Lens And Leash: Who is this adoption story about?
Tina Seay: Chloe my 8 year old female healer/Rhodesian ridge back mix, 8 and Mocha, my female hound dog that lived to be 15 and a half.
Lens And Leash: What made you decide to adopt?
Tina Seay: My adopted pup Mocha had turned 10 and was acting like an old dog. I felt like a young pup could bring her more years. I brought Chloe (she was Patty but we changed her name) home to see if she got along with Mocha. As soon as we went for a walk Mocha turned into a puppy. On that walk my husband Greg came up with her name and we both decided then she could stay.
Lens And Leash: When and where did you adopt Chloe and Mocha?
Tina Seay: Both Mocha and Chloe came from the Animal Adoption Center in Jackson, WY.
Lens And Leash: How old was Chloe and Mocha when you adopted them and do you know anything about their lives before you adopted them?
Tina Seay: Mocha was 1.5 years old when I brought her home. Chloe was 6 months old.
Lens And Leash: What made you decide to adopt them specifically?
Tina Seay: I had a dog when I was a child that was 1.5 years old when we brought him home and he lived to be 17.5 years old. I had wanted a dog ever since; however, there was never an ideal opportunity to do so. It truly was a perfect time in our life to have a dog. I wanted a dog to go to work with me and be with me for my commute from Alpine to Jackson every day as well as a companion to go on walks and skis with me.
Lens And Leash: What is your favorite quirk about them?
Tina Seay: Chloe loves to jump and spin in the air especially when there is a ball involved. I’m not the best thrower so we have a Chuck-It. She absolutely loves it. When she finally gets tired of this game she kinda just walks away with the ball or tries to lose it like dropping it in the water and letting the river take it away… we have lost several balls that way. If you see an orange ball floating in Flat Creek or the Salt River it is probably Chloe’s.
Lens And Leash: Did you have to do any training with her after you adopted them?
Tina Seay: I did get some training from Dog Jax. She had an issue with jumping on people. We did our best with her; however, she still feels like she is a 55 pound lap dog. I just love this dog so much! She is a major snuggle bunny. Not everyone is a dog lover so the training paid off in that at 8 years old she is better than she was at 6 months old!
Lens And Leash: What tips or pieces of advice would you offer to people that are looking to adopt for the first time?
Tina Seay: I love the Animal Adoption Center. You can take an animal for an hour, a day, and up to 2 weeks. It is important to be able to fit into your life and you into theirs. Chloe had to handle a 45 min commute, get along with my cats and my older pup Mocha, go on hikes/skis, come when called, and be chilled out when I am in session (I’m a massage therapist). Being able to take an animal for small periods of time is great socialization for the animal and helps someone to figure out what all it takes having an animal in their life.
Lens And Leash: Would you adopt again and would you adopt from the same shelter/rescue?
Tina Seay: I definitely would. I’ve gotten a cat from the Animal Adoption Center and 2 dogs. I’ve also gotten another cat from the Animal Shelter. They are both beautiful places to get animals.
