CONDO PETS
Condo Pet: Living with Lucky called for plenty of patience
February 6, 2010
Janice Bradbeer
TORONTO STAR
His name is Lucky but he's better known as Licky Lucky, because he likes to greet his owner with a friendly lick.
But he's also very lucky: The 12-year-old Jack Russell and Chihuahua mix was fostered and then adopted by Arwah Hamza in April 2007, after she contacted the Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue online through Petfinder.
It took a lot of time to bring Lucky around to trusting, Hamza says, since she and others felt that he had been abused.
"It has taken 2 1/2 years of a lot of patience and not getting angry with him to show him that people can love him and that we aren't here to hurt him," says Hamza, who works as an interactive project leader, identifying opportunities and site enhancements on homedepot.ca.
Lucky was aggressive and would lunge, bite or snap at people, including Hamza.
Although Hamza tried other behavioural methods, "ultimately I found I just needed to give him his space and let him learn to trust me on his own terms and timelines. I couldn't force things with him," she says.
And those methods have proven successful.
"He doesn't bite with the same kind of force and aggression as he used to and now immediately after he snaps, he'll bathe you in kisses because he knows it was wrong to do and feels badly," she says.
Hamza wanted a Maltese and had contacted the PSBR regarding one they had. That dog had already been adopted, so she agreed to foster Lucky. She later adopted him.
He shares Hamza's 641-square-foot, one-bedroom condo at Bayview and Sheppard.
"He's claimed all the furniture in the house as his own. He does have his own bed but sleeps on mine at night and is always curled up on the couch with me when we are watching TV," she says.
Hamza chose the building, where she has lived for five months, for its convenient location near work, friends and amenities. Because of Lucky, she volunteers with the PSBR, providing transport for animals, conducting home visits and fundraising.
Lucky has also taught Hamza to be patient and to look beyond the issues that someone might have.
"My mother always told me that everyone has at least a little good in them, no matter how bad they may seem on the outside," says Hamza.
"Lucky has a lot of good in him and he just needed to be given a chance to show it."
Do you have a special pet in your condo? Bird, cat, rabbit, turtle, dog – tell us all about them. Email condos@thestar.ca and put "Condo Pet'' in the subject field. Include just one JPEG or mail a picture to us at Condo Pets, Special Sections, 1 Yonge St., 5th Floor, Toronto, M5E1E6.
Toronto Star