2007                      Success Stories           2006 & before
2008

Krystal
We adopted one of "Jim's pups" back on 3/5 and just wanted to drop an email to let you see how she is doing.  We named her Krystal, she will be 4 months on 5/10.  As you can see by the pictures, "Krissy" has grown a tad.  She started out at 8.5 lbs and is now 26 lbs and is mostly LEGS!!   She still hasn't lost any of her baby teeth and is chewing on everything.  She must have a couple dozen toys all over the house!

Krissy was potty trained within a week after getting her and also started sleeping through the night on the 3rd day (yippee!).  She loves her crate! She is a big baby when it comes to cleaning out her ears and trimming her nails, lots of complaining!  She actually loves going to the vet, she knows that everyone is there JUST to see her.  She doesn't feel any of the shots because she is too excited about the treats they give her during the process.  She has an appointment to be spayed on 6/27. 

Krissy started puppy classes 2 weeks ago and is doing well! Our kids play with her for hours at a time outside every day and she enjoys going for walks, though cars used to scare her, but not anymore. She figured out how to bulldoze the snow last month too!  By 7:30/8 pm every night, she is ready to crash and sleeps until 7:00 am.  She hasn't figured out what squirrels or airplanes are yet. Krissy has a very strong prey drive, which our cat doesn't really appreciate!  But she is teaching Krissy manners in her own way, as only a tortie can. We hope that all of Krissy's siblings are having a great time!

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Chelsea

When my beloved Spaniel/Labrador mix, Bridgette, passed away in February of this year I thought I would die too. Her ever-present sweetness and personality had been a constant in my life for 9 wonderful years. The emptiness that followed her passing was unbearable. My other three older dogs were depressed and quiet and things just weren’t the same. Life just seemed to drone on and on.  One day I found myself looking on the Internet for adoptable dogs. I felt my family just wasn’t complete without another female dog. The first place I looked was The Alternative Humane Society. Half-heartedly I browsed through the adoptable dogs and decided I wasn’t ready to replace Bridgette. But week after week I found myself browsing the AHS website, each time ultimately deciding I wasn’t ready. Then I saw “Tanisha”. Her little face was so cute I kept coming back to look her up time after time to see if she had been adopted. I even submitted a statement of interest form for her, just to see what would happen. My heart sank when I heard she had been adopted but by then, I knew then I wanted another puppy so the search was on. I looked everywhere for another puppy and eventually decided to adopt one from a breeder in Oregon who raised Boykin Spaniels, Bridgette’s breed. This breeder occasionally had puppies left over from his breeding program that he found good homes for and I put my name on his list for a new litter scheduled for September. I was as excited as an expectant Mom! All my planning revolved around this little life that wasn’t even born yet. She had a name, Hailey, which was Bridgette’s middle name.  Preparations were being made and the weeks flew by.  Late one evening I decided to check my email one last time before turning in for the night and there was a message there from an AHS volunteer. My mouth came open as I read about Tanisha, that little puppy who had been adopted. She had been returned to AHS because she was too rambunctious for the new family. I immediately called the number, forgetting about the time, and spoke to the volunteer who was her foster mom. As it turned out, she was a Spaniel/Labrador mix! Before I knew it I was in my car early the next morning to pick up the puppy for a “trial period” of a week’s stay. Of course, I should know by now that for me there is no “trial period”! This puppy has stolen our hearts. Her new name is Chelsea, which, loosely translated, means “safe harbor”. My older dogs have accepted her and they are full of life again. Chelsea fits right into the “pack”, like she’s always been here. Her puppy antics and energy keep us entertained constantly, and her intelligence is awe-inspiring. There will never be another dog like my precious Bridgette, and some day there may be a “Hailey”; but for now there is this new life with the promise of sweetness and fun and companionship. My days are bright again, and Chelsea is home, in her safe harbor.

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Kita

We don't think we could find a more perfect dog. We all love him so much and couldn't bear to be separated from him so we will continue to work with him and the cats. I don't think he wants to intentionally hurt the cats but will mouth them enough to make them run so he can chase them. Our bravest cat, Athena will now walk almost right up to him as long as she knows we are right there to make sure he stays laying down. We put her on our bed at night and even though he sleeps right beside our bed he doesn't try to go after her there.  We did our first puppy class with him on Wednesday night and he did very well so hopefully that will help too. He also gets at least an hour walk around Mill Lake Park or run at the dog park. He loves to swim now by the way!

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Cooper

Just wanted to send a quick update on our darling boy.  He is much loved, and is a great little companion (postage stamp) to me.  We are learning all sorts of tricks and having adventures together.  He kind of learns by osmosis because he’s so smart, and is blossoming under lots of TLC.  At first he was hesitant and a little anxious sometimes, but that has all gone far far away, and he is cocky, confident and very very sweet.  What a bundle of energy and yet he will calm down, and sleeps with me (under the covers, thanks very much) every night.  He has a variety of toys, but by far the most important is his beloved greenie – the indestructible fun ball. 

He also has an entire wardrobe of light shirts, sweaters, jackets and a raincoat for all kinds of weather.  For him it’s not a cutesy thing – he really needs them since he so little hair.  He’s very happy, and so are we.   So thanks again for our darling Cooper. Anne




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2007                       2006 & before