Dudley was a puppy mill rescue who ran away from another rescue (reportedly). An HSHV volunteer found him (fortunately). The “rescue” decided to leave him with HSHV (thankfully!). I fostered him for a year where he formed a tight bond with my Westie, Isabelle. Dudley would never be able to be adopted as, along with other behavioral problems, he barely even let me pick him up. So, he became “a foster failure.” Isabelle passed three years ago and though he missed her, he finally started bonding with me. I got another rescue, Teddy, who is very lovable. Dudley finally decided he
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We instantly fell in love with Bernie (formally Manuel) when we met him one Sunday morning. He put his little paw under the cage, and I had a feeling in my stomach that he was the one. We had been toying with the idea of getting a puppy since we now are homeowners with a big fenced in yard and lake nearby. He had a rough start, stray puppy, Parvo, and a possible injury to his nasal passages — but since we’ve brought him home, he’s flourished! Our four-year-old daughter and Bernie love to cuddle, go for walks, and play
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We became “Foster failures” (or is it Foster successes?) on our first foster Misty. She had “happy tail” (a condition that happens when they wag their tail, and it slaps against a hard surface again and again), and it was infected. Her tail ended up getting lopped off and now she has a “happy nub.” She came to us in a time when Maggie (at the bridge now) needed her. Now, she is a big sister to Mayzie. Misty is a keeper!   Misty
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My Australian Cattle dog passed away unexpectedly in October 2017, and I mentioned it to one of the HSHV staff soon after. I talked about how I’d lost her as well as my Jack Russell a few years before that. So one day while I was cat comforting (I’m a volunteer at HSHV), staff member Chris comes in and says, “I’m pretty sure there’s a Jack Russell in the back where the dogs up for adoption are housed.” Now, normally, I don’t go back to where the dogs are because making eye contact with homeless dogs makes me way too
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Nine years ago we decided to get another dog after a previous bad experience with our first dog (our young son was attacked/bitten but OK). Our son was still anxious about another dog so we wanted to get a puppy this time, one with a hopefully a more calm and submissive temperament. We saw Max/Ollie and his sister together at the shelter; they were just a few months old. The female was very rambunctious, climbing all over her brother, nipping him and the cage, etc. We decided to visit with her brother “Max” since he was was very calm, especially
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At the beginning of Summer ’17, we had been scouring the HSHV website for weeks looking for a puppy. When Lady Godiva’s picture appeared on my computer screen, I got a nervous, but excited feeling in my stomach and sent the link to my husband. After work, we met at HSHV and raced quickly back to her kennel. We practically trampled another couple because we knew she was ours and rescued her right then and there at 8 weeks old. She never spent a night in the shelter as she was previously taken care of by amazing foster parents whom
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My husband and I decided we wanted to adopt a dog. He looked on HSHV’s website and saw the video of Newo (Bonnie) walking on a treadmill looking miserable. We knew at that moment, we had to meet her. When we met Newo and took her for a walk, one volunteer said, “Oh, that’s the crazy one,” and my husband and I looked at each other and said, “Do we really want to do this?” Of course we decided yes, and Newo became a huge part of our family. After a lot of work and training, while she’s still crazy,
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Two years ago I wandered into HSHV looking for guinea pigs. After the disappointing news that the guinea pigs I saw online had been adopted, I spent some time in the small animal room and met Sage. Sage was out having some floor time and would not leave me alone. Anytime I moved to peek into a cage, he was at my feet or nudging my hand asking to be taken home. So home he came! Never having had a rabbit before, I quickly became a bunny enthusiast, and Sage quickly took over my entire apartment. Goofball has learned to
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I adopted my sweet Maynard from HSHV in 2005 when he was 10 weeks old. Here we are, 13 years later, and I love him more and more every day. We’ve been together through marriage, two kids, three moves, and have had more camping adventures together than I can count! He continues to be my faithful walking partner, snuggle buddy, meal sharer, and all around best buddy. Thanks, HSHV, for introducing me to my best friend! Koda now Maynard
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We lost our dog a few months before adopting Indy. He filled that empty space. Indy has turned out to be a fun, loving, smart, and energetic addition to our family. He is the most upside-down sleeping dog we have ever had. Wouldn’t have it any other way.   Wadsworth now Indiana (Indy)
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