Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #8 Marie L.

Today's story is about an angel's arrival to a home to brighten the hearts of a family. After loosing two beautiful dogs, they found a light with the new member. Read Marie's story:

"All of our dogs have been rescues including the two we have now. We had just lost two dogs within weeks of each other. Our male had cancer and was in great distress so we chose to help him pass. His littler mate and constant companion for 12 years died of a broken heart shortly after.

Before she died, I had started looking for a companion for her. I didn't find one until a couple of days after she died. I found the photo of an 11 week old ball of fluff on Petfinders and immediately called the rescue service. Luckily we were able to adopt her.

She wasn't totally white but had several very light blotches of cream along her back. What I didn't notice immediately was a small cream-colored heart on the top of her head. I am convinced this little angel was sent to rescue us from the heartbreak of our double loss." –Marie L., Whitefield, New Hampshire

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #7

It is awesome when you have a pack that get along so well. This is the case of Pat, who adopted more than one dog and they love each other. I can imagine how much fun when they go all together on the car. Read her story:

"Niko, my most recent rescue, was crossing a busy street when I first met him. He is a full- blooded Akita and was 7 at the time but he was so malnourished that he looked 14! He weighted 90 lbs. when I found him. Now, at 11 years old, he weighs 130 lbs. and looks and acts like a much younger dog. He had been used as a stud dog by a backyard breeder and was fed very little food and kept in an outdoor filthy enclosure before he escaped. Now he sleeps on my couch (and sometimes on my bed) and loves to play tug of war with his 'sister,' my 9-year old Lab/Golden mix.

Lily, my female, was 6-weeks old when I rescued her from her mom who was trying to kill her because she was the runt. She is one of the smartest dogs I've ever had and extremely loyal and a great watch dog. She is half Lab and half Golden.

Mojo, my other male, was at the pound in his last days. He is half Golden and half Chow. He is one of the sweetest dogs - always wanting to be loved or cuddled. Fortunately, he gets a lot of that in my household. My three dogs have all come to accept each other and they frequently go for rides in the back of my car whenever I have local errands to do. I have a great 'pack' at present and will probably be adding to it sometime in the future." –Pat Kramer, Los Angeles.

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #6

This testimonial is an example of how a dog can steal your heart. Albert wasn't planning to adopt a dog, and there she was... beautiful Cupcake waiting for him!  Read his nice story:

"Well my story started about 3 years ago, I was just on FB kind of looking around and I noticed on WCHS page a story about a mixed breed dog named April that had puppies but she had a disease that kept her from feed her babies. She had 8 and they were all just adorable. The Humane Society was bottle feeding them all and had also named them all. I didn't want a dog at all but decided that I would look at the pictures just to be looking. Then there she was!! One little brindle and white baby girl who just captured my heart, her name was Cupcake and was so fitting a name. By the time we decided to go take a look she was 6 weeks old and just full of personality. I instantly fell in love and as well so did my wife and two sons. We discussed the options and decided we would foster for a while just to see how it worked out. 

Well the day came that we had to take her back and it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I bawled like a bay when we got there couldn't even go in with her. My wife was crying but we had to do what was right. We had purchased toys and a bed and she loved them so we took them back with her. One week later we received a phone call that the adoption for Cupcake had fallen through and were asked if we were interested. Needless to say Cupcake is 3 now and weighs 80 lbs, she is a boxer/pit bull mix and the most loving dog any person could have, she now has a puppy of her own, Sophie a beagle/shepherd mix that is just a great dog and a loving sister. They have 5 (2 boys and 3 girls) cat siblings Yoda, Peebles, Bunny, Miranda and Peanut and though the don't get along all the time do live in harmony"–Albert, Winchester, Virginia

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #5

We have 7 beautiful stories from one happy home. I can imagine all those angels barking and running around, but most of all, they have a family now! Read their amazing stories from Lauren:

"Theo is our long-haired Chihuahua. He was surrendered by his abusive owners to the local humane society. He would not allow anyone to come near him and was labeled as "Unadoptable." One day, a foster mom from a nearby rescue group came to the humane society and asked about Theo's story. She proceeded to stay with Theo for 2 hours until he finally allowed her to pet him. The woman knew that Theo's time at the shelter was almost up. He was scheduled to be euthanized in two days!

This fantastic lady took Theo home with her and her 17 foster Pugs! Theo soon learned to love again and was placed on Petfinder.com for adoption. We had lost our very first dog, Spots, the year before. As luck would have it, my mom found out about Petfinder.com from her beautician. We saw his picture and fell in love! Theo is now loving his new life as the alpha male of our pack.

Adriel is our short-haired Chihuahua. She was rescued from a backyard breeder, where she had been kept in a cage all her life. Adriel does have an interesting feature. Her tongue is longer than her head so it always sticks out! She is the most caring member of our pack and is also a certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs International. Adriel also passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Domino is our Blue Merle Chihuahua. His former owner was an older woman who had two other dogs. She lived inside a tiny apartment and never let them go outside. She dropped him off at a shelter in Missouri and didn't give the staff a reason why. Because Domino was forced to live in a confined spaces, he will "circle" (run around in tight circles) when he is nervous. Thanks to Chihuahua Rescue Midwest, we were able to adopt this sweet angel. He loves to cuddle and circles less and less every day.

Cole is our big baby. He is a 21 pound Min Pin/Chihuahua mix. Cole and his brother were found wandering the streets of St. Louis, MO. He actually had ticks embedded in his fur. They were so bad that he had to have them surgically removed! Thanks to the amazing people at St. Louis Senior Dog Project, we now on the happiest dog on the planet! His tail is always wagging and he loves to meet new people and animals.

Penny is one of our "special" babies. She was found as a stray in California and taken to a high kill shelter. No one wanted to adopt her because she has a severe overbite and a deformed front paw that looks like a stump with two "toes" on it. Essentially this makes her a tripod dog. Luckily, a friend of 2nd Chance Animal Rescue saw this little cutie and asked if they would help save her. Then, Penny was driven by Flying "B" Animal Transportation to Springfield, IL where she was fostered until my husband and I saw her on Petfinder.com and fell in love. Penny is such an inspiration to those that she meets. She doesn't let her disabilities stop her from living her best life. And she can even scale our 4 foot pet gate! Check out the video on www.pricelesspennyp.com.

Hope is our second "special" baby. She is a double dapple Dachshund. Unfortunately, she was the product of a backyard breeder. She was born without eyes and is deaf. The "owner" surrendered her to Dachshund Rescue North America (with a choke collar on). I saw her picture and knew that she was meant to be a part of our furry family. My husband and I are constantly amazed at Hope's resilience. She is able to jump onto chairs and navigates through our house as if she has lived there forever.

We feel so blessed to have these wonderful creatures in our lives! I am so thankful for all of the rescue groups that decided to help give these dogs the second chance at life that they so rightly deserve." -Lauren, Freeburg, Illinois

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #4

This time our testimonial is about Belinda and her dog Lil Baci. Another doggie that found love, kindness and the opportunity to have a new life and a new family. This is her story:

"When I first saw Baci. She was languishing in a kill-shelter facing euthanasia. She had 3 strikes against her: She was a senior dog and had extensive costly dental disease as well as digestive issues... so she was bypassed... until I laid eyes on her. I saw perfection and a shy sweet angelic soul. I was hopelessly smitten. Without hesitation I adopted her.

After getting her extensive dental work done, I needed to deal with her challenging digestive issues - which made her extremely finicky about what she would eat. After exhaustively going thru countless high-end dog foods, I decided to head to the kitchen and develop my own grain-free, organic all natural food and treats for her which would provide her with peak nutrition. I shared the food and treats with other "dog parents" which is how the Company "Lil Baci's Grain-free Naturals" was created.

I never fathomed that adopting Baci would result in launching my own Organic grain-free Dog food/Treat Company. Saving Baci's life simultaneously changed mine tremendously. And I will always be grateful to her." - Belinda, Boston.

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #3

This is the third post with testimonials about adoption. I am so excited to see how much love people put in to the writing of their stories, That reflects kindness and a desire to show others what a blessing these dogs are in their lives. This week's testimonial is from Gloria and her dog Sonny:

"While fostering my second Brittany our state coordinator sent all volunteers a photo of a 12 week old puppy, looking for his forever home. His mother and 2 of his siblings had been surrendered and had already been adopted. He was the runt, last dog left. Having no plans to ever raise a puppy again, I asked about his personality. He was described as a middle of the road type dog. PERFECT. The hook was set.

Training a puppy, what was I thinking? WOW, what work! Will I be able to exercise him enough? Other challenges? Yep, he got mange, developed a limp with his growing pains and has a calcium deficiency and broken teeth. Luckily everything is under control now. Sonny stoically withstood being medically probed, creams applied, and medicine given.

Sonny’s personality developed into one of the most flexible dogs I have ever encountered. His easy-going nature, his fearlessness, and his joy of play readily welcomes every dog (and human) into his home. He shares his toys, food, humans, and furniture, whatever. Sonny makes sure each dog is exercised to their individual ability. When he plays with a puppy or small dog, he somehow becomes a small dog. Sonny can take on the big dogs, too. Labs, Setters, Aussies, bring them on; he’ll play on their level. If a dog wants to dominate, Sonny is ok with that. If they are submissive, he encourages them to relax, be comfortable and secure. With Sonny’s expert help, confidence is quickly built. He shows other dogs how to sit, come and generally how to behave in and out of the house. It all seems to come naturally for him. Sonny is equally content to entertain himself as an only dog or party with a group of dogs. Oh, and did I mention he is a cat-like dog?He’ll climb on anything. His favorite place to nap is on the back of a couch.

Sonny has been a great addition to our family and a super asset to ABR. With his assistance, fostering is more rewarding. He has a job to do. He trains, exercises and offers friendship. Sonny really enjoys his work.

Sonny passed the Canine Good Citizenship Test and he was only 1 ½ years old. Sonny is 10, now the oldest after our Dalmatian passed away at 16 1/2 years. He is a big brother to two other rescued dogs." - Gloria, Florida

This is Mimi, Gloria's last showgirl dog. Sonny grew up with Mimi. After she crossed over the rainbow, her family decided to get into fostering.