Happy Tails
Hope and Darcy’s Story
Hope, now Bella, was rescued in 2007 from a horrific situation of abuse, neglect and cruelty. She was skin and bones upon arrival and very insecure. When I pet her for the first time, my heart ached…she loved it so much, she just wanted more. She would paw at me, as if to say “Please…don’t stop”. Shortly after arrival, we posted her on Petfinder as a special case. We posted her story and told the public that she would ONLY be adopted to the perfect home – and if it took a lifetime to find, we would wait. This girl, after what she had been through, deserved the best life that a human could possibly offer.
Within 24 hours of posting her story, Terri walked into Petco asking to see her. I explained that she was not at Petco, and that because of her situation, we were very picky about the type of home she would go to. She told me about her and Michael’s previous dog, Misty, - and how they had done everything they could to make her final days comfortable for her. She told me the stories of how they would take her out on their boat – for rides in the golf cart – and how she was their child, and that they were so heartbroken that she had passed. I left Petco, picked up Hope, and brought her back for a meet and greet. She and Michael agreed that they wanted to adopt her.
We scheduled a home visit and Hope made herself comfortable immediately. All was well on it’s way to being the perfect home. The following day, we took Hope to the vet for an exam, and it was determined that she was Heartworm Positive. Dr. Wearing (who also treated Misty) called Michael and explained the situation. I held my breath, praying that they would still want to follow through with the adoption. When he hung up the phone, Dr. Wearing looked at me and said “Michael told me to tell you that they don’t want her….JUST KIDDING – he wanted me to mess with you a little bit!”. In actuality, not only did they want her, but they wanted to pay for her treatment and take her home immediately to start putting on some weight in preparation for her treatment. Hope went to her new home that day, made herself comfortable in one of her 4 new beds that were purchased for her, and started her new life as Bella.
Fast forward to 2010, Treatment went well and she is clear of heartworms now. She has put on quite a bit of weight, and has become a very secure and confident dog. She loves to ride in the golf cart, still paws at you when she wants to be petted, and loves her family more than anything in this world. When Michael and Terri inquired about Darcy, one of our newest rescues, we were all so excited that they chose to adopt once again.
Darcy, a 2 year young beagle mix, showed up at the Cookeville Putnam County Animal Shelter. In an effort to fill our spay/neuter appointments, we ran to the shelter on a Monday morning to pull 2 females that we could get in for surgery that day. The irony of this is that I originally had pulled two dogs out, put them in the car after getting clearence, but after the shelter staff double checked the paperwork, one of them that I had pulled had a hold on her. We walked back through the kennel runs (it is very hard to pick just one to pull!) and the director pointed at little Darcy and asked if I would take her. I did a quick temperament test, which she passed with flying colors (SO SWEET!) and she went off to be spayed.
We know nothing of Darcy’s past….she is very sweet, submissive and fearful of loud noises. When she first arrived, she would duck and cringe everytime she heard a car go by. She got over that quickly. She loves to give hugs and loves to be petted. She would curl up in your lap or on the couch and never move if it was up to her. She likes to stand up straight in the air on her back legs…and she holds perfectly still! She appeared to be housetrained for the most part as well…someone loved this dog at one time, and now she was about to be loved by a wonderful family for the rest of her life.
There was no long winded application or home visit this time - rather a visit to bring her to them and to reunite with Bella for a bit. Bella is a bit jealous already, but she likes her new sister. Bella was sure to tell Darcy, though, that the beds are hers – even the new one that was purchased specifically for Darcy! Darcy did not mind…she jumped on the couch, curled up with her new Mom and Dad, and started her life as….I believe they are still deciding on a name for her!
Congratulations and Thank You, Michael and Terri. We as a group wish that all of our adoptions were this pleasant!
Sushi’s Story
I’ve been trying to get the “ideal” picture of Sushi, but my camera and I are just too slow! I’ve sent one from Day One (at PetCo) and a more recent one from last week. She’s grown so much! She’s about 15 lbs. now and her paws can just reach the top of my kitchen table.. She’s fantastic about jumping into her crate when it’s time (she often puts herself to bed) and the housebreaking is coming along. Her favorite part of taking walks is meeting other people and dogs. She loves going to the park and she’s great about riding in the car. She doesn’t like the flute so much, but she doesn’t complain for very long!
Thanks again for all your help! I’ll send more photos later this summer!
best,
Kris and Sushi
Ellie’s Story
Ellie is doing really well! She has completely come out of her shell. For the first time, she actually played with dakota. He generally tries to get her to play by pouncing all around and she usually just ignores him, but yesterday she pounced back and they went at it for a good 20 minutes before she went back to ignoring him. And this weekend, she barked at something outside for the first time, so we took that as a sign that she feels like this is home. She has been absolutely wonderful and gets along so well with all other dogs!
Nancy
Brody’s Story
Brody showed up his 4 siblings and with both his mom and his dad in brand new carriers….dumped on our president’s driveway! She took them in immediately and found wonderful homes for each of them. Brody was such a sweet and special pup and the perfect home was found for him. Here is what his adopter, Andrea, has to say:
I just thought you all might want some pictures of Brody. These were taken the day he met my parents at their house. My mom calls him her grand baby. He is a great addition to our family!
Smokey’s Story
We love Smokey! She is a wonderful addition to our family. When she gets excited she runs up the stairs, jumps on the 2nd floor railing and walks along it. We call her “Smokey, the Acro-cat!!
Smokey and Banjo (our dog) get along very well.
My boys love her and she is great with them.
Smokey and Banjo (our dog) get along very well.
My boys love her and she is great with them.
Kristin
Ally’s Story
Ally was rescued from a commercial breeding facility in July of 2009. She was in pretty bad shape…but after a good groom, and a stressful two weeks of waiting for test results of a breast tumor which the vets believed may be malignant, Laurie drove the long distance to Tennessee to pickup the newest addition to their family! Here is what she has to say:
Here is Ally girl, we love having her! She loves to play in the flowers and dig in the dirt! She’s had her bath, her nails done and ears cleaned, however, she loves getting dirty! Thanks again!
Jack’s Story
Hello I am writing with regard to my cat Jack, whom I adopted from you this past spring. I can’t tell you how much fun he is. He is the most loving, playful and funny cat I have ever had. I am sure some of that has to do with the fact that he thinks he is a dog to a certain degree. He meets me at the door when I come home. He follows me everywhere. He plays fetch with his favorite stuffed ball. He usually sleeps at my feet, guarding me… and leaves me presents on the pillow next to him. Be it a feather he has found, or an overlook cotton ball, or a barbie whose hair he has found fascinating. He always leaves me something. When I sit at my computer he sleeps right next to the computer… He’s like my third CHILD.. But it’s so sweet. He is de-clawed in the front and that has led to many funny moments, from his missing the ledge when leaping, or sliding across the floor when he is running… And every time he does something clumsy he tries to act like he meant to do that. Thus is name.. Captain Jack Sparrow.
Thanks for saving him. He is perfect for me and my family.
Diane
Bella’s Story
Thank you for rescuing my Bella and keeping her safe until I could adopt her. Here are 2 pics of Bella when she came home and two from within the last month. She has GROWN! She is a wonderful ball of energy and has made a great addition to the family. She got a new sisterly playmate this week. They are still getting to know each other but will be playing together very soon, I’m sure.
Tanya
Brunhilde’s Story
Brunhilde was rescued from the animal shelter, along with her 7 brothers and sisters and mom, Ellie. They were 2 days old when AARF took them in. Our president cleaned out her downstairs living room to give them a warm and safe place to be with their mom and grow up….and boy did they grow! Brunhilde has a tough start, and there was a time where we did not think that she was going to make it. But she was strong and pulled through. Here is what Brunhilde’s new mom has to say:
We adore our Great Pyreness that we adopted. She is a doll and is getting very HUGE. Her name was Brunhilde but we changed it to Queen. She weighs about 75lbs now. We are so glad we got her from you guys.
Brook
