BIO:

Hero's past abuse by a man was just something that owner could never overcome and Hero would pee all the time when he tried working with him (both men were coincidentally large, deep voiced men).  Hero had originally come in from a man who also brought in a Red Doberman - both dogs had been abused. Linda came in about 10 days ago to show us Lucky.  While here she mentioned  that if we ever got in a big German Shepherd to let her know :).  I told her she shouldn't have said that as the perfect dog was down on the left and he needed a female only owner due to his background.  It  was pretty much love at first sight and she came back and got him last Monday.  I knew we had a good home when I told her we didn't know his heartworm status and she said, "didn't matter - I'll treat if needed."  And as you will see below - Hero was very HW positive, so she has already started his treatment.

Letter From Adopter:

Hi Rea,

Just a quick note to let you know that Hero is doing well. His heart worm test came up VERY POSITIVE - so we start treatment with Dr. Brooks next Thursday, June 10.He working into the family in a perfect manner. He is afraid of thunderstorms and hid under my bed. Can you believe he fit? He panicked at the thought of going outside so he had an accident- but it was in the laundry room on tile so it was easy to clean up. I put him on a leash and he went outside with me. Chipper came and got him and showed him their hideout under the house. It's a nice, dry, cool place for them in the summer, and about 2,000 square feet. He comes right in when I whistle for him. He likes it in the house and I'm glad of that. He will make a wonderful companion for me.Right now he's under my feet at the computer! I can't wait to start taking pictures with him! Anyway, all is well - just thought you'd want to know.  Take care.

God Bless,
Linda

This is a super news story on that big Black & White Akita we had.  They drove all the way from Florida to see him and look how well it has turned out!  Yeah!

Letter From Adopter:

Choctaw has taken us by a whirlwind !!
We could not be any happier, We love him so very much.
Can not thank you enough Rea.
So far: he has had all his shots,
been treated for worms,
got neutered (you know he liked that)
blood test came back  pos. for heart worm
so Monday 7-12-04 went to vet for 3-day
treatment. We get to pick him up today!!
CAN'T WAIT
Vet. office said they see a change in Choctaw already.
She said he seems like a happier dog.
Just thought you would like an update!
The Powell's & Kids (the crew)

Letter From Adopter:

We adopted Shorty this past Saturday during the yard sale. So far, he is doing great! He has fit right in with our family--he won't go very far from us when we're up and about, and he snuggles with us while we watch TV! We bought a crate for training purposes, and he slept the first night in it without making a peep! He is a very calm, sweet and mellow dog. We think he is going to make a wonderful companion for us for a long time to come!

John & Karen Gates
 

Letter From Adopter:

Hey Rea, Ellen & staff!

Just wanted to give you an update on Nemo. He is a wonderful little dog! He is very smart and picks up on things quickly. We are really enjoying him. He just loves our little girl, Caroline. I will have to send ya'll a picture I took of them recently....she was lying on the floor on her back and Nemo was stradle of her, sitting on her stomach while they both watched T.V. Too cute.

We really love him and he has become a very important part of our family. He stays inside all the time and is doing so well. I can't brag enough.

Thanks for all of your help. May God Bless the Elmore County Humane Society and all who work so diligently to take care of HIS creatures, large and small.

Jennifer Martin
 

Letter From Adopter:

I just wanted to send you a note and let you know that Gome is happy and doing well.

After the first night - when none of us got any sleep, because I wasn't willing to leave him outside in the dark - he's gradually becoming a little less insane, and I'm becoming more in control. In retrospect, that first night is funny. But it wasn't at all fun to watch him run from one end of the house to the other - going over the tops of the furniture as he went. Now, he's on a leash all the time. Last night, he slept in the bed with Sage and me, but he has no access to any other part of the house for the time being.

Sage is happy to have him here. She's such a calm dog, but she manages to make sure that he knows that she's the second in command here. The three of us spent yesterday dancing and playing - they danced, I threw the ball. Today, I will begin training him to the receiver collar. I'm sure that it will take the full two weeks - maybe longer - but it will give him a bit of freedom.

When Sage came to live with us, it was easy for the kitties, she ignored them, they ignored her. Now they are all friendly. Gome is harder. Poor little things won't come down from the top shelf unless they are sure that he isn't in the house, and they absolutely will not go into the front yard, but they will get used to him as he becomes more secure in our family and calms down.

From time to time, I'll let you know how he's doing.

Rosemary
 

Letter From Adopter:

Hello,

I am the person (also my son, Andrew) who adopted "Tater" this past Friday. It wasn't a "good Friday", it was a "Great Friday". Andrew could not have picked a better pet! She is lovely! In fact, we changed
her name to Taylor; "Elizabeth Taylor" that is! We call her Taylor. Andrew has a slight speech impediment and he thought her name was Taylor and not Tater. Taylor fits her better anyway, she is so beautiful and so smart!!!!!! I will be sending you some pictures soon. So far she goes everywhere with us, except to church. She has been such a joy to have in our home, especially since I am a single parent (the only parent in the picture) she just makes our house a home. We are a complete family now. I could go on and on, but I just wanted you to know how grateful Andrew and I are for all that you do and how happy we all are!!
 

Thanks again!
Paula, Andrew and Elizabeth "Taylor".
 

Letter From Adopter:

Hi, my name is Starr Ingle and I had the great good fortune to adopt Benny, a terrier/basset hound mix who is about 4 yrs. old. I have given a picture to the shelter of Benny in his new home. I wanted to share what a wonderful addition Benny has been to our home; I have two male Kuvasz who have adopted Benny as one of their "flock" to guard and watch over. Max, our 11 yr. old Kuvasz has become a puppy again thanks to Benny, they play constantly, Max and Akos our 9 yr. male Kuvasz will often lay down allowing Benny to run around their face and basically hang from the mane under their neck. He is lively, sweet and very loving. Benny has made a wonderful addition to our home and we have been blessed with great joy and pleasure in his company.

Thank you for all that you do to help those animals that have been so very let down by human companions, how sad for the humans and how wonderful for those who are able to go through your shelter and find a home that truly deserves their company. Without you Benny would not have found us and brought such joy to our lives.

Starr Ingle
 

Letter From Adopter:

Hi, I adopted Skip Dec. 6th. I just wanted to let you know he’s doing great!!! He’s already spoiled. I let him inside a lot and apparently he was an inside dog. He’s house broken; he will go to the door then back to me when he needs to go out. He slept on the bed with me last night and woke me up to let me know he needed to go out. He also likes to sit on the couch and watch the TV! We absolutely love him and I wanted to thank you for all of your help. We’re going to see the vet tomorrow for shots, check up, etc., and to get groomed. I’ve got him an Auburn collar ordered and bought him his own stocking to hang on the mantle. Thanks again and have a Blessed Christmas. Tammy McGrady
 

Letter From Adopter:

So glad to hear from you. Keri is a great traveller. Let her out of
the carrying case as soon as we reached open highway and she found a
good place to observe where she had been, where she was going, and what
she was passing, on the luggage cover in the back of the Suv. She came
up to the console and spoke quietly to me when she wanted something. I
would stop as soon as convenient and she either ate, drank or used the
sand box and returned to her chosen seat. Her favorite thing was the
motel rooms--tired herself out checking everything in the room.

We got home last night and she seems happy with her accomodations. The
stairway baffled her at first--I explained to her that she is not
allowed to fly after she jumped from about halfway down on the first
trip. She does not behave like a stray cat. I say, "Lets go to bed"
and she runs off to my bed. She is so loving and friendly. I think she
is very content here. She has explored the whole place and found the
screen room which seemed to please her greatly. As the weather was mild
she spent the morning out there. Was fascinated with her herd of
squirrels, angered by the appearance of a cat, a bit puzzled by two
ducks and a flock of Starlings. So, outnumbered, she came into the
kitchen and observed from the safety of being behind the window. From
there she scolded them soundly, apparently for eating her friends, the
squirrel's, food.

I was sure she felt at home when I opened the door, with her close on my
heels, to go into the garage and upon seeing the car she quickly turned
and ran to hide. She had not done that on the road.

She is better than I even hoped and I am very much in love with her. I
think my 21 year companion, the late darling, Katie, must have ask God
to help me find her.

Thank you for all your kindness and the work You and your Staff do every
day.
Keri and I will not forget.

Bests,
Mary and Keri

Letter From Adopter:

Hi, from Connecticut. I just wanted you to hear from Scarlett (the red heeler). She is doing fine and such a little bundle of personalty. I have new pictures of her and will send them soon. Hopefully she can be on the Happy Tails website sometime. Everyone who sees her remarks at how pretty she is. My boyfriend did not want me to get a dog (I have six cats) but now he is in love with her. When she tears something up, I tell him I am going to send her to a home for wayward dogs and he says NOOOO. Not that I would. She stayed with him while I went home to Nashville for Christmas. She and I went to puppy school but I had to miss a few classes due to my work schedule. She sleeps with me every night. If you bump her in the night she gets grouchy so my boyfriend has renamed her Snarlett. She is great with the cats. She is great with children in my neighborhood. She is happy and healthy. She is used to the car now and loves to go. She likes my boyfriend's mini van more than my VW. Every day when I come home from work, she and my cat Memo are at the top of the stairs waiting for me. She has been lucky this year so far as it has not snowed so she can still go outside. She and I go walking and to the parks on weekends. She goes with me to the food store to pick out her own toy. Yes, she is spoiled. Anyway, as a former rescuer I know all the heartaches and wanted you to know that Scarlett is fine. I know I always remembered each animal I placed in a home. Thank you both for being so good to animals.

 I will send the pictures soon. hellyn
 

Letter From Adopter:

Hi, just to say i came to Wetumpka last Tuesday and adopted a little dog from you. Her name is Lillie. I wanted you to know, she is doing great. She is still alittle skiddish and nervous. She is now house broken and trained to walk on a leash. She is eating well and is a wonderful pet. She will have her little surgery on Jan 30th. She is a very sweet and a loving dog. I am so proud to have her as part of my home and life, she is great company. I am glad I chose her. Thank you all so much. Your doing a great job there. Please share this info with the others. Let them know she has a good loving home. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Jeanette Hurst
 

Letter From Adopter:

Hi Sandra,
I started to read this the other day, but came over with sadness and had to
stop. I just now got the courage to read the rest. It's a tear-jerker.
Lovely story and people who have pets can for sure relate.

Sheriff is doing fine, better than fine, she has just about everyone in our
neighborhood wrapped around her paw. People actually come out of their
homes to greet her when they see us walking by. We actually had two of our
friends fighting yesterday over who gets to take her on a hike! You'll love
this one: The owner of a local restaurant Stuart and I frequent now sends
us home with bones! He even gives them to our friends to give us if he
hasn't see us that week! It's Sheriff maddness - it's crazy. She is a
local celebrity and I've never met more people in my life! We've even had
people pull over in their cars to see her up close and also knock on my car
window to meet her! It's insane. I'm telling you the honest to God truth.
She is a little bit of magic that people just rush to.

Needless to say it's going straight to her head! She is a hand full and
likes things her way! It's that Bloodhound stubbornness! As we chat, she
is in the room with me chewing a bone. She is getting really big, but still
really floppy (like a puppy). She could play all day...I'm exhausted!
There she goes now - whining that I'm not focusing enough attention on her!

Bye!
Katie
 

Letter From Adopter:

Lucia,

I know you have had a lot of animal adoptions and might not remember me, but I adopted the Austrailn/Catahoola mix named Katie. I think she even spent some time at your house so maybe you will remember. About a year ago, I drove up from Fairhope after seeing her on your website. Lucia, she is the most amazing dog we have ever had. We call her Birdie. When I came to get her that day we were renting a house while building on our 10 acre horse farm. Well we have finished the house and moved in November. We have chickens, horses, cats and Birdie. She loves them all. She loves the chickens especially when they are chicks; she loves the cats, they seem to be her favorite. She protects to our property line, never runs past. Never accepts strangers on their first visit but always remembers them on their second. Tracks mudding paws through my house every day but we all know it is the smallest price to pay for our Birdie. You have no idea how much she means to us. Once or twice a month my husband will still tell me that the trip I made that day was one of the best I ever made.

I just needed to tell you this and say hello. I hope that everything is going along for you and the program. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. As a Birthday present to Birdie I am sending you a donation, I know that there is never enough of that.

Take Care,
Kristi Fraser

Letter From Adopter:

Rea,

I adopted Vaughn yesterday, and while he's had the normal "jitters" that any cat has when they go to a new home, HE'S ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!

He does spend time under the bed, getting adjusted, but he's also very, very sociable, and loves to snuggle. He's climbed all over the kitchen cabinets, getting familiar with everything - and I see that I need to vacuum the top of the cabinets, as he likes to sit up there sometimes, and I want him to be able to sit up there without getting dust all over him.

I'm so glad I waited to adopt a pet until I saw him.
What a wonderful cat!
 

Todd Knowles

Letter From Adopter:

Rea,

Zeus, (who is now Buster--we tried many till one just suited him) has found a comfortable place in our family. He has his own little crate/retreat to go to whenever he wants; he loves to go into it to nap now that the door's off. He is quickly becoming Boomhauer's friend, though she has lots more energy than he does. I'm sure he's a bit cautious for now. He'll soon find out that Mitch and I spend a lot of time just hanging out with our dogs. We both spend quite a bit of time working from home. He has fit in just beautifully. We couldn't have found a better fit.

Thanks for all your help.
Debby
 

Letter From Adopter:

We adopted a dog two weeks ago, and are so very happy with her. We have always bought our pets at fairly high prices. Other than a Golden Retriever we had for 14 years, Lilly is the sweetest, most humble, grateful pet we have owned.

We have learned a really good lesson in this adoption. Don't judge a book by its cover. Most of the pets up for adoption can be groomed and loved to look and act like the most expensive breeds.

When our vet asked which shelter we adopted Lilly, we told him and his immediate words were that she came from the best shelter in this area. He is in Montgomery.


Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
Dick and Gaye Garner
 

Letter From Adopter:

I am the one who adopted Ms. Penny, the sweet little heartworm survivor. I just wanted to let you know how much we love and adore her. From day one when I brought her home she acted as if she had been here all of her life. She loves to cuddle and sleeps under the covers with me every night.

I hope this story brightens your day, because she has definitely brighted ours !!! Thank you all for doing such great jobs by trying to find these sweet animals a loving home. I will send some pics of her soon.



Thank You - Stacey Turner

Letter From Adopter:

I am so happy with the three dogs. Kattie and Shelia have not stopped playing. Shelia is really funny with Kattie. Shelia it trying to show Kattie that she is the Alpha female of our little pack!!!! The three dogs are very gentle and all are great loves. Katie rode home the three hours just fine. She was very excited the first thirty minutes or so but then just went to sleep like the other dogs.


Hopefully you will let her previous own know that she has gone to a good home that loves her. She has a fenced yard and loves to explore her new home. Thanks so much for holdng her for us

 

Letter From Adopter:

Hi Rea/Ellen,

As recommended we brought Sasha our alpha female Husky to meet Biscuit the Catahoula Cattle Dog pup on Saturday morning. She gave her approval so we adopted him and he fit right into our pack. We renamed him Rowdy and the other 3 dogs took to him right away. Cody, our male Husky, has appointed himself as 'puppy mentor' and Rowdy has become his shadow. Sasha lets Rowdy eat with her from the same bowl which is something she has never allowed before. Lance the Schnauzer and Jack the Westie (our two 14 y/o senior dogs) are non-plussed by the new teenager in the house and, after a cursory sniff, put him on ignore. Rowdy was unimpressed with U.B. the cat until U.B. swatted him (he's declawed) and hissed; an action which immediately turned said cat into an interactive puppy toy. After a few barking and hissing sessions, a couple of merry chases and some human intervention U.B. the cat lost his novelty and was once again reduced to mere feline instead of interactive puppy toy.



Rowdy's preferred human play buddies are our son Chris and our grandson Brandon. Naptime is on the couch by his new mommy and daddy quickly became the 'Food Dude' - the source of all things good to eat (although daddy has made sure not to feed Rowdy too many treats!) The other dogs in the house agreed to share their toys with the new guy and his favorites so far are a ball, a fuzzy donut that squeaks and a rubber tug. He loves to play tug and fetch. We've also caught him sharpening his herding talents on the 2 Huskies although we don't think they realize they are being herded. At night Rowdy gets his bedtime milk bone along with the rest of the pack and has his own personal 'fuzzy rug' next to his mentor Cody. He sleeps through the night and wakes up bright and early and goes outside with the others. Rowdy has his first appointment with Cobbs Ford Pet Health Clinic on Tuesday where he will get his physical and a rabies shot.



Rowdy's first weekend in his new home was a success all around. He had a busy weekend meeting and visiting new canine, feline and human family members and getting used to his new surroundings. He loves everyone and everyone loves him - even U.B. the cat though he's loath to admit it yet. Our thanks to you for allowing us to adopt Rowdy (aka Biscuit) and for the good work that you do for the unwanted, neglected and abused animals that cross your paths. We will keep you updated on Rowdy's progress as he is a Happy Tail in the making.



Thanks,

Brad & Stephanie Clark
 

Letter From Adopter:

SHELBY HAD A GOOD NIGHT. I DON'T KNOW WHO LOVES HER MORE - THE KIDS, DADDY, OR ME. SHE ENDED UP IN ANNABELLE'S ROOM TO SLEEP. SHE IS AT WORK WITH ME TODAY LYING ON HER NEW BED.

WE MISSED THE APRIL CLASSES THAT STARTED YESTERDAY AT PET SMART, SO SHELBY AND I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MAY FOR HER FIRST 8 WEEK COURSE. SHE DID HAVE FUN SHOPPING WHILE WE WERE THERE. I THINK SHE ENJOYED TRYING OUT WHICH NEW BED SHE WANTED THE MOST.
 

Letter From Adopter:

I just want to tell you and your staff, "He is awesome". I must admit,I did not want this dog. We have 1 dog, 1 cat, 1 squirrel and a 55 gallon aquarium. Plus, my Mom that has had a stroke and must have constant care. Well, we are two days in and Harley has been to the Vet. that went great, he has a kennel cough. He knows his name, sits on command and is realizing he can't kill the cat. It's been a longgggg time since I've trained, but he has blown up all my expectations and squashed alot of my fears about this process.  Harley Lott is truly a new member os our "Zoo" and we love his dearly. Thank You so much for your hard work and dedication. All our babies are rescues and I wouldn't have it any other way. You have many stars in your crowns. We may have lost all in "Katrina" but we brought our babies and our dedication to take care and love them. That's what its about.

Thanks again.
Anna & Donnie Lott
Maggie, Petal, Bella & Harley