Second Chance Animal Shelter, Inc.

Second Chance Animal Shelter, Inc.
111 Young Road, P.O. Box 136
East Brookfield, MA 01515
(508) 867-5525 * (508) 867-5019 (FAX) * Email

HAPPY ENDINGS

Kaylee fka Shyla	September 1, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Shyla's new name is Kaylee. Kaylee has been great, she is a wonderful dog. It is awesome to see her grow up (even though we would like to see her as small as she was when we got her). She has a great personality, the only bad behaviors she exhibits are jumping and puppy biting our hands, she will hopefully outgrow these things soon. We took her to puppy class, and we are now taking her to Canine Good Citizen Class and she loves playing with all the other dogs. We absolutely love her!

Hooch	September 1, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thanks so much for checking in. Hooch has adjusted beautifully and our family adores him. Fortunately, we are also in touch with Cindy, who due to unforeseen circumstances, had to surrender Hooch. She came to visit on his birthday to bring him some birthday treats! We can't thank you enough for placing Hooch with us. He is truly a beloved member of our family! Kate B.

Honey	September 1, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Honey is doing very well. She has been a wonderful addition to our family. She has adjusted very well to traveling to the Cape with us as well as down to visit our relatives in western MA and soccer games. She gets along well with my sisters dog (another rescue pom mix from Dakin Pioneer Valley), my other sisters cats and our neighbors dog. She's a very social little being. She is enthusiastic for her daily walks and I could not have asked for a better dog for my children. Honey sleeps every night in my daughters room either on her bed or under it. She has won the heart of my very stoic husband and is always so excited to see him when he arrives home from work. It really makes all of us laugh at their nightly little routine. My husband has a very stress filled job and I truly believe she has helped him learn to relax a little bit. I am ecstatic about her. I let everyone know that we got her from Second Chance. Thank you for checking in on her. Heather L.

Jenna	September 1, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Jenna is doing great --- she is so very fun -- we love her. Puppy school was fun -- she was the "life of the party" -- our boys (who are 6 and 8 years of age) really enjoy having a puppy who is quickly becoming a "dog". Thanks for the great 'welcome home packet' -- we recommend your shelter to everyone we know. All the best, Angela M.

Dante and Trixie fka Chris and Sapphire	August 31, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Here is a recent picture of Dante (fka Chris) and Trixie (fka Sapphire). It took a while to get them to get them both sitting still long enough to get a good picture! They are both loving their forever home and the kids love them to death. They are both very playful, love to cuddle and not timid whatsoever. Our older cat is starting to get more used to them. Thanks so much for helping them become part of our family and home.

Sam and Toebe	August 27, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Sam is doing great and has had no problems adjusting to his new home. He is never far from his new buddy Toebe (fka Eagle) and when not running around the house playing with each other they find a cozy spot to curl up and sleep. He is everything we were hoping for when we adopted him. Thanks Again, The Johanssons

Ricky and Rachel	August 25, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Rick and Rachel are doing great in their new home. It's been four days and they are adapting well to their new world. They love to sit together on their pedestal in front of the window where they get lots of fresh air and sunshine. Thanks to all who took care of them at Second Chance. Special thanks to Joanne for all her help. Best wishes. Tom

Tiki and Boomer	August 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We are all settling into a daily routine. My mother and I can't really remember what life was like before they were adopted. Boomer and Tiki greet me very excited and happily at the door each day when I return from work. Boomer (very aptly named) wails when I leave in the morning. Makes one feel very loved and special. When I am home he follows me from room to room. Tiki is content to stay a little more sedentary usually with my mother. Will keep you posted on the future antics of Tiki & Boomer. Regards, Stephen C.

Little Bear	August 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I just wanted to let you know how Bear is doing here at the Paquin house. We love him so much. He loves the kids and they are always playing with him. I think at his previous home, they fed him table scraps, so feeding him has been a little interesting. He now eats steak, pork chops, chicken mixed with his kibble. He is in heaven! Thank you so much for helping us adopt our little fluffy friend. Sincerly, Lexi P.

Daisy fka Jessie	August 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Daisy previously "Jessie" is doing awesome. She is happy, very active, content and has made herself right at home. We were a little worried how she would adjust with our 2 year old german shepherd and they are such great friends now. She will curl right up in bed with Lucy and nap all day, she is such our little love bug. Thank you for allowing her to be a part of our family. Becky and Chris

Carly fka Rosalita	August 23, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Rosalita, now called Carly, is doing quite well. She is making herself right at home and doing well with her new friends Cisco and Echo. Cisco is my other cat and Echo is my dog. She's not at all shy and loves to be wherever I am. I took her picture playing in a shoebox last night: If the shoebox fits! Jeanne

Pluto fka Kasey	August 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We adopted Pluto (FKA Kasey) and have loved every second of having him in our home. Pluto has adjusted amazingly well - as soon as we brought him home, he stopped being "mouthy" and jumping up on us. He is still full of that puppy energy but we burn a lot of that off with games of fetch, running around in our big backyard and a supply of extra-tough dog toys. The only thing we have to keep an eye on is our socks because he loves to steal them :) He is great company to have home with me during the day and Marc looks forward to having him waiting at the door when he comes home at night. We cannot say Thank You enough for this perfect addition to our family (with an extra special Thank You to Rosemary - the volunteer who helped us when we visited). Holly T. & Marc A.

Max and Katie	August 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Max aka Markie Max and Katie are doing great. They have only been together for 4 days when this picture was taken. As you can see they love to sit on the window sill watching the birds. We adopted Max in March from second chance and went back just last week to adopt Katie. Max is a such character as I know you all remember. Thank you so much for selecting Katie as the best match for us and Max. Tammy & Andy

Amelia	August 17, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Amelia is doing very well. She seems well adjusted to the house and surroundings. Dhe is loving and cute and she and Inky, my big black male kitty are working out the territorial issues. She wants to play and he hasn't warmed up to her yet. She likes to pretend she is fierce and spits at him sometimes. He just looks at me as if to say, "What did I do to deserve this?" I think it will all work out after a while. I'm sending a picture of her. Harold

Betsy	August 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Betsy is doing wonderfully. She's settled in well here. We're so lucky to have found her. She's absolutely amazing with our 2 year-old - just lets her pick her up and drag her around. She loves to cuddle and loves all the attention she gets. She is the perfect cat for our family and we're so thankful to you all for choosing her for us. I've attached a couple of photos. Feel free to use them on the "Happy Endings" page. Thank you again - we will definitely be back in the future when we're ready for another animal. Angela G.

Dunkin fka Marie	August 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Dunkin is a blast. She is into everything! She loves bags, or anything she can crawl into. She has A+ personality. She is always in the plants. I have taken her outside, she is not to crazy about the grass. She hops over it. She is so much fun to watch. She sleeps right between my husband and I. She has a VERY loud meow when she is hungry. Dunkin has fit right in with all of us. We all love her to pieces. Thanks so much for having her there for us. Krissy and Dunkin

Rhianna	August 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, She is doing great! She is a lot of fun and has settled very nicely. She is eating well and has plenty of energy! She's a very beautiful little animal! I've attached a picture of her during a rare moment of rest! Thanks again for a great adoption experience! Holly W.

Gryphon fka Navel	August 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, It has been a little over a year since I adopted Gryphon (FNA Navel). He is wonderful! Had his first birthday 6 months ago. He follows me everywhere like a little shadow. I am thankful every day that I had the chance to adopt him-he makes my family complete. I work in a vet's office and am always encouraging people to visit Second Chance so they can have the same wonderful opportunity I did. Your shelter makes a big difference! Thanks again! Kristy

Flower	August 13, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Flower is doing just great! Flower is a very bouncy and vocal kitten! She loves to run through the downstairs rooms as fast as she can while making all sorts of noises. She can't run past a couch or easy chair without jumping on it and running over it. It is really quite comical. Flower is also very affectionate and loves to be held (provided there is not a cat toy to "kill" or another kitty to chase). We love Flower very much and are glad we adopted her. Patrice, Jim, & Celina

Dusty and Lilah (Sammy and Sheryl)	August 6, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Sammy (left) and Sheryl (right) now go by Dusty and Lilah. The two have adjusted to their new setting so well that it's nearly impossible to keep the little escape artists contained in their room at night, or any other time of the day for that matter, haha, but it's just part of the fun. They're the sweetest little kittens, and are totally happy to just be near you somehow; whether it's sitting in your lap while you're eating, sitting on the desk while you work on the computer, or just watching you from another chair. Lilah bonded pretty quick with our older Siamese cat, seeming to realize that they're very much alike, and Lilah and Dusty basically act like sisters, even though they're two weeks apart in age and from totally separate litters. Lilah even took care of Dusty like a big sister should when Dusty wasn't feeling so great after getting her rabies shot; never leaving her side for a second, and even letting Dusty sleep on her all day (like in the picture) until she felt better the next morning. The two of them are both happy, healthy, and certainly rambunctious. They fit in perfectly here, and we can't thank you enough. :] The Starbard Family

Bella (fka Liberty)	August 5, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Bella, FKA Liberty, is doing just fine and making herself right at home. Jake, my other adopted cat, and her are making progress and slowly becoming friends so he now has a friend to play with. I just had to put my beautiful dog, Shempie, to sleep after 14 years so Bella came into my life at just the right time. A picture of Bella is attached.

Chloe (fka CC)	August 3, 2010 Hi Second Chance, 'CC' has been renamed to Ms. Chloe. And she is just an absolute love! She's adjusting pretty well. She loves to relax on our screened-in porch and just watch the birds and other animals in the back yard. She is very affectionate and she has the most beautiful green eyes. We absolutely love and adore her! Thank you so much Second Chance for everything you do for all of these precious animals. We'll be back soon to pick out a friend for Ms. Chloe. Thank you again. Deborah M.

Purrty and Busta (fka Betty and Steve)	August 2, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Purrty & Busta are doing great! They are very happy and so playful, the adjustment has been great for them. I love them and are such a treat to wake up to and go home to every day! James

Niji and Meeka (fka Stripe and Bell)	July 30, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Here is a picture of Niji and Meeka. They are the best. All is well - thank you. The dogs love them. Thanks again. Laurie and Mike

Zues and Neptune (fka Dan and David)	July 26, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Dan is now known as Zeus (black nose) and his brother David, who's now Neptune (white nose, black goatee on chin) , are two tuxedo brothers whom we adopted a few weeks apart. They are lively and frisky and so much fun to have around! They are each other's best friend and playmate and we look forward to seeing them grow up together. On a funny note, Zeus (Dan) was known as the 'loudmouth' at the shelter for his incredibly loud cries, well once he got home with us, the cries were gone and were replaced by adorable squeaks and eeks. We love the two boys beyond belief and their older sisters Nutmeg who's almost 10 and Lucy (another Second Chance kitty) who's 2 ,have learned to love their new little brothers. I love being a volunteer at Second Chance. It's brought 3 beautiful little lives into our home and we are so very grateful. Tracy & David J.

Bonkers	July 25, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Beautiful Bonkers!

Cheyenne	July 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Mommy said I could use the computer to write to you. :) I love my new home and family! When we left the shelter, they took me to Klems. The kids picked out a bowl for my food and a bowl for my water. I got Greenies, a bone, Pill Pockets, and 3 tennis balls! Daddy got me a big crate and pillow. I don't really like it. :( Mommy and Daddy put me in my crate the first night and I barked and barked. I just wanted to sleep near them! So around 1:30, Mommy took me out to pee and then I slept on the floor in their bedroom. They said I can sleep in there with my pillow now since I'm so good. The kids are so good to me. They take me outside to play, walk and go potty. They are amazed because I don't chew their toys or go potty on the floor! The little boy, Ryan, just loves to hug me and pat my tummy! Sometimes I go in Kelsie's room and hang out on her floor while she uses her computer. Patrick walks me in the back yard so I can go potty and then throws some tennis balls to me. He says I should be on the RedSox I'm so good! When Mommy and Daddy cook, I just lay on the kitchen floor. I LOVE just hanging out with my people! I even watch tv with the family, but NOT on the couch! Today, Mommy and Daddy took me to have my hair done. I look so pretty! I'm even softer than before! The nice groomer cut some of the long hair away from my bottom and on my legs. On Tuesday, Mommy is taking me to the vet. I'm not scared, Mommy said they are very nice at that place. OH! Best of all!! My family is going to take me camping in August! Woof-woof!! :) Thank you again for letting me go home with my new family. They love me so much and I love them too. Woof and wag to you, Cheyenne J.

Oliver (aka Jack)	July 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just a note to let you know how "Oliver" formally known as "Jack" is doing. He is already spoiled and thinks he is king of the house. I just love him to death. He has given us so much laughter and sheer entertainment with his playful antics. He greets me at the door when I come home and he just loves being in the middle of everything. From the minute we brought Oliver home he acted like he'd been here forever. He can be a handful at times, but he is very sweet and affectionate. Thanks again for allowing us to adopt him. He has been the perfect addition to our family since day one! Thanks to Joe too!! Marie B.

Sinatra (aka Kurt)	July 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Here is a picture of Sinatra. His new name comes from the fact that after losing my beloved cat, Seven (formerly of Second Chance as well), I was sad and Sinatra has completely wooed me! We joke that he is a reincarnation of Seven! His personality is so silly and playful. He's sweet, cuddly and very interactive with people, he just loves us! He plays with the kids as if he were a kid himself. He's always ready for a kitty toy or a great nap. It's a true delight to have him and we thank you for the opportunity to welcome such a great kitten into our home and family. Sinatra is pretty talkative as well and sends over a great big "Meow!" (hello!) Thanks so much! The Morans

Lacey (aka Freddie)	July 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We want to thank Second Chance for finding Lacy aka Freddie and bringing her all the way up from Kentucky. She has been in her forever home for over 2 years now. We love her soooooo much. She loves going for rides around the lake on the front of the boat and her walks around town. She also swims very well, and loves to chase dragonflies. We take her to the summer concerts, and all the kids pet her and give her belly rubs. She thinks it is just the best. Thanks again to all the staff and volunteers, especially joe. You all are the best. Carol and Brad

Cookie	July 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I just wanted to send an update to you and all the wonderful people at Second Chance to let you know how Cookie is doing. She has been with us for a month now and is totally reaping the benefits of being the baby of the family. She is everyones favorite friend and the only real problem we have had with her adjusting to our home is sometimes we argue over whose turn it is to walk her.... we all one to be the one walking her. When we began our search for a small dog to replace our beloved 14 and a half year old beagle whose passing left a real hole in our family, we dispaired of ever finding the right match. We wanted to adopt a dog since our large family has many adoptive members. Because the primary caregiver for our new companion would be my mentally challenged brother (who also has balance issues) we needed a smallish dog with simple grooming needs. Since we already had 2 dogs in the home as well as a menagerie of other animals we needed a dog who was friendly with other animals. Finally financial considerations had to be taken into account. Then we discovered Second Chance and we found a shelter eager and enthusiastic to help us find the right fit. From the moment we met Cookie with her red hair, floppy ears, and sweet eyes we fell head over heels! But because of the loving care, and careful observation, Second Chance really helped to choose a dog who could fit our criteria. All the dogs we met during our shelter visit were wonderful. In the excitement over getting a dog however it would have been a mistake to simply take home just any dog because they all needed a home. Your staff really did their homework to make sure the animals in their care could go the right family for them. As you can see from the photos I have attached Cookie is a happy wonderful companion and we have raved about the shelter who took her in, cared for her, and made sure she had the best forever family. Thank you from the entire Blauss-Hanlon family.

Nike (fka Jose)	July 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Here's a picture of our boy. He is doing wonderful and has settled right in as a part of our family. We still have a few minor issues but, we are working with him. We would definitley be lost without him. Thanks again to you and everyone at Second Chance for our wonderful new edition. The Tetreault Family

Susan	July 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just updating you on Susan. She is doing wonderful and we are so happy with her! She has lots of fun, going to the lake for a swim and running around with the neighbor dogs. She also has a bunch of new toys that she moves from one spot to another which is so cute and makes us laugh. She enjoys just hanging out in the yard with us while we are gardening or working around the house, and she absolutely loves to go for rides in the truck! She is a very good girl, gentle, quiet and loving, and we love her very much. Thank you so much for rescuing her and all you do. Lou & Mindy Melendez

Emma (aka Maura)	July 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Here is Emma (aka Maura) whom we adopted from the SCAS. She is thriving and loving every minute with her 'big sister, Lily' who is an adopted rescue, too. She's growing, happy, and constantly on the go. Thanks again for being the organization you are!

Lola (pictured right)	July 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Jen and I wanted to send you some pictures of Lola. She is absolutely amazing! We have taken Lola everywhere and she is so excited. She had a blast at the dog park the other day. She runs around in circles and doesn't stop giving kisses. Thank you so much again, we are so happy!!! Extremely thankful, Jen and Ken

Batman (fka Donnie)	July 8, 2010 Hi Second Chance, He's doing fine dosen't have to go back to the vet for a year he's 4.1 lbs and growing.

Junior	July 5, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Hope you didn’t worry about Junior too much. He has already eased into our family, His jumping and mouthing have both improved. We are working to try to see if we can get him to accept other dogs, As other dogs are a big part of our family. We will start family classes with him this week. Hope you enjoy the pictures. We don’t think he has ever swam before. He is swimming now and jumping off the dock. He had a lot of fun and is very tired and sore. Thank you. Ken and Andrea

Tony (fka Midnight)	July 3, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Midnight, a.k.a "Tony" the Tiger is doing great. I now know why you named him Midnight, he loves running around and playing in the midnight hours for sure. At first he found a cozy nook behind the couch that he hid away in, but now that he is adjusting he greets me at the door, stares out the window to watch the birds, plays with his new toys and loves to sleep in his comfy bed. He has a great personality and is extremely lovable, he has stolen my heart. I think he is happy to have found a loving home. Lisa

Fred	July 3, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just thought I'd drop a line about your friend Fred. Well, we went on vacation for a week, and I was a wreck leaving him! But I followed your advice, and my nephew stayed here at the house with him. He was a good boy and he had a great week. The kids were worried that he would forget who they were. That fear dissolved quickly when we arrived home and Fred came outside and went BANANAS when he saw the kids! He ran around the yard in giant circles like lightning (you would never know he had an injured leg!) and ran from Alex to Jack to Sophia and me in turn. He was So excited to see us! He is getting even more comfortable in the house, now going up and down the cellar stairs with me when I do laundry. I never knew if he would do that because of his leg. He will not go in pond however when we take him for a swim! We will work on that. Now he growls when strangers approach. He doesn't bare his teeth, it's kind of like an internal growl - almost like when a cat purrs. I usually just say "No, Fred" (the vet told me this when he growled at her). Should I do anything else about that? Other than this, his behavior has been great. He plays and chews his toys and lays all over the kids on the floor and watches tv with them. His bathroom habits are great. We still take him on the leash, but I am hoping for the day when I can just let him out and he knows where to go ! He is just a great dog and we love him to pieces!! Sincerely, Monique M.

Gretel	June 28, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Greetings. Gretel has made a very happy adjustment to her home. She sleeps alongside her two new friends: Dudley, a pitbull, and Guido, a dachsund. The three get along very well and Gretel is a happy kitten. Regards, Dan

Mac	June 28, 2010 Hi Second Chance, "MAC" has settled in just fine. When he got here on April 28, 2010, "MAC" walked in the house and it was like he had been here all his life.He fit right in and Pat, my wife says to anyone she talks to that "MAC" is such a Love. He's very sociable and loves kids. He loves to kiss and little kids often get slurped on. "MAC" has a great disposition and the family who had him must have suffered a great loss. We are very fortunate that he came into our lives. We adopted "MAC" and in turn "MAC" or "MR. MAC" as Pat calls him has certainly adopted us. Phil our son has also adopted "MAC" and vice versa. It was a great happening for all of us. Don & Pat

Boomer (fka Oliver)	June 26, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I thought I'd update you guys on Boomer, the cat we adopted in March 2010. We changed his name to Oliver and it seems to suit him well. It's been three months since we adopted him and it's been challenging at times . Oliver has a very strong, dominant personality which is stressful for our other cat, Flower. They get along about half the time. Oliver can be very aggressive towards her. We've had moments of wondering if Oliver was going to work out but he's mellowed in the last few weeks. He still gets himself into quite a bit of mischief (ha ha) but we're all finally learning how to deal with his antics. Oliver is a talker and usually warns us when he's about to stir up trouble. He loves to play. His favorite toys are rolled up pieces of paper, catnip toys, empty boxes and bugs. He also loves soft blankets, open windows, high places, small spaces and food (he's gained two pounds since we got him!). Oliver loves to cuddle with both of my kids. He meows and paws at my daughter's bedroom door until she lets him in. He lies on my son's chest while he's playing his video games. He recently started lying on the desk in front of me when I'm on the computer . One of his favorite places to chill out is on top of the refrigerator . It's been a big adjustment for all of us but Oliver has found his forever home. Thank you Second Chance, for giving me advice when my patience was running thin. I think Oliver is on the right track now. Judy R.

Lester (fka Derek)	June 25, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Lester (formerly named Derek) is doing great! We absolutely love him so much, and he loves his home and family! Lester is 3-1/2 months old now, and he knows his way around the house no problem: goes thru the cat door to the basement to use his litter box, eats, sleeps and is very playful and loveable. He is great with the kids, and we are so happy and grateful for having him in our family. Lester is perfect!! Thanks so much for all of your hard work in caring for the animals and finding them homes. You guys are the greatest! Best Regards, Priscilla, Dennis, Isabella, Phoebe and Preston

Penny and Rex	June 23, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thought you would enjoy these pictures of Rex and Penny. We adopted Rex (aka Larry) Sept 2008 and he has been a great addition to the family. He is a real sweetheart and loves to cuddle and go for long walks. We recently adopted Penny the kitten (aka Maureen) May 2010. After a few days of getting to know each other, they have become pretty good friends. We think Rex really enjoys Penny's company but she does tend to annoy and confuse him by pouncing him and then running under the furniture. We hope they will be friends for a long time to come. Lisa, Chris, Melissa and Carrie N.

Sadie (fka Sammy)	June 23, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just wanted to drop and note and let you know how well our dog Sadie (aka Sammy) is doing. She is the sweetest, kindest dog we have ever had. I owe much of that to both Second Chance, for their wonderful care and treatment of their animals, and to Zoe, who worked so hard to get these puppies a good home. We are so happy to have Sadie in our family. Everyone who meets her wants to take her home with them! I have let everyone know how wonderful Second Chance is. Thank you for everything! Pam & Craig L. and family

Lilac and Abby	June 17, 2010 Hi Second Chance, The cats are doing really well. The kids renamed named them Lilac (Sara) and Abby (Matt). These are two really good cats -- they don't try and scratch the kids and seem to like playing with the kids. They have adjusted really well and get along with each other too. I have attached a couple photos for your website. Lilac is the black kitty and Abby is the tiger one. Karen

Beauty aka Maya	June 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Maya came home last night and fit in with her new "brother"Simon right away! She is the most precious, loveable cat with the sweetest disposition. We figured it would take awhile to become acclamated to her new home, but within an hour of her arrival, she was purring away on our laps and being affectionate. We could not be more pleased with Second Chance and Maya! Eric and Pat M.

Sam and Joanie (fka Megan)	June 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I have attached a photo of Sam and Joanie. Thank you = for letting me adopt them, they are both sweet, affectionate and well behaved. I am slowly introducing them to the rest of our kitty bunch, but so far there have been no problems. Ellen PS: They really enjoy the fresh catnip from our garden

Dave (fka Bell)	June 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, "Bell" is doing great! He is a wonderful cat, very happy and playful. We have no doubt that we picked the right cat for us! Here are some pictures of him with the girls. We named him Dave. Thank you for everything. Melissa M.

Amelia and Anthony	June 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Amelia and Anthony are doing awesome. They were adopted in May and both have grown quite a bit. Both enjoy living with me every second. Anthony will never leave my side, even when i try to leave. Amelia loves to relax with me while we both watch TV. They love their new cat condo and sleep in bed with me every night. NO one could no ask for two better companions than these two. Ryan

Jasmine (fka Sasha)	June 11, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Sasha, (now Jasmine) is doing really well! She is such a love.....we all love her so much....she spends her day watching the wildlife out of our windows....her favorite is to watch the neighborhood rabbit.....she also enjoys watching the birds from our second floor picture window......Jasmine is one fast kitty.....she always wins the races up the stairs, and she gives us a head start....too funny! She has helped our youngest to get through losing our Abby.....it is still tough and Corey still cries, but Jasmine has made things easier for all of us. Jasmine has such a great personality. Beth

Abby	June 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Everything is going great with Abby. She made a smooth transfer into my schedule and life. I work at Quaboag on the Common in West Brookfield and Abby comes about once a week to visit. All the residents love her and Abby is great with all of them. She is a great fit and worth the wait to find her! She is exactly what I wanted. When I get a chance, I will send some pics your way. Mandy M.

Cooper Chazzy	June 6, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Cooper is doing great. Our neighbors are even saying how much he has improved in the past year. We love him very much. He feels his job is to lay on the deck and watch me work in the garden. I was laying on the ground picking strawberries, Cooper got up, barked a couple of times and came over to me to make sure I was alright. We found him a groomer that knows how to manage a boy his size. See his summer haircut? He did well. He goes to TLC Pet Haven. The owner is a grooming instructor at Becker. We are so glad Cooper is a part of our lives. Here is photo of Chazzy in his swimming pool. He also likes a little sprinkle from the hose. His brother Cooper gave him confidence to enjoy the sprinkle from the hose. Chazzy is 9 yrs old now. We have had him for almost four yrs now. He is a keeper. I'm glad Chazzy and Cooper have bonded well. Tammy G.

Toby	May 31, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Toby is a love and only one complaint - he is so fast and tries to escape from the house car etc. He loves me so much when I leave he howls. All in all he is loved by all even his new brother Finley 5 year old Cocker Spaniel. I am very confident he will soon be able to be trusted. He loves to be in the car and sleeps right near my head every night. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to adopt him. He is truly a gift to our family and he is well loved and cared for. I am sure we he gets older he will not be so fast. Best, Kathy B.

April (fka Linda)	May 30, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Linda, AKA April is doing great. She follows me everywhere I go and is wonderful company. Here she is helping me on the computer.

Maggie (fka Marble)	May 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Marble, now Maggie, is doing great! She is an incredible addition to our family. She is so smart. I'm guessing that Zoe worked hard to train the pups while she had them, or Maggie is just a genius. She automatically sits before going out, sits before coming in. I know that's not a natural skill, so someone taught her long before she met us. She knows sit, down, leave it, working on stay. Housebreaking is still a work in process, but we're getting there. We started Obedience classes last week, and Maggie does beautifully around other dogs. Jillian goes to classes with us, so she's starting to train Maggie as well. If you remember, Jillian's one comment was that she didn't like big dogs. Well, now since Maggie's been with us, she walked into the dog training class that had a huge Rottweiler, and a 3 year old German Shepherd, smiled at them, and commented how she 'loves big dogs.' Thank you so much for letting us adopt Maggie. She is just a wonderful bundle of fur and love and legs. Boy can she run! But she also just loves to cuddle with us, or lay at our feet. You and everyone at the Second Chance Shelter is really wonderful! I was very impressed with your shelter, and how much love and commitment the volunteers put into the place. Maggie (aka Marble) had a great beginning thanks to Zoe and her mom, and a perfect transitional team thanks to all of you at Second Chance! Susan

Anakin	May 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Anakin is doing great! He's one of the family and has adjusted beautifully. He's a snuggle bug and loves to be rubbed on his belly. Thank you so much for all you do at Second Chance. I've attached a picture of Anakin. Thanks again, Jenn L.

Cuddles (fka Marshmallow)	May 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Cuddles (formally known as Marshmallow) is awesome! Caroline, our daughter and Cuddles are inseparable. It is so much fun to watch her. She had her first checkup this week which went very well. Cara

Smokey and Tippy (fka Smokey and Tiny)	May 22, 2010 Hi Second Chance, The kittens are doing very well. Smokey is the bolder more adventurous one. He's the one that keeps us on our toes when kitty proofing the house. Tiny has been renamed Mr. Tipps or Tippy for short. He is very curious but will hang back and watch his brother and then join in. They are both cuddle bugs and prefer to be on or near someone when they're not at play. When the house is quiet they keep each other company wrestling, playing, or cuddling together. They have already brought great joy to our home. Thanks so much for the work you do. Jim, Brenda, Matt, Larissa, and the boys

Daisy	May 19, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Here is Daisy "enjoying" the newsletter....do you sprinkle these with Cat Nip when printed? Keep up the great work! Amy

Rusty	May 19, 2010 Hi Second Chance, My husband, Ryan, and I just want to say that she is going great and having fun being an 'annoying little sister' to her new brother - the same way I was to mine. Thanks, Laurie

Bunny	May 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Bunny is doing great! She's incredibly loveable and spunky! I've attached a couple of photos of her, one in her new favorite sleeping spot! You can decide which one to use :) Thanks! Melissa O.

Libby	May 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, It did not take long for Libby to settle in as part of this family. She has calmed down a lot and is used to our routine now. She is doing well off of the leash in the yard, so she can play fetch and get plenty of exercise. Libby and Riley which is 3 years old have become good buddies. They like to lay around and play together all the time. Thanks for everything.

Dustin (fka Trevor) and Cooper	May 17, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Dustin is doing great and we are all enjoying him so much. As soon as he came into our home, he became best buddies with Cooper. Attached is the picture I promised to send to you with Dustin and Cooper snuggling. He is a great kitten and we are having so much fun with him. Thanks, Mary S.

Shelby (fka Sadie) and Granger	May 17, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Sadie, has been renamed Shelby and is doing great! She and our 6 month old puppy, Granger, instantly became the best of pals and love to play together. I have attached a couple of pictures of Shelby and of her with Granger. Jessie, Joe, Granger & Shelby

Tessie (aka Annie)	May 13, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thanks for the note. Annie (we call her Tessie - we LOVED Annie for her but we have a cousin Annie and an Auntie Annie in our family) is great! She was sitting in her little chair last night watching the Bruins with our family and we feel like she has been with us for a year, not just a couple of days. She is SO sweet. She is in her crate with a blanket at night and she does howl a litlte at first but she settles right down. she has been great at going to the back slider when she has to go potty. I wake up early with her and she will keep checking at the gate (we gate her in the back of the house, kitchen and living room) for the kids to come downstairs. my kids 10/8/4 LOVE her, my oldest was so proud because she pooped and pee'd for him yesterday! I could go on and on........ I am going to try and add a picture right now and will keep in touch. Thank you SO much! Kendra

Teddy	May 13, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I just wanted to let you know how much we LOVE Teddy. Dan and I are so impressed with the job his previous owners did with him and were hoping you could convey our gratitude to them. He is a gentle and lovable soul; extremely docile and obedient. He obviously has been raised feeling loved and secure. You can assure the woman who brought him to Massachusetts, that Teddy is safe and happy and thoroughly loved. Dan and I feel very lucky. And just so you know, Teddy has fit seamlessly into our household. He's been wonderful with our 11 year old lab, Jake, and even our cat Oliver has let Ted kiss him without even hissing. Now that's amazing! :) Thanks again too, for all your help. You and the staff were terrific. Your work with the animals is very appreciated. Attached is a goofy photo of Ted with Oliver peering at him through the window. :) Fondly, Kara & Dan B.

Muddy	May 11, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thank you so much for our new life with Muddy - he is just the most wonderful, most loveable addition to our lives! The girl next door has a daycare and Muddy has become the mascot. Everyday, Hailey gets off the bus, runs by her mother and straight to see Muddy who sits waiting for her. He is wonderful on the leash and every night we take our walk, exploring new areas of Holden. He is the King of the King Sized Bed and loves to sleep with his head on the pillow snoring quite loudly into my ear. Muddy is now the King of the house! Mary

Zeke	May 10, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I thought you would like to know that Zeke is doing very well and adjusting nicely to his new home. We think he's perfect. He's very smart and very funny, two great qualities to have in anyone, right? He runs around and plays with 2 favorite toys and loves to sit outside with us. He's a great dog and we're very grateful to you and the staff for letting us have him. I will send a picture soon. Nancy C.

Mia and Maci (fka Clara and Karina)	May 5, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We brought home Mia (Clara) and Maci (Karina) almost a month ago. They are doing terrific and love being kittens in thier new surroundings. They are deffinetly lap cats and love attention. We bought them plenty of fun toys but thier favorite toys are water bottle caps and hair scrunchies. haha. One of thier favorite things to do is sit at the screen door and listen to the outside noises on a sunny day with each other. Thank you very much for our new babies. Kevin and Becky

Dan	April 26, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Jeff and I took Dan for his first camping trip this weekend. He was a very good boy and seemed to love being in the camper and the outdoors. We enjoyed having him and it made it easier for us since our other golden went with us on every trip and we are still missing him. Dan is very funny and keeps us laughing with all of his "puppy" ways. We are so happy to have him and know he will be a wonderful camper in the future. Sue and Jeff

Lefty and Pancho (fka Jake)	April 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, My family just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful dogs--Lefty and Jake (who we've renamed Pancho). Lefty started off a bit skittish, but is now very at ease and wonderful with the kids. Pancho settled right in. And the two are great playmates. Here are a couple of pictures of the dogs with our kids outside our house. Thanks again, Paul and Dominique

Minky	April 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, When Minky was on her way home from the Second Chance Shelter, she was as quiet as can be in the car. Upon peering in her carrier to see if she was okay, she was sitting there, paws crossed (one of her most famous traits) with a look on her face that said, "When are we going home?" We knew she was meant to be in our family, and even more so when she walked right into our apartment. She has had no problems adapting to her new home or to her new brother, our 2 year old Tiger mix Mojo. They are already best friends and play and sleep together every day. We could not have asked for a more individual, playful, and loving cat. Thank you for helping Minky to reach her final home. We love her very much. Caroline, Adam and Mojo

Delilah	April 11, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We've had Delilah a little over two weeks now and she's adjusted very well. We just love her and her cute and lovable ways. She craves a lot of attention constantly and loves to be cuddled. She is very well behaved. I tried to get her to claw a scratch board but she would not do it. Instead she sleeps on it now instead of her cat bed. She does not claw anything in the house either. When we let her out on the deck, she will claw the cocoa mats outside but we let her since she does not damage them anyway. She sleeps on a blanket at the foot of the bed and does not get us up until I get up. She will go out on the deck and in the nearby yard around the deck as long as someone is out there. As soon as she hears the door close, she flies back to the deck again. We refer to her as Princess Delilah since she is so adorable. She seems very happy here and gives us many laughs with her cute antics. We are so glad we found her. Thank you so much for the care you gave her. Josephine and Harold

Reese	April 10, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I wanted to update you on Reese, who my husband adopted 2 years ago from the best shelter in the world! He's doing great with his search and rescue training, and should be certified soon. He's so funny and gets so excited when he "finds his vic"--(lost person) He is totally devoted to his "Dad"--(who LOVES this dog and the feeling is returned X 100) As you can see he is a beautiful boy. Thank you Joe for giving us the chance to share our lives with this incredible dog. The little puppy lost (or dumped) in the woods is well on his way to being a hero! We know he will be as much of a blessing to the people he is learning to "find" as he is to our family. WE LOVE LOVE LOVE him. Eileen and Anson D.

Paul (aka Paul Anka)	April 10, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Paul Anka, now known just as Paul, is doing fantastic. He has made himself right at home here. He loves to be with us at all times playing or cuddling. We have recently started classes since Paul didn't have much training when we brought him home and he is doing well since he loves his treats more than anything. Loving his treats has also helped plenty in him gaining a pound or two since he was a little thin to start. We just love Paul so much it's hard to remember what life was like before him. Thank you so much! Becky and Kevin

Chubs	April 7, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Chubs has adjusted very smoothly to his new forever home. He is such a sweet cat and I'm so thankful that your staff was able to care for him as well as you did. He follows us everywhere we go and sometimes I swear that he is a dog in a cats body. Just thought I'd let you know that Chubs is well taken care of and loving life and his new home. I cannot thank you enough for your kind-hearted efforts! Sincerely, Laura and Cory

Jenny and Lucy	March 30, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just wanted to let you in on a little secret (which I'm sure you all knew anyway!)....Jenny is ADORABLE! She is the best playmate for Lucy! Jenny is helping Lucy learn to play more and Lucy is teaching Jenny how to sit and stay!!! Jenny had a couple "accidents" the first couple days, but she's been fine since. We are all into a kind of routine now. Jenny does everything that Lucy does....you can tell from one of the pictures I'm attaching. Lucy started rolling around in the grass and Jenny jumped right in! They both are the best dogs I could ever have hoped for. Thank you Second Chance and the entire staff for taking such good care of Jenny (and Lucy too!) before they came home to be my forever family! Take care. Faye, Lucy and Jenny

TJ (fka Pierre)	March 29, 2010 Hi Second Chance, TJ (fka Pierre) is doing great. He’s a wild one and has found his voice, but we love him and he seems to be happy with us. The kids named him TJ because we already have a Max…TJ Max…sigh. But, he’s getting very used to his name so that helps. He’s definitely the dominant one even though our other dog is a border collie/Australian shepherd! Here are a couple shots of the little guy!

Bailey	March 29, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We are all doing very well and are so very happy I can't out it into words. Bailey is the center of our world and goes everywhere we go. She is as good as gold, a real jewel, we sometimes think she is a Circus Dog with her antics. We enjoy and even when she tricks us to get off the love seat so she can jump up and get comfortable right in the middlle. You might say she has us wrapped around her little paw and I will have to admit you are right. She is the love of our life. She has a quirk that we have yet to figure out this little yelp, but with love comfort and understanding and time that too may pass or we will all just get thru it together. She did have some seizures after using Frontline to we stopped that and she has been fine since Jan.1st. Bailey is truly a very special dog and we treasure every minute with her.. Well I just wanted to thanmk you for Bailey.... we are so very happy. She will be spending much time down the Cape with us and who knows where else the motorhome will take us together...Hope all is well there and going good. Thank you again. Elaine, David and Bailey J.

Dixie fka Paulina	March 23, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Paulina is doing good. We have changed her name to dixie. She is very happy little girl she has a new bunch of new friends hendrix the big yellow dog and cali and cledis the cats. She has lots of other dog friends too that don't live with her. She does alot of running with hendrixs in there yard. She is a healthy little girl.

Crosby aka Tristan	March 22, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just wanted to thank you for all your help in adopting Crosby aka Tristan. He has adjusted very well being home, and he gets along great with our Japanese Chins, and the Family. The children just love him to pieces. Crosby has made this his home since day one. The kids and I just made him a cat tree and he absolutely loves it. Hes been a real good boy, very curious... But he is such a cuddle bug too....He also enjoyed playing in the newspaper while we were decorating for Easter...Thank you again for everything.

Duke	March 22, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just a note to tell you that Duke is doing fantastic. He is just the BEST dog. I almost feel like I have my old dog Hallie back. Of course, a bit more work is needed, but he’s so willing to cooperate. And I wanted you to know that he’s started letting down a bit and playing! A couple of times he frolicked around the house and he’s so cute… in a GIANT sort of way. He’s loving the food routine here too. Catching on really quick to when to be on the spot, and when to give it up and go lay down. We all love him. My son came home today and he was wagging his whole behind – I think he remembered him – followed him to his room and hung out there a while. He’s going to need a lot of time over the horses, but he’s getting the drift that I won’t put up with any predatory behavior. Baby steps in that direction. We’ve done the neighborhood loop twice and he loves it. That’s about 2 miles or so, and he’ll be getting that at least twice a day. Lunch time too, if I can spare the time (and need a break from work!). So thank you so much, Joe, for bringing us together. I’m hoping we’ll be a good success story for Second Chance. We’ll sure work at it, and keep you all posted. And of course, I’ll bring him back for visits. Warmest regards, Lisa

Riley (fka Ebony)	March 22, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We are all in love with each other around here! Ebony now known as "Riley" loves playing in the yard and she is getting used to her new name. She is sooo SWEET! We went to our Vet today and she commended your Shelter. She said you ALL did an AWESOME job taking care of our pup before we got her. You'll be hearing from us again soon. Take Care, Linda, Lisa & Riley

Max (fka Junior)	March 17, 2010 Hi Second Chance, The kitty I adopted Max (formerly known as Junior) is doing very well. He is very loving and has a great personality. Melissa B.

Wally	March 14, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just came across your e-mail address and thought I would update you on Wally. He is doing just wonderfully fine. I've been taking him out more often in the car and he goes to visit my mom - we take one of his pillow beds so he'll have a place to lie down when he gets there. He really looks forward to long walks in the woods and this weekend his little friend (my daughter's dog) is coming for a sleepover. They are very funny together because of their size difference, but Wally gets a lot of confidence from her. Unfortunately, we have to hide some of Wally's toys so that Charlie doesn't chew them up. Wally goes for his one year check-up in a couple of weeks, and I'm sure he will be fine. He has gained a little weight so I have to watch him on that. He is eating well! He is quite a character, and it has been rewarding to see him become such a happy, playful dog. I hope to get another greyhound eventually, but not in the near future. Hope you and all your animal friends are well. Renee

Kyle and Phoebe	March 14, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Kyle is now a happy, active kitty who is settling in nicely. He loves his sister Phoebe, and he is eating and growing like crazy! We think of you all there often. Hope all is well. Thanks for everything! Pam L. & family

PG (fka Eve)	March 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, PG (aka Eve to you guys) is doing well. She is the queen of the castle. We actually think she is a dog trapped in a cats body! Melissa

Zimmie	March 10, 2010 Hi Second Chance, "Zimmie" is doing great! He adjusted just fine, and we just love him!! Thank you to Second Chance Animal Shelter!!! We have a wonderful kitty. Gina P.

Sheba (aka The Traveling Gnome)	March 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I just wanted to give you an update on Sheba. As you can see from the pictures, she is doing pretty well. In early December, she finished her chemotherapy. After tests were done, it was determined that the cancer had spread to her kidneys and bladder. They told us that they didn't think she would make it to Christmas. On December 27th we moved to Florida. I found a vet here who not only uses conventional vet medicine, but also uses alternate treatments, including Chinese herbals. Well here it is, March 9th and Sheba is doing well. She is in no pain and has a good appetite (as good as it ever was!), walking 4-7 miles a day (her favorite thing), and still loving to play with her squeaky toys. The only medical issue is that she has to piddle more often then usual. Her bladder feels full even when it's only partially full. Of course, if she becomes ill or in pain, we won't prolong her life. I would love it if she made it to her 13th birthday this summer. I would never let her suffer. She is such a sweetheart!!! Thanks again for matching us... Betsy

Chai (fka Rocket)	March 8, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thought I'd let you know that Chai (formerly Rocket) is doing GREAT! We named him Chai because he looks like Black tea with specks of spices in his coat. We love him. Went on a big hike over the weekend and actually managed to tucker him out a bit. He gets a long morning and night time walk and has been on 3 runs with me. We're working on getting him not to chase cars (we think he thinks the white mini vans are huge sheep!). Loves his chew toys and rawhides (and slippers!) Take care, Rebecca, Michael, Gabe and Emma

Lulu (fka Squeak)	March 6, 2010 Hi Second Chance, LuLu aka Squeak is adjusting very well. She has had her first vet visit and she has gotten a clean bill of health. MaryAnn says that she cannot thank your shelter enough for taking such good care of LuLu before she came to live with me. LuLu is very playfull and has adjusted well to living with me. I also cannot thank you enough for allowing my mother in law to adopt LuLu aka Squeak. They make a perfect couple together. I can say that my mother in law spoils her rotten as she should. I have not seen my mother in law this happy in years. Thank you again for everything that you have done. Amy T.

Miss Olivette	March 4, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Miss Olivette is just a joy to have around. She gets along well with her new siblings. She has been into work with me and just "Smiles" at everyone. They are always asking me about my smiling dog. She has a great personality that is loved by all. I feel like God sent me a little angel. I know she misses her first mom, she and I have conservations about her first mommy still watching over her and how much she loved her. She must have been a very special lady, because Miss Olivette could not be any sweeter. I love her so much, she will have a long happy life with my critters and me... Thank You so much! Loretta H.

Gracie	March 3, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Gracie is such a bundle of energy. She loves her big yard to run and get her toys. She is very good with my Granddaughters, if you ask her "where are the girls" she goes right to them. She listens well, she likes to walk the land unleashed and follows me and commands. She also does well on leash. She is a terrific alarm clock, she got used to me and David's schedule, and believe me she does not change it even for the weekends. She had only one accident in the house, and that was the first week, now she is a pro, she barks lightly to let us know she needs to go out. Gracie is getting used to the kitties, she knows who is the boss (the elder Fila) but she still tries to play with him. Gracie is a wonderful addition to our family, we love her so much. I have recommended your shelter to quite a few people and two that I know of have gone to you and adopted kitties. I am so glad that we found you, and Gracie! Thanks again. Lisa I.

Mojo	February 26, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just a note to say hello and let you know that Mojo is still having a great time in the Reiff pack. He walks off leash in the Conservation Area where that is allowed, and I am always quite proud of him when meeting and greeting other dogs and humans. At home, he has somehow managed to migrate from his sleeping chair onto the bed! I remember when he didn't even want to be petted, except by Joe! I'm sending you his "Smile Pose" -- I actually use this picture to start a lecture on "Assumptions" when I teach research analysis in my courses. When I first click on his picture there is always a bit of a gasp! He makes an impact! It is a perfect lead-in to work toward noticing assumption and coming to a task with an open and curious mind. So now -- Mojo goes to college! I will never forget what you have done for all of us. Thank you! Marianne, John and Charlie

Maxwell	February 25, 2010 Maxwell is doing GREAT!! We had a large setback over the last yr and a half. He blew out both of his acls. He was barely walking on his hind legs. We were told there were 2 different type of surgeries he could have and that my vet recommended the TPLO (much more expensive but a much higher success rate). Well we did it, and are soooo glad we did. He is such a great dog and putting him down for a "fixable" ailment was not something we could do. So after 2 knee surgeries 6 weeks apart and a new born baby (human kind) we are doing fabulous one year later! And we also still keep in touch with 'Sunday' Maggie Mae whom is Maxwells sister from that litter of puppies 7 years ago. Keep up your great work.....and thanks again for my wonderful Maxwell! Thanks. Lynn B.

Cali	February 22, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just wanted you to know that Cali is doing great! We got her a post and some catnip mice that she looooves. We have caught her chasing her tail a few times, it's so cute! She loves running from the living room into the kitchen and skittering across the floor, haha. She will follow us around and leap into our arms to get pats. Cali is very active, always jumping and running around the house. But unlike many cats she actually seems to like sleeping at night! She sleeps at the foot of our bed. Oh and Cali is crazy about string! Thank you soooo much, we love our Cali !! Joanna & Ryan

Sancho Panza (fka Benji)	February 21, 2010 Hi Second Chance, In September of 2004, I was living in western Massachusetts and was looking to adopt a dog. While surfing Petfinder one night, one mangy little guy caught my eye, and I immediately emailed your shelter to find out if "Benji" was still available. He was, and I drove out to visit as soon as I could. I grew up with dogs, but hadn't yet taken care of a dog "all on my own," so this was a big step for me. Benji had been found as a stray, so you had very little information about him or his background, but I took him for a walk when I got to the shelter and fell in love with him immediately. The vet guessed that he was about 3 yrs old, which would make him about 8 or 8.5 now, but my husband and I think he may be a little older than that, based on the fact that we started noticing some signs of aging a few years ago, and they have gotten worse recently. He still has a spring in his step and loves to go for a good sprint around the yard every evening, but his evident arthritis and how quickly he tires remind us that he won't be a puppy forever. "Benji" (now Sancho Panza) is just the best dog in the whole world (and I am not biased, of course!), and every day I tell him how much I love him and how lucky I was to find him. I just wanted to write your organization a note of thanks for all the good work you do, and for allowing Sancho to enter my life. I don't know if anyone there remembers "Benji", but I am attaching a recent photo. Thank you! Emily K.

Little Red Riding Hood (aka Mia)	February 20, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We brought Mia (aka, Little Red Ridding Hood) home the week before Thankgsgiving..2009... things were difficult for her , she was so skiddish and stayed under our bed but after a bit she got comfy with her new sibblings... She has huge paws ...a beautiful face looks like a lion and talks when she wants food. lol all the time... Loves to look out the window at the birds and chatter ...She is a joy in our lives ... Thank You Second chance...Plus and extra Thank You for Lucky (kane) and Cali. Diane & Paul

Patches (fka Suzie Q)	February 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Suzie (aka Patches) is doing very well. She has calmed down considerably and we have learned (pretty much) what works and doesn't work with her. She is a joy and love my 3 grandchildren. We acquired a cat (Ritzi) renamed Tiger, from the shelter at Christmas. That has been a bit of a challenge but they now seem to be adjusting to each other. Suzie loves to play and really tries to get Tiger to play also - they are working out their differences and daily improvement on that. Tiger, too, loves the grandchildren and is very lovey with them - not so much with Suzie!!

Seamus (fka Fudge)	February 16, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thanks for checking in. Seamus AKA Fudge is doing great. He has settled in nicely. He has been a great addition to our home, and the kids are loving him. He does very well with both kids and spends the majority of his time looking for love and attention from everyone. He loves his new crate and toys, as well as all his new doggie bandanas that we change every couple of days. We have a house at the Cape, and we spent the weeekend down there. He spent alot of time getting use to the house and his favorite part was chasing seagulls on the beach. He loved to run on the beach. We can't wait to bring him there this summer when he will be able to play in the water. Thanks for picking us, we really love Seamus, he is truly part of the Moriarty family already. Karen

David	February 14, 2010 Hi Second Chance, just wanted to send you guys some pics of David. its been just over a year now, that hes been part of the Kiertianis Family. He is doing well, and i dont know what i would do with out him. Davids buddy, Daisha whom ive had for 9 years just passed away the beg. of Nov. She battled lung cancer, and a large tumor on her lungs, which pushed up into her heart. They were the best of buds, i would get woken up at about 12am of them wrestling around, or chasing each other. It was great. But david is living the life, i dont think i can sit on the couch for more than 2 seconds without him being on my lap, he is my shadow, and always by my side, every step i take, he is a true companion. he loves taking naps with my niece, and its a must for him to go for a car ride everyday! and he STILL DOESNT BARK, he will let one out every once in the greatest while, but nothing like his old pal. My family loves him very much, every day my dad always says, " who wouldnt want this dog!?" these are a few pictures that i found, once i get some more ill send them over! Until next time love Danielle & David

Misty	February 14, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Shes doing great...we all love her. I will send some pictures soon. Thank you for inquiring. Debbie

Shelby (fka Elizabeth)	February 14, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Elizabeth who is now named Shelby is doing great. We go on daily walks throughout the various trails in Amherst which she loves to do. She also loves her new bed which we set up in the living room for her. I don't think she believed her good fortune when we took her home because she would not leave her plush bed for the first week of her stay with us. She's coming out of her shell nicely though and is a very loving dog. We feel very fortunate to have her and already have a strong bond with her. Other than chewing on things as puppies will do, she is the perfect dog and we hope to have a lifetime of fun with her!! I will probably bring her by to say hi in a few months as she loves to ride in the car. Thanks for your continued interest and support. Sincerely, Joe C.

Charlie	February 13, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Charlie is doing great! He is in his 5th week of obedience training and is catching on quick. He has been a wonderful addition to our family and we are looking forward to the many years of joy and entertainment he has to offer. Thanks again for checking in. Thanks, Aimee

Abby (fka Eliza)	February 9, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We adopted Eliza the end of October and have changed her name to Abby the Tabby. She is a Maine Coon - I wondered when I saw her at 8 weeks with a long tail, long legs, and the hair tufts in her ears. She has grown quickly and as she approaches her 6 month birthday she is over 8 pounds and on her way to being a big girl. Her coat is growing in now and every morning she seems to have gotten bigger overnight. As you can imagine our great big kitten is a little clumsy and skids around corners on our hardwood floors as she chases her chew toys. She seems to be still teething and loves to chew on her toys then drop them in her water bowl. Last week she jumped on the dinner table while we were eating with guests. She slid on the tablecloth and Abby and the tablecloth crashed into my husband's plate of pot roast. Fortunately our guests are cat lovers! She's learned a few tricks: she gives a high five when it's time for her vitamin and stands on her hind legs and squeaks for her dinner. We thank Second Chance for the wonderful program you run and for helping us find our little girl. Janice and Paul H.

Zoe	February 3, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Zoey is doing great! She is part of the family and had no problem making herself right at home. She loves everyone that meets her and is just a joy to have around! Best, Lindsay

Bear	February 3, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Bear is awesome. we just love him. He is a handfull sometimes but he is generally a good boy. We are now trying to teach him that the cat is his friend! They are struggling with their relationship right now. He is very teachable. If I may ask a question. He has been eating poop. Why do they do this? I pick up after every time to avoid him doing this. I will try and get pictures to you soon.

Cali (fka Kelly)	February 2, 2010 Hi Second Chance, It now has been just over a month since we brought Cali home (FKA Kelly) For a 6mo old puppy who had not been house broken, crate trained, or leash trained she has adjusted well. We had no trouble with the house or crate training. She is such a good girl. Most important is that Cali has become a part of our family. She has found her place among the 4 children and enjoys all the attention and love she receives. She has become a running partner a few days a week and completes our family. We thank you and the rest of the team at SCAS for taking care of her until she was able to find her new home and family. I have enclosed a few pictures of Cali and the kids for you. Best Regards, The Holmbergs

Callie	January 31, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Callie is doing very good. We're taking her to obedience class, and she's having fun. Here's a picture of her in her corner with her stuffed animal. She really likes him, and he's the only toy she hasn't ripped up yet. She used him like a pillow, but if you give her a pillow she's use that instead. Callie is loving living with us and has made a great addition to the family. Sincerely, The Martinez Family

Chance	January 31, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I must admit that Chance is the coolest dog ever. He will sit and relax with me while I watch tv. He's always ready to go outside and like to run around. I do keep him on a leash as he likes to run a little and wander. He obeys to sit, stay, go, outside, down and doesn't really beg for food although he does like to sniff. He never barks unless someone is at the front door. He warms up to them rather quickly and then sits on her little spot on the couch. I allow it as I put a blanket down where he likes to sit. He doesn't really like balls of any kind, but like the fluffy stuffed animal type toys. He likes the small chew treats as well. He never barks in the house or bites or pushes people around. He is great around kids and other dogs. At first he ignores them a little but then he gets curious. During the day I have him crated and then when I get home from work he jumps out plays with me a little and then finds his nearest chew toy. He only had one accident in my house, but that was because he was left alone for more than an hr unsupervised. I think he gets a little sad and nervous when not in his crate. He is so friendly and adorable. All my friends really like him because he plays, but if you get tired of it he'll amuze himself. He tells me when he has to pee or potty or even when he's hungry. All in all he's great and a great addition to my household. I think I may have a pic or two to share with you. Thanks again for giving me this opportunity. Chance is awesome!! Tomas H.

Oboe (fka Foster)	January 31, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We have renamed Foster, Oboe, like the woodwind. He has adjusted very well to his new pack and territory and is thriving. His first visit to the vet found roundworm which cleared up after his first treatment. 34 lbs then, about 50 lbs now. He has grown and increased muscle. He is very smart, eager to please, affectionate and has a distinct personality. My daughter calls him a 'hoarder collie' because he is a collector. He gets along very well with his older sister, Doodle. She has become a better dog in the process. Although, I'm trying to work with him on this, he remains very skittish about thrown objects. This means no catch and limited fetch. I suspect someone threw things at him in the past. I certainly hope the neighbors are not abusing the dogs at your shelter, but I think it is worthy of mention. Oboe was very needy when he first arrived, but he is much more self-assured now. Although he engages all family members, he has developed a special bond with me. The issues have been pretty much what one would expect when adopting a 5 month old puppy. We don't need any help at this time, but do appreciate your interest and inquiry. We feel fortunate to have adopted Oboe from your shelter. Best wishes, Charl Van Schoick

Greta (fka Helga)	January 31, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Helga (now named Greta) is doing just great!!!! Has adjusted just fine and is a very loving dog.Has a great time with our daughters' dogs--a yellow lab and a huskie/german shepherd mix. Also has play-time with a neighbor-hood puppy. We are so happy with her, and looking forward to summer when she can go on boat-rides with us.

Minnie	January 24, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Just wanted to send a picture of Minnie in her favorite spot and with her favorite little girl. She has come out of her shell more and more each day. She has a favorite mouse that she carries around like a dog would and her favorite thing to do is toss it in the air and then "attack" it. She has brought lots of smiles and laughter into our home. Michelle

Buttercup (Caroline)	January 18, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Buttercup (fka Caroline) is a very happy, affectionate pooch that we love having in our home. She appears to love everyone. She can be a little hard to handle sometimes, but we are trying to teach her manners, and Buttercup seems eager to learn. She already knows 'sit,' 'paw' and 'down.' We are also happy to see that she plays well with other dogs. When we are out walking, people frequently ask what kind of dog she is and are surprised to learn such a friendly dog is a pit bull. Annick, Greg & Juliette

Eddie	January 15, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Thank you so much for helping us to get eddie he was taken from you about 2 or 3 years ago and is loving life and enjoys spending time with my family once again i would like to thank you attached is a current picture of Eddie. Sincerely, The Watson's

Fluff (fka Sam)	January 14, 2010 Hi Second Chance, This is Fluff and his new pal Ginger cuddling together.

Edgar (fka Jinx)	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Edgar (name change!) is absolutely wonderful. I wish I could have shared the first six years of his life with him, but I am so happy to have him with me now and love him dearly. I only hope that Edgar is as happy to have me as I am to have him.

Reese and Tangerine	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, There are not enough words in the English language to thank you for all that you do. Because of your endless dedication, Reese & Tangerine had a place to go to before coming home with us. They have so much fun together and their 1st Christmas was very enjoyable. They loved to climb the Christmas tree, knock the ornaments around the house and play with the new toys Santa brought them. We look forward to many many years together with them. Holly & Jason

Little Sweetheart	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Little sweetheart is doing fine, She loves the dogs and they knew she was part of the family the first day. She is a night owl, which is what I may name her, right now it's "mummy loves you" which is all I seem to say to her. Lila and Randy

Jazz (fka Chris)	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Jazz (Chris) is doing very well in his new home, he has adapted very well to his new family and has already brought so much joy to us. Thank you, Cindy and Bruce F.

Gordon (fka Prancer)	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We renamed Prancer and he is now Gordon! He has adjusted well and spends his days alternating between playing and cuddling! No concerns, and thank you for such a great cat! Maryann

Merry and Pippin (fka Dasher and Lightening McQueen)	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, The kittens are doing awesome. Merry (FKA Dasher, on the left) and Pippin (FKA Lightning McQueen, right) are enjoying their new home and getting to know their new big brothers, Oliver and Simba. They were a little shy at first (my 15+ pounds kitties were a little intimidating at first, and poor Pippin got whacked in the head more than a few times by Oliver for being a little too curious!), but now they are all buddies. Thanks again, Cheryl

Ottowa	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Ottowa spends most of the day under the bed, but does venture out and will follow me around, cuddle, sprawl out on my computer desk and play at times. I think he is still getting used to our household. I've attached a picture of him. Thank you for your e-mail. Karen P.

Magic and Tic Tac	January 11, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Magic is doing really well at my house; she has tons of energy and loves running around and chasing toys, as well as curling up in my Papasan chair and falling asleep. She is still a little shy with me, but is coming around a little more each day. While I was initially somewhat nervous about how she would get along with my much larger male cat, Magic and Tic Tac quickly became friends and spend most of their days snuggling together under my bed (although wrestling, initiated by Magic, is pretty common, too!). I am sooooo glad that I adopted Magic as she is quickly becoming an integral part of my household and I know that Tic Tac would be lost without her already! Thank you for taking such good care of her and making sure that she would be around for someone like me to adopt. Attached is a picture of Magic sprawled out on my bed with her new big brother.....they definitely looked "busted" when I walked in the room :) Kim

Cecilia	January 12, 2010 Hi Second Chance, Cecilia has adjusted well to her new home. We are very happy she is part of our family.

Maya	January 11, 2010 Hi Second Chance, I'm Maya. I'd like to thank Second Chance for taking good care of me and for giving me to such a wonderful family. This is me with my new friend, Trevor. We have so much fun together. I saw snow for the first time, and I love to play in it and go sledding with Trevor. I fly through the snow and can turn on a dime. I have lots of room to run around. I'm so happy here. Maya, Trevor, and new family

Jaida (fka Patunia)	January 8, 2010 Hi Second Chance, We are so happy with our new addition to our family! Thank you to Second Chance Animal Shelter for all you did. As you can see by the picture, Jaida has made herself very much at home. She has already taken over our bed leaving me on the couch her first night with us! WE LOVE HER! Dave and Susan and all the kids... Kenny, Josh, Jill, Brittany, and Jackie