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Success Stories
Check back for more stories of animals in their forever homes. If you have adopted an animal from Pay It Forward and would like to submit your story, please e-mail us at pifanimal@yahoo.com
I Rescued a Human Today - by Janine Allen
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved - at least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Rufus
Rufus now lives in his forever home with his new sister Sonya.
Buddy
Buddy the senior beagle found his forever home!
Rocco
Rocco the black lab pup found his forever home!
Bella (formerly Carissa)
Bella is enjoying her new life with Van, Robin, Audrey, and Garrett Davidson. She also has a doggy sister, Chelsey.
Reggie
Reggie (left) is enjoying his new life in Springfield, IL, with his mom, dad, human brother, and doggie sister, Winnie.
Fred
Fred now lives in his new home with his basset hound brother, George!
Bentley
Bentley in his new home with Katie!
Daisey
I chose to adopt Daisy from PIF because she was so small and the runt of the bunch. She was so sweet that I fell in love with her instantly! Since adopting her I have been having such a good time playing with her and making her part of the family. She is doing great in her new home and will be with us for many years to come! Thanks so much PIF!
Wendy Denney
Brody
One of a litter of eight puppies found under a shed, Brody is now living with a family and he and they are enjoying every minute!
Jasper (formerly Nikko)
Jasper is now living with his mom and dad and new sister Lilly. He is spoiled rotten and enjoying his new life.
Here is a recent letter from Jasper's dad, Brett:
"I just wanted to drop you a quick note on Jasper. He's doing great and getting bigger! He's now 13'' tall to the top of his shoulder blades and just over 12'' long from the base of his neck to the end of his back and start of his tail. He's probably 8 lbs or so...maybe more.
The past two days we've had weather in the upper 60's and lower 50's so we took long, 4 mile, walks to work off the pent up energy of the past few weeks of really cold and rainy spells. After walking they both crash on the couch for the rest of the evening only getting up to eat, drink and go outside.
Overall, he's doing good and just wanted to let you know."
Dean
Dean was to be temporarily fostered by one of our regular foster familes, Kevin and Marissa. He wasn't there more than 12 hours when Kevin was telling Marissa he was never leaving. He fits right in with the rest of the crazy crew, fosters included. Plans are in the works for dachshund-friendly dog steps for access to the big bed.
Cheerio (formerly Darla)
Our son has a new best friend! Cheerio (or the beagle formerly known as "Darla") has been a wonderful addition to our family. Our son has wanted a beagle for a long time. The rest of us have also been very happy to have her join our "pack," which also includes Dad, Mom, Big Brother and Honey, our six-year-old golden retriever. Cheerio has been enjoying playing (especially with Honey, who is "nuts" about Cheerio! ) and sniffing every square inch of her new back yard...every day...several times a day. Thank you so much! Gail DuPuie
Shazam (formerly Captain)
Captain is now known as Shazam and lives on Staten Island, NY with a loving family and two doggie siblings. As of June 2009, Shazam is officially a therapy dog! Here is a recent e-mail from his new mom:
"EXCITING!!! Shazam passed his Therapy Test. I just have to send in the papers and off we go to Rehab and Nursing Homes. Very happy day, I also requested for the name "Shazam Captain Ryan" for his certificate, not to forget where and who he is originally from. "
Denver
Denver the beagle at home with his new parents!
Bogart
Note: Bogart was rescued by PIF and sent to Homeward Bound Rescue in MN where he found his forever family.
From the moment we saw those big brown eyes we knew it was meant to be! We adopted Bogart from Homeward Bound about a month and a half ago and it has been the best month and a half of our lives. He's extremely caring about mommy and daddy and is always looking out for us. At 2 years old he still has some funny "puppy moments" and loves stuffed toys! His favorite toy is ?"Mr. Squirrel". He could chew on it all day! Bogart also loves real squirrels and can spot them a mile away. He even has a squirrel bandanna. Bogart loves to "flirt" with other dogs and makes his cute little happy whine when he meets them. He also loves to run back and forth super fast in his grandma and grandpa's back yard! His favorite "auntie" Tootsie the Bichon Frise lives there too. He has a lot of energy but when it's bedtime he's out like a light! Going to work with daddy is another one of his favorite things. He always says hi to everyone at the office and even has his own special work blanket. The greatest thing in the world is to come home to an excited Bogart. Even if we go somewhere for 15 minutes he certainly lets us know how happy he is to see us come back! We don't think there is a sweeter sound then Bogart's happy whines and yips. Most of the time he's a pretty quiet guy but when he's really excited he lets us know!
Thank you so much for giving us the gift of such a wonderful dog. We hope to adopt some friends for Bogart from Homeward Bound in the future!
-Tina & Tom
Rockey
Note: Rockey was rescued by PIF and sent to Homeward Bound Rescue in MN where he found his forever family.
Just wanted to drop you a line on Rockey. WE LOVE HIM !!!!!!!!! He is a great dog. I was never a dog owner before this and I could not have wished for a better dog. When we are out walking people ask what he is and I tell them he is Shepard mixed with snaggle tooth. People still do the "oh my" at his teeth but I think they are part of his personality. He is an extremely courteous animal and is very loving. Not much excites him. My husband is teaching him how to play. He has never had an accident in the house. He is all around the best dog we could have wished for. Thank you again to Homeward Bound for letting us adopt Rockey.
-Tracy and Joe Jarvinen
Clarisse
I had always said
I would never have a long haired dog nor would I have ever expected
to own a 3 legged dog, but Clarisse showed me different!
I am so glad that I made the decision to adopt her! She is wonderful
and I mean wonderful! Her human brother is a little rough with her
at times but she just licks on him to get him off or away from her,
but
if they aren’t in the same room she has to go check on him. Clarisse
has a bark that will shake your socks; although you don’t hear
it often it’s when you do it is such a surprise that such a massive
sound comes from such a small girl! She loves to just hang out where
ever I am; always lying at my feet which has been a tripping hazard more
than once but it’s something I am getting used to! An almost
3 year old and a Shepard / Chow mix always at my feet can get a little
rough at times! She really enjoys getting her daily brushing, and
is really doing well with obedience training! She is very eager to
please
and is wonderful to work with. Looking at her is like looking at
a person,
there is something about those eyes that is very special; she is
very special to me and my whole family!
She attracts a lot of attention where ever I take her, and I have had people
make fun of me for having a tripod, but I am proud of her and everything she
has been through in her short life is amazing to me. I tell them I want to give
this dog the type of home that she deserves! It may slow her down a little but
she has no trouble running all the way across the yard full speed and retrieving
her tennis ball over and over again!
I really want to think Marissa for all the hard work you put into this little
girl, and for the compassion you show to all your foster dogs! We really love
Clarisse and are so happy to be able to give her a loving forever home! Thank
You PIF for saving her and bringing her into our lives!
Thanks,
Annie M. Blake
05-20-2008
I LOVE MY TRIPOD!
Sid
After spending four months in foster care, learning to trust humans, Sid made the long journey to his forever home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He now has a boston terrier brother named Whiskey and a doting father, Martin.
Nana
Never in a million years could anyone have told me I would
have
a Pekingese! I love ALL dogs, but I am more of a "medium- or
big-dog" person.
But last summer, my friend Rhonda, saved Pekingese Nana and
a boxer from being euthanized when their human could no
longer keep them. Rhonda found a home for the boxer fairly
quickly but didn't worry too much about Nana at first because the
little dog was no trouble to have around. Eventually, tho, Rhonda
realized that Nana needed a home, so she contacted Robin /
Pay It Forward about finding Nana a forever home. Robin needed
someone to transport Nana to the vet for her spay surgery. I
volunteered and afterwards said Nana could stay at my home to
"
recuperate" and until we found her a home.
I really did try to find her a home at first, but most people were
shy of taking in a 10 yo dog, thinking Nana wouldn't have a lot of
years left. Nana was absolutely no problem to have around and
got along well with Doberman Dozer and Boxer-Pit-mix Babe. I
thnik Nana thinks SHE is a big dog, too. She loves to go running
off leash with them when I take them someplace safe and if they
bark at something, she chimes in, too. She greets me at the
door wagging that waterfall tail, sniffs around the yard
contentedly, barks to come in, sleeps on the foot of the bed and
cracks me up daily.I cannot imagine our home without her.
Nana's lesson has been that the last thing you think you WANT
may just be what you NEED the most -- be open and don't
discard the size of the package!
Sassy
I grew up with dogs
and love the companionship. I had been begging my fiancé for a puppy for a year and he finally caved. He wanted
a cat. I started to look online and found Sassy. She sounded like just
the dog for us. When Chad and I finally got to meet her I was a little
apprehensive about what he would think of her. After she left he said
simply “She is really cool”
A week later Sassy came to live with us. On her first night there
I had to go to Owensboro to help my sister with something and
so left the two of them to
bond. When I got home the two of them were hanging out in the game room. Chad
proceeded to ramble about all of the fun things they had done and how awesome
she was.
That first night she slept on Chad’s pillow with him. When we woke in
the morning she was there licking his face and he was actually in a good mood.
Sassy
had been here a week now and she still sleeps on his pillow and he still wakes
up happy. She is so much fun and has such a cool personality. I am wondering
what we did without her.
Thanks so much for bringing this family that piece of joy it was missing. The
only thing to figure out now is how our little girl (Sassy) will fit into our
wedding plans.
Dusty
In
the middle of July we had to put down our 17 1/2 year old Maltese mix,
Sophie. She had arthritis very badly, was deaf and going
blind and had a kidney infection. At that time we thought that we would
not want another dog. But being dog lovers for 30 years and having had
4 dogs it was a given that we would get another dog. All of our dogs
have been rescue dogs from the Humane Society or given to us so I went
online to the Humane Society, Animal Care Society and the Shamrock Foundation.
We did not find the right match for us. We were looking for an adult
dog of Westie or Maltese Breed. We contacted the Indiana Westie group
but a lot of the Westie dogs did not get along with children and I was
very concerned about the dog being able to get along with my four year
old granddaughter.
Then my daughter went on Petfinder.com and she called me to get on it
on my computer. We both saw Dusty and fell in love with him .
We
are in Louisville and Dusty was in Henderson, Kentucky. We met Robin
Dance
in Corydon, Indiana the end of August and became proud parents of Dusty.
He is King of the House and everyone just loves him. He has a good
yard to chase all of the squirrels and even has discovered the possum
family
under our back building. He is a great little traveler and loves to
go in the car. He loves going to the parks in the area. We just got
back
from Land Between the Lakes and got to see Robin again in Henderson.
We look forward to having Dusty with us for many, many years to come.
He is a wonderful companion. Sophie is up in heaven looking down saying "You
got yourself a really good guy".
Hugs and Kisses
Kay and Bob Hardy (and Dusty)
Louisville, Kentucky
Emmie
We discussed getting a second dog as a companion for our current 10-year-old beagle. I wanted a miniature dog that would be loving, smart and cute. Nate’s experience and affection for beagles did not necessary overlap completely with my wishes. Through PetFinder.com we found Emmie and her story peaked our interest. We inquired and that weekend we met her foster parents and took Emmie home with us. She immediately adapted to her new surroundings and quickly learned sit, stay, fetch and walk on her hind legs. Emmie’s playful, friendly and polite nature makes her incredibly lovable. She is exactly what we both were looking for. We are so happy we found her and she is now a member of the family. Our older beagle is adjusting to his new young playmate. Emmie is much quicker than he when racing around the house (simulating doggie Olympics), but together they make quite the mischievous team.
Pamela Giasson & Nate
Provost
Sammy
Before and After
Sammy's information was cross-posted on a board I belong to: 911petrescue.com. I had tentatively been thinking about a second dog as company for my year old golden retriever. Sammy's sad face tugged at my heart and I couldn't get her out of my mind. She was so weak and underweight when found that she couldn't even stand.
I contacted the shelter and learned she had gone into rescue. After a few confusing emails and phone calls, I was finally put in touch with Robin who was Sammy's angel. I managed to convince her that Sammy was meant to be with us, and she moved to Michigan in September 2006.
She has brought joy into our lives every day, and loves being here with her big sister Molly. They play all day long, and spent many hours in the bay window watching everyone go by. They love to be outside, to go to the dog park and pet store, and to play ball.
She's come a long way from the sad little girl posted on Petfinder, and we look forward to many happy years with her.
Shari Wilcox
 |
TiaWe had been
looking for a playmate for our then 8 month old puppy Penny (also
a rescue) and came across Tia's picture and it was love at first
sight. I immediately emailed Debbie only to find out someone
else was coming to see her that Saturday (this was Thursday).
We were disappointed but she said the people always have a week
to change their mind and she would let me know. Well Friday came
and I thought it was a sealed deal, but Saturday I got an email
that through a twist of circumstances with the adoptive family
she was back with Debbie and did I still want her! Of course
I leaped at the chance and arranged to go meet Debbie halfway
to her house, an 85 mile drive for each of us, to go get her.
She was a perfect fit from the moment we brought her home and
Tia and Penny are BEST friends now. This was the best decision
we ever made and we can't thank Debbie enough for her love and
devotion while fostering Tia, and for your organization for caring
so much for these helpless strays! |