Iyara Rayne

I was featured as pet of the day on the local TV station. I was cute and active as possible hoping for a forever home. Kim had a feeling that she needed to turn on the TV, which she rarely watched. Finally she turned it on and there I was in all my cuteness.

My human had been looking for a dog for some time and was concentrating on the breed Manchester Terrier; however, they are expensive and hard to find. Kim called mom letting her know she had found her a dog - me. Mom called the Humane Society and no one had submitted an application and only three calls had been received for me, which they thought unusual. Mom submitted an application for me and was approved.

May 1, 2004 mom drove 5 hours to pick me up but I could not be found. I was at the vet since I was spayed the previous day, so mom picked me up there. I had not met mom yet, but jumped right into her arms and all over her. We stayed the night at Kim's where she had some pretty big dogs, which made me very scared. When mom left the room I went looking for her, which Kim thought strange since I had met Kim at the Humane Society. Hey, I knew mom was my human.

Mom changed my name to Iyara Rayne. Iyara is a character from the TV show Beast Master. I can be a little beast sometimes, so I don't mind living up to the name. I think it is pretty. I also answer to the name Yar, Yar Yar, Toot, Stinker, and Sister. Rayne is a name mom has always loved.

I only weighed 6 pounds and I was very reactive, aggressive, and had no confidence as well as a severe case of separation anxiety. Mom had to sit next to me while I ate. I did not like being touched and forget about being held. I would not jump up or down on the couch or take the stairs, so mom carried me until I was confident enough to do it on my own. See my previous owners were not so truthful to the Humane Society when they dumped me there. I had been terrorized by the kids, had my food eaten by the kids, then beaten by their mother when I protected myself. I was a nervous wreck even licking my paws raw. I trusted no one and let everyone know it. I would bite before I was hurt again. Fortunately my human mom cared enough to get me the very best help including Reiki, Bach Flowers, vet care, and trainers. It was not always a smooth ride; I bit all humans in authority: mom, vet, vet tech, groomer, and trainers as well as any kids that approached me. Hurt them before they hurt me!

I also had no social skills in the doggy world. I would hump other dogs and even jump on their back. Who knew that was rude. Mom implemented the 3 second rule, which I learned quickly. If I let the dog smell me and took it, mom would let me stay and be around them even play as long as I was nice. Since I was not always nice, mom sent me to stay with a trainer that had dogs and cats hoping I would learn more about the rules of being a dog. I bit that trainer too!

I did not know any human commands and mom tried her best to teach me; however, I just was not interested. I refused to comply despite being very smart and capable of learning. Mom is real determined too, so now I know sit, down, stand, pray, high five and free. I am learning to roll over on command and stay.

I love to play with toys especially tug. I growl really loud, which scares most humans and dogs from playing with me - not my mom. My favorite toy is a rope with a ball that has a bell in it. I will take it and bounce it side to side or bring it to mom for a fierce game of tug. She never lets me win since I am considered dominate aggressive, but I am ok with that. I love playing and I love mom.

Mom says I am now the dog she always knew was in me just hidden by all the scars of abuse from my previous owner. I am so lucky mom did not give up on me.

Iyara is spayed and has a Home Again Pet Recovery System.

Chance Daly

I was surrendered to IMPS in December 2003 with my name, Dallas, medical background, registration papers, and a claim I was making my sister sick.

My human had been looking for a brother to Iyara once the trainer indicated it was ok.  Mom found IMPS and a picture of this handsome boy with a temperament that would work with Iyara - that was me.  Unfortunately I was located in Lubbock, which was very far away.  Mom wanted me so bad; she submitted an application anyway and was approved.

I was moved to Houston 1 month later and mom quickly emailed the new foster and made arrangements to see me.  February 5, 2005 mom and Iyara drove the 2.5 hours to visit me.  I loved Iyara instantly and we played for hours.  I was not too fond of humans; however, I let mom feed me treats and walk me on a leash.  Otherwise I just barked and huffed at her.  Despite my bad behavior mom wanted me anyway.  My foster dad put me in the car where I stayed completely still until we got home.  I would not come out of the crate, so mom put salmon treats on the seat and before I knew it I was at the car door.  When I realized I had been tricked it was too late and I was on the leash.

Mom changed my name to Chance since it was by chance I was moved to Houston, no one had applied for me, and I got along with Iyara.  I would not respond to my other name anyway.  The first time mom called me Chance; I ran to her and was very happy.  I also respond to Chancer, Chancer Prancer, Handsome, Gangster Chance.  Daly is the root of mom's name.

I only weighed 10 pounds and I was very reactive, aggressive, and fear bit especially men.  I was food aggressive as well and stole food.  I was terrified of the crate and slept 90% of the time.  I did not play with toys or chew on bully sticks or bones.  See my previous owner was not honest with IMPS at all.  I was locked in a crate all day and taken out to potty and eat.  They would expect me to play and when I would not, they would beat me.  Mom had to teach me how to play with toys and her.  I really liked that.

I went potty once a day even though mom brought us out every few hours. Mom noticed and brought me to Iyara's vet where it was found I had the highest urine acidity levels they had ever seen, urinary tract infection, crystals in my urine, and my kidneys were going downhill. Mom did not understand why the fosters did not see this too and I had to suffer. Anyway I was put on special food and medications that forced me to urinate cleaning me out. After a few months I was all healed. Now I am on a special blend of food. I can eat Wellness Simple Solutions or Taste of the Wild; both with Venison.  I can't eat beef because of the damage the infection had on my system.

l had no social skills in the doggy world.  I would bite them.  See I was slashed by a dog at my last foster's home and I was scared it would happen again.  As I gained confidence, I stood up for myself which alleviated that fear, so I get along with most dogs.  I revert to my old behavior sometimes, but I have mom to remind me it is not appropriate.

I did not know any human commands and mom taught me sit, down, stand, and free.  I am learning to high five.  I love to please, so mom says I make it really easy to train.

I am happiest when I am next to mom.  I really don't like playing with toys by myself, but will play tug with Iyara and mom.  Mom says I am doing really good playing tug with Iyara, who is the champ at tug.  I even growl some now though not anywhere as loud as her.  I play a lot with my new brother, Tru. 

I have learned so much since coming to my forever home with mom.  Mom loves how much I have grown and developed under her care.  I am so happy and loved.

Chance is neutered and has Home Again Pet Recovery System.

Tru Soofyn

I was found roaming the streets of East Baton Rouge in November 2007 with only the tags on my collar.  Animal Control picked me up, which I did not like and I bit them; Norma from IMPS picked me up and bit her too.

My human had been looking for a brother to Chance and Iyara that had a similar temperament to Chance. Norma contacted mom about me and mom was interested even though I might lose my left eye.