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

I am Monroe Bigglesworth 1: I was brought to my forever home in April of 2007 after two years of uncertainty. I had been dumped over the Humane Society fence. After a while, I was adopted-I was so happy someone wanted me. I was a good dog, but I did have skin problems because I grew nervous. They let me loose, or I ran off, I do not remember. I do like to slip out of my collar to play; but not to run away from my forever parents. I guess my former parents did not care for me as they did not advertise for my return; I ended up at Animal Control.

It seems the Humane Society will go to the Animal Control for animals when they have room. One day, I saw my old friends. They spotted me: 'What are you doing here?' they exclaimed excitedly. I had two days to live. I went back to my old friends for a year. No one seemed to want me even though I am sooo handsome and sweet. I am part Chow Chow, and some people have the wrong idea about us. I also still had a skin problem. I became so well known, the paper wrote about me at the 2007 Expo. I was a therapy dog and very well loved, but they wanted me to have a forever home. Even though I am a boy, they had named me Monroe because they thought I was the most beautiful thing after Marilyn Monroe.

As I was snoozing in the sun at the Expo, this lovely couple came along. The poor dears had lost their dog after 13 years. They were older and did not want a jumpy puppy or a dog as large as their previous one. I am a laid back dog, so I was the perfect match.

My forever parents were willing to take on the expense of taking me to their vet, who supplied me with the proper medications: When I first came 'home' I still had a skin disease and had a bacterial infection, and woke my parents up in the middle of the night. Through the next year, my fur grew nice and healthy and my stomach felt better, and I stopped waking my parents up. I give them loads of kisses; I am much more trusting now and enjoy life to the fullest. I visited Expo 2008, and my friends almost did not recognize me.

My quirks include going to my dinner plate, leaving it, and circling back to eat. I also circle before I lay down. I adore my cat brothers and nudge and lick them. My one feline brother head butts me, giving me the greatest honor. My other brother exposes his belly, showing his trust of me.

I am less laid back now, and I want others to know how kind people can be.

Dear Friends,

Hello Everyone ... Harris here, although now I am called "Sailor". I was adopted by my new forever family on October 4^th and things are just starting to settle down to a comfortable routine. I wasn't there at the shelter very long so things moved kinda fast for me. A new home with new people, a Mom and a Dad and a Granny, who give me hugs and kisses all the time. I even have an Uncle who comes over just to take me for a walk….for no reason !!!!!

I have a Vet that I really like and he said I need to put on a little weight but other than that I am just great. No one here ever yells or hits and there is always fresh food and water in my bowls. I am having a few minor problems though. No one ever taught me how to play and the toys scare me if they are thrown or squeek. Some of the house noises are scarier than street noises. The freezer drops what's called ice cubes and that makes me shake. Lucky for me, one of my new peoples is always around to scoop me up and tell me it's ok.

I sleep in my very own crate at night in Mom and Dads room and I feel safe in there but we all cuddle in the big bed until lights out time. I love it here and in a few more months I bet I won't be scared of anything… .well not much anyway.

I included some pictures of me so Cori will know I'm doing o.k. (I think she was a little sad when I kissed her goodbye). I know she was happy for me just like everyone in the office was when I was leaving. You can see Dad and I watch the Bucs every Sunday and we dress for the occasion, I hope all my friends can get a forever family of their own soon, it's the best thing in the world.

Love to all and Thanks for keeping me safe till my new family could find me. Remember Dogs Rule.... Sailor