Tales & Tails of New York

  Someone at the Manhattan AC&C gave the " Bronx, Stray" Chow mix the name, "Amber Klein."  

It is very unusual to see a shelter animal with a surname, but no can explain to me the reason or origin of Amber Klein's unique name.  

Amber Klein came into the shelter thin, scraggly and filthy.  She is 48lbs (underweight for her size) and about five-years-old.  

Amber was shy, depressed and a little aloof in the shelter cage and that in addition to her generally poor condition meant that Amber Klein did not go into adoptions.  

She instead, ended up on the New Hope ("euth" list) when she came down with kennel cough.   

Jesse, one of the New Hope coordinators at AC&C sent me a special email asking if we could take "Amber Klein."  

I, of course had no open fosters, but, because this dog reminded me so much of Jezzie, another Chow mix rescued last year and lost to cancer, I couldn't say "no."  

I picked up Amber Klein from AC&C a couple of weeks ago and boarded her at my vet where she was also treated for kennel cough.  

I took pictures of her, posted her to adoption sites, wrote up her story on Tales & Tails of New York  and so far, have only had one call on Amber Klein.  

This past Saturday, a then-healthy Amber was returned to AC&C to get spayed (it was apparent that Amber  previously had puppies).   

Because my boarding and vet bills are running so high, I decided to "take a chance" on Amber and try bringing her home to foster, following the spay, rather than return her for boarding at my vet.  

Of course, the big questions were how would this dog be with other dogs and how would Amber be with cats?  How would Amber be in an apartment which frequently get visitors in the forms of potential adopters?  

I had a crate set up and waiting for Amber Klein.  

Well, not to worry.  Amber is the sweetest, most gentle, obedient, intelligent and somewhat submissive dog one could encounter!  

I used the crate for only a couple of hours.  But, it soon became obvious that Amber is no threat to other animals. Rather, she and my dog Tina get along extremely well and Amber is  extremely gentle around cats.  

Amber lies by my feet most of the time.  She has already learned her name and comes immediately when called.  She loves belly rubs.  Pet Amber and she immediately rolls on her back, with her face nuzzled against you, beseeching you to pet her belly and rub her neck.   

Gosh, what a sweetie!  

Amber is housebroken within two days.  She is a dog who aims to please, and when noting I wasn't too happy with her first couple of "accidents" on the floor, she quickly wised up.  

In the home, Amber is quiet, mellow and a gentle, calming presence.  

Outside, Amber loves her walks, is responsive to commands and is the kind of dog one could feel safe walking at 3 in the morning.  Considering how most people ignorantly feel about Chows, it is unlikely anyone will mess with someone who has a Chow at the end of the leash.  

While quiet and mellow most of the time, Chows tend to be very devoted to their caregivers and family "pack."   

Yesterday, the one family who inquired about Amber were invited to my place to meet with her.   The family has another dog at home and three cats.  

I told the people Amber would be the "perfect dog" for their situation.  

"You know it's not every dog that you can bring into a situation with kids, cats and another dog.  But, Amber, you can do that with.  She's wonderful as you can see here."  I told them.  

Amber was wonderful with the new visitors.  Friendly and polite, but not overwhelming or overly exuberant.  She rolled on her back, showing her belly.  She went for a walk with them.  

However, when the teenage son accidentally stepped on Tina's (my dog's) toe and she yelped, Amber Klein jumped forward as if to immediately aid or protect Tina.  I held her back. As soon as Amber saw Tina was OK, Amber Klein was once again, calm and friendly.  

She is an exceptional dog.  In that one moment, Amber showed her devotion to another animal she has only known a couple of days.  I have no doubt Amber would be the same with any person lucky enough to adopt her.  

After about a half hour's visit, the family said they would "have to think about Amber."  The seventeen-year-old daughter "wants a smaller dog."  

Well, if they could not see the extraordinary qualities in Amber and recognize that she would be a wonderful, devoted dog in their (unusual) home, that is their misfortune and loss.  

I know that at some point, someone better will recognize a diamond when s/he see one.  

Right now, Amber Klein is safe and happy.  And for the time that I am fortunate enough to enjoy the wondrous qualities in this gentle, affectionate dog, I am happy too.  

Where Amber Klein came from or what her past was, I don't know. 

I can deduce that at one time Amber was in some kind of home. I imagine that she was around other animals and while not overtly abused, Amber was not pampered or particularly well cared for.  Did something happen to the former owner(s)?  Did they get sick, fall on hard times or "move" and simply not take their animal(s)?   Who knows?  

Yesterday, a young woman told me how she "rescued" a kitten, kept the animal for six months and then gave the cat away. 

When I asked why she gave the cat away, she said, "No reason.  I don't remember."   

The woman had called offering to "foster a kitten."  During the conversation, I asked the girl, "Do you like kittens, but not like cats?"  She answered, "yes."   

And it was at that point, I told the young woman we didn't need her "help."   

Perhaps, Amber's former owners only "liked puppies, but didn't like dogs?"  

One will never know.  

As for how "Amber Klein" got her unusual name, that too, doesn't matter.  

What matters is that Amber Klein now knows and responds to her new name.  

It is symbol of a new and better life awaiting her.  

So glad, Jesse at the Manhattan AC&C brought Amber Klein to my attention.  

It is so important that we in animal work be able to "see" what the general public so often and tragically can't or won't.                                                       

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