animal adoption

Happy Endings and Forever Homes

"These are pics of a dog named "Pup" we adopted from your shelter on 2/10/08 . He was a 9-mos. old Poodle who had been dropped off the day before because he couldn't get along with the other dogs in the home. Pup is now Jack, an almost 1-year old bundle of love and energy that we couldn't imagine life without. Thank you!" Bill and Carole Murphy

Dear Joanne,

I'm glad I ran into you the other day. I have been meaning to write you to tell you how GiGi is doing. I don't know if anybody remembers her, I know you get a lot of dogs and it is hard to remember everyone of them. About 2 years ago my husband and I decided that we wanted a dog. You told us about a dog event you were having for the Humane Society. My husband and I decided to go and see if there was a dog that we both liked. We did see some beautiful dogs there but unfortunately, we didn't see any we could agree on. I think about 2 weeks later we wanted to see what they had at the humane society. All the dogs were beautiful in their own way. But when we came to GiGi's cage I knew there was something about her that just drew me in. She was under weight and wouldn't eat. You could see that she was very afraid of everything around her too. I felt bad for her as the gentlemen told us that the Humane Society had to take her from the place she was staying because it got so bad for her. We took her to the visiting area, and she looked at me with her sad puppy eyes and one ear that went strait up and one that flopped down and that is all it took. I knew we found our dog. Unfortunately we had nothing for her at the house, so we have to leave her for a few days. After we left the Humane Society, we went to the Pet super market and got her food, a bed, a cage, a few toys, a leash, a collar, and a tag with her name and our phone number on it. The next few days we were getting the house ready for her. The day I picked her up, she was lying in her cage the same way as when we left her, but when she saw the leash in my hand she knew she was going away. As we enter the house she did the normal sniffing around and looking around the house. She found a little blue ball that we bought for her, she put her nose on it and it made a funny noise, she jumped back, looked at it and them looked at me, she did that a few more times, them she grabbed it with her mouth and ran around with it throughout the house. She knew she was home.

I have to admit, the first week was hard, but after that it has been great. She is the best dog I have ever had. She has put on about 5-8 pounds since we have got her. She also has made a few friends in our neighborhood too. She loves to play ball, and her favorite treat is an ice cube. We took her to Still Water for some training, she passed first in her class. She is great around little kids and she is very gentle even in her rough playing. We have both enjoyed her and are looking forward to many more years with her.

Thank you, Michelle Bromm

Last October (2007) our precious kitty, Capability Brown, passed on. We decided not to adopt a new cat until some time in November. We lasted 5 days! We chose Cuddles and Buzz because they came to the Cat Cottage together and we didn't want them separated. And, of course, they were the most beautiful cats there!

My husband, Ed, told Joanne that if she came across a female Yorkshire Terrier, he'd adopt it. As you may or may not know, Joanne is a salesman. So, when Joanne called Ed and told him she found a very rare Short Haired Yorkshire Terrier, very hard to find, only a few in existence, he was delighted. Well you know Joanne, Short Haired Yorkshire Terrier - Chihuahua, same difference. BUT, just a few weeks after adopting Cuddles and Buzz, Joanne came to my office with Jasmine, a Maltese (mixed with Yorkshire Terrier we were assured). I said I'd have to talk to Ed, she said "I already called him!." Well, Jasmine had him from the first "yap."

So, last October we became a family of five. We haven't regretted a minute. Buzz and Cuddles spend the day snoozing on the dining room chairs, get up at 6:00 p.m. and head out to the lanai for a little sun and bird watching. They get their Pounce and Fancy Feast and are two well-loved, well-fed, happy cats. They know they've won the lottery of life and are enjoying every minute of it.

On the other hand, Jasmine has to work. Ed is a courier and Jasmine rides shotgun. Everyday she hops into the car with him and off they go. She's traveled as far as the Central Time Zone. The toll booth attendants now keep Milk Bones just for her. When she's not "working" she's aggravating the cats. She's living large and loves her new life and her Daddy.

Every day I thank Dennis and Joanne and the Humane Society of the Nature Coast for my little family. Please enjoy the pictures of our babies.

Vernice Burman

Joanne,

We adopted Maggie in February 2007. Her name was “Littles” then. I asked your husband which dog was the most loving, and he pointed her out. I could tell he was sad to see her go, as he gave her a long hug, but we owe him a debt of gratitude as he was right, she is wonderful. Maggie is a 52 pound lap dog! She gives hugs and kisses, and is very protective of our daughters, ages 4 and 7. I personally think she thinks they are her puppies. She follows me everywhere, and it’s great to know that even if everything else may seem like it’s falling apart at times, there is someone (soft and furry is a bonus!) who LOVES me no matter what! Maggie has finally accepted that my husband wants to be the Alpha Dog in the family, so she has resigned herself to allowing him to think that he is. She keeps us safe, she makes us laugh, and I couldn’t be happier! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

The Thompson Family, Spring Hill ----Fred, Mary, Grace, and Julia

Abby (formerly named Bunny) is happily perched in her new Forever Home. Abby shares her new home with her parents Teresa & Pete along with a new brother, Buster. When I came to my new home it was a little scary but my new brother Buster told me all about how he was a homeless dog about 9 years ago when Mom and Dad brought him home too. I have a wonderful fenced back yard with 2 different pet doors I can get to it from the house. I also go for "playdates" across the street with the other neighborhood canines. My favorite toys are a stuffed squirrel and whenever I get the chance, I chase the REAL SQUIRRELS out in the yard. Boy, am I ever happy Mom came to the Humane Society Pet Expo last February and found me there just waiting to be adopted...ABBY