Adoption Happy Endings
page 2
More happy endings: page 1, page 3
The Ark receives many letters, phone calls, and emails from happy adopters of Ark pets. We post a few here, to brighten your day. We hope to add a dog and a cat to these pages every week or two.
Doesn't Toto, a poodle/dachshund mix, look like a sweet ball of fluffy fur! It's hard to understand, but Toto's first person (an older woman) surrendered him to The Ark because she was afraid of him, saying he bit her. There were no problems with him at the shelter, and now he has been accepted into a loving family in New Brunswick, Canada.
Recently this family has written a glowing note about Toto:
"Toto is doing very well! If he could talk, he would tell you about all the other pets and people he has met, and all the places he has been. He has adjusted very well to living with 3 cats. There have been no attacks from either side. He has another new bed in the living room where he hides all his toys and dental bones.
Toto has a best friend, Sasha, who is his walking partner. We walk everyday at least an hour. When the red ant population dies down, Toto will get to explore all the wonderful trails in our seaside town. Toto shows no aggression whatsoever toward any dogs we meet and has been great with children.
He is eating very well and sleeps through the night in a large crate in our bedroom. He learns very quickly and we are working on the barking.
Thank you for Toto. We love him and can't imagine life without him already."
Chester, a BIG dog, was surrendered because he was supposed to guard the flock, but he chased the chickens instead. Furthermore, he really preferred to be inside on the couch. He was with us for a couple of months until his new family came along. From unwanted outside dog, Chester, renamed Chuck, is now living exactly as he hoped. His family sent 20 or so pictures, accompanying the letter below, all of them showing what a really spoiled dog's life should be.
"Dear Friends at the Ark,
We just wanted to let you know how fantastic our lives have become since Chester (a.k.a. Chuck) has become a member of our family.
In October, we had lost our 11 year old Shepherd mix to cancer and our boxer, Spencer, became depressed. While we could never replace Aisha, I must say that having Chuck around has made Spencer a who new dog again. It has been months since we have seen our handsome boy so happy!!
Chuck is such a smart dog. He has already learned new rules and a new trick (speak). We are still working on walking on a leash and coming when called. We are also trying to teach Chuck that he is a big boy and perhaps not a lap dog, even though he insists that he is tiny and must sit on our laps and sleep in the bed.
Chuck is still learning about cats and how it not nice to put a gigantic paw on them to hold them in place. Meow-Meow and Molly have been surprisingly patient with him while he learns about them.
Chuck has made our family feel complete again and we love him so much. It is hard to believe that someone would give up such an amazing, loving, adorable dog. They truly are missing out and we are truly lucky! We promise to keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Jaime, Brian, Meow-Meow, Molly, Spencer and Chuck"
Wendy, former Puerto Rican street dog with a short-lived future, was rescued, brought to Maine, given to a second family, and then surrendered because she has such a strong prey drive they couldn't control her. (No kidding. A tiny dog on the Puerto Rican streets stays alive ONLY if she has a strong prey drive.) We weren't sure if she was adoption material, until we saw how sweet she is with people. The older couple who decided she was the dog for them, thought she was cute enough that they were willing to take the chance and let her outside only when she was on lead. She's been with them for a few months now, and it looks like this is a winning combination. Her new folks sent pictures, along with a letter and then a follow-up adoption questionnaire.
Wendy's people say Wendy owns them now! So although she continues to hate squirrels and cats, she has settled in and is better about barking. She gets a daily walk " all over town," so watch for her in Ellsworth. Wendy's family is very happy with The Ark, and they have recommended our shelter to many people since adopting sweet Wendy.
Tigger and Bubbles, look-a-like tabby siblings, were surrendered together. Bubbles, now named Alie, was adopted within a couple of months. Alie was adopted two days after her new person saw another cat adopted by a friend, who highly recommended The Ark and the cats at the shelter. Below is the note sent to the shelter by Alie's new person:
"Alie has adjusted to her new home in Blue Hill. She has me almost trained," her person writes!
This is Alie's caption for one of the pictures: "One of my favorite sitting places because I can see all through the apartment and look out and watch the wildlife out my sliding glass door."
Doris says, "She is so loving and loves to cuddle and she needs a lot of this, and it is given with pleasure. This has certainly been a great match. She is just what I needed at this time of my life. She is such a shadow, and she fetches. I just love her. Thank you all."
Doris was complimentary about The Ark, particularly mentioning "the warm loving service you gave me when I came to have a kitty choose me. Also the care and socialization and love that you give to your animals. Great!
I think you are wonderful. Keep up the good work. I have already told people about you and they are saving all bottles and cans to support your efforts. "
This is a sweet letter from a dog who has lived almost seven years with her people in Jonesboro:
Dear Ark Doggies,
Ever since I was adopted many years ago, I have wanted to send a special gift to The Ark so that they could use it to help with some of your needs. My people just told me that now would be a good time to do it, so my brother Levi and I are very happy to be able to send this donation.
Some of you have had very sad lives so far, but because you are now at The Ark, you will soon have a family to love you. Don't give up. There are lots and lots of folks who love doggies and will take good care of them. I hope that all of you are adopted very soon.
Love from Coco,
p.s. I have also included one of my recent "glamour" photos so that all of you can see that a 13 1/2 year-old girl can still be beautiful.