Marla: From foster home to forever home

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know how Marla is doing.  I took her to the vet yesterday for a checkup.  She met the doctor and the rest of the staff, who loved her and commented on what a great dog she is...cudos! Melissa and I have been walking her at least twice a day for about 1-2 hrs., which she loves.  I bought her an easy-walker harness making it easier on both dog and human!  Her first training class was last week, and again, she did an amazing job.  She was able to focus on Melissa and me even with 6 other dogs in the room.  The instructor used her several times as an example because she was such a great listener.
 
We really want you to know how much we LOVE her.  She is such a gentle soul, so sweet and loving, that we could not have asked for a better dog!  We all love spending time with her, either outside walking and messing around in the yard, or scratching her belly and hanging out inside.  My father calls her every morning from his room and she greets him with her tail wagging, gently rubbing against him in the most affectionate way!  Every day brings us closer and closer and we realize how lucky we are to have her with us!
 
Anyway, we will send you pics, but know that we are very grateful for everything that you have done for Marla and so many others!  What a great foster mom!
 
Angela

Spike (fka Rico) the Jack Russell

We adopted Spike (formerly known as Rico) in October 2009, a few days after his eye surgery.  He was wearing a half-eaten "lamp shade" when we picked him up that Wednesday.  We almost didn't meet him in the first place as he was being housed in a cage in the cat room, and we weren't looking for a cat at that time.  Knowing what I do now about how he feels about cats, I can't picture how he survived in the midst of all of them!  We were almost going to leave when they told us, wait, we have one more in the cat room you could look at.  For me it was love at first sight.  There was something so endearing about this little bundle of energy and attitude.  Having never had a Jack Russell terrorist (um, terrier) before, I did read up quite a bit in the beginning.  Glad I did.  He's a complicated little fellow, but way worth the chance we took on him.  A love bug to be sure, he's just happy to be with his people.  He can go from angel to devil-dog in afew seconds, but I cannot imagine my life without him.  Thank you, Stamford Animal Care and Control, OPIN, Dr. Lazurus and Dr. Neaderland for giving Spike a second chance by providing him with the care he needed to get well and to continue to enjoy his life.  We just LOVE him!!!  Kate and Scott

Sylvia's Having a Warm, Cuddly Thanksgiving

Just thought that Sylvia and I would say hello and Happy Thanksgiving. Everything has gone very well, actually I can't remember not having Sylvia as part of the family. Sylvia has gained weight and adopted our routine very well. I still have to watch Lilly (Yorkie) and Sylvia, but we all manage to sit on the couch or lay down in my bed and watch TV together.

Linda and Sylvia

Kush (fka Beamer) is cushy in his new home!

Beamer was a young, sweet mutt whom we brought to the Best Friends Super Adoption event in New Jersey, spring of 2010.  Beamer captured the heart of a family who brought him to live with their other three dogs.  A note from them:

"We love him so much, you have no idea!  He is such a great dog, we can't imagine not having him now!  He always has to be lying on someone, he thinks he's a lapdog!  He finally found his voice - it's a very deep bark!  And he is a tease, loves to play!  He's thankful."

Daphne and Kush
Living the good life 

Happy Tails for Alfredo

"I just wanted to give you a quick update on Alfredo. He's made about a 100% miraculous turnaround and is now the friendliest/cuddliest of the cats. It's amazing! He actually had only warmed up a little bit in the first 11 months and then when we moved to a new house in May, he got much more comfortable.

I've attached a picture of Alfie, in his most frequent spot on the couch, and a second one of the cats all together."

-Marybeth