Folks:

I am enclosing a photo of Jackson, a former stray from the Taos shelter.We are both on the learning curve—he about house and pack rules, I about him, coonhounds, and high-energy dogs. My companions have been mostly northern breeds. Jackson is progressing slowly, in fits and leaps, unlearning bad habits and learning new, appropriate ones. He’s lucky I’ve been training dogs for over 50 years and that I firmly believe in adoption as a lifetime commitment. He seriously lacked confidence when he first came to his new home but that is changing as he learns this IS his home and I am his pack leader (more: his goddess)! He’s very affectionate and loves to snuggle on the bed with me or be half-a-lap dog when I sit and he watches outside. He gives tongue to alert me to anyone coming near the house. I do enjoy his bugling when he’s chasing or tracking in the backyard. Jackson is playful, quite the clown and very entertaining. He often makes me laugh. Thanks again for your help in the adoption process.

Lee Overstreet
Centennial, Colo.

I want to thank you for helping us find our new family member, Ace. He has been such a wonderful and well-behaved pet.

Just relocating to Larkspur from Texas, we decided, with all the beautiful land we are now surrounded by, to adopt a pup and add a new member to our family. We looked and looked and fortunately found the Dumb Friends League via our iPhone. We drove to the Buddy Center in Castle Rock, and there he was, our Ace.

We had to meet him, so we asked at the front desk, "How much is the doggy on the window?" He was a bit apprehensive at first, but warmed up pretty quickly in the meeting room. We had to put the adoption on hold, so he could meet our other pet, Dyna. They met and haven't stopped playing since.

We kept the name you gave him as the name is very fitting for him. We are so happy with him. He is a quick learner, full of energy and very much a lover. We want to thank you, again, for introducing us to Ace and allowing us to make him a part of our family.

Sincerely,
The Timm Family
Larkspur, CO

After my mother's dog died when I was around ten we waited about a year to start looking for another dog. We visited a couple shelters, and of course being 10 I fell in love with everything I saw. My mom however was a little pickier, and a week or so after starting the search we went to the Dumb Friends League. We found Isabelle there. She was curled up sleeping against the glass. They say love is blind- we went into the room specifically wanting a dog that didn't shed and for whatever reason we didn't notice the fact that Isabelle was shedding all over the place (border collie/golden retriever mix- how could she not?!?). She was so excited to see me, my sister and my mom she peed in the visiting room. We all fell in love. But we had to get the OK from my dad. About two days later he checked her out, we got the okay and brought her home.

Within the first week we realized that Isabelle had been badly abused in her previous home. (she was about 1 when we got her). She ran from all men and growled, hated the color black and panicked at any loud noises and hid. Throughout the years we taught her that she was in a loving home, and my mom loved her like another child.

Isabelle had her share of dog behaviors over the years- cut legs, escapes under the fence, peeing in the house. But any time of day, whenever you looked at her her tail would wag. She loved our big backyard, and chasing squirrels, and going on daily walks around the neighborhood.

My mother died 6 years ago. My dad was not a dog person and while he cared about Isabelle, being a single parent was enough on his plate, he didn't want to worry about the dog too. So at 14 I took it upon myself to take care of her. I learned how to drag myself out of bed at 6 am to let her outside to go potty, fed her every morning, took her on walks every day after school. I took care of her but really she was the only thing that kept me together, who was always there to snuggle with.

I had to leave her with my dad for my freshman year of college and it broke my heart. Too much. I changed schools to be with her, and she spent the past 3 years moving with me, house to townhouse, back to dad's in the summers. She didn't like the moving, but man did she love being included in all the commotion! I took her everywhere I could with me.

Almost immediately after changing schools to be with her Isabelle was diagnosed with cancer, from a tumor that started growing on her leg. I spent sophomore and junior year working double shifts to pay for her chemo, and my lack of social life is something I'll never regret. I worked as hard as I could and even though they'd given her 6 months to live, she lived 2 years. 2 years; my work paid off.

So near the end of junior year I didn't know how much longer she'd live. She was such a fighter, and it never seemed to affect her, she never seemed sick. So I decided to study abroad in France my senior year. Well, I can take a dog to France, right? I could, so I did. She spent the past year of her life with me in France. I promised her after that freshman year apart that I would never leave her again. I kept my promise.

In the end of February of this year she started to get sick- really sick, and stopped responding to medication. It was time. I put her to sleep at a home in the south of France with a big backyard and surrounded by people who loved her. She was 12, and it was the best scenario I could have hoped for from that situation.

Isabelle was the biggest blessing I could have ever asked for in my life. She was there through everything- deaths, moves, break-ups, fighting, holidays, the passing years. She was my rock. I will forever remember her. That's the joy that comes from being a dog owner.

I love you sweetheart. You really saved me, and I hope I saved you.

Michelle Thomas

Dear DDFL,

We adopted our dog Bosco from DDFL nearly two years ago. He is a terrier/black and tan hound mix. We made him our combined family Valentine's Day gift, and let me tell you the love he brings to our family made him the perfect addition.

Bosco is very clever and has learned a number of tricks including "sit pretty" and "high five". He is an unfailing guard dog, and has even been seen herding my youngest daughter away from perceived danger (the horrible lawn mower). While we still have challenges to overcome, Bosco brings more joy to us than trouble.

It seems to us that Bosco always has been with us and we wanted to thank you so much for everything you do to give great animals a positive and loving future!

Most Thankfully,
The Schinagl Family

We adopted Mocha (Siamese) female on 10/31/2009. I wanted to thank you for your kind assistance in helping us select our cat. She is doing just great! She really likes her new home and we love her, too!

We named her Missy. She got her veterinarian checkup today and is doing fine. Enclosed are several pictures of her. Thanks so much for all you do to provide homes to the homeless animals.

Sheryl
Larkspur, CO

Hercules, the Chihuahua, and Mary Ann, the dachshund, who have been pictured on the Web site’s home page for several weeks, are now in their forever home in Conifer, Colo.

Hercules has special needs, so his adoption took a while. He survived 9 years in a cage at a puppy mill in Oklahoma. He’d never received medical care or been exposed to a home or yard. He was brought to the Dumb Friends League after animal welfare groups raided his puppy mill.

League veterinarians addressed the little dog’s medical issues. Dr. Chavkin, an ophthalmologist at the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado (VRCC), donated his services to attend to necessary eye treatment.

Hercules’ severe lack of socialization was addressed when he was placed in my home for foster care. There he met Mary Ann.

Seven-year-old Mary Ann had been left in the after-hours kennels at the Quebec Street shelter. Confused by the loss of her home, she whined incessantly from loneliness. Following necessary dental surgery, she had come to my home for TLC and recovery. .

Mary Ann loved people and taught Hercules to accept handling, how to play with toys, and the joys of running free in a yard.

The two dogs slept intertwined, wrestled, explored; and, when Hercules became unsure of himself, he ran to Mary Ann for comfort. By observing her reaction to life’s stimuli, he learned to face his fears. During three months in foster care, Hercules became a playful, joyful, wiggly dog who no longer doubted human treatment.

Both dogs will live their lives with a compassionate woman, Hope Morgan, who understands elderly “special needs” dogs. She will accept and respect each dog’s quirks and needs. In her care, they will thrive. And they will be loved the way all creatures deserve.

Thanks to the teamwork of the employees in various Dumb Friends League departments, these dogs, like thousands of other pets, received a second chance. The following departments contributed to the success of saving Mary Ann and Hercules: Pet Intake, Veterinary Services, Homes with Hearts foster care, Adoption Outreach (for special needs pets) and Communications.

Gratefully,
Sunny Weber
Foster Care Volunteer

Dear DFL and animal lovers, It all started with a trip to the Buddy Center to donate some old cat toys, bed and harnesses. I was NOT planning on bringing a dog home. I already had my 2 cats, plus my brother and his girlfriend’s cat and dog living in my house. Having said that, however, I always have to at least go “look” at the dogs. I walked down the window admiring all the bigger dogs and a couple puppies but no one grabbed me hard enough to make me bring a 5th "4 legger" into my house. Again I was NOT looking to adopt, I was just "looking." I got to the end and was ready to go "look" at the cats when I noticed there was a puppy on the back wall in one of the smaller kennels.

Yvette (previously Bella) was curled up in a tiny ball, her head almost tucked under her body, and shaking all over. I tapped on the window lightly to see if she would look at me so that I could see her face. When I saw her big, sad, brown eyes my heart sank to the floor. I immediately asked to see her. When the adoption counselor brought her in, I found out she was shaking because she was terrified, not because she was cold. She wouldn't come near me. She just hid in the corner of the room. I picked her up and she put her paws on my chest, stiff legged, leaning as far back from me as she could get. It broke my heart that she was only 7 months old and that scared of humans. I put her on hold and went home and got my brother and his girlfriend's dog to meet her. When I got back, something amazing happened. Although humans were terrifying to her, a 70 lb, hyper, bouncing dog was not in the least bit scary. She chased him all over, running between his legs, sliding into walls, and racing him across the play area. Rosko was elated to have a playmate even if she was only about 1/7 of his size and pulled his ears and lips every chance she got.

I was hooked. I would have done anything to make her happy and Rosko made her happy, so I decided she needed to come home with me. I picked her up 2 days later after she was spayed. Once the drugs she had been given from being spayed wore off, I could hardly catch her to give her her additional pain killers, to take her out, to feed her, or to do anything at all with her. The only way I could get her to do anything was to get Rosko to do it first and she’d follow him. Over the course of about 2 weeks, I won her over by letting her sleep in my bed instead of her kennel and giving her a mound of treats anytime she got within 3 feet of me.

It’s been 9 months, and now she is my shadow. She has the funniest personality and more facial expressions than a human. I always know what she is thinking when she looks at me. Her favorite thing to do is go for walks. It’s taken a lot of trips to the dog park, and anywhere else that allows dogs to get her semi-comfortable with people. She still has a long way to go, but she is getting better.

I can't thank the DFL enough for providing animals a safe place to stay until they find a home. Yvette has changed my life in ways I never would have imagined. I learn something new from her everyday...even if it is just to pick my stuff up so she doesn't chew on it when she is mad at me.

Lindsey
Castle Rock

Dear Dumb Friends League,
Eighteen years ago I adopted my very first pet from your Quebec Street shelter. He was a very sweet and shy collie mix that I named Kenya and he provided me with 16 years of joy and love. When he passed in October 2006 I thought I would never get over the sadness. As time passed, and the sadness turned to fond memories of having a tail wagging when I got home and a buddy to go on walks with, I started thinking I may be ready for a new dog. So in October of 2008 my husband and I visited the Quebec shelter once again to find a new friend.

My husband wanted a boxer and I wanted a German shepherd so we were elated when we saw a 1-year-old Boxer/German shepherd mix named Shepler. It was very important that we find a dog with a mild temperament because we have a cat (also adopted from the Quebec shelter) who is very picky about dogs in his home. So when we met with Shepler, he was very shy and timid and he was all skin and bones. I knew right then and there that he needed to come home with us.

We took him home and tried to figure out a name for him. Since he was so shy and scared of his own tail, we decided he needed a big name so we named him Sid Vicious. It was quite clear that Sid hadn't lived in a home before. He wasn't house broken, he didn't even know how to walk on a leash. He also suffered from severe separation anxiety and destroyed two couches, one chair, several pillows and rugs and broke a window. But with patience, time, training and a lot of love, we were able to build up his confidence and he has turned into the best dog we could have ever hoped for. He is the sweetest, most loving dog and he is now very obedient and we swear he has a sense of humor and does crazy stuff just to make us laugh. He even gets invited over to our friends’ houses for parties because he is such a pleasure to have around. Our dog-intolerant cat now plays with him after much prodding from Sid. We are so proud of our little guy and so happy that we were able to give him a home that allowed him to flourish and become the confident and happy dog he is today.

Thanks so much for all that you do!
Rachel and Michael Gelbman
Denver