03 pei-mate

Operation Scarlet, Inc.

Chinese Shar-Pei Rescue of Lancaster, PA

"2003"

Previous Pei-Mate

of the month

January Pei-Mate of the Month

Casey Bucher

Hello. My name is Casey and I am very pleased to be the January Pei Mate for 2003. I was rescued five years ago from a shelter in PA. I had been a stray and I was just one year old. I was really a good boy at Operation Scarlet and everyone kept saying that I was a very intelligent dog. I was not at the rescue for very long when a really nice man and lady came to meet me. Well, before I knew it, I was on my way to their home. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that they already had a female Shar-Pei named Krinkle. It did not take us long to become the best of friends. I consider myself a very lucky dog to have such a wonderful family. Thank you Operation Scarlet for helping to find my "forever home". My mom, Helen Bucher, has more to say about me. I love her a lot. She is the best mom a dog could ever have.

My husband Ronald and I adopted Casey in January 1978. Casey was our second adopted Shar-Pei. Even though he was a stray, he fit right in with Krinkle our first adopted Shar-Pei. They have great fun wrestling and running through the house. He did, however, think cats were quite entertaining and kept our older cat on top of the refrigerator for several months. We adopted a new tabby kitten, Elvis, last year and Casey taught him how to break dance. Due to his great fondness for all food, he has developed the ability to open any Tupperware lid without any teeth marks and can clean out the container in record time. Needless to say, Casey is quite entertaining and we are quite pleased to have him as part of our family.

- Helen Bucher

February Pei-Mate of the Month

Chyna Rodenkirchen

Hi! My name is Chyna and I am so glad my Mommy Ellie decided to adopt me. In October 1999 I was abandoned and locked in an old crate at the back of a Maryland SPCA. Employees found me in the morning and took me in. I was quite frightened and confused and was wondering why I was abandoned. The shelter employees called Operation Scarlet and luckily they rescued me and that was the beginning of my new life.

A few months before I met my future mommy, she had to send her German short-haired pointer, Kaci, over the Rainbow Bridge because she was very sick. Kaci was 13 1/2 years old and Mommy's best friend. Mommy Ellie thought she would not get another dog right away because she was so very sad. Then she heard about me from my other mommy, Dawn, who takes care of all the homeless Shar-Pei at Operation Scarlet. My soon to be mommy decided to go to the rescue in order to meet me. Well, I showed her my best behavior and my cutest smile (yes, I do smile). Then I proceeded to wag my tail and lick her hand and then came the big one - I kissed her cheek and that really did it! I was hers. She instantly fell in love with me and I with her.

It has been a most wonderful experience for me. Mommy Ellie has provided me with lots of love, a terrific home with a lot of furry friends (5 cats), and a bird. I would say my life is very special because every day Mommy Ellie tells me she loves me and she treats me just like a Queen and I really, really like that. Am I spoiled? You bet I am! Life is great. I am in my "forever home" and I thank Operation Scarlet for finding me my "forever family".

Oh, by the way, I wanted to show you my two feline friends. Even though all I wanted to do was chase them around the house when I first arrived, we have now become the best of friends.

Since I am the Pei Mate for February, I would like to wish all of you a very Happy Valentine's Day! I hope all of your lives are as full of love and happiness as mine is.

- Hugs and Kisses from Chyna Rodenkirchen

March Pei-Mate of the Month

Maggie Smeltz

Hi, everyone! My name is Maggie and I am very honored to be the Pei Mate for March. I was rescued by Operation Scarlet in December 1999 at the age of two. I came from a shelter in West Virginia. I was saved from a house fire, but sadly my puppies perished in the fire. Operation Scarlet was very kind to me and helped me during a very sad time in my life. My spirits were lifted when a nice couple came to the rescue to meet me and informed me that I had a home with them! They told me that they had adopted another Shar-Pei from O.S. named Sasha, and now wanted to find a friend for her. Boy, was I happy. They like Shar-Pei so much that they have since adopted two more from O.S. Dixie and Tu Ling have become a part of the family and we are all very good friends. I am now a very happy dog again and it is all due to Operation Scarlet and my new mom and dad, Sharon and Henry Smeltz.

I could go on and on about my new life and how happy I am, but I am going to have my dad, Henry, tell you more. Thank you O.S. for saving me. Love, Maggie

Here I am at Operation Scarlet's business meeting. There were lots of people in the room so I kept trying to get on my dad's lap.
It wasn't so bad though because everyone kept telling me I was very cute.

Maggie was our second Operation Scarlet adoption. After the wonderful success with receiving Sasha into our home we thought it would be nice to double our pleasure. Sharon called to see if there was a black dog that needed a home. Dawn told her there was someone she should meet. When she introduced us to Maggie she was so shy. She was missing hair on her back and her eyes were stitched. As Dawn told us the story of how Maggie had survived a house fire and lost her puppies Maggie cuddled up to Sharon and licked her hand ever so gently. How could we say no? She wasn’t black but chocolate would have to do.

Sasha took a bit of a beating till Maggie settled in. I think she was scared that Sasha was going to hurt her. Sasha was kind and didn’t bite back. She was also afraid of stairs and the garage. Slowly she grew more confident. She got used to sleeping on or next to the bed. She quit chewing on her back and her hair grew back in to the most beautiful bristled brush chocolate coat you would ever want to see. With her wrinkles it makes her back look like a wooly bear caterpillar. She has a personality that reminds us of Eeyore. Even though she was only about two years old she was not highly active. That makes the moments when she does something that much more special. I came home from work in a snowstorm one day and found Sasha all alone. When I followed the tracks there was Maggie bounding around though the snow with Sharon in tow. She didn’t want to go back inside. Maggie gets most of the attention when I walk the dogs through town. Everyone thinks she is so pretty. Kids think she looks like a teddy bear. Now that she has to compete with three other dogs for my attention she can be pretty pushy. She likes nothing more than standing on my chest when I lay down so she can get a massage. She closes her eyes and enjoys it thoroughly. Then she moves over and lets Sasha and Dixie get closer. We added a puppy to the family recently. Maggie wrestles with her when Dixie lets her but Tu Ling’s energy level is just way too high for her. Most of the time Maggie just sits back and watches her go.

Henry Smeltz

Here I am with my mom and dad, Henry and Sharon Smeltz. I love them a lot and they have made me one very happy Shar-Pei.

April Pei - Mate of the Month

Ghost Hagelgans

Howdy! My name is Ghost. I know that sounds kinda funny since I am black and not white. Oh, well. Humans can come up with very unusual names at times. We canines figure, hey, if it makes em happy, just let em be. As long as I get my two square meals a day, they can call me anything they want. I am a pretty happy-go-lucky kinda guy. I have had my troubles and problems, but all that is now in the past. I was living with my owners in New Jersey. One day they took me for a drive and to my surprise, they dropped me off at a shelter! Then lucky for me, Operation Scarlet came to my rescue. That was in the summer of 2001. I was not feeling very good when I arrived at O.S. because I was heartworm positive. The nice people at the rescue told me I would need to go to the hospital and get a treatment to get rid of the worms in my heart. I felt pretty yucky for several weeks. Couldn't go for walks or have any kind of play time. I needed to remain very quiet. That was an experience I would never really want to repeat. After that, things started looking up for me. Thanks, Operation Scarlet, for saving me and finding a great family that I can live out the rest of my years with. I thought I would let my new mom tell the happy part of the story. Over and out from the Ghost Man!

Life is great and I am always laughing now that I have a really good home.

Ghost is my first Operation Scarlet dog. As soon as I saw him, I fell in love with him. I told him if anyone else came to the rescue and looked at him, he was to bark at them so that he would not be chosen by anyone else. To my amazement, right after I told him that, a very tall, muscular man walked up to his kennel and he did just what I told him to do. He looked up at the man and gave one deep, meaningful WOOF! I knew right then and there that Ghost was the dog for me.

He is a very sweet and loving companion. He shares his home with another Shar-Pei, 3 cats and a bird. At first, I did not know if everyone was going to get along, but it has worked out very well. He is calm and very well behaved. He looks so peaceful when I find him curled up on his bed with his buddy, Blackie, the cat.

I feel very lucky to have found such a good friend in Ghost.

Carole Hagelgans

May Pei - Mate of the Month

Genghis Brodhecker

Hi! My name is Genghis. I am really happy to be chosen the May Pei Mate. Last year at this time I was a homeless dog sitting in a shelter in Reading, PA. My owners took me to the shelter and left me there without even giving a reason as to why they no longer wanted me. I was a very, very sad boy. I arrived at Operation Scarlet last May and from that day on things started looking up for me. It was not long at all until I was chosen and moved to my new home. Boy. am I a happy guy now! I have a really nice home with canine friends to play with and my mom is the greatest. She is really good at telling my story so I am going to let her tell you the rest. Bow Wow for Now! - Genghis

When I met Genghis for the first time, I already had six dogs and was not really looking to add on to my family. However, he stole my heart and it was definitely "Love At First Sight." He was so gentle and quiet and he had the sweetest face. Dawn could tell that I was in love. She asked me if I wanted to add him to my family and I said "Yes!". I was on cloud nine. Then I started to ask myself questions. The questions that a worried mother-to-be would ask. Such as "Will he get along with the other dogs?" Well, dear little Genghis put my mind at rest because he fit in perfectly! I have since adopted two more homeless Shar-Pei, so he now has two brothers. They are from the group of 21 that Operation Scarlet rescued from a condemned house last October.

Genghis loves his food. He carries his bowl around when he is done eating. He sometimes even carries it outside when he goes to the potty and then carries it back indoors when he is finished. I guess he wants to be sure he has his bowl whenever the dinner bell rings. He then visits each food bowl in search of tasty morsels that might have been left behind by the other dogs.

He likes rides in the car, visiting the local pet store, and playing tug of war with Cricket. Cricket is also an adopted Shar-Pei from Operation Scarlet. On the other hand, he hates rain, snow and grass.

Genghis is definitely "The Perfect Dog"!

                                                                - Denise Brodhecker

June Pei - Mate of the Month

Sara Lee Raniolo

Hello, everyone. My name is Sara Lee and I am absolutely thrilled to be Pei-Mate of the Month. Operation Scarlet rescued me from a shelter in Harrisburg, PA in June 2002. I was rescued along with two other Shar-Pei. I was the one that did not look very well and the shelter people said they were concerned that I might die. I sat huddled up in the corner of my kennel and I was trembling all over. My coat was looking bad and I was not feeling well at all. O.S. to the rescue! I went to the doctor and in just several days I was beginning to feel much better. My coat was another story. That took a bit longer to look good, but with each day I was getting more beautiful. I am a very happy dog now because I have a family who loves me a lot. I also have a canine friend named Donovan. He is a really cool guy and we have lots of fun together.

My new parents, Joe and Barbara, are really neat too. They are so good to me. My life could not get any better than this. I am really proud of them too because they recently became representatives of O.S. They go to the rescue and help other dogs just like me that are in search of loving homes. When Joe and Barbara come home, they tell me all about the other Shar-Pei that are hoping to get a second chance at life.

Well, I guess that is all I have to say. My mom is going to tell the rest of my story. Thanks O.S. for saving me. I am now one very happy Shar-Pei.



                                           Sara Lee right after being rescued                                      Sara Lee, the beautiful girl, today

When we first saw Sara Lee, she was huddled in the back of her crate. She had no hair on her legs, face and other parts of her body. She was shy and did not want to get near us. After a few minutes, Joe got down on the floor and she came over and licked his entire face with her little black tongue.

We took her home for the trial period on July 27, 2002. She hid at the end of the sofa and growled at us every time we got near her. But, it only took a few days for her to relax and start to follow me everywhere.

Now, 10 months later, she rules the house. She is still shy with people and she barks at everyone. We are taking her to obedience classes in order to socialize her more.

Sara is a very loving little girl. She is very generous with kisses. She is very playful and gives Donovan, our yellow lab, a run for his money. She is also very stubborn. Joe says she is a typical female in that she does what she wants when she wants.

Joe and I want to thank Dawn and Operation Scarlet for allowing us to become the proud parents of this beautiful little black beauty who we love with all our hearts.

                                                Joe and Barbara Raniolo
                                                Brogue, PA

July Pei - Mate of the Month

GiGi McCune

Hello, everyone. My name is GiGi. I came to Operation Scarlet in May 2002. I was in a shelter in PA when O.S. came to my rescue. I was really scared in the shelter and kept shaking all over. My owners took me to the shelter because they said they could no longer afford to take care of me. Shar-Pei are typically shy dogs so you can imaging how scared I was being in a strange place without my family to reassure me that all was okay. The people at Operation Scarlet were really nice to me and it was no time at all until I started coming out of my shell. It is actually a fun place to be while waiting for a new family. We get to have our own toys and the volunteers take us for walks. We even get special treats several times a day.

The best part is that I was chosen by a member of O.S. Her name is Pam and she is a really nice person. She is one of the original members of the organization and has been helping save kids like me since 1991! I am very proud of her and I love her a lot. I am just so happy with my new life. I could just go on and on, but I am going to let Pam, my new mom, tell you the rest of the story. Hugs and kisses, GiGi!

GiGi came to my home in January 2003. She had been at Operation Scarlet for about six months. I fell in love with her the minute I saw her. She reminded me so much of my first Shar-Pei who I had lost to cancer that I just could not take her home with me at that time. Then one snowy Sunday afternoon I was scheduled to be at the rescue to place another Shar-Pei in its new home. I had missed Dawn's phone call telling me I did not need to come to the rescue because the people cancelled due to the snow.   Well, I decided then that "G" might as well go home with me. There must have been a reason that I missed Dawn's call! "G" is a wonderful little girl. GiGi, her brother, Quill, and I have since moved. They now have a nice fenced yard to romp in. Both of my "kids" are O.S. rescue dogs. They are the best companions and they make coming home at the end of the workday a joy!!
                                                        - Pam McCune

August Pei - Mate of the Month

LICORICE WASHKO

(Licorice proudly displaying his patriotic scarf)

Hello. My name is Licorice. Operation Scarlet rescued me in 2002. I had been a stray and was rescued from a shelter in New York. I was only about one year old when I got lost. Needless to say, I was quite frightened. Nothing looked familiar to me and I did not know how to find my way home. I was actually relieved when I was taken to a shelter because I had a safe place to stay. I was really hoping that my family would come and get me, but that did not happen. Instead, Operation Scarlet arrived and took me to the rescue. There were lots of other Shar-Pei at the rescue with similar stories and we were all patiently waiting to find our "forever" homes. I was not at the rescue very long when a really nice family came to see me. They had adopted two other Shar-Pei from Operation Scarlet and wanted to offer a home to another Pei in need.

I really liked them and kept saying over and over "pick me, pick me, oh, please, pick me"! Well, guess what? That is exactly what they did! Now I am having a wonderful time in my new home. There is a daughter in the family too and we have lots of fun together. I just hope that all the other dogs at Operation Scarlet get a wonderful home like the one I have.

My new mom is now going to tell the rest of the story. Thanks Operation Scarlet for coming to my rescue and for finding my "forever" home. You made me a very, very happy dog!

(Joe and Lisa Washko; daughter, Ana; and their boy, Licorice)

Licorice Wuhu Washko is a little black Shar-Pei with a big personality. How he came into our lives is a very special story.

Before Licorice arrived, our family consisted of our beautiful daughter, Ana, a Shar-Pei named Brandi Ling and our cat, Valentina. We started looking for a companion for Brandi in the spring of 2002. Of course, we went to Operation Scarlet. The very day we were visiting O.S., a black Shar-Pei arrived from New York. We took one look at that little bundle of energy and knew he was for us. His name at the time was Onyx, but after a family discussion, we decided to name him Licorice. Partly because of a story about a little black puppy named Licorice that Ana was reading and partly because he liked to lick and kiss everything and everyone. His middle name, Wuhu, is a city that is important to Ana's heritage.

Shortly after we got him, we took him to a pet psychic at a special rescue fair and found out this little happy go lucky boy decided to take a walk one day without his family to see the world, but he quickly found out the world isn't such a friendly place for lost little puppies. He ended up at a shelter. Lucky for us that he was rescued by O.S.

He enjoyed his time with Brandi playing and chasing each other until Brandi's recent death. Now he misses her but is a constant companion and best buddy to Ana. He has brought us such joy. Our lives would be empty without him.

                                                        - Lisa Washko

September

Pei - Mate of the Month

Mr. Woo Berry

Hi, everyone. My name is Mr. Woo. I am very excited about being the September Pei Mate. I was rescued by Operation Scarlet in 2002. I am about two years old and I am a lilac Shar-Pei. I heard the volunteers say that I was the first lilac Shar-Pei to be rescued, so I felt very honored and special. I must admit I was pretty sad when I arrived at the rescue. My owners decided to take me to a shelter in PA because they were going to have a baby. I thought I was their first baby and I did not want to lose my home. I really would have liked having a baby to look after. Needless to say, I was quite relieved when O.S. came to my rescue. They told me not to worry and that they would do their very best to find me a wonderful home. Well, they kept their promise because it was not long until a very nice lady came to the rescue and offered to be my foster mom. You see, the rescue was extremely crowded with Shar-Pei. They had just rescued about 10 dogs that were removed from a condemned home. I thought it sounded like a lot of fun to go to the foster home because they had several dogs to play with and one was a Shar-Pei named Aja. She was also rescued by O.S. I was hoping that if I was a very good boy, they might just decide to keep me. Well, my good behavior paid off because it was not very long before my very nice foster parents decided to adopt me.    Ken and Mary Ellen Berry are my new parents and I love them a lot. I also have several dog friends to play with. I could not wish for anything more. My life is absolutely perfect.

Now I am going to have my mom tell you the rest of the story. Thanks O.S. for rescuing me and finding me a wonderful family that I can love and watch over. I know for sure it is my "forever" home. I am one very happy dog.

     Some may say that Mr.Woo entering our lives was fate. We prefer to think of it as divine intervention. It began when I received a call from Dawn at O.S. asking if we could foster a dog. After she explained the circumstances, it was an easy decision and we would try to help in any way we could.

     I had arrived at O.S. to find that there had been a delay in transporting the poor mistreated group of Shar-Pei from Harrisburg. So I was asked to choose a dog that was already at the rescue to make room for the new arrivals. They were all beautiful, but there was one guy that really stood out. What a beauty! He was perfect.

     Mr.Woo came into our lives just as we were about to lose our beloved Shar-Pei, Sonia Rose. Although she could never be replaced, Mr.Woo seems to have inherited many of her traits. He’s funny, sweet, very loving and quite the guard dog too. Having him own us has been a pleasure. Thanks to Dawn and Operation Scarlet for our little blessing, Mr.Woo.

                                                                                                             -Mary Ellen Berry

October

Pei - Mate of the Month

Carter Kondos

Hi, everyone! Boy, is it exciting to be a Pei Mate. I would like to tell you a little about myself. I originally was rescued by O.S. in September 2000. I was a stray and came from a shelter in Delaware. It sure is not fun being lost. You have to look for food during the day and at night you really need to find a safe place to rest. I was very lonely and I have to admit a bit scared too. Anyway, once I got to O.S. life was a lot better. After being checked out by a doctor, I then went to my new home. Things were pretty good in the beginning, but then things starting changing. The person I was with was not honest with the people at O.S. Well, it was not long until O.S. found out that I was not in the kind of home they want their dogs in and wouldn't you know, they were on my doorstep announcing that they were taking me back to the rescue. Yahoo, O.S.!!!! The second time around has been a real charm. My new parents are the absolute best. I even go fishing with my dad and I love the water. Just recently my mom and dad even got me a little Shar-Pei sister. She is a real pip. I have lots of fun with her and I even taught her how to swim! Well, I guess that is all I have to say, but I am going to turn the rest of the story over to my mom and dad. I just want to say that I think O.S. is the greatest. They saved my life and made very sure that I was in the best home possible. I hope all the rescued Shar-Pei find homes as good as the one I have. Love to all, Carter

I really do love cows!

When we met Carter in May 2001 we had just lost Boomer to a tragic accident. Carter knew at first sight he had to win our hearts over very quickly to help heal our broken hearts. When we were driving home from Operation Scarlet we found he had a very strange behavior with cows. He would look at them intently and as we drove away from the cows, he would start barking and crying. On the return trip, we even stopped so we could take him close to the cows and he loved them. All the cows in the pasture came to the fence to sniff him. This behavior is still with him today to the point we take him and Cinder out to find cows. Poor Cinder doesn't know what is going on. We don't understand what is truly going on either, but he gets so much enjoyment out of it.

Most Shar-Pei hate the water, but not me. I love to go for a swim!

Carter never ceases to amaze us from jumping into the river, bay or ocean to eagerly having his life jacket put on to go fishing.

Carter is the nicest guy anyone could imagine. We have often wondered why anyone would let this wonderful creature get away from him or her. He is always ready to be our friend, join us on fishing trips, and teach Cinder how to swim. He is good with other dogs and should be sainted for having to put up with Cinder's full of life behavior. Carter is truly our fur child, and Cinder's best friend. We are truly grateful to Operation Scarlet for getting us together with our wonderful fur child.

- Pam and Kirk Kondos

November

Pei - Mate of the Month

Lexus Osborn

Hi everyone! My name is Lexus and I am thrilled to be the November Pei Mate. I just love my new life with my dad, Russ Osborn. In 1997 I was not such a happy dog. My owners took me to a shelter in NYC and said they just did not have time for me. Boy, what a shock that was. We canines always have time for our family. That is top priority for us. Needless to say, I was quite broken hearted. I was lucky that Operation Scarlet came to my rescue and even luckier when my new dad, Russ, came to the rescue and chose me. Boy, that was a very happy day for me! My dad says he does not know what he would do without me, but the feeling is mutual because I think he is tops in my book. Now I am going to have Russ tell you the rest about our life together. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I know I have lots to be thankful for.

Lexus arrived at the Osborn household 2/13/98 at the age of 2 years. She came from The Center For Animal Care and Control in Manhatten , N.Y. It is said that her previous owners no longer had time for her. What a shame , as she is the nicest , sweetest , smartest dog I have ever known. It seems that she was housed at O.S. for approximately 5 months before I saw her and fell in love . I wanted her as soon as I saw her.
She fit right in and has never been a problem. She loves HER yard , 40' deck and fish pond . Of course she must supervise any activity in these areas. She follows me from room to room and I have to be careful not to trip over her. She will lay at the top of the steps until I get in bed and then will come into the bedroom. Thank you O.S. for providing me with so much happiness through Lexus.

- Russ Osborn

"Every Job Needs A Supervisor"

December

Pei - Mate of the Month

Do to technical difficulties Their will Not be a December pei mate.