Bob Abbott

1st meeting at the shelter

Bob in his new home

Did you ask, "What about Bob?"

Below is an email (via the Petfinder.com website) from Renee Abbott  from Westland regarding Bob, the handsome 6 year old tabby boy, that she adopted on August 25, 2007.

Just wanted to let you know that Bob is loving his new home and freedom!  I had just recently lost my best friend of 12 years Benny which was completely devastating to me. So I went looking for someone that needed a good, loving home to help ease my pain. I looked on Petfinder.com to see what kitties were available, I already knew I wanted to help out the Dearborn Shelter since I had heard so many wonderful things about the organization behind it. I found a few candidates that happened to be at the Dearborn Petsmart, so I stopped in after work. The 2 younger cats I went to look at were not a good match for me. However, the volunteer working that Thursday night introduced me to Bob, although he was older than I had originally been looking for (6 years old). He had climbed up on top of the cages to check things out, his cage had been cleaned and it was time to go back. I pulled him down, he put one paw on each side of my neck and gave me kitty kisses, I was hooked!!!  I told him I would fill-out the application in the morning! ha ha 

 

When I brought Bob home that Saturday it was quite an adjustment for him, not sure he has ever seen a dog before and he was confused by the cat with the long, floppy ears (my rabbit).  He also came home to a younger brother named Riley (7 month old kitten). They certainly didn't like each other at first, I had never seen Riley so puffy before. ha ha

 

It's been almost a month now and he is still a little unsure about some things but has adjusted quite well! Bob and Riley get along really good now. Bob demands attention when I get home from work by yelling at me, like my Benny used to. He sleeps on top of my bedroom TV and speakers, the way my Benny used to. Bob is just so adorable and sweet, he loves sitting in the window. Benny can never be replaced as you know, but Bob is such a wonderful new friend to share my life with. He will live Happily Ever After in his new home. Thank you sooooo very much for saving him! Bob will be well loved for the rest of his life, he makes sure to let me know when he feels he is being neglected.  ha ha

 

Cari, Robert, Ian, Lucas and Brenna Topping adopted a darling 13 week old, ball of tabby and white fuzz named Linus, on August 20, 2007.  They all live together in Lincoln Park.  In an email on August 31, 2007, they report that Linus' favorite toy is a pink mouse and they say, "He fit right in!" with their family.

Brenna and Ian loving on Linus.

 Macy Kirk

We received a 'Happy Tail' on September 24, 2007 from Jennifer and Allen Kirk from Detroit regarding their adoption of 1 year old Doll, whose new name is now Macy, on August 24, 2007.  They report that Macy loves to play rope, cuddle and bother her "brothers".  They included Macy's thoughts about the happy situation:

 I am a vibrant, happy girl that has found a true home. I love to cuddle with momma and daddy, but truly get most entertainment from bugging my brothers. (They love it, and they know it)-I am such a good girl as long as I'm kept in my cage when my parents are gone-they learned the hard way!!--But all in all I'm the perfect match-I watch the house, play with my brothers and sleep with my mommy and daddy--this is definitely a dog's life-THANKS!

Cooper

Cooper, the Bad-To-The-Bone pup, sent us an email with the help of his new mom, the wonderfully patient, Twila on September 25, 2007.

Hey Folks!

Thought you might like to know how I am doing since I left the shelter with my new family.  I am enjoying my new home, especially the leather chair by the big window.  I can watch the squirrels, cats, people and their dogs all day long.  I have lots of toys to chew on and I am still having a hard time leaving moms shoes alone.  They just smell so tasty.  And let’s not even talk about the sock stealing thing.

My first night home, the boy let me sleep with him.  I was pretty smelly cause they had so many visitors coming over to see me, I never got my welcome home bath.  He woke up with a rash that later sent him to the ER with the whole hives and lip swelling thing. We still don’t know what caused it.  But I have had a couple baths since then and mom spent an entire day vacuuming and washing all his bedding.  I am not allowed upstairs anymore…..something about a ‘dog free zone’ just in case.  But so far so good.  He had some serious meds for about a week and carries an epi-pen as a precaution, but the doc said this will likely be a one time incident.  Probably just dog dander overload from visiting the shelter and then sleeping with me on top of all of that.  Maybe a flea treatment allergy even.  Who knows.  The important thing is, it is all okay now.
 

I was a little stingy with my food at first.  This really seemed to bother mom.  I let them know that I was annoyed when they pet me while I ate.  So mom started hand feeding me only AFTER everyone else had eaten.  It was strange at first because I wanted to growl, but then….it just didn’t make any sense to growl at my dinner plate.  So I am used to hands near my food.  And that little pint size human that visits, mom calls her the granddaughter, well, her hands are always tasty.  I have learned to lick them clean.  I like that little squirt cause she’s figured out where the treats are and sneaks them to me often.  I take them from her hands quietly.  She does get a little upset with me when I eat her playdough, but I will leave it alone if mom is watching closely.

 

But, honestly, the cat is another thing.  I just cant help my impulse when it comes to kitty.  But the dang thing is an antagonist anyway.  I have learned that if I come away with a mouth full of fur, I am going in the crate for a while.  Otherwise, as long as I stop when mom yells “LEAVE IT”…..I get a second or two of the chase in and I wont get in too much trouble.  So, I have to leave kitty alone on command, and I do…..so long as mom is watching.  Kitty is annoyed at the amount of dog slobber he has to clean off himself, but I figure he deserves that much anyway.
 

Mom says I am a good boy and I walk on the leash pretty well for a pup.  I haven’t figured out what “heel” means exactly, but I do like to be close to people so I don’t tug a lot anyway.  Mom seems to be happy with this trait.  I have had to learn not to growl at people on our walks.  And I have met some very nice people on our walks.  So maybe mom is right.
 

We are going to the vet on Friday for the rest of my shots and for some kind of operation that mom has a voucher for.  I already met the vet when kitty got his shots updated, so I know where I am going and it won’t be so strange. Well, that is about it for now.  Follow this link for some pictures.  http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s216/tjwayt/The%20Bad%20Dog/ Mom is documenting some of my bad moments.  Jeesh, like I am never good long enough for a pic er something.  

Mookie Natzmer

Earlier this year, Nanette Natzmer from Ypsilanti fell in love online.  She saw darling black and white Opal on the Petfinder.com website.  She adopted Opal from the shelter on August 6, 2007 and changed her name to Mookie.  She sent us a "Happy Tail" and tells us that Mookie's favorite activity is playing with her pom-pom ball. Nanette says, "I found Mookie on the Petfinder.com website.  I also found Rags from this site this past January (2007).  In both cases, one look at their picture and I was taken.  I adopted Mookie so that Rags would have a playmate close to his age.  Do they ever have a blast together!  They love to wrestle and play-bite."

Nala Dolin-Dickinson

Nala is very sweet and a perfect lap cat.  She is also very playful and loves to play with our other new kitten, Callie.  Nala is extremely curious and will venture throughout the house looking for things to play with.  She loves to sit by the bathroom sink while you brush your teeth so she can play with the water with her paws.  We couldn't be happier with Nala.  She is a wonderful blend of high energy, but also loves to cuddle up with you on your lap while you watch TV.  She has won all of us over with her great personality and with her big curious eyes.  Thank you Dearborn Animal Shelter, we love our Nala.

Timony formerly Emma

Timony was adopted from the shelter on April 28, 2007 by Kira of Ypsilanti.  In September, Kira sent us beautiful photos of some of the wonderful adventures she is sharing with Timony.

The description on the back of one photo included this short profile:

 timony rock-jumping on lake champlain (vermont)

timony, in bed at the mont royale omni hotel in montreal, quebec

 timony and kira in montreal

timony visiting niagara falls

    timony and john in vermont

Brandy  Bilbrey

Brandy's name was Jenny when Marilyn Bilbrey adopted her from the shelter on June 2, 2007.  Brandy's new home is in Allen Park and Marilyn tells us that she loves to play with her toy mice, her laser lite and her fishing pole birds.  Marilyn says, "Brandy is so full of energy, she keeps me on my toes.  I can't believe she is 6 years old.  She acts like a kitty-play, play and play.  Brandy is a very loving cat, also very happy!  We love her like we had her forever---"

Sanford Earl Buck

Charolette Buck sent in a lovely 'Happy Tail' about Sanford, whom she adopted from the shelter on August 3, 2007.  This cutie 6 year old dachshund is now known as Sanford Earl Buck and shares a home with Charolette in Taylor.  Charolette tells us that his favorite activity is riding in the car or walking.  She writes, "when he hears the words 'ride' or "'walk' he gives me kisses!"  Then she added:

Everyone that we come in contact with says that we are meant for each other.  He's laid back; I'm laid back.  The petsitter came over and said, "He acts like he owns the place already. He's a happy dog."  And might I add, I'm a happy owner.  He's changed me already.  We're going to be taking pictures soon and he already has a shirt that says 'I'm in charge'. 

Linda, Heather and Amy, thank you for allowing me to adopt a wonderful dog.  Sanford is my son and his needs come before mine.  I am truly blessed to have a beautiful boy, thanks to you.

If you need anything from me, please let me know.  We may come and visit you soon! After all, you are family.

XOXO

-Charolette and Sanford Buck

P.S. -Linda, you're right about the jerky.  I cannot remove it from him, but we're taking pet training classes, so he'll be fine!  ☺

Joe CiCirelli update

September 9, 2007 we received an update from Lori Cicirelli:

My name is Lori Cicirelli , and I adopted Joe ( formerly known as Duke ) from Dearborn Animal Shelter in 2004.

Just thought I would send some updated pictures of him.

Lori Cicirelli

click here for Joe's Happy Tail

Holly Belle update

 On August 17, 2007  Joan H. responded to the posting of her 'Happy Tail' regarding Holly Belle a 7 year old cat that she adopted in July  2006.  Joan writes:

I was glad to hear from you, and will try to get some pictures of Holly to FWD to you by email.  I just bought some film recently, for that purpose.

I can't say enough "good" about Holly Belle.  She is a real sweet cat, just about as nice to handle and to live with, as any of the cats we've ever owned.  She and Frosty Pee-Wee, my 13 yr. old male, get along famously.  He accepted her immediately, and after she figured that out, she and he have become a "pair."  I call them Mr. and Mrs. Frosty.

The way I found Holly was through searching Petfinder.com, for the Dearborn Animal Shelter.  I weighed every cat seriously before finally deciding on Holly.  My reasons for picking her were several that all seemed to come together in her favor.  In particular, the sweet expression on her face, in the 2nd photo, really charmed me; and I felt sorry for her being in the shelter and wanted to have her come live with us.

I must point out that I really did pray to God to help me find the "just right" mate for Frosty, as (at that time) he was the only remaining kitty from the seven we used to have (he was the youngest).  I really was uncertain how he would react to another cat...and I weighed the possibility of adopting another pet for over a year, after losing my husband to cancer.

Since I am alone now, it is important to me that a cat be easy to handle...which Holly definitely is.  I also knew that, from her age, and the fact that she'd been spayed and declawed -- plus, after I visited her the 1st time at the Dearborn Animal Shelter, I saw a little ring around her neck where she had once worn a collar...and I wanted her, but had to think and pray about it some more, concerning Frosty's possible need of a companion (because he is deaf, he always relied on our other cats to let him know what was going on, to a degree)...etc.

Finally, I visited the shelter a 2nd time.  Both times, I held Holly in my arms for a few minutes, and she seemed quiet and subdued (which was what I wanted); plus being older (which was also what I wanted) was in her favor, for me).

At any rate, I did take Holly and followed the Shelter's "introduction" tips, by keeping her in a spare bedroom for a couple of weeks, and also letting both cats get used to each other's scents...and even though she hissed a little bit when Frosty went nose-to-nose as he investigated her...everything went very smoothly.

After taking care of some health needs, Holly is now doing extremely well.

Everything has been a big answer to my prayers concerning a 2nd pet.

(I did find one more cat on the street by my church; and eventually decided to keep him. His name is Mr. Sonny Boy.  He and Holly got along very well at first, but then he decided he wanted to start jumping on her.  Since he is almost twice as big as Holly, I finally began keeping him and Holly & Frosty separate.  Sonny would investigate Frosty quite closely, and I was a little afraid he might jump on Frosty too.  So I think everything is working out okay the way it is.)

I rotate the 2 + 1 every day to give them all a chance to roam the house for hours at a time.  So I believe things are working out about as well as they can.  I have not totally given up on possibility of the cats getting together sometime in the future, am hoping things will work out naturally.  So we will see.

But as for Holly, she is the perfect little cat.  And, by the way, Dr. Good said she believes Holly may be 12 or 13 years of age.  But I really don't mind.  I will take care of her as long as God lets me.

Thanks for writing, and I will send pictures later on.

Joan

08-17-07

click here for Holly Belle's Happy Tail