success stories
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hank Bryce (now known as Hank) was one of the sweetest pitties we had ever met. And when Andy saw him, well, there just was no other dog for Andy and no other person for Bryce. From the Baldwin Park shelter to a loving, warm home in a very nice neighborhood Bryce/Hank is one lucky pup! |
| hazel and quixote Remember the story of The Man of La Mancha? Don Quixote finds a poor
girl named Aldonza and transforms her to a lovely woman named
Dulcinea. Well, that's what happened to our little Hazel. Don
Quixote the Rottie fell in love with Hazel, asked his Mom to adopt her
and well...it's indeed a love story and Hazel's new name IS
Dulcinea. A match made in Heaven - just like in the movies!
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A CANINE FAIRY TALE
Almost 4 years ago a very scared 5 month old Rottie came to The Squad. We named him Norbert. He huddled in the hallway of his foster home and looked at the other Rotties playing but never joined in. Then Keira moved in and Norbie became another dog. "I have a new best friend!" he exclaimed and fell in love and joined in all the Rotten games. A family saw Norbie one Saturday and adopted him. Keira was distraught and became destructive in her foster home. We got a call from Norbie's adopters saying he was not happy....what to do. "Hey," said our Founder, "why don't you try adopting Keira too and see what happens?" A miracle. Everyone was happy! Until the economy went South. Disaster struck and Norbie and Keira lost their home and came back to The Squad. What were we to do? Could we possibly adopt them together? It did not appear likely...who would want two big adult Rottweilers? Well Keira was a charmer and was outgoing and a wonderful couple saw her and what could we do....we let Keira go live with the couple and their handsome male Alaskan Malmute. Norbert was left behind. And every day, Norbie grieved a little more...he lost weight and looked very sad. We loved him and gave him special treats but he ignored everyone who came to see him at adoptions. Many nights The Squad volunteers called each other wondering what to do about Norbert. Our Founder spent many nights crying....he was such a great dog! Why couldn't people see that and give him a chance to learn to love again! And then it happened. Two months later the older Malamute crossed the Bridge and the wonderful couple came to adoptions and said "We are grieving for our Noah, but we want Norbert and Keira to be together again. Can we adopt him?" Our Founder cried, (she cries alot), many volunteers cried and we took Norbie to meet Keira. After a brief scuffle and Norbie barking "WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME?" it was slurps and tail wags and well....we watched them both go. AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER |
| Angus & Buckley Angus (the little boy) had spent 3 weeks searching for a dog he could name Buckley. When he and his Mom came to adoptions Howie fell instantly in love with Angus and the feeling was mutual. One week later, Howie became Buckley and became the best friend of an adorable little boy named Angus. This picture just says it all....a boy and his dog. Perfect! |
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Kina
Kina found the perfect home! And the perfect job. Who knew
she was just the perfect pillow for a big boxer boy named Buddy!?!
Here is a note from her family:
Hi!
I hope things are going well with you. Kina is picking up more and
more every day. We truly feel that she was the perfect friend for Buddy
and we love her to pieces. Talk to you soon.
Melissa |
| Ursula When Ursula came into the Squad she was a tiny malnourished little
pup. Look at her now ! (She's the one on the far left) And could
she have found a more perfect home? Thank you Eric for adopting our
pup!
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Sawyer
We wanted to give you an
update on Sawyer's first few days with us. First off, thank you for
all that you did to help him get used to living in a home and being
with other dogs and people! He has such a sweet and winsome
personality - we have certainly fallen for him!
We did re-name him "Miles" in anticipation of the many miles he will explore with us on lots of runs, walks and hikes. He's quite a curious one and loves following us around everywhere. He is so gentle and calm in the house - we have had zero chewing incidents and no accidents...even overnight. He's getting used to his exercise schedule of a run every morning and a walk every evening - and plenty of play time in the backyard every day with us. He loves playing with his ball and his rope in the backyard and racing back and forth from end to end on the grass. I think all the play time sort of tires him out, so when he gets inside, he's content to just find a good spot where he can keep an eye on where we are at all times while he stretches out and naps. He gets a little sad when we go to work, but we've been able to break up the time he's alone. I went home for lunch on Monday to be with him, and Sean was able to work a half-day from home yesterday. Today he was in heaven - our gardeners come on Wednesdays, so he spent the day at my parents' house. They were so excited about spending time with the new "granddog" that my dad took the morning off of work, and my mom emailed around lunchtime to tell us that we didn't need to pick him up tonight - she wanted to keep him! We're working on some basic commands and his leash training. He gets better every day and is very eager to please. The dog door is still a scary thing for him, but we're taking our time and working on it. This weekend, he'll have a vet appointment and a bath, and we'll check into a basic obedience class the following week." |
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Carly
Tira, now known as Carly, was blind when Jackie adopted her. Determined to help her see again, Jackie took Carly to an opthamologis who referred her to a neurologist It was discovered that this little pup was hydrocephalic (water on the brain) and needed surgery immediately. Jackie didn't hesitate and Carly had a shunt put in to alleviate the pressure on her brain and a little sight has come back in one eye. Carly came to visit us on 6/6/09 and she is an absolute love and the luckiest dog ever! |
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Cameron
While some of the humans in the Squad take some sort of Yoga class, we never thought it would affect our fosters. Here you see Cameron demonstrating the Downward Dog position. His Mom says that he will take a minute out of his day to relax, stretch and just well...we guess meditate. |
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Dino
OH OH PITBULL....watch out for that cat....we're not sure where that paw is going! |
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Kahlua
Hello!!!! I know it has been almost five years and you may not remember exactly who these dogs are but, nevertheless, I wanted to give you an update. Two years ago we had another addition to our house; a little girl. I planned her arrival in advance and made sure that our canine kids didn't get jealous. They remained having full access to inside and out and everyone gets along great. They are very patient with her and, in turn, she is very happy to give them lots of milkbones! :) In the last few months, Kahlua has been painted green and Guinness has worn beads, however, they have also both found that there is lots of extra room in her bed and she is more than happy to cover them in blankets and pet them while they "take naps." Anyhow, once again, I am very thankful that you do what you do and allowed us to adopt two wonderful puppies!!! |
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Latika
It was really hard for Latika's foster to give her up for adoption. And her Mom knows it...here is what she wrote us: "I know you miss this face, and I think you will be happy to see
how happy she is. She gives me a reason to always get home as quickly
as possible because you just never know what she will do next. She is
the best dog ever!
Thanks again for everything!"
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Here we are at the end of week 1. What a character! What a
personality! What a little stinker(and I don't just mean his occasional
flatulence)! A few days ago I left him in the kitchen to go to the post
office right across the alley. As I walked away I heard what I thought
was him scratching at the back door. When I came back 15 min later, I
heard a clicking sound in the kitchen. I knew immed. what that sound
was---it was the electronic pilot ignition of the stove. The back
burner was lit and the ignition was clicking because the flame had not
been adjusted. I don't know how he did it, but he won't do it again
because I pulled off the knobs. Fortunately, I very rarely cook, so
for the rare occasion that I need the stove or oven, I'll just put the
knob on temporarily.. |