Kelli Stropes, our Humane Society Foster/Adoption Coordinator. The purpose of the visit was to consider several animals as potential adoption candidates for our program. As I was standing in the aisle between the dog kennels, I felt a presence behind me and turned to try to find where the feeling was coming from. Sitting in the far back corner of the kennel behind me was a large black Lab. I said, “What are you doing back there?” She came to the front of the kennel, sniffed me, and then pressed herself against the gate as if to melt right into me. I looked into her eyes and saw such depth of emotion there I was compelled to tell her “We will take you out of here and find you a home.” The dog was two years old, surrendered by her original owners because they were moving. She had spent her entire lifetime outside. She was coming into heat and was, otherwise, in good condition. The dog left the shelter with me and went for her vaccinations. As a test, to learn more about this gorgeous big girl, I took her to visit my friends at Pet Supplies Plus. During the trip, I tried out various names and none seemed to fit. At the store, the big, black dog helped me pick out a rose colored collar. I picked the color and she politely stuck her head through it to concur. We met a little girl about age 4 who was tremendously impressed with the dog’s size; in fact, her eyes got enormous and she said “Wow, big dog.” I asked the little girl if she would like to pet the dog and she tentatively nodded her head. With her parents looking on, the little one came up to the big dog and patted her side. The big, black dog stood very quietly and wagged her tail with a calmness seldom seen in a two-year-old Lab. I asked the child if she could help me find a name for the dog. The little girl was shopping with her parents in the aquarium supplies aisle. The youngster picked up a brightly colored castle decoration for a fish tank and the name “Ariel” popped into my head. I was thinking of Ariel from the “Little Mermaid,” of course. I smiled and thanked her, then my new canine friend and I met some other children and she gently and politely greeted them before we left to go home. Jan Nowicki, friend, colleague, and co-founder of Jack’s Ability DOGs, was considering adopting another Lab as a working therapy dog. Her canine family was aging and, looking to the future, Jan was thinking about starting a new young dog. Jan met my new friend the same afternoon that she came from Animal Control. I believe that it took about five seconds for Jan and the big girl to bond. Not having shared any of the story about the Pet Supplies Plus adventure, I asked Jan what she thought this dog’s name should be. Jan replied, “Ariel, Ariel Rose.” I startled with that response from Jan, and then related the story of our pet adventure. We were both amazed at what seemed to be very clear communication from this beautiful big dog about who she was and what her purpose on Earth is to be. So, “Ariel Rose” she became; named not for the Little Mermaid, but for the Angel Ariel, a healing angel. Ariel stayed at our boarding kennel as a foster dog until her heat cycle was completed. Then she was spayed and allowed to recuperate there for awhile longer before going with Jan to begin training for her life's work. After being in her new home for two days, Ariel visited some special-needs students at the Indiana School for the Deaf. The usually vigorous and always active autistic and other special needs students settled down quickly and were soon asleep in the calming presence of Ariel. The children developed a special sign name for her and then eagerly awaited her next visit. Ariel’s next accomplishment came when she completed the HSJC Obedience class and finished third in her group. She calmly dozed off and snored during long downs and always conducted herself like a lady. On August 26, 2006, Ariel Rose added another jewel to her growing crown of accomplishments. Less than seven months after being rescued from Animal Control, Ariel Rose became a registered Delta Society Pet Partner. She passed both the Skills and Aptitude Tests missing only three points. How incredible! To go from a throw-away dog, living in a backyard to being an almost perfect registered therapy dog in less than seven months. This story exemplifies every aspect of the work of the Humane Society of Johnson County: Rescue, Fostering, Proper care, Spaying/Neutering, Training, and most importantly Promoting and Enhancing the human-companion animal bond in, perhaps, the most profound ways possible. This dog has given new possibilities to children with disabilities. This dog will bring joy to elderly nursing home residents, possibly helping them reconnect with a reality that escaped them long ago. This dog may participate in the Reading Education Assistance Dog programs for youngsters who struggle with reading skills, possibly making their entire school careers and lives more productive. This once unwanted and unloved dog will offer such astounding possibilities because someone took the time to notice her and now someone who believed in her provides her with unbridled love and security to make it all possible. So I urge you to Consider Adopting a Possibility! Can you? Will you? Come meet Ariel Rose during the Paw Pounder, she will be celebrating with us all day and would love to share her ongoing saga with you! Vicki Palmore President, Humane Society of Johnson County August 2006 Well, we did it! I'm now a Delta Society Pet Partner with Momma Jan. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I got that operation and then I got to go to my new home with Mr. Moose, Kodiak, Kayla, and Lucy. But Kodiak was old and, within a month, he was gone to doggie heaven. I'm sure glad I got to know him. He told me lots and lots about the children and the work I'll be doing.  Then I started obedience school with the Humane Society of Johnson County. It was fun meeting all the other dogs and people every week and Mom worked hard to keep it interesting and fun for me. We had a big test at the end and I finished third in my class.  I had a fun summer running in the yards and just being a dog. They say I'm even more beautiful now and I don't get so tired running. Oh, I also had to learn some house manners. We're not allowed to pee or poop in the house or chew on anything except our toys. I even got to go to work with Mom sometimes. I always tell all the other dogs there, at the boarding kennel, that I hope they find nice homes like mine. But Mom says most of them already have homes and they're just on vacation.  I also got to go to a seminar in Animal Communications with Mom. I loved it. Natalie and the other animals at Mary Marshall's farm are really neat. February 2006 Hi, I'm Ariel Rose. I got to pick my own new name! Just ask my godmother, Vicki, or my new mom, Jan. I'm just 2 years old and my life is about to get very exciting. It wasn't so happy a few weeks ago. My first family had to move and left me at an animal shelter. Vicki found me there and the Humane Society of Johnson County rescued me. I was in heat, but there are already too many puppies that need homes. So I'll get an operation. I'll be too busy helping children anyway.  I'm bigger than Mr. Moose, but everyone says I'm very gentle, sweet, and loving. I can't wait to meet the children at the schools. But first I'll have to get a little training and learn all about my new home.