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Second Chances - CHS Alumni Stories
We love to hear from our CHS alumni - send us stories and/or photos of the dog, cat or other animal you've adopted from CHS. Please let us know if we can include your name with the story (simply state in your email: "I give CHS permission to use my name along with my adoption story"). Email (just click on link below) your photos (as attachments) and stories to: or mail your stories and photos to: Coastal Humane Society, 30 Range Road, Brunswick ME 04011 |
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Current Stories ...
Lakota, Blizzard and Tornado, Brady, Pumpkin and Misty, Podie, Jimmy, Skye and Roz, Lolly, Picasso, Zoe, Shiloh and Angel |
Lakotah (Loki) (May/2007) Lakotah's story embodies the phrase "Forever Home". Constant reassurance, through action, that he was truly in his forever home, transformed this lost little soul into a confident, calm family member. Please read this wonderful story. 
My husband and I adopted Lakotah (ne Hanson) in March 2006. The little guy was in bad shape. He had chronic diarrhea, skin rashes, and teeth full of plaque. Frequent head shaking caused a little bald patch on the top of his head bloody sores on the tips of his ears. Having been surrendered by several different owners, he was mistrustful of Joe and me to start. He eyed us suspiciously through the slats in his crate for the entire one-hour drive home to Buxton. Lakotah, or Loki for short, came with a rebellious streak. He jumped up on the kitchen counter one time and gnawed into my plastic travel coffee mug. During one cold, dark early-morning walk, he ran off; when I caught up with him, he had caught a wild turkey (which my husband and I cooked and ate). But Loki bonded with us most evenings by sitting in one of our laps while we read or watched TV. And every day after work for months, my husband practiced with Loki to teach him his commands. I soothed his skin and ears with lotion and Band-Aids, and brushed his teeth several times a week. We must have tried 10 brands of dog food before we found one that didn't upset his sensitive system. Today Loki is a healthy, well-behaved, confident dog. He enjoys car trips and meeting new people because he knows he will always go home with us, his humans. He still has a bit of rebel in him, but he's so much calmer now that he can relax in the knowledge that he has a family who will always take care of him. That and a warm lap to snuggle into. -Dorothy and Joseph, Buxton 
Blizzard and Tornado (May/2007) Blizzard and Tornado (aka Bugs and Peter) really hit the jackpot - a new home and a loving family (including their own sassy cat!) Two years ago I adopted two darling brother bunnies from the Coastal Humane Society. They were formerly named Bugs and Peter, which I promptly named Blizzard (because he was albino) and Tornado . Previous to the adoption my Dad and I had built a hutch in which we had rescued a squirrel with a broken leg and nursed it back to life.So when we came home with them we put them in the hutch outside and ran over to Brooke's pet store and got them a pen. When we placed them in the pen, then started to bink (which we didn't know they did - it's a kind of jumping and turning in mid-air.) At first, they were really shy and hid all the time, but soon came out to play with us. After a while, Tornado started to bite, and we're still training him not to. It has worked very well, which shows rabbits are very smart and easy to train. Every winter when it gets cold, we move them inside. We also have a cat, and he loves chasing them, but they hardly mind. Instead, them jump on his tail. Right now, I'm watching them running around. They are a wonderful part of our lives! Liddy A, Bath 
Brady (and his new sister and brother!) (July/2007) We love updates on how our CHS alumni are doing. Brady's owners sent us a fantastic update on Brady (named after Tom Brady) in December, 2006. WELL ... just check out Brady today with his newest little pals. Thank-you Tony and Maria. Hi! We recently adopted Buddy the Beagle in December (now Brady) and wrote in with a success story in December. If you recall, there was one cat named Petey living with us and they formed a great ‘brotherly” bond. Being the animal lovers we are, we decided to bring in another cat. We ended up rescuing a brother/sister cat combo from a shelter in Kennebunk. Brady has taken to them and loves them like his own brother and sister…attached are a few pictures of what is a rare trait in a beagle but then again, Brady is quite the character…thank you again for Brady, he’s been everything we hoped for and more!! Thanks again…Tony and Maria 
Pumpkin and Misty (July/2007) Pumpkin's owners came to CHS to get a kitten. They came home with the kitten ... and someone else in need too! Please, enjoy this heartwarming story. I've been meaning for ages to send you an update on the girls (Pumpkin on left, Misty on right). I went to CHS in 2001 to get a kitten for my son after our cat passed away. And the I discovred the kitten's mother was also at CHS. Misty (we kept her name) was a stray who had just weaned a litter of kittens. You could see all her ribs and her enormous eyes seemed to fill her whole head. She was so sweet and gentle that I had to bring her home too. We think she's about 8 or 9 now, and has been comfortably plump ever since. She is definitely the Queen of the house and can lounge like nobody's business, but watch out when it's "frisky time"! The "kitten", named Pumpkin by my son, is now big and muscular, but still comes to Misty to get her face washed after every nap. We are delighted with our CHS cats and wanted to share. Dawn, Paul & Jonathan W. 
Podie (August/2007) This email comes from the adopter of Podie - one who obviously knows what TRUE BEAUTY really is! Thank-you - this is a fun and heartwarming story and Podie is obviously one remarkable little cat!! This is the story of "Podie Goose Monkey Head Schneidewind" adopted by Sam Schneidewind In December of 2002 I visited the humane society while I was home on vacation from college. I had no intention of adopting an animal, but I love animals so I would visit to give attention to the animals. My intentions quickly changed when I walked into the "cat room". I am a dog person, but it was love at first sight when I laid my eyes on the cutest cat I had ever seen. All of the cats were out of their cages, and in the middle of the room was a fluffy white cat with a smashed in face. I bent down to pet her and she let out the raspiest meow. At first I quickly took my hand back thinking she was mad, but then I realized that she was just saying "hello." I found her open cage and I read the sign that said "Please don't judge me for the way that I look. I am actually very sweet". She had two names on her cage- "Podie" and "Lucky". She was 6 years old. I thought Podie fit her well. I immediately applied to adopt her and that night I asked my father to pay the fee as my Christmas present. I went to the store and got all of the supplies I needed and, first thing in the morning, I waited while the doors opened at the Humane Society. I realize now that we were a match made in heaven. She traveled back and forth to college in Pennsylvania with me. She even came with me on a spring break to Florida. In 2004, when I graduated from college, she traveled with me here to San Diego, California where we live now. My fiance has 2 cats, her sister and brother, but she likes people more. We have a mobile groomer come every 4 months and groom her. She will be 11 years old now and she is still going strong. Like I said, I am a "dog person" and I was lucky to find my "dog-cat." Some people ask me if she is a dog...really...they think she's a dog (because of her ambiguous species look). When someone says "Can I have kisses?" she licks them. When someone says "You wanna brushin'?" she comes running, meowing her raspy meow at the top of her lungs. Her tongue sticks out a lot. She snores. When she tries to do cat things, like jump on window sills, she falls. When I come home from work, though, there is no better animal greeter than her. Some people may have walked by her cage because of the way she looks. Many people who meet her still say "Ohmigosh- what is that?" or " Wow- what's wrong with her?" or "That is the ugliest cat I've ever seen." I agree that she is odd looking and perhaps not the prettiest cat in the world, but, to me, Podie has been, and still is, one of the most beautiful parts of my life. And we have a pretty good life! 
Jimmy (aka Fluke) (October/2007) Thank-you Charity - Jimmy could not look happier! Dear Coastal Humane Society: This is an update on a little guy you knew as "Fluke". He now answers to the name of Jimmy. I just wanted to say thanks for all you do. I know I can't imagine not having my little buddy around! Charity 
Skye (aka Tri) and Rozzie (aka Roscoe) (December/2007) Tri and Roscoe were a bonded pair of "Senior" dogs up for adoption here at CHS. Well ... we try to explain that "senior" is merely a term that descibes their birthdates - NOT their vitality. And no story could confirm this point more than the story of Tri and Roscoe, who are now the teacher's helpers. We LOVE this story... Last July I lost my 12 year old collie, Jake. He was 2 1/2 when we adopted him through the Collie Rescue League of New England. My younger collie, Marggie (7 years old, and adopted through CRLNE when she was a year old) was lonely, and so was I. We had had at least 2 collies at a time for the past twenty years. Within a week my daughter and I began checking animal shelters and CRLNE for a companion. I wasn't looking for a small dog - after all, our canine companions had all been 60-95 lbs. for 20 years! But when I saw Skye (aka Tri) and Rozzie (aka Roscoe) on the CHS website, I couldn't forget them. My daughter and I drove up to meet them, and then adopted them both the very next day. Both shelties settled into their new home instantly. Marggie was thrilled to have playmates, and the two "mini dogs" both have boundless energy despite their advanced ages of 10 and 11. Rozzie definitely is "top dog" even though he's half the size of Marggie. He always gets his ball... any ball.... or toy... or anything delectable he happens to find in the barn (yuck!). Roz and Skye are perpetually happy - it makes us smile just to walk in the door and be greeted by them. No matter what Roz is doing, if he hears the words "Where's the ball?" he jumps to attention and scours the house, looking for a ball. He's the best fetching dog I've ever owned - and the most insistent as well. Skye is the cheerleader - she enjoys the chase (accompanied by constant barking) more than the fetching part (much like Marggie). All three dogs love coming up to my studio where I teach piano, and my students are thrilled to have them there. They greet everyone excitedly, and then lay down under the piano till the next student arrives. I've included a few photos of all the dogs, so you can see how well they are doing! Skye and Rozzie have lost weight and gained energy since they've been with us. We are delighted to have them as part of our family. Nancy W. D 
Lolly (December/2007) Lolly's owner summed up beautifully what caring for and loving a shelter animal (aka new family member) can be all about: Dear Coastal Humane Society, This is Lolly a dog we adopted from you a few years ago. As you can see she is living well. There have been some challenges. She was deathly afraid of men at first and would urinate on the spot when men came into the house. She has since made friends with many men, with the help of my nephew and neighbors. She is a strong personality and sometimes a challenge, and the biggest blessing ever. She has a wonderful life with long walks and drives and run of her house. Thanks for helping bring her into our lives. Gail 
Picasso (December/2007) Adopting a new animal can be a challange in the beginning - this story emphasizes just how much patience and perseverance pay off. Thank-you Mary Lou! Hello dear folks at CHS. Attached are three photos of Picasso who I adopted from you in August. He and I and my two other cats struggled a bit - much fighting, much spraying - at the start, but I was determined to make it work because I absolutely adore this loving cat! I have been very patient and non-punitive, very loving, dole out treats for peeing in the box, use lots of Feliway and many litter boxes and things have gotten much better. There is no more fighting and only occasional spraying when something very exciting seems to be happening outside (?). It helps that with the cold weather all of the windows are closed and the outside smells stay outside! I haven't dared to put the rugs back down in the house - I'll wait a little longer for that. In the meantime, Picasso and the other cats are spending leisurely time sprawled on my lap or in front of the fire..content to stay in and lounge. Thank you for all the hard work you do. Warmly, Mary Lou C. 
Zoe (December/2007) Thank-you Marina. What a treat to see such a loved little CHS alumni solidly ensconced in her forever home. We adopted Zoe 10 years ago from the CHS - just thought you'd like to know she is a very loved and spoiled little beagle! Marina 
Shiloh (December/2007) Shiloh was adopted from CHS at the age of 16. Her new owner summed up the experience in the following beautiful paragraph. It could be an ode to all the senior dogs ever adopted from a shelter. love them. But there's a sweetness that comes in a gray muzzle and a softness in the older eyes that can't be matched and makes every day worth it. No doubt I'll be adopting a senior again." I adopted Shiloh from the CHS in August of 2007, just a short time after I had lost my Springer Spaniel on his 6th birthday. I was devastated. I saw Shiloh on petfinder and immediately took the 2 hour trip to see her. The wonderful folks at CHS said that she had had 2 applications on her but thinking she was about 16 years old folks did not want to take a chance on such an old girl as her. They said that she was not eating well, she only weighed about 23 pounds, was very thin and weak, she also tested positive for Lyme disease and was nearly deaf. I took her home with me that day. She has completed her round of meds for Lyme disease, eats chicken Soup for the Soul Senior twice a day along with healthy banana snacks. She has gained 8 pounds, she eats very well, she just wants company when she eats. She loves to go for walks, absolutely loves to ride in the car and be with me no matter what I am doing or where I am. She sleeps with me on my warm water bed at night, she lays with me on the couch when we snuggle to watch a movie eating popcorn. My love for her has grown every day since I have had her. S ince adopting Shiloh, I have taken in 2 other senior dogs from rescue and she gets along well with them as well as a cat that I also have rescued. I will not hesitate to adopt a senior animal anytime in the future. My whole family just adores her, when she visits my daughters home she loves Shiloh also and allows her to lay on her couch (she doesn't even let her own dog do that). I wish to thank the CHS staff for bringing Shiloh into my life. Shiloh has found a forever home and I hope that I have her for many years. Thanks CHS. Paula J Cyr Palmyra ME 
Angel (December/2007) For several years now, CHS has taken in and found homes for dogs from severely overcrowded Southern shelters. Meet Angel - she is from a Georgia shelter where she was given only 5 days to find a new home before she would be euthanized. Thank-you, Angel's new family, for welcoming this Georgia belle into your home and helping to make it possible for CHS to reach out and help our Southern canine neighbors! You are helping to "spread the light" of humane animal treatment - and Angel is a truly, truly lucky little dog to be a part of your family! Happy New Year! My name is Angel and I was adopted by my Forever Family from CHS in August of 2007. I've been busy playing with my squeaky toys, taking lots of walks, napping on my big pillows and my special couch, chewing on bones and best of all...soaking up lots and lots of love! Because I came to Maine from Georgia, this is my first experience with snow and I absolutely love playing in it! It's so much fun to dig tunnels and chase snow balls! Thank you for saving me from being euthanized and giving me such great care while I waited for my Forever Family to take me home. I'm happy, healthy and I love my new family. My wish for 2008 is that many, many other pets will find their Forever Families and live happily ever after, just like me. Happy 2008! Love, Angel |
