Adoption Stories
Champaign County Humane Society
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Sadie
I just wanted to let you know about our adoption experience with the Champaign County Humane Society. We adopted a small dog on July 5, 1991 from the society. When my husband took our children to pick her up, he couldn’t believe I picked out such a puny sickly looking dog. Needless to say, I don’t think we could ever find another one like her.
We just had to have our Sadie put to sleep this past March in Tennessee where we now live. She turned into the best dog anyone could ever want, so loving, so playful. She was a wonderful companion and we took her everywhere with us. She enjoyed all the travels with us and everyone fell in love with her. I am not ready for another one yet, but I hope someday to find another like her.
Thank you for taking her in so she would become a part of our life.
Linda Kirkland, May 10, 2005
I recently visited the CU Humane website and saw that you are collecting stories...
I wanted to share mine.
I adopted my dog Coatey (formerly known as Indy at the shelter) back in late july. I had been searching for the 'right' dog for awhile when I went to the shelter. I had visited the shelter for a couple of weeks to find dogs I would like to be already adopted. So, one day I went and I saw this dog, which I liked very much. But was available, pending evaluation. The staff asked me to stop by the next day... when I did, he had a sign "do not visit". To make a story short, the dog tried to bite some of the staff and was no longer available for adoption. In the meantime, I continue to visit with the dog and got along great.
He is very obedient, but definitively a one-owner-only dog with a strong terrier temperament. I would describe him as fearless and very protective dog, highly energetic and courageus, affectionate (with whoever he chooses to trust) and somewhat willfull. Very loyal. I am very happy with him.
Ever since I took him on my vacations, my family asks me to send them pictures, so, I put together a website with pictures of him. http://netfiles.uiuc.edu/carrerom/www/Coa I have pictures of him at home, at the beach, etc.
Just wanted to share my story. Thanks for your time and attention
Frankli, April 12, 2005
Last weekend my family and I visited the CCHS in search of a new member for our family. We have a one year old German Shepherd Chow mix who needed a friend to keep her company while the adults are at work and the kids are at school. The dog rooms in the shelter were more than full. My youngest daughter wanted to pick out a puppy, but after explaining how much the older dogs needed homes too she changed her mind. We saw many dogs that had been there only a short time and looked like they would have new homes any day. Perdie, a lab mix girl had been there for six months though. She was only a year old and she had spent half of her short life in a cage! I wondered why she hadn't been adopted. She seemed full of energy and very healthy to say the least. Her paperwork said she was good with children, men, women, and other dogs. How could such a friendly dog not find a home?
We decided to take her for a walk to get to know her a little. She is VERY strong and likes to pull on her leash, so that was probably one deterrent for potential adopters. Hey, after six months in a cage how would you react? She didn't seem to interested in getting to know us. I figured she had been taken on walks by so many potential families only to be left at the shelter that she just wanted to enjoy whatever outside time she could. If she had a family to love her and walk her a lot I just knew she would change. I couldn't bear to let her go on in such a state.
We filled out the paperwork and had an introduction with our Shepherd mix on going home day with very pleasant results. They loved each other right away. During the car ride she settled down quite a bit. Like most dogs she adores the wind in her fur. I did keep her doggie belted in the back seat for her safety as well as mine. When we arrived at her new home she made herself comfortable right away. We took a long walk and after a bit she settled down. I discovered that once she had dispersed some of her pent up energy she was a very attentive and affectionate. She already new several commands such as sit, stay, shake, down. She has now been part of our family for almost one week and I can't imagine having a better pet! All she wants is to play, pet, and please. I love waking up to her wagging happy tail every day and having a jogging buddy. Now I only hope our famil makes her as happy as she makes all of us.
Thank you so much!
Alissa Urie, April 8, 2005
My girlfriend Lynne always wanted a cat and in her first year of graduate school in Fall 1999 we ventured out to the C-U Humane Society to see if we could find a good match. Lynne decided that she wanted to give an adult cat a chance and limited her options to adult cats. We visited with several until we came across Ms. Figaro (named Raisin by the CUHS). I grew up with dogs and felt no fondness for cats and their perceived selfish attitudes. Naturally, sensing my distaste toward cats, Figaro came to visit with me. I obliged and petted her. After about five minutes, Lynne commented that if Figaro would come to her to visit, she would consider adopting her. In my kindest voice, I hinted to Figaro that if she went over to Lynne that she might have a new home. Within a couple of minutes, Figaro ventured to visit with Lynne. Knowing Figaro a bit better now, I think she grew tired of my petting and wanted to see what Lynne had to offer, but part of me wants to think she understood what I was hinting to her. Lynne's visit with Figaro was a success and Figaro (Figgy as Lynne calls her at times) had found a new home.
Figaro helped me to see that a lot of the biases and myths about cats are false or severely misinterpreted. Within a year, I ventured to find a new cat for myself and another kitten soon joined my family. Figaro successfully helped Lynne to get through her program as did my two cats (Sebastien Bach and Geovanni Fred) through my own program. I think Lynne and Figaro were lucky to find each other. Figaro was even featured as one of the "Cats of the Month" in the 2002 ASPCA Calendar.
Even now as Lynne struggles through her last year of her DVM program, Figaro does her magic to help Lynne through it all. The "cat family" has grown now to five strong with the latest addition of two previously abandoned kitten brothers (Gizmo and Widget) with thoughts of another rescue dog. All five of our cats are rescue animals and I firmly believe that these animals know they have been given a second chance and each in its own way shows gratitude on a daily basis.
E. Hoon Shim, March 11, 2005
I adopted Thurman last fall from the Humane Society. I had originally come out to look at another cat, but that cat wasn't for me.
I then saw Thurman laying in his cage, taking up most of the room (he's rather large), and looking utterly depressed. It was love, at least for me, at first sight. Thurman had been surrendered by his previous owner because he or she had too many animals, so apparently Thurman was the one who had to go. I took Thurman home with me and introduced him to my other two cats, Jax and Friskie, who are also adoptees from the Humane Society. Thurman lived under the bed for three weeks, but eventually came out and is now best friends with Friskie. He and Jax are still trying to figure out who is the top cat. He loves his treats, and comes running when I open the treat jar. In the information I obtained from the Humane Society, it recommended that Thurman lose some weight. He hasn't lost any weight, and probably has gained some, but he's been a great addition to the family. I highly recommend to anyone thinking about adopting a cat to consider an older cat-they are usually well-trained and easy to deal with compared to all of the kitten issues you have to address, and they are usually grateful for any attention given to them.
Rochelle A. Funderburg, March 9, 2005
I saw on the CU Humane Society website that you're looking for "success stories". Well, we have the best little furry family member ever·
I found Belle on the website on August 6th, 2004. I was looking for a very small, adult poodle mix, and she fit the bill. I called to see if she had been adopted yet and was told that there was a lot of interest so I'd better hurry if I was serious. I took my lunch hour early and took off for Urbana from my office in St. Joseph. When I got to the shelter, they directed me to where she was, and we took a walk outside. I've never seen a dog so excited to get outside. I thought she might be bigger than what I was wanting (all 11 lbs of her), but she was awfully sweet. I called my brother, a veterinarian in St. Louis, and asked some questions about the Shih-Tzu/Poodle mix. He confirmed that she would be a good match for our situation at home, environment, etc. We went back in, reluctantly on her part, and I decided to complete an application. As they told me I could come back to pick her up the next day, I said goodbye to her, but I didn't have the heart to put her back in her kennel, so one of the staff members took her for me. I've never heard such a pathetic sound as she barked desperately as I left.
The next day at noon, my husband and I showed up to pick up Belle. I immediately went back to get her and she practically burst she was so excited. When we went back to the front to complete the paperwork, several people asked me if that was Belle. I answered yes and though it was interesting that she was so popular for some reason. Then we noticed a friend of ours was there as well looking at the cats. She told us that Belle had been the WCIA Channel 3 Pet of the Week that week. So we gladly accepted our little celebrity, signed our papers, and headed for happiness.
Our first stop was at PetSmart, to stock up on everything she could possibly want. One of the employees there also asked us if that was Belle. We once again said yes, with a surprised look on our faces, I'm sure. Our little princess was famous! That evening, as we were exploring the back yard, a neighbor came over to meet Belle and again recognized her. She's been treated like a celebrity ever since.
She is the absolute best sweetie ever. She came to us fully trained, and well trained. She loves baths and even enjoys handing us one foot at a time to wash. She plays fetch for literally hours on end, and never is more than 3 feet away at any time we're home. But her favorite thing, next to napping with my husband, is to go "bye-bye". She absolutely adores going anywhere at all. She goes everywhere possible with us, traveling on all our trips, and behaving beautifully every time. She has a particular perch in any car, on the driver's left leg, leaning on the door. She is most definitely a "Mama's girl", but loves her "Mister Muncher" also. Since I now work at home, she enjoys sleeping on my desk or on the couch in my office while I work. She's the first "grand-dog" in the family and the grandparents also adore her.
We could not be happier, and I thank God every day as I pray for her long healthy life. I cannot imagine life without her. And I never thought I'd say that about any pet.
Thanks for letting me brag on my princess!
Randa-Kay and Muncher Woods, February 12, 2005
First, thanks for doing this compilation, can't wait to see some the results.
This story is about our youngest child, Munchy who was brought into the vet school clinic at 4 weeks old. She had been run over by a tractor and was deemed to be euthanized by the doctor on call. Luckily a 4th year student felt she could save her by personally nursing her. Within a week Munchy was doing well enough to be adopted. My wife (Lara), a 1st year student at the time, of course couldn't resist such cuteness!
Now Munchy is going on 3yrs and is as healthy as a dog can be. She has a big sister Roma who came from CCHS and two older sibling kitties from a Humane Society in Connecticut.
Munchy is currently helping out the UofI veterinary college with their outreach program. Starting in February Munchy will be touring local high schools talking about careers in veterinary medicine and promoting animal welfare.
Maneesh & Lara Shanbhag, January 21, 2005
© 2005 - Champaign County Humane Society