PawsToRemember

We've been receiving so many wonderful letters, e-mails and photos from the folks who've adopted/rescued Barbour County shelter animals that we decided to create these special pages where we can share this good news with all of you. We're always thrilled to recieve updates about our "fur babies"! If you've adopted one (or more!) of our pets and you would like to share your story here, you may forward your letters and photos via e-mail by clicking the button below, or you can mail letters and photos to:

AFBC c/o C. Skrodinsky, P.O. Box 452, Philippi, WV 26416

Why do these photos remind us of the story about Goldilocks and TheThree Bears?

When 'parents', Sarah and Clyde finished building this beautiful bed for their little girl, Ebony, they laid her down in it, and she promptly went to sleep -- on her back, just like she's seen here in the photos!

And, in case you're wondering -- Ebony does, indeed, live a very cushy life with 2 people who just adore her.

What more could a shelter dog wish for???

True to their word to stay in touch with us, Paul and Mary Ellen Goverts have sent these new photos and update about Kayla, the Talbott puppy they adopted from Barbour in 2004 . . .

"Well, she turned a year old on July 1st. She's been with us almost seven months and is the most loving, wonderful dog. We still can't believe how gentle she has remained. She just loves everyone in the whole family, although she is still a tad reserved towards strange men at first. She loves to play the role of the clown and we think she'll always be that way. Kayla and our 10 1/2 year old shepherd mix, April, are good buddies, and love to go on walks together. If April is tired Kayla licks April's face and pats her head with her paw.

. . . I've attached a few recent pictures so you can see how she's developed. One is of her on a couple of yards of dirt I had delivered. She immediately claimed it as her own play spot.

Anyway, we just wanted you to know she's doing great and is a well loved member of the family."

Sincerely,

Paul & Mary Ellen Goverts

Thanks for the update! Isn't Kayla beautiful?

CLEO TAKES US ON A TOUR OF CENTRAL PARK . . .

Through correspondence with Cleo's mom, Linda Walsh, we learned that Cleo is a true New York dog. During the week she and her 'brother', Baxter get to go to Central Park with their favorite 'dog-walker' and on their weekends in the City, Mom takes them to Central Park to meet and greet their doggie friends and get that much needed exercise.

Linda was kind enough to get some photos of a recent trip to Central Park to share with our website visitors.

This handsome fella was a Kasson Dog pup. He was adopted by AFBC volunteer Wilma Spurgeon and her husband, Lynn, so we get to see a lot of him. He's certainly been an "exciting" addition to the Spurgeon family -- full of energy and quite insistent on getting his own way. He's the light of their life, and so very much loved!!

The enlarged photo shows Dusty licking on his favorite treat -- a "Frosty Paws" ice cream confection. Wilma tells us he goes off into a kind of "dreamland" as he slurps the tasty treat -- his eyes "glass over" as though he's been transported to a world only he knows!

June and Shawn Ryan sent these great photos of Pazi -- now named Koda -- taken on his 9-week birthday. Koda is one of the 8 pups born to shelter dog, Brooke. They adopted Koda from the Norton Animal Shelter in Massachusetts. June tells us that they are first-time dog owners who have 2 children (ages 3 and 10) who are "in total bliss over this puppy!" As 'first timers', they are learning that bringing up a puppy isn't much different than raising a child and they are determined to do it right! They report that Koda is coming along very well. He knows his name and loves to run and play in his big yard. And he's already let them know that he's not happy in his crate and he doesn't like car rides!

We think even the most stern disciplinarian would have trouble saying "No!" to such a little cutie!! Thank you, June, for sharing the photos . . . we'll look forward to watching Koda grow up.

AM I CUTE, OR WHAT??

We received this e-mail from a happy adopter . . .

"Hi! My name is Jessica Gibel and I just wanted to send a quick update on my "baby". I adopted Heidi -- now known as Bailey from Animal Friends back in April when she was only 2 months old. As you can see, Bailey has grown into such a big girl -- a whole 8 pounds. Ha! Ha! She loves playing with her toys, chasing her tail and digging holes in the yard. She has even made some friends -- her best friend is Bo, a 1 year-old Golden Retriever. This is Bailey's Christmas picture which was sent out with my Christmas cards to introduce her to family and friends. She has brought so much love and laughter into my life and everyone that meets her. I thank Animal Friends for bringing us together."

Thanks,

Jessica Gibel

We're happy, too, Jessica that we were able to bring so much love into your life and Bailey's as well, Thanks for writing to us!

We received this e-mail from Kara --

"Erin is now "Boots". My daughter named her from one of her cartoon shows. The two of them are quite the tornado in our house. Running here and there. Boots weighs about 12 pounds now and look a lot like a pug. She is so good with Kylie and my two nephews. A bit spoiled I would have to say. She loves to take evening walks with us and always sleeps close to me. I cannot believe it will be a year so soon. It went so fast and we have enjoyed her so much."

The photo says it all, Kara. Thank you so much for sharing your happy story with us.

By the way -- Boots and Bailey, the dog pictured just above this story, are sisters that were fostered by our volunteer, Dot Hayhurst.

From the moment he came to our house, he fit in right away with our family and our other dog, Abby (a 10-month old pointer/lab mix), who we adopted from another shelter in Cacapon County, WV back in September. The two dogs are like brother and sister already, love to play and sleep together, sometimes on a dog bed, sometimes on our bed! Hunter has made this year's Christmas a very special one! We want to especially thank Joy for helping set up the adoption through Mercedes and Gale of Gaithersburg, MD. They were all a big help, with Mercedes and Gale delivering him to our doorstep."

Thanks again, The Bessell Family