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Below are Happy Tails from people who helped save the lives of some great pets. Did you also adopt your forever friend from our shelter? If so, we'd also love to hear an update from you (or your pet!) Email us your story (250 words or less) to Sarah@humane-livingston.org along with a digital photo and it could be published here on our website to share with others!
Update from Isabelle - All grown up!
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It's been a year now since I adopted Isabelle. After getting through the puppy challenges she is a joy! Isabelle still has her moments of high energy... Pitbulls are great dogs and I'm happy for my choice. Thank you HSLC for all you do. Margaret Camp
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My husband and I just wanted to write and thank you for the wonderful addition to our family, Sparky (later named Murray)! He is truly the best dog we could ever ask for. He is as happy as ever cuddling all day long on the couch with us and going for a long walk in the snow or sunshine! He had heart worm disease when we adopted him and the Humane Society of Livingston County has treated him for us free of charge. We can't tell you how much we appreciated that! He was just tested this month and is now heart worm free! Attached you will find a couple of happy photos of him. |
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Thank you so much for making it possible for people to adopt wonderful pets! Sincerely, |
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Just thought some readers might like to see my two beagle girls, Lacey and Molly, and what they've been up to lately. The two have become inseparable pals. Both are from HSLC. We got Molly (the white one) in early April 2009, and Lacey (the darker one) in March 2011. Molly is now 4 1/2 and Lacey 1 1/2 years old. They love to take long walks whether here in the Pinckney area (Pinckney Rec Area and Huron Mills Metro Park being their favorites), or at our home in the Upper Peninsula. Both are such good girls. Watching them play together is a continual source of laughter in our home. Of all our rescue dogs, Miss Lacey is the best one ever when it comes to being potty trained. Not ONE "oops" in the house of any kind since she came home with us! She has an iron bladder! She is also the best bed buddy, and on these chilly evenings she burrows right under the covers and snuggles next to me. Nothing like a 30# hot water bottle to take the night's chill away. |
If I could have more rescue dogs I would, but with four already, I'm afraid my bride of 28 years might re-think that position, so I'll just have to be happy with the ones we have! Dennis and Joy Hopkins |
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Leah (Katie) - 1 year anniversary!
I am sending you a picture of Leah (Katie). She has grown so much since we adopted her a year ago today. She is a sweetheart! I just want to thank you for being so kind to my son and I when we were there. It's a joy to work with people like you guys. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!! Genevieve Parsons and family
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Butterfly is so sweet and has such beautiful blue eyes! She purrs like crazy, and my girls are so excited she is here :) She has made herself quite at home. She has what we call 'crazy-kitty' moments where she races all throughout the house like she's being chased :) She is friends with the dog and is always trying to swat at him as he walks by - thankfully he's a good old guy who just looks at her and keeps on going. She has learned to dodge the excited hugs from the toddler. My older daughter is very excited to feed her and clean her litter box and is always telling me "Aren't you so glad we got a cat?" And of course, she's as curious as any cat can be and loves to jump in the dishwasher when I'm trying to unload it. The moment the toddler drops a crumb from the highchair, she comes running to check it out. She loves to sleep next to me at night and purrs so loudly. She's a great addition to our family, and she fits it just perfectly! Thanks, Brooke |
Pumpkin (Maura)
My name is Pumpkin and my mom adopted me from the Livingston County Humane Society (my name was Maura when I lived there). The staff and volunteers took such good care of me but I thought I might never get a home (I was there for a really long time). My new mom came to visit me on Friday, October 14 and took me home the next day. I now live in a condo in South Lyon. I love drinking water out of the bathroom sink, looking out the window and snuggling with my mom (I love snuggling the very best). My mom says she thinks I am the happiest cat ever. I think she might be right. I am so thankful to finally have a great home! Thank you for your care while I waited! Pumpkin (and Sarah Barnwell) |
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Curly and Chip
We were walking down Grand River in Howell a year ago with our German Shorthair, Chip, when a lady passed us and said "there's one just like him at the HSLC". We hemmed and hawed over looking at the website, and when we finally did, decided against all our better judgement to meet 9-year old Curly. We took Chip to see if they got along, and like Shorthairs, they roamed around the yard sniffing every bush and hummock. We learned he'd been adopted and returned several times, which we chalked up to folks not knowing about a very energetic breed. When the time came to make a decision about taking Curly home we were still undecided until he put both paws on my chest and looked me in the eye. He wanted to come home with us, and we signed the papers. We had to work through some territorial issues with Curly the first week, and he snapped at Chip a few times, but now both dogs act like brothers. He developed an itchy rash on his chest and often had an upset stomach, and with the vet's help and trial and error we discovered he was lactose-intolerant and allergic to chicken, so he gets a trout and sweet potato kibble. He had a mast cell tumor removed and has been given a clean bill of health. Chip and Curly love vacations, and this year went with us to Petosky, Alpena, Hocking Hills Ohio and Alabama. They never fail to attract attention when we walk them, passersby often stopping us to talk about German Shorthairs.His stamina and vigor are remarkable, and an all-day hike in the hills doesn't faze him. Curly's a lively, happy, affectionate dog, and if he's not playing with his brother he's cuddled with us on the couch. He's got a forever home now. Richard Whisner |
Kit Kat
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Kit Kat is doing absolutely fantastic!
By day two he was jumping the baby gate to join the rest of us downstairs. He is absolutely great with the baby and the dog. You will not be seeing him again that is for sure. He is here to stay. Thank you for your recommendation of an absolutely perfect cat! Nickole Russo |
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Kelly (formerly Swiper)
| Dear Staff of the Humane Society of Livingston County!
This is a picture of Kelly, formerly known as Swiper. It's a week now since I adopted her and brought this beautiful girl home. Seeing her, for my husband it was love at first sight . Kelly's shyness lasted less than half an hour, then she started to explore her new home. Meeting our other two cats, she growled and hissed to make it known that she is no push-over. In turn, they ignored her and walked away. The same night, all three shared our bed. During the next few days, she discovered her favorite places to nap, but mostly, she follows us around and wants nothing more than to schmooze. We are so happy to have her and will give her the forever home which she deserves. Sincerely,Rainer and Karolina Hupfauer |
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Stoney and Toby are doing great!
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| Hello HSLC,
I recently adopted two great cats from the HSLC, Stoney and Toby. They are really happy in their new home. Both already are going thru the cat door into the garage to take care of cat box business, come back into my house for new adventures. Both very affectionate, give me big chin rubs, and are getting along fine together. I'm amazed. Eating, drinking, chasing cat toys, and watching the Turkeys out the window. I am so happy with them! Got a check in with my regular vet, at Lane Animal Hospital end of month to welcome my new family members. Thank you so much for letting me take the time to meet your charges. Cheers, Mark O'Boyle |
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Tex
We adopted Tex only a few weeks ago and he has already settled in! He is a very good boy, we don't understand why anyone would return him to the Humane Society. He came to us completely house trained and knew all of the basic commands, such as sit and shake! He loves to chew on bones and to play fetch in our fenced in backyard. He also loves to take walks to the park a few blocks from where we live. He rides very nicely in the car and also walks nicely on a leash. Sometimes he gets a burst of energy and tries playing tug-o-war with his leash, its very funny! On Friday's, Tex gets to go to work and hang out with his Dad... he is very well behaved and professional in the office! Thank you for Tex and for helping him find us!
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Sam (aka Turtle)
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I'm so happy to have gotten my kitten last March from the HSLC. Sam is a beautiful tabby-Maine-coon cat. She loves taking baths, kid and pet friendly. I couldn't of asked for more. She's a best friend. Thank you so much HSLC! Mary Bartek |
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Lola "Bobbette" Nelson
I just wanted to send you folks a note to tell you that "Lola" is very happy in her new home, she loves and sleeps with her new Rat Terrier - Skipper who is a year old and weighs 5.5 lbs, Lola weighed in at the vets office @ 4.4 lbs Tuesday. Those two play and sleep together all day long! I can't tell you how much I love her...she is the sweetest thing and thank you so much! Thanks to all of you folks that take care of the "unwanted" critters in this world! Peggy Nelson |
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Barney and Otis (aka Abbott and Costello)
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I thought you may like to have an update on Abbott and Costello who have been renamed Barney and Otis respectively. Otis was immediately at home though our Little Nell hated him on sight. For two whole weeks Barney lived in the basement! He is a fraidy cat! The litter, food and water are down there so he could stay alive. Any one who knows him is aware that he craves human affection. It has now been three weeks and as of three days ago he has been venturing upstairs. His progress promises to be quick as he overcomes his fear. As I type he is head butting me. The brothers like to watch me in the sewing room supervising the job. Not much room to work on the table. |
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This is our Little Nell guarding the doorways. A favorite game though the boys are tiring of it they are tolerant. We are very attached to the brothers and though the hissing and screeching of Nell has stopped she would rather we dumped them on the side of the road. That will not happen and by winter when Nell wants a warm body to snuggle with (she snuggled with our dear departed Charlie) she will come around, I am sure. Thank you for taking such good care of our boys until we discovered them. |
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Nikia
I'm not sure if you remember my dog Nikia but she had a very sad story. Nikia had a wonderful older gentleman as an owner who was half way through training her when he passed away. She was then sent to an animal shelter. From there she was adopted by a family of 4, had puppies and her family decided they liked the puppies more than they liked her, and got rid of her. After that another nice family adopted her and later found their children were allergic to her - thus getting rid of her again. All of this back and forth caused Nikia to develop a bacteria in her stomach which flaired up when she was in a stressful situation - causing her to have accidents in her cage and around the house. In 2007 my brother Jacob and his wife Carlie adopted her - however, after several visits to her "grandma" and "grandpas" house Nikia would cry and pull on my brother when she had to leave. Jacob and Carlie decided to gift her to my parents for fathers/mothers day since they were working long hours and wanted her to have a full life.
Let me tell you Nikia's typical day: Wake up from her cushy bed in the living room 
where she is tucked in every night after a long and energetic walk, and rub down. Breakfast & a treat, followed by a nice long car ride with her "grandpa" in the Nitro, which 9 times out of 10 results in a long walk through the woods near our home. A nice nap on her cushy bed, or watching some t.v with her old man. Dinner followed by yet another car ride where she loves to stick her head out the window and sing along to the radio (no really, she truly singsa long with the radio). Nikia likes to attempt to play fetch in the yard (however, she doesn't really understand the concept of bringing the bone back) and often resorts to chasing my dad around the yard instead playing "tag." Nikia has alot of great attributes which include chasing squirrels, barking at birds, and playing across the fence with the Sheep Dog, Maltese, & Boxer next door. She never is without a "smile" on her face (please see photo 2) After the first 6 years of her life being filled with turmoil, her life is now filled with love, happiness, and a family who would rather sell their home than get
rid of their furry comrad. Thanks for our dog!
Emily
We adopted "Star" now known as "Starffy" earlier this month and she is doing great. We adopted her to replace our beloved Taffy who passed on in January. We adopted Taffy from HSLC in October, 1996 so we were happy she had a full happy life. Pip, our other dog is 11 yrs old and we took him with us to let him pick out his new companion. He chose Star but during the ride home she became very irritated and thought maybe we made a mistake. Along the way we stopped at our vet's office and picked up Taffy's ashes. Star put her paw on the box and her attitude turned 180 degrees and she became very calm. We like to think Taffy's spiriit came to Star so we changed her name to Starffy. Today Starffy and Pip are inseparable we are glad we adopted her.
Sincerely, R & J Forfinski
Isabelle/Angel
Thought you may want an updated picture of Isabelle (Angel). She is so comical; loves catching Frisbees' and balls. I take her to a dog park (Lyon Oaks) she runs around and plays like crazy. I appreciate you doing follow-ups. Some people I've talked to say other organizations said they would follow-up but didn't.
The picture on the right shows her at 11 weeks old when I adopted her. Is she not adorable!!!!
Margaret Camp
Duke (formerly John Wayne) and April (formerly Rae)
I thought you'd like to see some pictures of John Wayne (now Duke) and 
Rae (now April) that Bob and I adopted in April. April is a sweet, laid-back girl and Duke is a playful, energetic boy that get along great as brother and sister and have been a delightful addition to our family. We took them camping to Cedar Point last week for a few days and they had a great time (I've included pictures).
I hope you enjoy!
Thanks so much for taking care of Duke and April until we were able to adopt them.
Bob and Lisa Sheldon
Last Updated 1/28/12