Last Christmas Linda and Bill McBride of Versailles Borough, PA were on a special mission to help Santa find the perfect Christmas present for their daughter, Felicia. With the help of Janice Fullerton, who lives in Bethel Park, PA and who has helped countless Barbour dogs find their 'forever' homes, Linda and Bill were able to tell Santa that he needed to get Beechie for them.
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!) or 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
Stacy and Brendan O'Neill adopted 'Talbot Dog', Jasmine several years ago. Jas first appears in this feature on Paws To Remember, page 2 and Stacy has sent us this update . . .
"Jasmine is doing great. Our son, Michael, was born in March, 2006 and Jasmine is loving that I'm a stay-at-home mom. She loves to sit and watch me take care of the baby. She and Sadie are still the best of friends. They keep each other entertained when I get busy with the baby. I'm enclosing a couple of recent pictures of her -- one of Jas and Sadie in their favorite snuggle spot, the other is on a walk in the local park."
Sounds to us like Jas might have a new job as 'chief babysitter' soon! What beautiful, happy girls!! Congratulations on the birth of your son, Stacy -- we hope you'll send news and photos as your family grows up!
BEECHIE'S PUPPY
PHOTO
Almost a year later, you can see that Beechie has grown into a beautiful young lady. Felicia chose to name her Holly since she was a Christmas puppy. We recently had a note from Linda and she sent these photos. Linda had this to say . . .
"We love this puppy and she has been a wonderful addition to our family. She is very spoiled. Thank you for such a wonderful pet."
We're just thrilled to have helped Santa bring so much happiness to this special family!
In mid-October, Rachel Lee of Weston, WV adopted this sweet 6-month old Pit Bull pup and we received this note and these photos from her --
"I wanted to thank you all, especially Shelly, for placing me and my little Halo together. I was calling around and looking for a pit bull puppy to adopt. I kept hitting brick walls with people telling me they don't adopt out that breed -- that they are too dangerous. I knew, though, that I wanted to adopt one. I also knew that because of this prejudice against them that most people didn't want to adopt them. BUT they are my favorite! I am a registered Veterinary Technician and when a pit bull walks through the door, I run to it like a child to an ice cream truck. Then I got the call about Halo. For those who don't believe
in love at first sight, you should have been there when I saw her -- I was in love! I took her home and she fit in perfect with my other critters. Her big brother, Ruger, an American Bulldog, and Fluke, a Golden Retriever, fell in love, too.
They wrestle, romp, destroy toys, and "bath" the cats all together. On Sundays me, my boyfriend and our dogs do our regular walk through the woods and she enjoys every second. She is so agile that I am considering agility training. My boyfriend says she is the perfect dog for me because the only creature on this planet who wants to cuddle more than her is ME! And people say that these dogs are dangerous and not adoptable -- I wouldn't have any other dog!"
What a lucky pup little Halo is! We hope Rachel will stay in touch as her girl grows up!! This sweet pup is a credit to her breed!
FLUKE
HALO
DON'T PITY THIS PUP!
When Genevieve came to us early this summer, she was battered and bruised, had huge patches of fur and skin missing and was suffering from a spine injury.
For several months her wounds had to be dressed twice daily and she had great difficulty walking. AFBC fosters Tabby Gordon and her grandmom, Maxine Wiseman, were faithful caregivers and slowly Gen's wounds began to heal and she began to gain some mobility. In early August, the Burts family, Lisa, Steve, Greg and Aidan, heard about Genevieve and inquired as to when she might be available for adoption. Although it would be several more months before Genevieve could join their family, they faithfully kept in touch with us and received periodic updates on Genevieve's condition. Finally, on October 13, 2006 Gen was well enough travel and join the Burts family in Huntington, Vermont.
GENEVIEVE IN JULY, 2006 -- INJURED AND HER FUTURE UNCERTAIN.
YOU CAN BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
We recently received these great photos of Genevieve with Greg and Aiden, and Lisa wrote to tell us how things are going with their new family member . . .
"Our boys wanted a puppy, so when we brought Genevieve home with her torn ear, foot-long road rash, and wobbly walk they weren't too sure how to react, but after being around Gen all day, my oldest son said, "I love her -- she is such a good dog. I am so happy we have her."
She was hit by a car four months previous to us adopting her. Animal Friends had taken her in, brought her to the vet and cared for Gen before we were lucky to end up with her. The trust she has in people is incredible -- she loves everyone -- wags her tail, and loves attention. One of her favorite passtimes is laying on her cozy bed with my boys petting her, and she will even sleep with my old cat. They occasionally play -- which is amazing for my cat. Gen is healing well. The road rash is completely healed, although her fur will never grow back. Her spine is gaining more strength each day and she can now run a liitle and play. We feel so lucky to have her in our lives for many more years to come."
Thanks Animal Friends!
Lisa, Steve, Greg and Aidan
GENEVIEVE TODAY -- A MUCH LOVED MEMBER OF THE BURTS FAMILY!
THANK YOU Lisa! We are thrilled to know that Gen has settled in so well with you. She obviously is a very lucky girl to have found such a wonderful family to love her! We hope you will stay in touch with us.
PUPPY JONAH . . .
ALL GROWN UP ANDY SAYS "LOOK AT ME NOW!"
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE!
We got this wonderful e-mail from the Smith family -- Doug, Kimberly and Doug, Jr., who live in Upper St. Clair PA about their young man, Andy --
"Just e-mailing to give you an update on our puppy, Andy, who just celebrated his first birthday and is 40 pounds now. We adopted him on February 25, 2006, and I believe you were calling him Jonah when he was with you. He has brought so much joy to our house. He is always making us laugh, and when he finally gets tired, he is so sweet and snuggly. Every morning when the alarm goes off, he jumps on the bed and greets us with little kisses. He is a fast learner, too. He's already attended puppy kindergarten, and will enroll in obedience school in the Spring. He gets along famously with his 11-year old human brother, Doug, Jr., and his Border Collie Mix brother, Cosmo, and his Basset Hound sister, Ella. Andy went on his first vacation this month with Doug and Doug, Jr. to visit Grandpa Smith in Fredonia, NY. Grandpa Smith loved him!
Thank you for all the work that you do for animals. Andy is the third dog that I have rescued, and it's true that every dog is very special. They all deserve good homes. Thanks to people like you, they have a chance."
Kimberly, Doug and Doug, Jr.
Thank YOU for giving him such a wonderful home! Please let us know how he does in obedience school. Bet he's going to be a STAR!
SHILOH AT HOME!
ONE HAPPY CATAHOULA BOY!
Jim Garner, Jean-Marie Severance and their son, Taylor, have given our boy, Shiloh a happy home in Vermont. Here's an e-mail we got from them giving us the good news on Shiloh's adjustment to his new environment . . .
Hello Friends,
"Here is an update on Shiloh. Shiloh made his way to Richmond, Vermont from West Virginia. He wants his friends at Animal Friends of Barbour County to know he is loving life here in New England, is very happy and is keeping his new humans on their toes! He also wants to say thanks so much to all the amazing people there who cared for him and helped him find a loving home.
Shiloh came to live with us on November 9, 2006. He is a special guy. Shiloh now has a human mom and dad and 10-year old brother, Taylor. We really don't know what Shiloh's background is, but he loves people and according to Taylor is a "lovebug". He will be graduating from his beginner obedience, where he has done a phenomenal job, and is going to be starting the next level soon. We think after he gets more comfortable with basic manners and commands, that he would like agility. Shiloh is very smart and needs activities to keep his body and brain busy! He is a challenge to keep up with, but he is teaching us as much about dogs as we are teaching him about living in our human world.
Here are some photos of Shiloh in his new home. The Christmas photo shows Shiloh and Taylor opening their new fish tank. He now also has 10 fish brothers and sisters!!!
We love him and want his West Virginia friends to know he is doing well and has made many new human and dog friends. All who meet him agree that he is a very handsome boy!
Love -- Shiloh, Taylor, Jim and Jean-Marie"
YES -- he certainly IS handsome and no one can doubt, after seeing these photos, that he is happy and much loved! Thanks for the news -- please let us know how his obedience training progresses.
