Fan Mail

Rusty
It's been 18 months since we adopted Rusty (pic attached), so we wanted to belatedly send you this note to thank you for helping us to add him to our family. You posted a pic of Rusty on your site in November of 2000; he was so skinny that the North Central Animal Shelter had him listed as an Irish Setter! In truth he was a 3-4 year old male Golden Retriever who was 35 lbs underweight, terribly malnourished, had lost half his hair, and had a severely broken leg. Of course his condition was not the fault of the shelter - that is how he had been turned in, or found. Our heart went out to him, and we immediately decided to rescue him. On the spot my wife named him Rusty (because of his red coat, not very original, we know ). He was in such rough shape that the shelter gave him a medical release (he was too weak to survive being neutered, which of course he wasn't). By the way, the shelter staff were very kind, in particular a male attendant with blue-dyed hair. We immediately rushed Rusty to our vet, fully expecting, but hoping against, a poor prognosis. Long story short, his health issues were all treatable, as was his broken leg. In no time Rusty's weight was up to were it should be, his coat grew back in, and he developed into the good natured and happy Golden that he should be. Once his health was restored he was neutered, and an orthopedic surgeon for canines operated and repaired the bad break in his leg (a metal plate was used to fuse his bone together). When we brought Rusty home he had absolutely no training, let alone being housebroken. Today he fetches our newspaper, and loves to play catch with a tennis ball. He is the smartest and most loyal dog we have ever owned. In addition to us as playmates, we adopted a sister (Ally) for him about 7 months later. The two are inseparable (she lets him think that he's in charge), and both are dear members of our growing family.
Thank you very much for your site and efforts! We and Rusty really appreciate it.
Best wishes, The Stevens

Zoe
We absolutely LOVE Zoe! We can’t believe that she was an owner turn in. She tried very hard hide in the shelter, curled up in a ball in her run. Thankfully you noticed her and posted her on your site. On her paperwork at the pound, there were only two words used as a reason for turning this sweet girl in: “too many.” Not a word about her being house-trained, her walking well on a leash, not excessively barking, getting along with other dogs and cats, etc. Perhaps what they really meant was that there were; too many kisses, too many wonderful walks, too many trusting looks, too many soft nudges, too many tail wags and body wiggles, too many times she warms our feet, too many times she is protective, too many times she is great company, and far "too many" reasons to have this sweet girl become a part of our family.
Thank you again for posting dogs on your web site and helping to adopt them.
Esther and Bart

Dozer
We wanted to thank you so much for featuring Dozer (his new name!) on your website! He is so sweet, and kind and really gentle with our little Lab (as you can see in the pictures...) He had a busy day at the vet, but things seem to be relatively manageable, and we think he’s going to be just fine. I thought you may want to see how he settled in after one day at his new home. Do you think he is a little happier than when he was in the back of the pound? Thank you from the bottom of his big ol’ heart. And ours...
Anthony, Jessica, Madeline (little lab...) and Dozer.

Clooney
Thinking Clooney could really use a break from being kenneled at my vets, I thought of Kate and contacted her. She was wonderful and offered to help if Pip and Clooney got along. Last Saturday, I arranged a meeting with both of them. The dogs instantly hit it off. When we got to her house, they were barreling throughout the house and into the yard. Clooney was grinning from ear to ear and was fine with Pip dominating him. I warned Kate that Clooney might try to mark indoors and before I could stop him, he nailed her leather chair. She was really cool about the whole thing and offered to work with him on house training. She emailed me each day to tell me how well the dogs were doing. I had a family that was interested in meeting Clooney, but after living with Kate for a several days, she had fallen in love (she couldn't resist his sweetness) and wanted to adopt. I could not be happier!!! Hope you can add Clooney, Kate and Pip to the success Gallery!