Success Story: Donner

Donner & Family Success StoriesDecember, 2012. Ten tiny “reindeer” pups pranced into VHS looking for love. Among them, soot-black Donner with the snowy white patch on his chest was the one who stood out the most to the Garcia family. They had a new house, and made a family decision to adopt a puppy who needed a home. Now, more than a year old, Donner has turned into one dashing dog. He enjoys daily walks, begs to play fetch with his green ball, and winning everyone over with his mischievous personality. “He came to a home full of love and affection,” writes his dad, Jesus. “It was love at first sight.” Now called Meeko, the once-miniature Lab mix weighs more than 80 pounds. Meeko and his puppy brother, Luz, enjoy lolling around the living room together during family movie time just as much as hiking in the fresh air with mom and dad.

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Biscotti and Holly

Stretchingout squareLast summer, the La Blanc family came to VHS looking for a kitten. Cat lovers and feline guardians for many years, they ended up being adopted by Biscotti and Holly (now called Hazel), two adorable sprites from different litters. “The ‘girls,’ as we affectionately call them,” mom Julie writes, “have brought so much love and joy to our home. They are quite spoiled.” Though initially wary of each other, the pair became “the best of buddies” by Day Two.

Still, the experience was not without its casualties; namely, a houseplant. HazelcleansBiscotti SuccessAs this year’s kitten season goes into full swing, Julie offers great advice for those planning on bringing home a young animal of any kind: “Kitten-proof your home,” she cautions, “Just like you would for a child. Those sharp little kitten teeth need lots of appropriate toys to keep them occupied. We have learned to put cords away and play, play, play to wear them out.” Sounds like a cat’s idea of the perfect day!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

 

Success Story: Rusty

Rusty squareTo everything there is a season: it’s true for dogs as well as people. Sometimes all you need do is wait. When Rusty’s first adoption wasn’t as successful a match as it initially appeared, he quickly returned to our adoption center…along with the pang and rue that frequently sprout in such situations. But at eight years old (that’s nearly 50 human years!), Rusty was sage enough to recognize that it wouldn’t be long before he was picked again.

When the Pasqual family came to VHS looking for a canine companion, Rusty’s personality flowered. As soon as the door to his doggie condo opened, he went directly to them and rolled on his back, tail threshing. “It was as though he was waiting for us,” writes mom Cheryl. “He is a loving Corgi mix who loves playing ball and enjoys his yard. Thank you VHS!” Indeed, Rusty (now called Buster) loves to stop and smell the flowers – as you can see from this idyllic garden photo, his entry in our 2014 pet photo contest. There’s always time for that!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Ana

Ana Banana 2_cropAna decided early on that she wasn’t a big fan of the multi-cat environment at Valley Humane Society’s Kitty City. She spent a little time in the administrative office and several weeks in a kennel in the lobby, chatting up everyone who passed through. As Ernest Hemingway famously wrote, “One cat just leads to another.” He was probably talking about spay/neuter issues, but it’s also true that many people who love cats already have one or two hanging around. Ana’s continuing challenge was looking for a home where she’d be the main attraction.

Enter Susanna. She fell in love with Ana on her visit to VHS and took the tortie home. Now, “Ana Banana” has settled in to a life free of any other pesky felines. She still likes to be on display, though, choosing a large picture window to relax in front of. “Here she is watching birds and squirrels and looking just plain adorable,” Susanna writes. That was probably her plan all along!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Ash

Ash cropjpgAsh was just one of a trio of achingly adorable terrier mix puppies until the Chang family fell in love and took him home. There the little black and white pup turned out to be a real smart cookie! He learned to roll over using tasty bacon as an incentive, and is learning to walk on his hind legs on cue (something he is already doing on his own). He also paces himself during evening runs with Mom. “It’s so sweet of him,” she writes, “because we all know he can actually run much faster!” In addition to keeping everyone healthy, Ash – now called Jet – is the perfect family companion. He’s as sought after as an afternoon snack for the family’s two children, who love to cuddle and play games with him when they get home from school. “To this day we feel fortunate and thankful that Valley Humane Society took Ash in and cared for him before we adopted him,” writes Mom, who plans to encourage pet adoption to her friends and family via Facebook. “We got a successful love match through VHS, and want to help others do the same.”

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Maddie

Maddie 9-15-14 #6_squareWhen Lauri walked into Valley Humane Society in September and asked to meet Maddie, ears perked up all over the place. The four-year-old tabby had been in residence for more than a year, and hadn’t drawn a lot of attention because of a grumpy reputation brought on by her distaste for other cats. Lately Maddie had been cohabiting an administrative office, where staff started each day subject to a marathon kneading/drooling session, and suffered frequent interruptions by a cat strategically placed between keyboard and typist. Maddie had regained her happy, lap-loving self, but she wasn’t particularly helpful as an assistant.

Still, she looked good on the desk! Lauri was looking for an office cat, someone to keep her company while she worked at home, to replace the quiet companionship of her recently departed Abby. Call it fate or call it luck, but there was clearly an instant attraction between the two. Lauri took Maddie home, and almost immediately reported: “[Maddie] has pretty much settled in and is a big part of our family. What a joy she is!” Pictures of Maddie on the desk at home prove contentment. “Thank you all for taking such good care of her until we found each other,” Lauri writes. “[Maddie] is a gem. But then they all are when you take the time to get to know them and allow them the space and time to get to know you.” We couldn’t have summed it up any better!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Annie

Birdwatching_editIt’s hard to believe that Annie sat alone and unspoken for at the shelter, because once she came to Valley Humane Society, it sure didn’t take long for someone to speak up! The Johnson family fell in love with the gorgeous Golden and brought her forever home, where she is living up to the retriever part of her name. Annie brings the family their shoes, wallets, books…anything she knows they use frequently. And the spunky teenager is always quite proud of herself for doing so! Now about two years old, Annie loves watching birds through the window, snuggling, playing tugs, and of course, walks. Pictures of Annie on family outings show her picnicking at Concannon, “pointing” at a cat in the neighborhood, and standing on the sofa birdwatching. “We love her like crazy,” write the Johnson’s. They also have a great theory about how Annie, now called Bailey, became a stray: “She ran away to find us!” On the anniversary of her adoption the family celebrated Bailey Day. “We’re so happy to have her!”

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Puffin

Puffin MonopolySometimes love saunters right up and takes over your life, whether you’re ready or not. That’s pretty much what happened to Paul Saliski. On his first day as Operations Coordinator for Valley Humane Society, Paul encountered Puffin, a “large and in charge” black and white feline. “She came up strutting her stuff,” says Paul. “What can I say? Love at first sight.” Two-year-old Puffin lost the only home she had ever known when her guardian had to move to an apartment that wouldn’t allow pets. Fortunately the outgoing tuxedo (who reportedly likes being held like a baby), had no reservations about canvassing for her next home. And what a great fit she found! “Puffin is right at home with the rest of the family,” says Paul. She joins a motley crew that includes Duncan, a dog; Nautica, a cat; and two horses named Miles and Henry Higgins. She may be the family’s first rescue cat, but Puffin always wins at Monopoly!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Chestnut

IMG_1201 Scoop Success crop

At four months old, Chestnut was still just a pup. He must have grown quite a bit in his short life, however…enough that his collar grew too tight and then embedded in his neck. He still had some healing to do when Valley Humane Society took him out of the public shelter. Fast forward six months later, and Chestnut has grown even more, thanks to the good care of his adoptive family, the Hottingers. They describe him as an incredibly agile and intelligent dog who is popular at the local dog park and is known to “bring the party.” Chestnut also brought new life to the family’s aging pit mix, Nika. “He has brought her out of her shell and put her in touch with her inner puppy,” writes Mom. Chestnut is now known as Theo, named for the Leave it to Beaver character…aptly so, according to the family, for he is full of curiosity and mischief. Good thing Dad is home to keep an eye on things!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).

Success Story: Lacey

Lacey square

The lengths we will go to for love! Lacey’s adopter followed her all the way from Hayward Animal Services, where she had been taken as a stray. He was head over heels for the sweet tabby kitten, and was determined to make sure she found her way home with him. It was love at first sight when David saw Lacey at the shelter. She was still on her stray hold period, and wasn’t available for adoption. Yet when he returned just a few days later, she was gone! Fortunately David had taken a video of Lacey during his first visit, so shelter staff was easily able to identify her as the adorable tabby that had been transferred to Valley Humane Society. David immediately contacted us to express his interest in adopting Lacy. He had to wait once again, while Lacey went through our standard medical intake process, but VHS kept in contact with David throughout. Says the grateful David: “I’m very happy with Lacey. I think she’s happy in her new home, and knows she’s wanted, adored, and very much loved. Thank you Valley Humane!” Sounds like little Lacey was definitely worth the wait!

Have you recently adopted a cat or dog from Valley Humane? Let us know how things are going! Send your cutest, clearest photos and all those adorable details about life with your new best friend to adoptions@valleyhumane.orgBe sure to include your first and last name and your pet’s VHS name (if known).