This is the story of Kanoa, formerly known as Baby. Baby was found as a stray and lived all her life on a chain for almost 5 years. She wasn’t provided with any shelter, never went on walks, never got any attention, and was completely ignored by her family. Annick Popowich, a Best Friend’s Employee, heard of Baby when a friend told her the dog “will be killed in a matter of a week” if no home could be found. That’s when she stepped in and rescued her.
She changed Baby’s name to Kanoa, meaning “the free one” in Hawaiian. The day Annick picked her up, Kanoa regained her freedom, and you could see how delighted she was about that: she was excited to go on car rides, happy (but a little weary at first) about being invited into a house, ecstatic about being petted! Everything was new to her, and it was a pleasure seeing her discovering the world. And Kanoa smiled, she smiled constantly!
Within a week Kanoa got her shots, got spayed, and that is when I meet her out at Best Friends. I instantly took a liking to this sweet, energetic, and intelligent creature. When I was asked to foster her, I accepted without hesitation! Kanoa was flown to Florida a few days after I had returned home. After a car ride home from the airport, Kanoa was introduced to the rest of her new pack, Durango, Abby, Flash, and Bunker. They all love her (which comes to no surprise since she’s perfect!), but she’s still waiting for that special forever home.
Kanoa showed Annick how satisfying it is to help chained and penned dogs. She wasn’t her first rescue, but she was the first dog she helped get off the chain. She is determined to help more chained/penned dogs, and each time she faces an angry owner and the situation might seem hopeless I will think of Kanoa and her joy about being free…
Kanoa continues to enjoy her new life of freedom playing in her big backyard, chasing her favorite tennis balls, and chewing diligently on her rawhide treats. She is truly a wonderful dog and we are glad that Randall’s Rescue could assist in providing her a foster home!
