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
IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD FOR WALLY!
Lynn Perkins of Bristol Hills, NY wrote us this lovely letter about her young man, Wally . . .
"We had a wonderful mixed breed rescue dog for 15 years that passed away in 2004. She was a hard act to follow and our hearts were broken when she died. It took about a year to finally admit that we needed to fill the void she left behind, so we began searching for a puppy to rescue. The search went on for many months. Finally, late one night in March, 2006, I decided to check the Animal Services League site just one more time. Wally's picture must have just been posted and I FELL IN LOVE! He had many health problems from being abandoned, almost at birth. Found under a building, he was dehydrated, had rickets, a bladder stone, and more. He was taken in by Animal Friends, operated on, and brought back to life. When his health improved, he was rescued by the Animal Services League and placed in foster care with Deb Boyle -- a wonderful, caring woman.
I immediately e-mailed Deb and told her I thought I was supposed to adopt this dog! As an RN and theraputic healer, I knew I could heal him! I felt very strongly that it was no coincidence that I found him and couldn't wait to meet him. Two days later we met Wally at a pet store . . . along with dozens of other people who'd nseen his precious picture on the Internet. I was heartbroken to think I might lose this puppy, too. Deb assured me, right on the spot, that she thought we were the best match for Wally! For two hours that day, Wally sat in my son's lap and we all were smitten with him to say the least. Two days later, we finalized the adoption papers and brought him home to our farm, where he joined our family of 3 cats and a 23-year old Palomino gelding. He fit in right off the bat.
He has bonded with one of our stray kitties so well that they sleep together and groom each other. His hearding instincts have come out, too -- he bounds out in the pasture to get the horse -- running around him and jumping up to kiss his nose. God love that old gelding -- he tolerates the whole thing and even kisses him back!
He is my constant companion -- he couldn't be more loved. Everyone who meets him finds him adorable and he loves everyone! He is the best boy -- no bad habits at all -- it's almost like he's grateful for being saved! We have fed him the best food and given him supplements to maintain his health -- you can see by the pictures that he's now healthy as a horse!
I can't tell you how loved he is. He has more than filled the void left by our first dog. I would say we saved each other. I can't imagine life without him now! He has given us more than we could give him, and as Deb (his foster mom) always says, whoever said money can't buy happiness has never owned a dog.
I can't thank you all enough for saving this dog, and allowimg me to have him. He is the love of our lives. You are all so caring and loving and it shows in everything you do. Rescuing this puppy was the best thing I ever did . . . for me and for him! He has brought such joy into our lives. To this day, I am convinced this was all serendipity, the way he came to us -- that our meeting was meant to be. None of the other puppies I thought I wanted were available because Wally was just waiting for us!"
Gratefully yours,
Lynn Perkins
So many times it does seem that 'fate' bring our dogs and adopters together and this happy story confirms our belief that sometimes things ARE just meant to be. We know we'll be hearing more from Lynn and Wally! Thank you, Lynn, for this beautiful letter.
BEST FRIENDS!!!!
We've heard from Paul and Mary Ellen Goverts again as they continue to keep us updated on their beautiful Kayla. Kayla first appears on Page 1 of the Paws To Remember feature.
Paul writes . . .
"I think it must be about a year since I last wrote to you about Kayla. She went through a sad time, as our entire family did, when her companion April passed away last year, but she has managed. She continues to be a very loving dog, alert, protective, yet so gentle. At 2 years, she still has her puppy enthusiasm and curiosity and loves to play Frisbee with our daughter-in-law. She seems to have topped out at 70 pounds. Last October we adopted a rescue Siamese kitten, Kyra. When we brought her home, Kayla was absolutely ecstatic. She was convinced that we had gotten the kitten just for her. Kayla spent all night trying to clean her. As a little kitten, Kyra viewed Kayla as her playmate and Kayla was very accommodating. The only thing Kayla didn't like was when the kitten tried to nurse on her. Those little teeth are sharp!! We acquired a second Siamese rescue kitten this past May, so now Kayla feels it's her duty to supervise their "activities". Anyway, things are going well with the whole "family"!
It was great to hear from the Goverts family again, and we're so proud of our girl Kayla!
KYRA
KYRA
KAYLA
KAYLA
UPDATE ON TALBOTT DOG, GRAYSON --
John Semel and his fiance, Karena sent us this update on their boy Grayson. Grayson first appears on Paws To Remember, page 4.
"Grayson is great! He has really come into his own. He plays frequently with Maggie (and often instigates), he loves his toys now (he will get himself ito our toy basket whenever he can -- whether he should or not!), and he is very curious about other dogs and other people -- he will march up to both and inspect -- a long way from living under a porch and in fear of everything!
He insists on sleeping on the bed, and we don't begrudge him this privilege. When he awakes in the morning, he watches to see when we are awake, and if he sees even a faint sign of stirring, he will scooch up and lay down on top of me. He is a wonderfully sweet member of our family and we are especially privileged to have him. Thanks again for making it possible."
It's so great for us to know that Grayson has become such a well-loved member of John and Karena's family!!! John promised to send new photos -- so we'll be watching for them and post them here as soon as we receive them.
THE GOOD LIFE!
Joyce Pacheco sent us this update on Kato (pictured on the left). His story first appeared on Paws To Remember, page 3.
"Kato is doing very well. He's a happy, healthy and energetic dog. He likes to bark a lot and has a lot of watch dog instincts, I guess like any other dog. He's quite a Velcro dog. He follows me around everywhere, so he's quite a pack drive. We have two other female dogs -- a mixed breed similar to Kato and a Pit Bull (ALL rescued, of course!). Kato gets along great with both of them. The females love him to bits. He's quite easy going and enjoys the company of other dogs. Kato has finished his basic training classes. I am taking him to get his ATTS in September and am taking him on the charity walk for animals. Here's a picture of him with our Pit Bull. As you can see, she really loves to snuggle with him!"
They make a beautiful couple, Joyce! We're glad to know he's going for his ATTS training and hope you'll let us know how he does with that.
THE WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS NELLY!
Melissa Pierson and Luc Sante adopted Nelly in the Fall of 2003. Nelly was a "Kasson Dog" -- one of 69 confiscated by the Barbour County Sheriff due to the poor living conditions in which they were being kept. We recently got this e-mail from Melissa . . .
"I'm happy to give you this update about the wonderful, marvelous Nelly: She now has her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and is a registered therapy dog! She is bright and quick, and thus loves her agility classes. She is sweet and loving -- and also a killer. Nothing excites her like some good moving prey, and she has successfully hunted rabbits and woodchucks -- none of this is condoned by her owners, but Nelly makes up her own mind about a lot of things. I highly suspect some terrier in her bloodlines, along with the border collie we know about. Her best friends -- and she has a regular "pack" she enjoys hikes with -- are all between 70 and 100 pounds, while she weighs in at 20. But guess who's the leader? Anyone who adopted one of Nelly's siblings has probably cried the tears of the damned; these are challenging pups! But they're worth it. Nelly turned the head of Karen Pryor herself (the originator of the fabulous method of 'clicker training') at an expo we attended in Maryland. Positive reinforcement training is the way to go with dogs this bright and driven."
It's great to know that Nelly is such a happy, healthy, all around dog and we're proud that, as a therapy dog, she's got a 'career', too! Melissa recounted the story of Nelly's adoption in the book The Underdog -- A Celebration of Mutts by Julia Szabo -- so she's also made her claim to literary fame! The book is a wonderful compilation of stories and information about the joy of owning mixed breed dogs.
