Letters + Pictures from Adoptive Families

Buddy (formerly Sparky)
12/30/11

Sandra -

He looks pretty goofy here but you know he's in a safe home when he regularly exposes himself like this.

This is Little Buddy, formerly Sparky, adopted from AH in Oct 2007. What a joy he is, and he's so well loved. And we love you and your crew and all that you do to care for our furry friends.

Liz and Ross, and Buddy Moncrief

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Whit (formerly Charlie)
12/17/11

Hi All!

I just wanted to send an update on how Whit (formerly Charlie) is doing! He is really the best dog! I can't believe anyone would have given him up. He was exactly what I was looking for in a pet and has been a wonderful friend.

We walk every day and I think he really enjoys living up in Estes. He gets to explore all the natural area and goes after rabbits as much as possible. He's got a wonderful and kind spirit; I can't wait to get home to see him every day! It was exactly what I needed. He is still managing to jump fences whenever possible, but has learned to come back to me whenever he sees me. He's doing so well!

 Thank you guys for all you do!

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Riley
12/19/11

Sandra,

Thank you for what you do for the animals! 

We are grateful every day for our dear, sweet Riley, who mended our broken heart after our Jasper died, and continues to bring us love and joy every day.

Best,
Laura & Tim Thomas

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Lilly
12/19/11

To the wonderful people of Animal House,

I thought I would just write a quick letter updating you all on Lilly’s new life with me! 

I (officially) adopted her back in September just before my birthday.  She was the first dog I ever walked as a volunteer at Animal House and I immediately knew she was meant to be my dog.  After months of job searching and even having her adopted by another family for a while, I was able to foster her. 

After fostering her for a few months over the summer my feelings were solidified that she was meant to be my dog.  She has absolutely lived up to my expectations for an amazing canine companion!  She lives quite a wonderful life with boating during the summers, trips to the dog park, and long hikes in the snow during the wintertime. 

She gets many compliments on how beautiful she is and she is wonderful off leash!  Lilly is slowly coming around to men in her life, and has over time fallen in love with my boyfriend Bryan, which is really great to see!  She takes her time with new men but never shows aggression towards them, which is amazing. 

She is quite the princess when it comes to her treat preference, as she will mostly only eat wet treats such as jerky or others similar to that!  She is beyond intelligent learning tricks very quickly with the help of her absolute favorite snack of hot dogs! 

Lilly is amazing at cuddling and has decided to take over the other half of my bed as her own, which is absolutely okay with me!  Overall she is everything I ever wanted in a dog and I am beyond thankful to have found her at Animal House.  She puts a smile on my face every single day and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Thanks again so much for being such a wonderful shelter!

Kim & Lilly

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Riley (formerly Shayla)
12/19/11

Here are pictures of Shayla, now Riley, that we adopted from you. We love her very much and she is having a great time running on our 35 acres! While she has torn up a few things, like all pups will, she has been a amazing dog and we adore her!

Debby & Karl

 

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Eddie (formerly Wishbone)
12/17/11

Just wanted you guys to know that Eddie, formerly Wishbone (Jack Russell Terrier), is the most wonderful addition to our family. He is a very sweet dog, and it's amazing the transformation of him and his coming out of his shell. He is definitely my dog, though he does sleep with Vic during the day time when he's sleeping.

We are overjoyed that we found him, and that he chose us to be his parents. Dr. Mahoney says he's perfect, and that he is a very lucky dog!

Thank you!
Judy Scott

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Lola
12/5/11

Here is an update on lola.... she is very spoiled as you can tell. She has been doing great and has made such a difference in my life! I can't believe it's been a year since she came into my life.....thank you So much once again for such a wonderful dog.....Margarita Carreras

 

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Indiana Jones (formerly Tank)
8/23/11

Hey all,

Just thought we'd write in with an update on Indiana "Indy" Jones (formerly Tank). We adopted him close to a year ago and could not be happier with him in our lives! Everyone always compliments us on how handsome, well-behaved, playful, and friendly he is - and every bit of that is true! Indy has yet to meet a person, dog, or cat that he isn't completely in love with. (He might be a little too interested in squirrels and birds, however!)

He is smart and a very fast learner. Loves his treats. He is athletic and strong, but gentle as well and enjoys cuddle time and a giving lots of licks. We've started hiking as a family, and he's a natural; sniffing a thousand things at once and really engaged with the world around him. He goes everywhere with us - the coast, the mountains, festivals and farmer's markets and restaurant patios - anywhere dogs are allowed.

We're so thankful that Indy came into our lives, made "Foster Fails" out of us, and fit into our little family so perfectly!

Jen, Bryan, and Indy Escalante

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Macho (formerly Sulley)
8/25/11

To All at Animal House,

My name is Erin and I adopted Sulley just over a month ago. I've attached some pictures for you guys. My husband and I renamed him Macho. We absolutely LOVE having him in our house! He fit right in with us and I couldn't imagine our now family without him in it.

He is a quick learner! He learned his new name pretty quickly as well as a unique whistle that my side of the family has. He doesn't like going into his crate when I leave to go to work, but he calms down and goes to sleep after a while (or at least I think he does...he's usually asleep when I get home later).

He loves to be loved! He also loves loves going on walks! Everyone who meets him absolutely loves him. He has a little girl in our complex as a friend and all he does is just lick her but she loves it. He always wants to snuggle with you under the blankets and on the couches or lays on top of the couch like a cat. My husband took him for a ride in his tractor trailer for a day and he seemed to like it.

I'm pretty sure without stress and with good nutrition there are some hairs that are growing back around his burn spots! I can't remember if they were there before or not, but they are coarse and stick up further than the rest of his hairs.

Anyhow, just wanted to send y'all an email with some pictures. Let me know if they came through! I'm sending this from my cell phone.

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Clinton (formerly Jack)
9/9/11

The dog God was watching out for my son and I on July 14th when we visited Animal House and found "Jack".

I have had a pet (cat or dog or both) for 40 years and Jack, now Clinton, is unquestionably the nicest, well mannered, loving, friendly, laid-back, dog I have ever come across. It would have been a shame to have destroyed this wonderful pet. He adapted to his new environment immediately and my one worry: that it would upset the "cat balance" was never been an issue.

Clinton (named after George Clinton who was on the radio when we got back in the car after the adoption, and who was singing "Atomic Dog") is now a permanent member of our family and has found his forever home. He adores going to the dog park every day with my son and 'running with the big dogs', although not their size. We are saving our pennies so we can get the DNA kit and determine the makeup of this lovely pet.

Thanks to all in Arkansas and his former family (he had to have had some good care/training previously) and Animal House that provided a path for Clinton to our dog door. He is truly a WONDERFUL pet and is getting lots of love and attention.

Thanks so much Animal House.
Sincerely, Susan and Carey

Cleo
8/29/11

We adopted Cleo in July of 2007. At first we were worried about what we had gotten ourselves into. She was very skittish around people, especially men. She was scared of everything (including drive-through windows)! Here we are four years later and Cleo is a different dog.

She has learned to trust people and how to play. She loves her toys and going for walks. She completed basic obedience class and even learned a few new tricks. She's very well-behaved and calm and everyone who meets her just loves her. She is more trusting and confident. She will do anything for a treat and is most comfortable curled up on a couch or bed. She's getting pretty gray nowadays but still has a lot of spunk and personality.

We couldn't imagine our life without her!
Tim and Hannah Planansky

Weston (formerly Clark)
7/19/11

We adopted Weston (formally Clark) in November 2010 from the litter of pups you rescued from Arkansas. We wanted to provide you with a recent photo.

He is 10 months old and 36#. He has been a great pup and some of his true colors have appeared. We named him after Edward Weston (famous black and white photographer) and the pup was initially just black and white and now he has some tan accents.

He loves to point at anything that moves: butterflies, rabbits, birds, grass hoppers...you name it! He can 'sing' on command and is a great joy to have around. He enjoys being up in the mountains for skiing, biking and hiking.

Thanks so much for providing us with such a great friend!
Barb Allan and Greg Mazu

 

Abbe (formerly Hannah)
7/15/11

Here are some recent pictures of Abbe (Hannah) who we adopted March 31, 2010.  Funnest dog ever!

Cheers,
Rob Callan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peanut
6/24/11

Hello to all the wonderful people at Animal House Rescue!

We just wanted to give you a little update on Peanut.  We did keep his name the same since he seemed to respond to it and we didn't want to throw a third name at him to learn.  But his name really sums him up- he's just a round little Peanut!  He has been a wonderful addition to our family.  We've had him for just over 3 weeks now and he's settling in great. 

He still has some timid qualities, but we're seeing him open up a little more every day.  He's had a few accidents in the house, but we're working through those.  He is picking up on the idea of coming to us or running to the door when he needs to go outside like our other dog.  

Bella, our 6 year old Chihuahua, is just in love with him!  She loves to groom him and just be around him.  She's always had that motherly personality and it made us realize how lonely she was all by herself.  So it's perfect that Peanut loves the attention from her!  Finding a dog that Bella got along with and vice versa was our number one goal.  They have fun playing together and resting together. 

He does great in his crate during the day while we are at work.  We're getting Peanut more used to a leash and try to take them out for a walk together every day.  He's just brought so much joy and laughter to our family and we couldn't be more happy!  His personality is still coming out and we've enjoyed watching him play with his toys and running around chasing Bella in the yard.

Thank you for saving this little guy and knowing it was meant to be for us to find him at your rescue.

~ Scott and Nina Roys (and Bella!)

 

Summer (formerly Snickers)
5/18/11

I wanted to send an update on Summer (formerly known as Snickers)

She is such a cuddly addition to our family. She loves being outside and spends the day sniffing around our backyard. She loves to wrestle with the other dogs and even puts up with her sister Vienna, a black and tan dapple long hair who is known for her fiesty, princessy ways.

Summer is excellent on her leash and has the cutest demeanor and personalty. She has quickly become a favorite with our vet when we take her in for check-ups.

Thanks for saving this girl - our dachshund "trifecta" is now complete!

Eloisa

 

Max (formerly Gumdrop)
3/2/11

Dear Animal House,

My husband and I are so happy with our new 6 month old pup, Max (formally Gumdrop)!

The first night we didn't get much sleep, as we worried if he'd sleep though the night in his new crate. Max was the only one who dozed into the night and for a full eight hours! It was amazing how much he loved his new crate.

We've had him now for an entire month and we couldn't be happier. We were rescued by a rescue pup! He's so happy, attentive and loves all...dogs, people, cats, even horses!

Kudos to the foster family who had Max before! They did such a wonderful job socializing him and just teaching him puppy basics! Plus we are impressed by his intelligence! He picked up all basic commands in a matter of days!

Thank you so much for all the amazing things you guys do!
Suzy & Marek

 

Homer
2/17/11

Ali,

I picked Homer up Monday afternoon. He is a good boy and seems very happy here with Darling. We are starting him in obedience class tonight at Petsmart; he goes to the vet this afternoon to get his dog license and check up.  

He is well behaved in the house just like you said and truly a love bug,  as sweet as can be. He has been in a shelter since last August and that is probably only part of his story;  the rest we will never know.   

Thanks to you and everyone who helped him along to get to this point.   We think he is a prize, truly a beauty.  Come see us in Golden if you get down this way.

Charlie and Jane Barthel

Vandal
2/16/11

Vandal is getting used to our home and our schedule.  He loves his bed and spends a lot of time there with his toys.  After only 3 days he already sits and waits at the door to be let out/in, and is really starting to get the 'sit' command!  

He gets really excited when he sees Killer (the cat) and runs toward him like, "YAY a play buddy!!!".  Killer isn't into the playing yet--haha--but they're getting used to each other.  

Thanks to Animal House for your help finding, taking care of and getting Vandal ready to join us in our life!  He is a joy to us and I hope we are for him as well!

 

Joe, Carissa, Killer the cat, Guido the guinea pig, and Vandal the puppy!

 

 

Syd
2/7/11

Syd is wonderful.  He and Wilbur get along very well, although Syd bosses him a little bit.  He eats well, and kisses anything that stops moving long enough.  He loves to crawl under the covers at night and will maneuver so he is next to his favorite human of the moment. 

He has adapted well to the winter program of moving from the sunny window to the fire.  He does defend his territory by barking at anyone walking by, particularly if they dare to have a dog with them. 

My vet and I watch his weight and we just tested his blood to make sure there was nothing going on that would make his neck lymph nodes seem a little bigger than normal.  All normal.   

He eats well.  He loves to go in the car, has several coats, and does not understand if he has to stay home because it is too cold.  He did great in obedience class once he figured out what we wanted him to do.  He likes to be praised and will crawl on top of the laptop if he doesn't get attention quickly enough.  He has had one shower, which he tolerated. 

He is a fully integrated member of the family and we love him a lot.  Thanks to Aniimal House for helping us come together.

John Beck and Dru Brenner-Beck

 

Cheyenne
1/27/11

Cheyenne is celebrating his year anniversary today (1/27/11) of living with Blue and me. Cheyenne is enjoying retirement in Englewood. He loves LOTS of attention, long walks, and food. He is a very happy dog.

Older pets are wonderful to adopt. Thanks for taking such good care of him before I adopted him.

Keely

Xena
1/22/11

She's 6 months and easily the smartest dog I've ever had in my life. She picked up all the basic commands within a few hours and never forgot them, she is so good at them she goes through the order even if I don't say anything.

 Her personality is by far the best I've come across, very playful and is another person of the family- she has her own spot on the couch at night and decided she needed a pillow in bed because I use one.  She's also decided that she can walk herself by carrying some of the leash in her mouth.

After having her for the first 2 weeks, it was very fitting to keep her name since she never whines or cries and is very strong with her personality, and the way she likes to play wrestle with me.

Aaron

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Cappuccino (formerly Scruffy)
1/17/11

I just wanted to thank you for letting me adopt Scruffy.....His name changed to "Cappy" as he immediately responded to the name.
(Short for Cappuccino).  

He apparently was already potty trained....when he wants to go out he goes and hits his leash that is hanging by the door!  We are getting along great!  

Thank you all for helping me find my best friend!

Love you too!
Deb Sheridan   :   )

Lila
1/11/11

Just wanted to give you guys an update on Lila. She is doing great adjusting to her new environment very well.

Thank you for giving me the chance to have such a great dog!

Sincerely,
Margarita Catreras
Lola's forever mommy

 

 

Sadie (formerly Eclair)
12/28/10

Dear Animal House,

We would just like to thank you for all you do, and especially for saving Sadie, formerly Éclair. It constantly amazes us that anyone could have abandoned her. But their loss is our gain.

We brought her home in March as a 4-month-old puppy and we’ve been learning from each other ever since. She’s very smart, thanks to her border collie side and generally figures out what we’re trying to teach before we figure out how to teach it. Whether she listens is another matter :) She’s actually quite good for her age. She’s still just over one year old so there’s a lot of puppy left in her.

Despite the retriever in her, she’s been reluctant, until recently, to do much fetching. But she’s suddenly gotten very good at Frisbee and is fetching the tennis ball even when other pooches are around. Her favorite things are doing zoomies in the back yard, licking lotion off of legs in the morning (we call it lotion legs), eating greenies for dessert and just about everything else as long as it involves being with us.

Erik and Emily Wilmsen

 

 

Josclynn (formerly Godiva)
12/20/10

Hi Ali,

I absolutely LOVE my new puppy!  Attached is a photo of her in her favorite place-someone’s lap!  She loves to snuggle and is an absolute joy to have around. 

Have a great holiday and thank you for all you do.

~L

Pasta (aka Noodle)
12/10/10

Hello,

I am enclosing a picture or two of Pasta Noodle.  He has fit in like a missing glove here in our home!  We did a DNA test on him and he is mostly, Chihuahua and then he is Doberman!!! a little poodle and some German short-hair pointer?

Funny little fellow, acts like a Chihuahua though, he knows where all the laps are and to kiss you on the mouth!  Took him awhile but he has noodled into our bed and Kevin said no way in the beginning.

We love this little fellow and wish we could take a bunch more!!

Keep up the good work and a donation is on the way!

Alice and, I am sure, Kevin DiSabatino

 

Leonard
12/7/10

Wanted to let you know that we adopted Leonard, the little 8-year old Doxie around two months ago.  He is doing really, really, well with his new “forever family.”  We love him dearly! 

He has full access to the back yard (although he prefers the front yard).  He absolutely LOVES being part of the family and hates it when we have to leave.  He is spoiled rotten with lots of dog toys, beds (although he prefers our KS bed), treats, and, most important, affection.  There’s not a day that goes by that he doesn’t get kisses from everyone in the family!! 

We love him dearly and thank you for helping bring him into our family.

The Steele Family

Remi (formerly Ada)
10/30/10

We just wanted to send you an update on our puppy Remi previously Ada) that we adopted nearly a year ago, last January.  She has blossomed into a beautiful, goofy, and smart girl.  Most people guess she is mixed with Vizsla and lab, though it's still anybody's guess.

She knows tons of tricks (sit, down, back up, stand, spin, sit pretty,
dance, crawl, bang-play dead, fetch up your collar, and roll over) and loves going hiking and playing fetch with her chuck-it in the park.

She loves other dogs, and adors her feline brothers and sisters.  Any person that crosses her path is an instant friend.  Thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of her.  We can't even imagine life without her now!

Sincerely,
Sam and Will

Bella (formerly Spirit)
10/23/10

Bella is doing terrific! She's really thriving with her dog brother Fozzie and is set to start learning flyball soon. She's found her favorite spot on the couch and has settled in just like she owned the place!

It's a joy to have her in our family and she seems to be enjoying herself quite a bit, if kisses and snuggles are any indication.

Thanks for checking in on her! I've attached a picture of her in her favorite spot!

Cheers!
Tiffany

Maggie (formerly Taffy)
11/20/10

An update on Maggie!

She is growing fast - but still smaller than we had expected at 6 months... which is great! She weighed in about three weeks ago at 37lbs... I'm sure a bit more than that now.  :)

Her and Lucy are so fun together, and Maggie now makes Lucy look minuscule. She loved the first snow... literally ran around eating it all morning, and was wiped the rest of the afternoon. My husband took her hiking up Grey Rock last weekend, and Maggie spent most of the time off leash... and Shea said she did just great. We're headed to Denver for thanksgiving - and combining our two families (which means 6 dogs)... so the girls will love it!

She is such a delight. Here are some photos from this last week or two. You have any new pups around to keep you busy?

Hope you're well,
Carissa

 

 

Hampton (formerly Victor
11/9/10

Dear Animal House,

I just wanted to give you an update on the pooch formerly known as Victor. His new name is Hampton (after Hampton Court in England, not the hotel chain) and he is the perfect addition to our family!

Hampton and our Jack Russell, Sophie, are absolutely best friends. We didn't realize how much happier Sophie would be with another dog - she is in heaven! This absolutely couldn't have worked out better for all of us. Hampton clearly loves life and spends his days chewing on Sophie and making us laugh. We've just started an obedience class with him and he's picking up on everything very quickly. I think the sky is the limit on what this boy can learn.

Thank you so much for rescuing Hampton and helping him find his forever home - we can't imagine life without him! And also a very special thank you to his foster parents. His transition to living with us was effortless - he was already happy, healthy, house-trained, crate-trained, and very well-mannered. Thank you for loving him!

I promise to send more pictures and updates as Hampton grows up. I'm excited to see what Hampton thinks about snow - I have a feeling he's going to love it...

Thanks again,
Jessica

P.S. Sorry it took me so long to send pictures, but he's a very tricky dog to photograph. He's so busy and active that most of our photos come out blurry!

 

Ranger (formerly Til)
10/27/10

I just thought I would give you a quick update on Til, who we've renamed "Ranger".  He's doing very well, learning and growing every day.   He's really won our hearts and is helping us heal from the loss of our 12-year-old lab/shepard this summer.  Ranger does pretty well with basic commands but he's definitely got a lot of puppy spirit :)

Ranger got his fist experience with snow this past weekend and had a ball.  Here are some pics.

Take care,
Brianna and David Miles

 

Elliott (formerly Vlad)
10/25/10

Hey, Shanel/Ali/Sandra -

I'm attaching an update on my previous foster pup, Vlad now Elliot - the little border collie mix that I so adored but so pleased that he has found a great home. His new owners have really been committed to making it work.

When Vlad/Elliot first went to their home, the first night was great. But then he really started to act out, nipping at kids, separation anxiety, the works. You could tell how much she adored him but she didn't know if he was happy or not.

We talked through different items, obedience, doggie daycare, mood around him, etc and just the basic fact that he needed time to settle in to his new place...and she really ran with it. And I have to say he has done a 180 once again and is thriving at his new home.

It is so wonderful to hear how much they wanted to make sure he was in an environment that worked for him. And they are just so in love with him it really touches my heart. This was one dog that I honestly could have thought about adopting myself, and seeing/hearing how he is being loved and treated just makes me know he is in a very great place.  :-)

Thought you all would like to read his story of settling in. And Sarah sent some great pictures of him!

-Joana

Joana,

Here's the photos I promised! 

Elliott continues to make progress!  He has been going to Day Care 1-2 days a week and they say he does very well.  I am told he has made some friends with dogs that stay there frequently!  He is starting to pick up on our routine.  He learned how to fetch, and LOVES to run around the fenced in ball fields we take him to at the Wellington Recreation fields.

The veterinary hospital informed me that they are building a dog park behind the clinic that should be ready in the spring!  So excited for that. 

Today he ran errands with me....even had his first trip to Poudre Pet Supply and PetSmart.  Still a shy guy, but definately coming out of his shell!  And everyone that meets him just adores him!  He is definately falling into place in our family!

Sarah Volner

 

 

 

 

Doug (formerly Taber)
10/13/10

BTW, I don't know if you want this info, but perhaps you can pass it on to someone who would: My husband and I adopted "Taber" from Animal House two years ago next month. We renamed him Doug and he is awesome.

He's feisty and independent and very lovey. He's also pretty funny -- even when he doesn't mean to be. I've attached some photos. He really brought some life into our other dog, Whiskey (a neurotic hurricane katrina rescue) and has taught her to play. They are a really good team.

Thanks Animal House!

 

 

 

Griffey
10/4/10

Griffey is such a hoot!  My 95 lb boxer and he play chase from the back of the yard in the house around the coffee table and back out again, changing direction only to jump from couch to couch to tease the big dog! 

He loves to snuggle, we took a long nap on the couch yesterday and he falls asleep on his back in my arms as I rub his tummy and chest.  I am so happy that he has fit in so seamlessly! 

He loves my old sheltie but the sheltie pretty much ignores him choosing to let the younger kids play until they drop!  He is a joy!

Jennie

Elliot (formerly Vlad)
10/1/10

So the first night went pretty smoothly. He is shy and inquisitive. He finally started claiming his toys last night....dragging them off to play with them. Adorable.

I brought him home and gave him a nice bath, which he was absolutely cooperative for me! After being dried off and some snuggling, we checked out the rest of the house. We were able to touch noses with all of my kitties without any hissing. What freaks the cats out the most is the sudden clumsy puppy movements :-) But all in all, the integration is going well. Then we went for a nice walk around the neighborhood. In the afternoon I was surprised with a Fedex package from my mother and her dog, Heath. Heath sent Elliott a care package of some of his favorite doggie items: bandanas, treats, and new toys....this pup is already spoiled! In the evening we had dinner with friends and introduced Elliott to some new doggie friends. It was an exciting day, and he slept well during the night.

I am amazed at how long he can go without needing to to potty. I wonder if some of it has to do with all the change. No accidents yet.

After much discussion and negotiation, my husband and I finally came to an agreement on a name, with the help of some friends. ( I don't know how we are ever going to be able to agree on names for our children when that time comes! ha ha ha) His new name is Elliott.

I enjoyed talking with you too! I am so sorry I had to be short at the end of our conversation due to my meeting! But you were very informative and helped out tremendously with bringing him home. As soon as I get some pictures loaded up on the computer I will be sure to send them your way! It's going to be a busy week with school, but luckily I take online classes and can stay at home. Currently Elliott is fast asleep at my feet on one of his new fluffy pillows!

I will keep you updated!

-Sarah

Billie (formerly Baya)
9/27/10

Billie (Baya) won a bronze medal in the Doggie Olympics pentathalon this year!!!  She blows my mind!!!!  Her Iowa shelter dog brother, Scout, is passed out in the background.

Thanks....
Bobbie

Toby
9/25/10

Hi there,

I just wanted to let you know Toby's been doing great lately. It helps to have calmer weather but he seems to be settling into his new home. Thought I would share a few photos.

Best of luck on your fundraising event!
Heidi

 

 

 

Smokey
8/1/10

Dear Animal House,

Last year, we adopted a Catahoula Leopard Dog named Odelia, now Lizzie, from you. We just wanted to let you know what a wonderful dog she has turned out to be. She has a great temperament and is very affectionate and loving with everyone she meets. Everywhere we go, people ask about her breed...she definitely grew into a beautiful, unique dog.

We are so happy to have her and are thankful for the work you do to save lives like hers. Thank you!

The Strufing Family

 

Smokey
7/27/10

Greetings!

Thank you for your email! Smokey is doing absolutely amazing. He and his older brother (Willie the Chocolate Lab) get along wonderfully and Smokey is a very active and happy dog! He is super cuddly and loves to play fetch, play with other dogs and terrorize the mailman.

Some of his special talents include being the fastest dog on the face of the earth, being an amazing watch-dog and he can do a back-flip with a soccer ball. Everyone who meets him loves him and we are very happy he is apart of our family!

 

If there is anything we can do to help contribute to the Animal House we would love to help! Thank you for your correspondence.

Regards,
The Sambur Family

 

Dax (formerly Domino)
7/7/10

Hello Sandra,

I'm just writting to give you guys an update on how Domino, now known as Dax that i adopted on january 30, 2010 is doing. He is great!!! he loves my other dog Izzy and gets along with all of my cats, as you can see in the last picture i sent that is my cat Ellie sleeping on Dax's face, they sleep together constantly.

He fits right in with my group and is super smart. It only took him a few days to learn the basics of where he was to go to the bathroom, and the commands "wait" and "leave it" were learned the day after i took him home! I couldn't ask for a better dog he is great!

Also he now weighs about 75 pounds and he is still growing, he is going to be quite a big man :)

Thank you all so much!
Kelly

 

Slinky
7/3/10

We signed up for the next obedience class at the place you recommended. Today, Slinky had her first Dog Park experience at the one down Horsetooth and had a great time and has shown herself to be an enthusiastic swimmer and is good around other dogs.

My 5 year old is especially, passionately in love with her and the two spend hours playing fetch in the yard, hiking with Daddy, and just romping around together, looking for mud, bugs, and adventure. Attached is a picture of the two of them. Clearly... Slinky is home :-)

Alexis

 

Tabitha
6/18/10

Hi Shanel,

Tabitha is doing great as a foster dog, and we'd like to adopt her!

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

 

Lola Uley (formerly Emerald)
6/15/10

Dear Animal House,

My husband, Dan and I adopted Emerald now lovingly named Lola Uley (<-- named after our favorite ice bar nestled in the heart of Crested Butte) back in March 2010. Lola quickly became an absolute wonderful addition to our family!! She quickly became best friends with her big brother, Tobias. Lola and Tobi play for hours on end and even at times share the same bed at night.

Lola is such a loving, sweet dog - our Vet even joked that she was quite possibly the happiest dog she had ever met and we couldn't agree more! Lola is such a joy to have as a part of our family, we couldn't imagine life without her!

Some of Lola's favorite things are playing in her backyard and watching the horses, going for walks (no matter the time of day), chewing on her endless amount of toys, rough-housing with her big brother and swimming in the lake!

We are so grateful for what you do and for saving Lola's life so that she could bless and be a part of ours!! I have attached a picture of Lola and her brother Tobi relaxing in the summer sun!

Sincerely,
Jami & Dan Wiens

 

Benny (formerly Bernie)
6/12/10

Hi Sandra-

Attached is a picture of Bernie (formerly known as Benny - adopted Nov. 2009) and his new family. He has been a handful and I think he is mixed with the world's most stubborn breed...whatever that may be! We love him and have been working on his training everyday. He likes to bolt so it is no wonder that he was found as a stray with his brother. The chihuahuas he lives with have taught him how to be a lap dog and he loves to cuddle, too.

Also, is it possible to give my information to whomever adopted his brother Danny? I'd love to meet them at the dog park sometime if they are willing. I live in Fort Collins.

Thanks,
Lauren Kalash

 

Petey
6/7/10

Petey is doing just great. He has adjusted very well to living with me. When he's not sleeping the day away, he's sitting in my lap while I play guitar or running in circles excited for a car ride. I can't believe he waited so long for a forever home. He's the greatest.

Corey

 

Mistletoe

Hi Joana,

Wanted to update you! We are so in love with Mistletoe, she's such a cutie :) Things are going really well. The first day was the toughest, but we figured out a game plan. She was peeing non stop, I think because of the pressure on her bladder. So I started taking her outside every 30 min, and now she doesn't pee inside at all. She's so good, every time we go outside the first thing she does is pee, -and poop if she needs to. Mistletoe and Shadow, our other dog, have gotten used to each other now, and are playing up a storm. When she's not playing she's snuggling up in our laps and sleeping. So all is well, and she's not needing to pee so often now, the swelling from the surgery has come down.

We go to bed at 11pm, so she lets us know she needs to get out of her crate and pee at 4am. The I put her back into the crate again to continue sleeping, and it works really well. Thought you'd enjoy these pics underneath:)

Thanks again for taking care of her, we're so glad it worked out that we got her, she's a sweetheart -and so small! :)

Inger

Zander (formerly Bumble)
3/4/10

Hi all -

I've taken a bunch of pictures of Zander (Bumble to you), but am finally getting them organized. I thought I'd send you a few to show you much he's grown up and a little taste of how he's settled in here. There's a variety of pictures. One of him is with his older sister Macey. As the picture shows, they are inseparable. There's one I call "Zander looking pathetic" because he was trying to make sure I knew he was there while I was eating dinner. When you get to the one of my glasses, please refer to the question on your application about what you would do if they chewed up something of value. The rest are just a few of my favorites. I'm having a painting done of him and I'll send you an e-mail when the painting is done.

I can't tell you how much of a cherished member of our family he is. His is still quite mischievious, but he's growing up and getting better all the time. He just had his 1 year check up and vaccinations - he now weighs 66 pounds and was declared perfectly healthy and happy. He loves playing with his big brother and sister, but he is most definitely a Mama's boy. He's very sweet and loving and I just couldn't ask for better. I do know he could not possibly be more loved!

Karen Echols

 

 

 

Oy (formerly Atticus)
3/23/09

The picture on the right is at a local park, when he decided that my glove was better than the tennis ball. Oy is about 14 weeks old in this picture, and in the month I have had him we have both taught each other a lot.

The picture on the left is Oy after he had burried a small teddy bear. Once I quit laughing at him I got the camera and snapped this picture after asking him where the bear was. I was not suppose to know even though he was digging the hole RIGHT under me.

And just on Sunday, Oy got to snuggle with my Grandfather, who does not let dogs on his lap. Oy was 1 day shy of turning 4 months, and my grandfather is 9 days shy of turning 85.

Thank you again for helping me find this great puppy!

Jamie O'Dell
Cheyenne Wyoming,
(Oy's Human)
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Snickers (formerly Bobby)
3/23/09

On February 4, 2009, we adopted "Bobby" from Animal House and he became "SNICKERS" and a wonderful addition to our family. He is obedient, loving and quite a "shadow" to each of us. If one of us is gone for a few hours, he delights that person with an excited welcome when we return.....he misses us! He quickly learned which rooms he was not welcome in......and he became attached to all three cushy beds that we bought him! He loves long walks and does great on a leash. What can I say? HE'S PERFECT!
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Lucy (formerly Sadie)
3/17/09

When Lucy was found, she was severely underweight. The nice family who found her did not have the heart to take her to the pound where she did not have much hope to be adopted. Animal House came to the rescue and took her in.

Having just lost our beloved Boxer, Kylie, who was a member of our family for over 8 years, we were not expecting to fall so in love with this spunky rat terrier when we agreed to foster her. Her big expressive eyes and perky ears were quite comical when coupled with her little underbite, but her loving nature and fun personality quickly stole our hearts!

Named after Lucille Ball due to her crazy antics and loveable disposition, little Lucy became a wonderful addition to our home. She even goes to the office with us every day and has become the office mascot! She has been learning to walk well on the leash, sits pretty, speaks and gives kisses. She loves to play, play, play. From chasing squirrels to playing with all dogs..big and small, she then curls up on our laps for some snuggle time.

She is so full of life and we are so thankful to Animal House for giving her a second chance to be loved. We Love Lucy!! Now...we need to get a Ricky for her to play with!

Kris Wells
Rite Clicks, LLC
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Bella
2/16/09

Hello,

Last week we adopted the English Bulldog puppy Bella. We just wanted to thank you guys for picking our family. We are so very happy with our new little family member! EVERYONE loves her especially her new friend Indy. They get along so well and make the perfect playmates (I attached a cute picture of them!) Bella seems very happy and is soaking in all the attention and affection.

We also wanted to thank you guys for what you do for the animals! We are so glad we got to donate our money to such an awesome organization!

Sincerely,

The Domagata's
Bob, Jamie, Indy and Bella
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Sprocket (formerly Chuck)
2/5/09

We adopted a little mixed terrier, tan dog from Animal House last June out at the dog show at Centerra. He's a wonderful dog and I thank you for saving him and keeping him safe till we found him and adopted him. He is a loving little guy, and just wonderful with the grandchildren when they come to visit. He loves everybody!

About a week ago when I was taking him for a walk on a retractable leash, I accidentally dropped the leash. Sprocket spooked when the hard case of the leash hit the ground and he started running. He is a very fast runner and I couldn't catch him. I headed for home as fast as I could to get the car and go out looking for him. We were about a 15-minute walk away from home. When I got home, there he was, laying on the front porch. I didn't know he knew the way, especially with the plastic case of the leash making a racket on the pavement behind him. Even terrified, he knew his way home.

We'd like to help with your the shelter's needs. I will put a check in the mail tomorrow and try to give again whenever we can. You do good work - it should continue.

Thanks for Sprocket!

Sue and Hal Squier
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Wishbone
2/3/09

Hi Animal House,
I just wanted to give you an update on Wishbone: we graduated an eight week training class. Also, my dad taught her commands in Spanish which now she only responds to. I am not sure how that is going to workout. :))

Sincerely,
Regina Apodaca



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Juma (formerly Scarlett)
1/21/09

Hello Animal House,

We adopted "Scarlett" (now named "Juma") from you guys in July. She had come from Eureka, KS with 2 other skinny pups. We just thought you might like an update on her.

She is fully integrated with our family (even the cat). She is an AWESOME dog! Very athletic, sociable, obedient, and smart! And a magnificent jumper! She is a total joy.

She accompanies me to work and we take several walks a day. She also enjoys the dog park and fetch, tug-o-war, and will chase rabbits and birds when she gets the chance (but never catches anything).

What a great dog! Thanks!

-Christy, Jaedyn, Barry, and Juma
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Penny (formerly Sugar)
1/31/09

Penny's new mom stopped by today for a grooming appointment. Heather reported that Sugar is doing wonderfully and they couldn't be happier!!

 

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Farley
1/6/09

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that Farley is doing well and I am really enjoying him.

I am using TLC dog walkers for days that I work and he likes Claudia. He gets along with the cat, although I am afraid Wally likes him more than he likes Wally. I have also discovered that pig ears are really bad for his digestion. He seemed to really like the pig ear, but never again. I have contacted Elizabeth Wilkins to discuss attending her play groups so he stays socialized.

Mostly however, I am just enjoying taking him for walks and having him hang out with me. He is a really good companion and I am still amazed that no one adopted him.

Thank you again

Lisa Claypool
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Ginger & Buffy (formerly Ndora)
11/8/08

You said my dogs would love this recipe ... they did! While the dog biscuits were cooling in the oven, I cracked the door to let some extra heat into the kitchen. When I went downstairs, our 2 1/2 year old rescue lab stuck her head inside the oven (cool enough by then, fortunately), and devoured 1/3 of the biscuits before we heard her and stopped the gorging!

The next day I made another recipe and made sure to get everything into an air-tight plastic jar. Both dogs do love them!

Our other dog we got from you as a puppy last June -- formerly "Ndora," Buffy is now over 9 months old. My two girls are very compatible -- Buffy is doing so well and we are so happy with her! She is beautiful -- feathery tail -- more a very light golden retriever than a lab.

Marilyn McCord
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Teddy
1/6/09

Dear Friends,

Teddy here, checking in. Things are good and my coat is super soft. I did not finish my kennel club classes, yet. However, I know how to sit, stay, heel, shake hands and give kisses. I am very gentle.

Thanks for saving my hide in Kansas. I love Fort Collins and the family you hooked me up with, too.

ANIMAL HOUSE IS THE BEST!

Love,
Teddy Kloberdanz aka Ted E. Bear, Ted, T-Bone, or just "T"
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Pearl (formerly Maizey)
12/29/08

Hi Sandra and Ali,

Just a short note and pictures to let you know that Pearl is a great dog and we are thrilled that she found her way to us.

Thanks for all you do to help rescue and find homes for all the strays that come your way.

Sincerely,
Beth and Clarke Wright
And Pearl

 

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Kenya
12/10/08
Hi Shanel!
Here are some great photos (the photo with 2 dogs is Kenya reuniting with Banjo by coincidence).

We were lucky enough to get Kenya from Animal House as a puppy when the shelter first opened. We knew she was meant for us because we were engaged in Africa and her litter name was Kenya! She was the last of the litter left when we visited and we knew she would be a great dog for us. She loves to go to dog park nearly every day to play with other dogs and has learned a multitude of fun tricks including "take a bow", "sit pretty" and "speak" as the most advanced. She is extremely smart, loyal and sweet so we cannot imagine our lives without Kenya.

THANK YOU ANIMAL HOUSE for help making our house such a happy home!
Jennifer & Mike Guerriero
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Taj (formerly Kevin)
12/10/08

Hello!

Taj (formerly Kevin) is doing great!! We have had a wonderful time going through his different puppy stages. He is a clown and a great companion... always making us laugh. :) Over the summer he went hiking with us quite a lot, and lately he has been loving the snow.

Happy holidays!
Carrie and Sid Murthy

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Clara
11/8/08
Hello Animal House,

Casey and I finally got around to downloading a few pictures of Clara and thought you'd like to see what a beautiful dog she's growing up to be. Ever since we brought her home from your shelter she's been a real source of joy not only for us but for those who meet her. We've of course had some fairly frustrating puppy moments but it's been fun to see how training and maturity has caused her to leave some of those things behind. As she grows she becomes ever more athletic and has truly grown to enjoy the outdoors with us.

We can't imagine having a dog that fits into our lives better than little Miss Clara and we're truly grateful for your organization and the obvious care that you provided her before she came into our lives. Enjoy the pictures!

Katie Greller
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Murphy (formerly Synsa)
11/3/08

HI. I am just writing because my dog, Murphy, and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary. I adopted her from your shelter a year ago today. Her name was Synsa at the time and we had quite the introduction when there was a little dog-fight on the premises before I got her home!! That was the beginning of some struggles over the past year, but after some training and moving into a house where she has a yard and a doggy door, she is one great dog!!

I am so thankful to you and your team for taking such good care of her and wanted you to know that she has turned into a great little girl...she has some doggy friends and definitely has toned down her aggression. She loves to play fetch in the yard and is just spoiled enough that she lounges with mommy on the couch and has secured a place for herself in mommy's bed.I am attaching a couple of photos for you as well.

Thanks so much and I hope you are doing well!!

Amy and Murphy Brown