Today was a great day. After almost four years at the SPA, Hoch finally has a home. His story and photos have been shared thousand and thousands of times, he has been the subject of numerous urgent appeals, and even featured on television and radio campaigns. But strangely enough he was adopted by a couple who just came along to the SPA with no preconceptions at all. Sometimes one visitor is all you need, as long as it is the right one!
As many of you know, Hoch arrived at the SPA when he was still a very young dog. His young master had tragically been killed in a car accident, leaving poor Hoch homeless. At the time he was under a year old, and being confined in a kennel has been difficult for him, as it would be for any young, active dog. Luckily the volunteers were there for walks, and the employees there to give food, and to tell Hoch to never lose hope!
Being unable to share his kennel with other dogs, Hoch had to rely on humans to keep him company. He is a very affectionate dog, who despite a bit of craziness when first out of his kennel, settles down very well on walks and is very attentive to humans. Key players have been his long distance sponsor mum, Nathalie, and more locally Dominique, plus regular walkers Isa, Karen, Sebastian and Patricia and many many others over the years, plus of course the staff. In fact it was Estelle who changed his kennel, which stopped Hoch bouncing against the walls. We also have to say special thanks to Vincent. He is studying the world of dog, and is vounteering at the SPA fulltime, sharing with us his wealth of knowledge, whilst learning even more. Vincent was the one who guided Hoch’s new owners to his kennel. Without him they may have passed by, as so many people have done beforehand.
Adopting a dog who has been at the SPA for this long might seem a very brave move. However there is no reason why Hoch should not settle down well to his new life. Just look at Glamour, who had been at the SPA for even longer than Hoch. As a Catagory One dog she had far fewer walks than him, but has been exemplary in her new home. And of course help is always at hand if any problems arise.
There will be more than a few tears of happiness at this news, and at last we can crack open the champagne!
Please remember though that Hoch is not the dog who has been at the SPA the longest; Connor predates him by two months, so imagine how joyous will be the day he finally leaves!
We had another adoption today, that of Miss, but we will tell you all about that tomorrow, along with any other news. For now, let’s all raise a glass to the happiness of Hoch and say huge thanks to his new family for giving him a new home.
Hoch on the day he arrived
And with his new dad saying goodbye to Isa and Dominique today
So pleased for hoch hope he had a long and happy life in his new home