Grab a tissue and prepare to have your heart warmed by the wonderful stories from the FAVORITE ADOPTION STORY CONTESTANTS.

The stories are truly a testament to how resilient and forgiving animals are when loved.  If you would like to vote for any of the following stories, you must ‘like’ the picture on Facebook.  CLICK HERE to be taken to Facebook to vote for your favorite(s).  The picture with the most votes will win a FREE session, an 11×14 wall print and treats from my friends at Good Dog 2 Go.  Voting ends at 9pm on March 16, 2014.

Enjoy the wonderful stories about how life changing adoption is!

 

NOTE: YOU MAY LEAVE COMMENTS ON THIS POST BUT THEY WILL NOT COUNT AS A VOTE

 

ACE

On 8/02/13 my husband and I came across a story on the news of a little shih tzu who had been beaten and thrown into a dumpster, they called him Ace. We could not believe how someone had been so cruel, yet we had such hope he would survive and make a full recovery. From the first time we saw him, we felt such a connection to this perfect creature. We have always been avid shih tzu lovers and had been thinking of adopting a shih tzu. It became my mission for the next almost six weeks to be able to adopt Ace. On 9/06/13 we went in to meet Ace, needless to say there were many happy tears shed, and we hit it off famously. We took him home that day, and have been spoiling him ever since. Ace now enjoys a life of endless love, premium dog food and treats, loves to play with all his toys. He especially loves to go on long walks and stroller rides. Aces’s many talents include piggy snorts, running in circles,giving premium kisses and most importantly forgiveness.  We are forever grateful for all of the wonderful care from Kansas City Pet Project and all of the people who have helped Ace along his journey.

-Gary & Jenny Marker

 

BABY

It was September 11^th 2013 when I got the wild hair to travel north to Zona Rosa’s Kansas City Pet Project Shelter. I had a few friends with companion dogs of their own that I developed a fond liking to before the suggestions that I should acquire a dog myself started being thrown around. As prepared as I try to be, I vowed to wait until winter when I had more time on my hands to learn my new family properly, to provide the time they deserved. My exact words I recall were “I want a baby pup”. I thought I should rescue an animal that I could raise and teach, like most try to accomplish. Boy was I wrong. As I walked around looking at all the large homeless pleaders, and the array of smaller stacked cages filled with doe eyed, toy dogs. In the bottom far left corner cage, there was brown furry mass that I couldn’t quite make out, with a sign titled “Twinkie, Stray” attached to it. A sweet and enthusiastic volunteer approached insisting I meet the sweet puggle buried in the back. The little mystery became intriguing. She was distant and hesitant of me, not enthused by the curious shoppers who seemed to lap around the other cages.  The volunteer said she had been there a while, and was brought in off the street months before. She had kennel cough, a  bad viral infection, and was overweight for her breed. Therefore, she fit the bill for the “over 30 pounds, 30 dollars” promotions. I sat in front of her outside of the shelter; I could tell she sensed my reluctance as she kept her distance a few feet away. I sat on the decision for about an hour and a half..

Because I was raised to see animals as family members, this little blessing to my calculations landed to be close to my age in dog years. Also, she shared my reluctance to the commitment of her, and deserved a fair shot and a deeper look, how I saw it. Every volunteer that I hadn’t met in the shelter dropped what they were doing to come say goodbye to “Twinkie” relaying their gratitude, and sharing stories about her independent demeanor.  When I got her home, I wasn’t prepared for what was next. She wouldn’t sleep and was very skittish. Every cough and groan resulted in excessive snot and whines. I became trained to her. Even in my sleep, I would spring awake to her hacks and address them with Kleenex, water, and re-adjustments. It took about three weeks for her to feel better, and I, to approve of her health for meeting family and friend pets. When she finally did, I found her growling and circling around me, displeased with her new k-9 acquaintances and a “ball of nerves” it seemed. I was very worried about what I had gotten myself into; however, more curious of the life she came from. Nevertheless, a beautiful thing happened. Very quickly an understanding and felling of her trust in me resonated from her.

If I influenced her to approve of the unfamiliar, she would! That same mentality influenced much of who she is today. In fact, I’m not sure what I was doing before her. At first she didn’t know what to do with a toy, confused and observant, and because of her new social circle she was learning to trust, even antagonizes play.  She’s nearly off the leash trained, knows how to sit, shake, and is well on her way to “salute”. 6 Ibs Lighter and healthier, she is my closest shadow and passenger everywhere I go.  She is completely aware of my absence, as well as my presence in every room, finding her perfect positions with her face in my neck, and paws around my shoulders every night, I don’t sleep as well without her piggy snorts and  human like snoring. She is a part of me now, a mystery past with such growth and soul.  Because she is so special to me, it was important I revised her “Twinkie” title, much like she revised her new blossoming personality. She deserved an honorary name. Each name floated between practical and funny for months before I finally realized she’s only going to answer to, what I have been subconsciously calling throughout the search for a proper name, my ” Baby”.

-Ashley Owens

 

BIERSTADT

In 2008, I went to a home show to purchase windows. And wouldn’t you know it, they have animal shelters at those home shows!!! I came across Bierstadt performing tricks for treats. I sat down with him and I knew the windows were going to have to wait. A week later, I brought him home. My beautiful 10 month old black lab mix. I adopted Bierstadt from Wayside Waifs and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made (right up there with having kids). He was definitely slow to trust us. And even though he won us over almost immediately, he eventually came to like us, too.

He loves visitors and he will greet you at the door. He has been known to accidentally shut himself in a room which lead to him destroying a door (and frame and wall and carpet). We recently re-did the floors and wood in our house and decided that to not re-hang the doors (well, we did put the bathroom door back on)! He loves little kids–mainly because they taste like peanut butter and they are just the right height to sneak a kiss/lick. He treats people the way we should all treat one another–with smiles, kisses, handshakes and high fives.

-Karie Fahrenholz

 

 

BLUE

Our family is known as dog lovers by everyone that ever meets us.  Our dogs are not just our pets but our furbabies.  We originally adopted our two big dogs, Toto (a lab/hound mix) & Buster (an Austrailian Sheepdog) as pups from Wayside Waifs.  In the spring of 2012 both Toto and Buster turned 15 years old.  That July, our hearts broke, as we rushed to the backyard when we heard Buster crying in pain.  He was yelping, crying and could not move and my kids and I worked to get him rolled onto a blanket and into the house.  We lost Buster that evening which broke all of our hearts, my son, Dale’s the most.  He and Buster were kindred spirits and although Buster was older than Dale they had forged a bond.  Buster was a spirit dog, a dog with one blue and brown eye, and seemed to have the uncanny ability to sense your moods and to take care of Dale.  Heartbroken, we started to volunteer at the KCPP, as a family.  To pay it forward for our Buster, who was  shelter pup.  My hubby and I said no more big dogs after Buster’s death….it really was as hard for us as if we had lost one of our human kids when he passed.  Plus, we had, Toto, my daughter’s dog and best friend since she was 3 to care for.  Toto was 15 years old , had cloudy eyes that older dogs get and arthritis in her back legs and Duchess, a shelter dog from the Kansas City Pound that was 10 years old.

For my daughter, Emily’s 18th birthday, she decided that she wanted to go to the KCPP to go walk dogs and hang out.  We went as a family 6 (4 human and 2 canine) and left as a family of 7.  We went through the kennels that day giving treats and just talking to the dogs.  My son had went in hopes of walking a dog at the shelter that reminded him of Buster.  As Dale got this dog out to walk I noticed a black dog with pointy ears in the kennel above.  The dog was turned sideways and when I went to talk to him he turned and had one blue eye, he was a spirit dog, like our Buster but was black in color like our Toto.  His name was, Nike.  Dale knew from the wall in the shelter that Nike was a high energy dog, he had as many stars as they give a dog in the shelter for energy.  And Nike, was a runner dog.  That means that he would go and run with one of the volunteers at the shelter that was a runner.  Dale said , “Mom, I like him, but we better get someone to get him out because he is a wild one”.

A worker from the KCPP came and got” Nike” out and he was nippy, energetic, and so lovable.  I literally went to the rest room and the kids and my hubby had his paperwork out and were ready to adopt him.  I literally told them all no, didn’t they remember Buster?  and how could they want to replace him already.  I put “Nike” back in his kennel as my daughter cried silently and my soft spoken son held onto his adoption card.  I went to take the card to put it back but Dale held onto and yelled with tears, “Mom, you can’t just make him stay here.  He belongs with us, he’s a spirit dog, and needs a home.  Look, it says he was a stray so he’s never had a family and he needs us!”.   Ahh, dang it, you know what happened , “Nike” came back out of his kennel and his adoption paperwork never made it back to his cage.

It was an adjustment to have Blue as he is now called.  The first night after he was home with us Dale sat next to me and was crying, “Mom,  I think I made a really big mistake with him”.  This is after Blue had nipped Dale, terrorized poor Duchess by jumping over her like a hurdle constantly, and met Toto and she growled at him and wouldn’t let him in the yard with her.   I told Dale that it takes time for a dog to become a furbrother and we had to teach Blue how to act and by Christmas he would have the dog of his dreams.

Dale spent each morning getting up early to walk Blue and then would walk/run with him each day after school.  Toto warmed up to him and showed him the ropes of the yard and we think told him how to guard her family. You see one month after Blue came to our family our Toto had to be put down.  And, in January of 2013, Duchess passed away as well.  Blue had been our heart healer though it all.  If you would have met “Mr. Nippy” as we once called him when he came home with us you wouldn’t guess he is the same dog.  He was super smart from the get go and has learned the command “gentle giant”.  We use this when he is around other dogs or children and he remains calm, sweet, and doesn’t nip. Our family is thankful to Blue for being our heart healer.

Although, we lost our original 3 dogs in less than a 6 month time span we were able to go on and love others through Blue.  He led us to realize that we could open not only our home but our hearts up and love a furbaby again.  Dale and Blue still take walks daily after school and Blue sits and watches as Dale plays x-box (sometimes he whines and Dale gives him a controller that he puts under his paw), he lets Dale lay on him when he reads, and always wags a tail when he sees his family.  For this a tons of other reasons we are so thankful that Emily chose to go to the KCPP on her birthday and that she was willing to share her birthday with a dog named, Blue.

-Sherry Snider

 

 

 

GEORGE

Less than two weeks ago we decided to adopt a sweet boy from KC Pet Project.  His smile was what caught our eye.  Learning that he had been taken to the shelter by his former family broke our hearts.  We knew he had to be confused and wondering when they were coming back for him.  We went to KC Pet Project the very next morning knowing we wanted to get him into a home as soon as possible.  This little man, whom we now know and love as George, is a five year old Corgi.  His smile is contagious and his personality adorable.  He likes to poke you with his nose for attention.  It’s hilarious!  He loves playing with our 5 year old son and is not shy about offering kisses to anyone who will take them.

Fortunately, he is not short on takers around here!  He loves belly scratches, walks and his new bed.  He hasn’t shown much interest in his new toys yet, but he’s enjoying his family time instead.

The notes we were given said he was unsure about being around big dogs.  We have an 8-year old Golden Retriever whom we rescued in 2006 who is the kindest gentleman you’ll ever meet.  He’s the best Ambassador to show any dog the ropes.  Initially, George did curl his lips when Cosmo would get close.  But that all changed within a few days.  We would reassure each of them that it was OK.  But mostly thanks to Cosmo’s ability to be gentle and patient, George had the opportunity to feel comfortable.  In fact, as I type this, they are laying by my feet and George is cleaning Cosmo’s ear.  I think it’s safe to say that George is extremely happy in his new home and with his new family.  And we feel the exact same way!

-Mandi Rudd Arnold

 

 

FIONA FiFi

In March of 2013 I adopted a dog from a coworkers Mother. She was going to an assisted living facility and couldn’t take her dog. The dogs name was Molly and she was a beautiful Lhasa Apso. I would put her hair in barrettes and put her in frilly pretty dresses. We loved her so much, and when she became sick in June it broke our hearts. We had to put her to rest in July. It was especially hard for my boyfriend. Unlike me he didn’t have many dogs growing up. In October we decided we were ready to “foster” a dog. We were still grieving the loss of Miss Molly but it was time for a dog. We don’t have a big yard so I needed to look for a small dog. I work at The Pitch and that is where I became familiar with KC Pet Project. I decided I would fill out foster paper work and get a dog.

I went to the Zona Rosa location a couple of times and they didn’t have a little girl the times I went. It really broke my heart to see all of the dogs in cages so I decided I can’t go back there unless I am leaving with a dog. I was sitting at my desk and looked online for the dog that we were going to foster. I found 3 little ones. There was a girl-she was a terrier mix and her name was Frenchie. Initially I wanted to get another dog that looked like Molly. But when I saw that picture-Frenchie looked so sad and sweet. Her little ears were back -I felt that she needed us. She deserved a good life and I knew that we could provide that. I called the Zona Rosa location and said that I will be on my way after work to pick up Frenchie, and that is exactly what I did. The night I brought her home she was so quiet and scared. I had toys for her-she didn’t want to play. She just walked around the house.

By the next morning she had started to loosen up a bit and get a little more comfortable. My boyfriend called me at work that day. First he said that he tried putting her in the kennel and she started crying. I said leave her out. If she makes a mess I will clean it when I get home. Next he asked if we had to give her back. I told him that we didn’t need to giver her back, we could adopt her. On Friday October 25, 2013 I went to Zona Rosa KC Pet Project and adopted her. Apparently we were not cut out to be foster pet parents. We changed her name to Fiona (FiFi) Michelle. We couldn’t agree on a first name so we chose both, and we gave her a middle name also. I was told that Fi came to KC Pet Project as a stray. She was adopted and after two days the people brought her back and said their landlord wouldn’t let them have a dog. I am not sure why they didn’t check that out first. But, lucky for us they couldn’t keep her.

Our whole world now revolves around Fi. Her personality is one of a kind. You can tell when she is happy or in bad mood. She is really expressive with her eyes. Every morning when I leave for work I get a dirty look from her. Sometimes though I feel she has flash backs of her life as a stray, and that makes me sad. She does so many sweet things, but probably my favorite is when she gathers up all of her toys and stares at them. It’s almost like she is feeling grateful for what she has.

-Jodi Waldsmith

 

 

FORREST

Our one of a kind boy Forrest came into our lives September 14th, 2012. We were walking through the aisles at KC Pet Project and had made it to the last row when my fiancé pointed him out. Forrest immediately popped up and gave us a big grin and tail wag. We knew in that moment he was our boy! He is a 3 year old flat-coated retriever mix with long black fur and a small white patch on his chest and front left paw.    Ever since that wonderful day we took him home, Forrest has been enriching our lives and making each day begin and end with a big grin and tail wag. Forrest loves to run, sniff, swim, play fetch (but only inside), chase the laser and go to the dog park. One of his favorite things to do is pretend he is a small lap dog and come snuggle on the couch with anyone who will let him. The most important thing Forrest does, however, is help other shelter animals.

We have now fostered several animals for the KC Pet Project and Forrest has been a key part in the success we have had. Our first foster was a litter of mom and four kittens. Not only did Forrest behave gently around the kittens, he became their foster brother. He helped with socializing and playing with the kittens and even gained the trust of momma cat. With every foster animal since, Forrest has played an important role in their adjustment to home life and their success in learning. It’s amazing what dogs can pick up on just from seeing the success another dogs has. When Forrest sits and gets a treat, the foster dog sees this and follows (sometimes without even asking for a sit). Having Forrest here to help our foster dogs and cats has truly helped us save more lives and has brought us tremendous joy.    Our boy Forrest is a true example of the best adoption story not only because has he rescued our lives, but because he has rescued the lives of several other animals and many more to come!

-Sarah Donnici

 

 

JACK & ANNIE

Our dog that we had for 16 yrs passed away in October of 2012 and it was extremely difficult. At first, even thinking of getting a new dog was extremely hard, but as the days went by I knew that our house needed that extra puppy love!  So, I started looking at rescue sites and found a puppy I thought would be perfect for us.  Her name was Carol Ann and she was born on Oct 17th (the same day as my youngest son) through Erin’s Midwest Animal Rescue.  I picked my children up from school and did not tell them where we were going, and as we pulled up to the home of the foster parents I broke the news, “We’re getting a puppy!!” We went inside the home and Annie cuddled up to my middle child immediately.

However, there was one other puppy left named Jack who still did not have a home and he began cuddling up to my oldest daughter.  My husband always wanted a dog with crazy, fluffy hair and Jack was that.  But I had always owned female dogs so I had my heart set on Carol Ann.   After going through all of the paperwork and walking out the door with Carol Ann (later to be named Annie) I just felt something telling me we should get Jack as well.  So, we drove a block away, I pulled over the car and called my husband and asked what he thought if I came home with two dogs.  He said, “whatever you want is fine with me”. Next thing I know I’m driving back to the house and walking back out with Jack!!  Annie and my son (who is now 5) have become best buds and they love to snuggle.  Jack has his snuggle moments also, but he would much rather find a squeaky toy and squeak it over and over again!!  One more thing about our family, we had been through the foster and adoptive process before as all three of our human children were adopted as well!

-Lesley Newton

 

 

LEELAND

Spay & Neuter Kansas City called us on May 24th, 2011 and asked if we were interested in helping them out by fostering a litter of kittens that were rescued from Joplin Missouri after the Joplin tornado. They could not find the mother but the kittens were old enough to have “Gruel”. They explained that we could soften their food with milk replacement and basically teach the kittens how to eat. They also said they would provide the vet care, food, and supplies we would need for the kittens. Neither my husband or I had any experience with orphan kittens and were a little nervous. We had 2 adult female cats and 2 adult Male dogs in our home and weren’t sure what the reaction would be to us bringing home 4 kittens but they needed us. We set up a Large Wire Kennel for them and off we went to pick them up. When we brought them home we immediately put them into their “hotel” so everyone could safely meet, our animals LOVED them from the moment they seen them, I think they could tell those babies needed us. They were about 3 weeks old and were still needing some help to “relieve” themselves and our 1 year old Pit Bull decided he was going to be the best daddy that he could be.

He played with, bathed, cuddled, and just simply loved having them. He did pick a favorite and we’d always find them cuddled together sometimes even inside his kennel. They were pretty much inseparable, we were in love too. We knew there was no way we could keep all of them but after they all were vetted and altered Jennifer Leavey called us and told us there was a rescue coming to get the kittens. She knew how much our whole family loved the fluffy kitten from the bunch and said that she understood if we only brought in 3 for the rescue to take. We were so excited and officially became “Foster Failures”, if you’re going to fail at something I personally think this is the most rewarding thing to fail at. We officially changed his name from Fluffy to Leeland and he began his life with a family of his own. Leeland has a great love for dogs, big or small, he loves them all. He plays with our 97 pound Pit Bull just the same as he plays with our 4 pound Chorkie. They are all Best Friends. They will even eat together, if I let them, without a problem. It is so funny to see a cat get along so well with dogs.

He loves to bird watch from the basement and kitchen windows but has no interest in going outside. He loves cuddles, he comes to bed with me every night when I call his name and tell him it’s night night time, lots of the time he will beat me to the bed. He follows me into the bathroom and just sits and waits for me to be done with whatever I am doing, watching every move I make like he is taking notes. He has a great personality. He doesn’t meow a lot but you always know when he’s walking through the house because he walks like an elephant: Stomp, Stomp, Stomp. I always thought cats were suppose to be “stealthy” but he is the furthest from the definition of the word. He is a true joy and I am so happy we decided to take on those 4 kittens. It opened my eyes to the possibility of fostering animals. I had never even thought about it before then. Since that time we have fostered another litter of kittens for SNKC and several dogs from KC Pet Project. It made me realize that I don’t have to make a lifetime commitment to one animal to make a difference……I can make one commitment, one animal at a time, and make a much bigger impact on the animal community and help out many more than I ever thought possible and so can you! Contact your local shelter and see how you can help out. Thank you for reading our story and we appreciate your vote

-Jaimee Moody-Wright

 

 

LUCY

In March of 2012 my family grew by 4 itty bitty feet with the adoption of Lucy. I went to “visit” her at the LL Dog Rescue adoption event at Petco and the moment I saw that sweet little face I knew she’d be coming home with me. Little did I know “Little Bits” as I call her was not so healthy from being a stray and running on the streets with no care or proper food for her allergies. She had a bacteria infection, skin infection and allergies. After many visits to the vet for weekly shots, a daily pill regimen and special diet Lucy is now healthy and happy as can be! She loves to play with her toys, go for walks, and is the best cuddler on earth.

What I love most about Lucy is that inside that tiny little body of only 4 pounds she constantly gives and gives the most love and affection. She’s my love-bug. She is always waiting with excitement when I walk in the door, tail wagging and ready to give lots of kisses. I think she knows I saved her and gave her the life of being a very spoiled and pampered princess. Since we don’t know Lucys real birthday, we celebrate her birthday on her adoption day, March 3rd. This picture is of her on her 4th birthday this year.

-Kelly Kranz

 

 

MARKIE

I adopted Markie from the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City on October 5, 2012. It was a Saturday. She had been dumped at the shelter the previous Thursday, vetted on Friday, and that Saturday evening, she was to be transferred to another rescue. The counselor at the humane society brought her out to meet me after I had met two other dogs. She was shy, and quiet. Seemed scared. Who could blame her, it had been a chaotic and confusing few days. There was a sad sweetness in her eyes. She told me with one look that she was full of love, and wanted so badly to have me love her back.

I am spoiled by this 15 lb basenji. There’s no warmer feeling than feeling her rest her chin on my shoulder when it’s time to wake up in the morning. And nothing is more comforting than crying for two days after a break up, and my little baby refusing to leave my side, even following me to the bathroom and standing guard on the bath mat. Everyday, I tell Markie that she’s my best friend and, in her way, she lets me know I’m hers.

-Alison Hoskins

 

 

MOLLY

I grew up having dogs but when I moved out and started my own family, we decided we were more cat people. We had a darling older cat named Brownie. In June 2013 we discovered at 15 years young he was diabetic. We did absolutely everything we could to try to help him manage this disease. Insulin shots twice a day, fancy food, home blood sugar monitoring and sadly on September 30, 2013 we had to make that super hard decision to let him go. After that we decided we were going to mourn that loss and we weren’t sure that we could get another animal yet. We started playing around with the idea of getting a dog in October.

We looked around at Wayside waifs and found a bloodhound mix that we really loved but we found out we had a weight limit with our landlord. After talking to our landlord to get a clearer idea of what the weight/ breed type they would let us have we came back to Wayside Waifs to look at their smaller dogs. We had looked online and really thought we wanted this rat terrier mix named Rat. We definitely would have changed that name. After going into the meeting room it turns out he didn’t like our 6 year old son. Then we saw Molly, a dachshund/ beagle mix. We didn’t notice her when we first walked by (I’m not sure how because she was barking really loud). We took her in the meeting area and she was still barking quite a bit but after 5 minutes or so she started to calm down. The volunteer said that wasn’t like her and that she had barked all day every day since she had arrived at Wayside 5 days earlier. She was a transfer from the Emporia, KS Animal Shelter. We decided that she was the one. On the car ride home she was so quiet and content. My 6 year old was able to eat a kids meal in the backseat and she just laid beside him. I’m not sure who chose who that day. It’s like she was meant to be with us and she brightens our day every day and always has those adorable dachshund eyes.

-Amanda Eichler

 

 

PIPPIN

Hi..I am Pippin aka Pippin Marie and Pipsqueak. I was found walking the streets looking like “a giant mat of fur and a tongue”. Great Plains took me in and when I was shaved I weighed about three pounds. I have no bottom jaw and no teeth and the vet says that my knee is on sideways. Pretty tough for a girl to be alone because I can’t really eat on my own. My mommy’s daughter worked there and sent my pic to her right away.

My mom came and got me and they said I may not survive. Well my mom would have none of that. For about three months all I did was sleep cos I was so weak. Mom fed me canned food four times a day. I started feeling better and then I started getting fat..I like to eat. The shelter didn’t think anyone would want me so my mom adopted me. I was so happy!  I will always need to be hand fed and I can be a little sloppy with my food..no jaw :/.  And I Have to sleep right next to mom to keep her warm, under the covers of course. I have to drink several times a night because my tongue gets dried out which means I have to go out alot. I can’t get in and out of bed because of my knee but mom helps me with that. I am The happiest most loving dog ever. I can be feisty and won’t put up with too much crap from another dog..I take pretty much and if I bite I can’t hurt any one cos of no teeth or jaw! My mom takes me everywhere with her in a basket.

When mom was cleaning I was trying to jump in every kind of basket…even ones way to small 🙂  I have an adopted brother named Old Man Oscar Johnson that came from wayside.  Strange…he was found walking the streets at three pounds too so we have alot in common. He is blind so he goes in the basket everywhere with us. We cuddle all night and try to get closest to mom (sometimes we accidentally kick her out). My whole new family fight over who gets to hold me…I am a beautiful princess they say. They all gather around and are so happy when I roll around on the floor scratching itches…my face face itches a lot and I have so much fun doing my “prawn rolls” I don’t even know what that means???? I weigh about 8 pounds now…can you imagine how starved and scared I was? Yea..and oscar too, poor guy. Well we are both lucky to have found homes where we are safe, loved, spoiled….downside..we have to share our bed with mom (jk)! My mom says she wouldn’t take a million dollars for me and I believe it. My mom’s eyes light up every time I get her attention. I am so adorable and silly…my mom tells me that all the time! Yep, there will Never be another Pippin…..I am the Princess of the world…not conceited…just saying…..Have a great day everyone from the happiest little dog ever, Pippin ♡

-Cathi Phillips

 

 

SHINRAE

I have worked with Shiba rescue for years now and am one of the few for them in the Kansas City area. I got a message from Shannon at Kansas City Pet Project about a shiba in need. She said she’s very scared and was hoping I could foster her or help find a foster for her while she was in custody as part of a court case. I went to go see her and my heart broke for how scared she really was. I was prepared for aggressive/fear biting scared, not for the shy and cowering in the corner scared. This little girl was so scared she’d poo all over herself when picked up let alone have a leash on her. I took pictures of her to show my husband and ask for permission to foster her in our already cramped house. He saw her pics and said yes as how could you look at her face and say no.

We brought this little girl in the Sunday before Thanksgiving and began her journey to being happy, safe and loved. We decided to take the suggestion from a friend to name her Shinrai which means trust, faith, confidence, reliance and newcomer in Japanese (origin of the Shiba Inu) in hopes one day she’d live up to her beautiful name. Shinrai would bite at the leash when it would pull tight and cower in her kennel wanting to be invisible when we would walk into her bedroom. The first couple of days she wouldn’t eat or drink and wouldn’t relax when we carried her from her room to outside and back as she wouldn’t walk on her own.

We got the note in January that Shinrai is now able to be adopted so what did we want to do….continue to foster, adopt her or what. I asked my Husband what were his thoughts and I could see his heart breaking at the thought of giving her up. He’d been her main caregiver and had fallen in love with her. We agreed that in the two months we had her she had come to far to not see her finish her journey. She now seeks out attention from us, plays with the house dogs (sometimes even initiating it), walks fine on a leash, cuddles up for naps in bed with us, and the once tucked so far between her legs that you couldn’t tell she had a tail is now riding proudly on her back as a shiba tail should. Shinrai still has a ways to go, but this young girl has our family cheering her on forever. Shinrai’s adoption was finalized on 2/13/14, the anniversary of my Husband and mine first date 6 years ago.

-Rachelle Steele

 

 

 

SYDNEY

My life changed forever on 1/4/14. I had contemplated getting a dog for at least 3 years. I did a lot of searching online, but hadn’t been able to work up the courage to commit to a dog. Then I met Sydney (at the time her name was Michelle) at a KC Pet Project adoption event at Petco. She stole my heart. Sydney was shy and timid due to being treated poorly the first 6 months of her life. I just kept petting her and talking to her. I looked at my friend who came with me and I said “I can’t go home without her”. From there it was a whirlwind of signing papers and getting debriefed on her history. It has been two months since I adopted her and she has grown leaps and bounds from that shy timid girl in Petco. My mom often says that Sydney reminds her of me when I was a little girl. Shy and timid until I found the right environment to flourish in. I love this little girl a lot!

-Brooke Bejan

 

TRIXIE

My name is Trixie I am pomeranian and schnauzer mix. My parents rescued me from a very bad shelter which they didn’t know at the time but I came from Forever Friends shelter.  I am three years old and I am full of loving energy.  I love kids, other dog friends anyone I come in contact with. I go camping,  I like to ride in the car or just being happy.  My mom said she fell in love with my big eyes and sweet personality and wanted to rescue me. But I think I rescued them.
Thanks for reading my story. 
Love, Trixie

-Tiffany Lanier

 

 

ZOEY

In August of 2012, I had knee surgery and was off work recuperating.  It was during this time, our family had to say goodbye to Duke, our 15 yr old schnauzer who succumbed to kidney failure.  Duke had been a part of the family since he was 4 months old.  RJ who is our other fur-person, a 7 yr old schnoodle and most importantly, Duke’s buddy, was lonely.  It was a sad time in the Crain household.

That September, we decided to start fostering through a local rescue, Midwest Animal ResQ.  On the foster application, we specified that we adored the schnauzer breed.  For our first foster, I went on a Friday as instructed to pick up “Murphy”, the schnauzer mix from Prairie Paws Animal Shelter.  This dog as I was told was 8 months old, had been previously adopted out and then returned after 2 weeks because the chihauhua in the current home scared her! I picked up a timid and frightened girl who didn’t like the shelter and looked pitiful.  The shelter described her as sweet and lovable-a gal who just wanted to snuggle and be held.  Once home, RJ and “Murphy” fast became friends.  RJ allowed her to snuggle and stay close.  I think that the dogs understood each others immediate needs.  Within 24 hours, we all became attached to her sweet demeanor and willingness to please.  She gave love unconditionally and that helped us all to start healing.  We were contacted that someone was interested in adopting her.  We decided as a family that she was already home and we choose to become her new adoptive family! Over the next few days, “Murphy” became more confident and quite ornery.  We changed her name to “Zoey” to match her spunkiness.

Today, Zoey is 2 years old and is quite the comical, spunky and lovable pup.  She loves her toys and usually has one favorite toy at a time……the toy we nickname “her baby”.  She carries her baby with her from room to room and even takes it to bed with her.   Zoey has many other talents including destuffing any stuffed toy as well as destuffing any stuffed pet bed.  Her all time favorite activity is searching out kleenexes.  She does not discriminate whether the kleenex is new or used.   She shreds them and occasionally ingests them.

We think Zoey is part cat because she will chase a laser light incessantly and she can climb onto the kitchen table when left unsupervised.  Zoey loves bananas and will sit and shake for treats.  She enjoys long walks and chasing squirrels and birds.  She especially likes to greet her human family first thing in the morning by licking everyone’s toes.  Zoey and her fur-brother RJ have a morning ritual of chase through the house.  Zoey encourages RJ to mantain his youthfulness.  We truly believe that Zoey is RJ’s buddy like RJ was once Duke’s buddy. Zoey is special in that she is an excellent foster sister to foster dogs that come through our home periodically.  While RJ sets the serious pack tone and is a rule follower, she’s the instigator of playtime!  Zoey is constantly teaching the foster dogs how to play and live life!  For example, she taught Chuck, a previous foster who was a breeder release and had only known life in a cage, how to play chase and tug o war.   She helped him by setting a good example of what a happy, playful and trusting dog should act like.   Zoey allows dogs of all sizes to be part of the Crain pack.  She makes the best of any foster situation with her fun spirit! We adore Zoey and her loving, loyal attitude.  She gives the best kisses to both her human family and her fur-brother.  We will always be thankful for Duke and how he was part of our life.  Our family’s pet loss opened the door to a new chapter of rescuing and adopting Zoey.

-Lisa Crain

 

 

 

 

ZUSI

My husband and I have a friend that volunteers at a shelter, so we often have irresistible dog photos popping up in our news feed on Facebook. The day Zusi’s picture showed up, we knew we had to have her. Zusi was one in a litter of five feral dogs that were found in a brush pile in the woods.

The day her foster parent was coming to meet us, she actually called to say she was running late because Zusi had become car sick. She “was afraid we wouldn’t want her if she had vomit on her,” which was hardly the case. We couldn’t wait to hold our new girl – vomit and all! Zusi has been an amazing addition to our family since, and of course we can’t imagine our life without her. She is named after Graham Zusi because my husband and I are such Sporting KC fans. My husband had her help him hold the “will you marry me?” sign when he proposed. We haven’t been on a vacation yet that we didn’t come back early from because we missed her too much. And, in August, Zusi will become a big sister as we have our first child! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve told my husband we needed to hire Kaye to take professional pictures of our girls. We could use a Zusi canvas for our nursery! Zusi was adopted from 2nd chance pets on 2/10/13.

-Laura Hippe