NOEL'S STORY

Noel is a sweet 3-legged Rottie who had been a resident of the Estherville Animal Shelter since May 2006 - she have lived more than half her life there.  Her lucky day came in September 2009 when a loving family saw her beautiful face on PetFinder and just had to meet her!  Sadly, they had lost one of their furkids in the spring and now felt it was time to get a friend for their other doggie, Maybe.  So, the whole family hopped in the car and drove four hours to meet Noel.  The meeting went great and Noel (n/k/a Una) became the newest member of their family!  Here's what Una's new family had to say about her:
"As advertised, she's full of love -- truly a sweetiepie.  She sleeps with our 15 year old son, and has made friends with the whole family.  Our other dog has had an earlier life on the end (literally) of a short rope, and Una has helped her a great deal in the social graces and simple habits of being a house dog."
You can see from the pics that Una has made herself right at home :-)

It may have taken (Noel) Una over three years to find her forever home but, as they say, all good things come to those who wait!!  A very happy ending for all!!

BUDDY'S STORY

Buddy was picked up by Animal Control and brought into the shelter a couple days after another stray American Eskimo Dog came in (who actually happened to be found just a couple blocks from each other).  We think that Buddy and Amelia were once house-mates who possibly found their way to the streets after their former caregiver passed away.  Buddy and Amelia loved hanging out together at the shelter and we hoped that they would be able to find a new home together; however, that was a tall order - especially given the fact that they were both seniors.  After several weeks, there was real no interest in either of them.  Another volunteer and I had a huge soft spot for both Buddy and Amelia.  Amelia eventually went home with her and Buddy was adopted by my mom and is being cared for by my grandfather.  Buddy is the best thing that has happened to my grandfather (who just turned 89!) in years.  He and Buddy had an instant connection; Buddy never leaves my grandfather's side - he is my grandfather's companion and protector.  There is no doubt in my mind that he and Buddy were meant to be together - they truly saved each other!

UPDATE (7/08)

It saddens me to report that my grandfather passed away on June 12th.  He was so very worried about what would happen to Buddy when he was no longer around to care for him.  I made a promise to him that I would find Buddy a new home and that he would live happily ever after.  I am happy to say that I was able to keep that promise with the help of my amazing rescue friend Melissa Dudley @ Libby's Haven for Senior Canines in NH.  She put me in touch with a lovely woman who had recently lost one of her beloved dogs and was in search of a friend for her other doggie.  Things fell right into place and on June 27, 2008, I drove Buddy to his new home in New Hampshire.  It was love at first sight for everyone!  Buddy's new mom Jean has sent numerous updates on Buddy (who is n/k/a Brady); he is doing GREAT!  Brady loves his new sister Caitlyn, as well as everything about his new life.  I know that my grandfather would be so very happy for Brady; I have no doubt that he is looking down on him with a huge smile on his face!

JAKE'S STORY

Like many dogs who arrive at the shelter, Jake was brought in to the Animal Protective Foundation as a stray by Animal Control.  From the minute he arrived, Jake always greeted everyone with a smile and wagged his tail so much that it kept hitting the side of his kennel and became raw!  Jake loved playing with toys and getting to stretch his legs in the big fenced-in area at the shelter; it was great fun watching him play and be goofy.  For some reason Jake kept getting overlooked; it actually took Jake almost two months until he caught the eye of a very special couple.  They immediately fell in love with Jake and wasted no time in taking him home - his adoption day picture is featured below.
 
Jake's new mom and dad continue to rave about how wonderful Jake is and how incredibly lucky they are to have him as a member of their family!  I have been fortunate enough to watch Jake on several ocassion since being adopted and even had a photo shoot with him in the summer of '09.  He is such a good boy and continues to be one of my favorite (former) shelter dogs of all time!!

Perky was brought into the shelter by a young man who was unable to care for him; he had gotten Perky from a friend who had been taking care of him for a couple months since finding him wandering by a busy highway.  Because Perky was originally a stray, the shelter had no history on him; however, it didn't take long to realize what a great dog he was.  I spent countless hours with Perky; he loved going on long walks and sitting outside on a blanket enjoying the fresh air.  Perky was at the shelter for about two months; no one seemed interested in him.  One very special day a family came in looking to adopt a dog; they said that their former doggie escaped about seven months ago and despite the fact they looked and looked for him they were never able to find him; well, that is, until they walked into the shelter that day.  They couldn't believe their eyes when they walked into the kennel area and saw their precious dog sitting there!  Perky (whose real name is Spike) was SO happy to see the family he thought he had lost forever.  There wasn't a dry eye in the place!!!!!

I absolutely ADORED Stanley!  Stanley was the epitome of how different shelter dogs are outside of their kennel.  When people would visit the kennels in search of their new family member rather than greet them with a smile and wag of his tail Stanley would lunge and bark at everyone that walked by - not a good thing when trying to get adopted!  However, outside of his kennel, Stanley was the sweetest, most playful dog in the world!  I took Stanley on several outings to my house (in the first picture below he is relaxing after a game of catch in my backyard!) and I, as well as a couple other caregivers at the shelter, took him overnight a couple times.  We all agreed that Stanley was a GREAT dog!  Late one afternoon a nice couple walked in to the shelter with their Puggle named Daisy; they were looking for a playmate for her and had seen Stanley's picture on-line and wanted to meet him.  Well, it was love at first sight for Daisy and Stanley and there was no denying that this was the perfect family!  
 
Stanley fit right in with his new family and his mom cannot say enough good things about him; she said that he is such a good boy and has even taught his sister some good manners!  As you can see from the pictures his mom sent, Stanley has definitely made himself right at home!