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
Deb Loring and John Murray of Burlington, VT wrote to give us this report on Sam, their recently adopted Barbour Dog . . .
"I wanted to send a picture and update of 'Sam McGee' from the Animal Friends of Barbour County. Sam (known around these parts as "The Squidge") was adopted by my husband and I in Burlington, VT in February, 2006, and he's doing just wonderfully. Sam is now gainfully and happily employed as an electrician. Well, he's actually an electrician's helper -- he rides to work every day in a big van. He goes to the supply house in the morning where he picks up
his treats and checks the trash, and then plays with whatever dog might be around on the job, or just keeps all the guys on the site amused. In his off time, Sam is learning to swim in Lake Champlain, hike in the Adirondack Mountains, and generally cause mischief around Vermont with his brother, Butters, and his sister, Zora. I've enclosed a couple of pictures of Sam (he's the dark brown guy) -- one with his brother, Butters. He's heard some dogs aren't allowed on the couch or the bed, but he doesn't really believe that. His favored sleeping position is, well, immodest at best.
Thanks for rescuing him."
Deb and John
All "working" dogs should have it so cushy!!! Thanks for the update and keep us posted.
AN UPDATE ON CHELSEA --
First seen on our Paws To Remember, page 2, Chelsea is still living the good life with David and Jessica. Here's David's most recent note to us . . .
"It has been about a year since we have updated you on Chelsea the black lab. She is now almost 2 years old. She is still as playful as ever. We have these newly updated photos of her. She has turned out to be an excellent dog. She is very friendly, and loves to go for walks and watch squirrels and birds. The photo of her laying down is actually in a slide at a playground. We take her for walks to the local playground and she loves to go down the slides. I hope you enjoy the photos."
Thanks,
David Starr
Jessica Mirabito
And "Thank You" David for sending
the beautiful photos. She really is a
gorgeous dog!
LUCKY LINUS!
The Nussbaum family in Richmond, VT adopted this precious little boy and wrote to tell us . . .
"We adopted one of your puppies through Sam Levenberg and we just want to let you know we are SOOO thrilled to have him! He is one of the two beagles husky mixes that Sam rescued and he is just DARLING! He is also a really good boy for an 8-week old puppy! We have named him Linus, and yes, he does like to drag around a blanket (towel)!
Just thought you'd want to know he has a great home with a family who loves him, including a 7-year old boy and and
5-year old girl. Thanks for all you do for the animals, and please know that I have met many of them through Sam because I take photos of the dogs for her website. She does an amazing job placing them in appropriate homes, and because you send her great dogs, it is not as hard a job to find them a permanent place to live!"
In another note just received from Susan, she reports that Linus now weighs 25 pounds and is getting plenty of attention from people wherever he goes. The bottom photo shows Linus all decked out for his first 4th of July celebration!
Beautiful children, precious puppy -- what more can be said. Thanks Susan -- we hope you'll stay in touch!
UPDATE ON PARKER . . .
Pam wrote to us recently to let us know that Parker, first seen on Paws To Remember, page 4, continues to do well and is much loved . . .
"Just wanted to let you know that Parker is doing very well. We have taught him to walk on his hind legs. He also plays ball with us -- we toss it and he hits it back to us with his nose! He is just the greatest addition to our family and we are still very grateful to your group. We're checking into getting him microchipped as we sure don't ever want to lose him. Again thank you all for this little man."
Pam
Parker sounds like a very smart little boy! Thanks Pam, it's great to know that he's still such a happy fella!
LUCY THE BEAGLE!
Early in 2005, Corie Mboh of Manassas, VA adopted a Barbour Dog and she wrote to give us this report . . .
"Eighteen months ago I came to your shelter and rescued Lucy, a 1-year old beagle that had been severely abused. I knew she was special when I saw her. We instantly bonded, and although I had placed her in the back of my SUV, I didn't get a mile up the road before she was in my lap, where she remained for the entire 4 hour drive! She's the love of my life (and she sure knows it!). Within the first 24 hours of bringing her home, she relaxed and wasn't as tense. Today, she still carries her food to the other side of the house before she'll eat it or try to bury it in her bed, but she spends most of her time playing with her best friend, Jetta, a 1-year old lab/beagle mix and napping on the couch. What a lovely dog she is! Thank you so much for doing what you do!"
Corie Mboh
Well Corie -- thank you for what you did for Lucy! It once again proves that love, patience and understanding are the perfect remedies for bringing out the best in a dog with an unhappy history. It's easy to see that the love in this relationship goes BOTH ways!
ANOTHER HAPPY 'TAIL' IN VERMONT!
Betsy Nye of Essex Junction, VT wrote to tell us about her new best friend, Meg . . .
"I wanted to write and thank everyone at your shelter for the part you played in bringing Meg into my life.
A good friend of mine, Sam, runs Random Rescue here in Vermont. We used to teach dog training classes together, so she has a very good idea of what I desire in a dog. Although I had always planned for my next dog to be a purebred puppy, when I decided it was time, I asked Sam to keep an eye out for a dog that would suit me.
She called one morning after receiving several dogs from your shelter and said, "I think I have your dog." And boy, was she right!
Meg is, without a doubt, the most charming animal I've ever met. A friend of mine refers to her as a 'touch junkie". She melts against any person willing to pet her, and will stay there as long as the love keeps coming. She spends all day with me at work, helping to run the horse farm and playing with the numerous dogs who come by during the day. Her favorite days of all are when children come by the barn.
Meg's nights are equally busy. She's proving to be a genius at her obedience class, and is excelling in agility. She's all signed up to continue with the agility throughout the summer, and I'm hopeful that she will be ready to compete next year. When she's not at classes, she loves snuggling up in the recliner, and will watch TV with more intensity than any other dog I've known. She's a big 'American Idol' fan, although I refuse to let her borrow my phone to call in her votes!
I could not be more pleased with Meg and all the wonderful things she has brought into my life. Hopefully I will be sending updates and photos for many years to come!"
Fondly,
Betsy
We bet if Meg could talk, she'd tell us how glad she is that Sam picked out the perfect "mom" for her! It certainly sounds like a match made in heaven!!! We'll be looking for those updates and photos, Betsy!
Allie May and Max
I've missed you!
Rainey and Allie May
Bill and Max
A TRUE LOVE STORY!
Back in October, 2005, Tami and Bill Marchionda of Penn Yan, NY first saw a photo of puppy Max (he's the one on the right) and they fell in love with him. At the time, Max had already been promised to someone else, but on November 7th Tami saw his photo again -- this time on Petfinder. She immediately submitted their application to adopt him and they anxiously waited to hear from the rescue. As the days went by with no reply, Tami started e-mailing everyone she could think of who might be able to help her bring Max home. Her diligence was rewarded and on November 20th, Tami visited with Max and and his best puppy friend, Lennox at their foster home. Tami knew right away that Max was the dog for her!
We've heard from Tami several times since then -- always with great news and photos about how wonderful Max is and how much they love him. Tami was even able to locate Max's sister's family -- she's Allie May on Paws to Remember, page 5 and the pups and their families recently had a reunion. Tami wrote to tell us . . .
"We were finally able to get Allie May and Max on Saturday, July 1, 2006. They had a ball together! It was like they were never separated! It was a dream come true -- we hated to part!
It just amazes me how we were able to accomplish this! They were adopted at separate times, from different fosters. Allie May was adopted through rescuer Jennifer Jayne and Max through Buffalo Pugs and Small Breed Rescue. I think this makes a good human interest story for adopting rescue dogs!
It's too bad that Elliot (another brother) lives so far away (Pennsylvania). It would be wonderful to include him in the next reunion. Maybe some day, some how this will happen . . .
I still have to reunite Max with Spike. Spike was one of Max's littermates while in foster care with Dot in West Virginia. Spike lives here in Penn Yan and we will get them together real soon!
Through this experience I have met a lot of wonderful new friends. Jennifer Jayne at Brightstar, Jackie and her family (second foster mom), Lenox, Rainey, Bob and Allie May, Paulette and Elliot and Dot Hayhurst. We all have a common bond which brought us together -- puppy love!"
Tami included a few reunion photos to share with us. Thank you, Tami for such a heartwarming story and we'll look forward to future updates and reunion news!!!
