Sunshine's Story

Sunshine was Karin’s first dog. As she was very pregnant at the time, Club Orient’s guests were happy to feed her but when Karin saw her she fell in love. Since Karin was known at the shelter for walking the dogs that boarded there, she asked whether she could board Sunshine until she was able to bring her home. When Karin tried to put Sunshine on a leash to bring her to the shelter, Sunshine would not walk. A helpful couple offered to carry Sunshine to the office where she would be picked up. Once in the car, Karin held Sunshine on her lap as Sunshine was terrified. Every day Karin would visit her and Sunshine allowed her to enter the large kennel. Karin witnessed the puppies being born and Sunshine allowed her to hold them when they were just a few days old. Sunshine had finally learned to trust. The day Karin left St. Martin, leaving Sunshine behind in the shelter, was heartbreaking. That day, Sunshine somehow knew that Karin was leaving and sadly, she would not come out of her kennel. She came home to Vancouver four months later.

Sunshine (center) plays with Bella and Buddy in the snow.

Sunshine is the oldest of Karin’s three dogs, who are all from St. Martin. She has evolved from a shy street dog to a leader alpha dog and it is apparent that it is in her nature to protect. When she feels the humans in her life or the other two younger dogs are threatened, she takes protective measures. She was easy to train with tricks like rolling over, shake-a-paw and saying “please.” Sunshine is highly intelligent and intuitive and it is clear that she recognizes she has been rescued from her life as a street dog. Nevertheless, she takes advantage if the front door is left open and enjoys roaming the neighbourhood at her leisure. But she always returns home to where she is so loved.

Left to right: Sunshine, Bella, and Buddy with Karin

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