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Blossom
Submitted by Puyallup Animal Rescue
Originally adopted from PetSmart as a youngster in 1997, Blossom returned to Puyallup Animal Rescue after her adoring owner passed away, leaving the 10-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix with a family member who banished her to the yard. An unwanted Blossom went to live with volunteer Anastasia Gamache, who was amazed by the dog’s resilience. “Losing her owner was traumatic, but this little dog was the sweetest thing – adaptable and trusting,” she says.
Blossom’s second chance for a “happily ever after” arrived when a woman wandered into PetSmart searching for a dog to provide companionship for her mother, Anne. Meeting Anne later that day, Anastasia could tell she loved dogs and would provide a wonderful home. Anne, however, had some doubts – especially when Blossom jumped on her furniture during their first week together. But clever Blossom quickly learned the new rules and routines.
Submitted by Pet Rescue of Mercer
Zooter, a two-year old pit bull mix, was found as a stray, entered a local shelter, and came to Pet Rescue of Mercer after stress caused his health to quickly deteriorate. He was depressed, losing weight, suffered pneumonia and finally a collapsed lung. He was afraid of everything, jumping at common sounds like leaves blowing, water running and even laughter. Our volunteers nursed him back to health and also worked on his training and socialization.
After several months, Zooter’s lucky day arrived. At an adoption day at PetSmart, his big, sad brown eyes and sweet temperament won over the hearts of his soon-to-be adopters. It was love at first sight! As they left Petsmart, Zooter’s parents could not stop thinking about this special boy. Within two weeks, Zooter was home.
After a rough beginning, Zooter has learned to trust that people and the world around him are wonderful rather than frightening. Zooter has the great “forever home” that Pet Rescue of Mercer hopes to attain for all of their rescues. “We would like to thank Zooter’s adopters Jaclyn and Anthony for helping him to blossom into the fantastic dog that he is today,” they say.
Submitted by Michigan Samoyed Rescue
Driving through Detroit, Diana spotted a white dog covered in filth and roaming through garbage. “Something told me that she wouldn’t survive there,” she says. Diana, Vice President of Waggin’ Tails Dog Rescue knew a rescue when she saw one.
Michigan Samoyed Rescue welcomed the stinky white foundling. Heartworm and starvation had taken their toll: we counted her ribs. Still, “everyone came under her spell,” said Lorraine, who, with husband, Kendal, and their two dogs, were her devoted foster family.
Meanwhile, a broken-hearted couple who had recently lost their beloved Nika began looking for a new Samoyed to add to the family. They called 50 shelters and rescue groups, weekly, daily, whatever was recommended. They found this girl on the Web. She was older than they wanted; so I suggested they adopt a younger sister later. They drove four hours one-way to meet the creature who’d survived the streets of Detroit two months or more.
Her new daddy lay down on the floor day after day, wrapping her in his arms so she’d know she was safe. Now, she charms clients and deliverymen at work. At home, Sonya “SweetPea” Cecchetti slumbers . . . on the family’s cozy down quilt.
Submitted by S.H.A.R.E.S.
Hero came to Safe Haven Animal Rescue Edmonton Society (SHARES) after being abused. His leg was not repairable and it needed to be amputated.
Volunteer Linda had to carry him around her home. He had obviously never been in a home but his confidence became stronger as each day passed. Within a week he was charging around with Linda’s dogs as if nothing had happened to him. Hero now gets along with everyone he meets and he is great with kids and adults alike. He goes with the flow and is very well behaved and got his basics down quickly.
When Linda met a couple looking for a dog for their son who has autism, Linda suggested Hero. Hero and their son hit it off immediately! Hero got the permanent loving home that he so deserved. After a week or so Linda received photos of Hero lounging on the couch and his new Dad sitting on the floor next to him...All were smiles, even Hero! This is the kind of story that makes what SHARES does worth it and everyone there knows Hero has finally gotten the family he deserves and that they will have many happy years together.
Submitted by Save 1Pet
If you hear someone calling for Priest at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, they may not mean Reverend Bruce Cheney, the church’s pastor. They could be summoning a four-legged “Priest,” a cat that came from the city animal shelter and was adopted through Save1Pet’s partnership with PetSmart.
A Holy Cross parishioner, who also volunteers with Save1Pet, invited another church member to see the cat known as “Whiskers” soon after he was placed at PetSmart. With his distinctive white ‘priest collar’ on the black fur on his neck, he seemed to be a natural fit for the church family. Reverend Cheney agreed, and “Whiskers” soon became “Priest.”
Priest is adjusting well to his new life as an Episcocat. Priest roams the sanctuary when it is not in use, and spends a lot of time at the home of Reverend and Mrs. Cheney. His new job at Holy Cross involves keeping the church mice away and providing love and comfort to all. Reverend Cheney explains that his congregation consists of many families with pets, and that we all have a lot to learn from animals.
Priest is doing his part in teaching that pets give unconditional love.
Submitted by Puyallup Animal Rescue
We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” in reference to the supposed inflexibility of seniors. Totally untrue, of course; just look at 11-year-old Blossom.
Originally adopted from PetSmart as a youngster in 1997, Blossom returned to Puyallup Animal Rescue after her adoring owner passed away, leaving the 10-year-old Australian Cattle Dog mix with a family member who banished her to the yard. An unwanted Blossom went to live with volunteer Anastasia Gamache, who was amazed by the dog’s resilience. “Losing her owner was traumatic, but this little dog was the sweetest thing – adaptable and trusting,” she says.
Blossom’s second chance for a “happily ever after” arrived when a woman wandered into PetSmart searching for a dog to provide companionship for her mother, Anne. Meeting Anne later that day, Anastasia could tell she loved dogs and would provide a wonderful home. Anne, however, had some doubts – especially when Blossom jumped on her furniture during their first week together. But clever Blossom quickly learned the new rules and routines.
“She’s a remarkable animal and seems to understand me so well,” says Anne of her inseparable canine friend. “I just love her.”
Submitted by HALO Animal Rescue
Last summer, one particular PetSmart Adoption Center in Phoenix was full of fluffy little kittens. But there was one older female, cat named Petunia who didn’t fit that description. Petunia was a plain tabby with a pot belly. Each week, new kittens would come and go but Petunia was overlooked.
As volunteer Sandra cleaned her cage and cuddled her, she promised Petunia that she was just waiting for the best family of all. Then, one morning, a father and his 8-year old daughter stood on the other side of the windows as I finished up for the day. The daughter was very excited and burst in to show her father her heart's desire. No, not a kitten -- she only had eyes for Petunia!
They signed the forms and then dashed home to get a carrier. Sandra cried the whole time they were gone and then again when the little girl returned with a special blanket and toys already picked out for her new cat.
This is the kind of story that keeps volunteers showing up week after week.
Submitted by Partners For Pets
Sugar Pie lived at a rural shelter where employees thought she might not make it. She was hairless and had terrible sores on her legs from mange. She cried when touched as her skin was raw.
Sugar took over a year to treat, but eventually she started looking the way a well-loved dog should. She quickly thought she was Queen of the Shelter! And finally her day to be put up for adoption came!
A family came into PetSmart and wanted to know all about her. They loved her immediately and Sugar got a second chance at a new home. She was so excited to have kids to play with! She even got to meet Santa Paws that year!
Way to go Sugar!
Submitted by Black and Orange Cat Foundation
Muffin was the kitten covered in red fingernail polish.
Please take him. My kids are going to kill him,” a woman told Black and Orange Cat Foundation. Her children had trapped the tiny tiger kitten and painted him from his ears to his tail with fingernail polish.
Black and Orange Cat Foundation named him Muffin. Weighing not even a pound, “Muffin man” seemed unlikely to survive. The kitten was a fighter, though, and after several nights in the hospital, he came home bright eyed and full of joyous meows. He loved everyone and fit snugly in the front of jackets where he could feel a person’s heart beat against his body.
At a PetSmart adoption event, Muffin worked his charms on a newlywed couple. The husband, a Marine on leave for Christmas, wanted a gift for his wife; a gift that would keep her company once he left for Iraq; a gift just in case he never came home. Muffin was that expression of love.
Leaving the store, Muffin’s new pet parent said, “This little guy will never be painted with fingernail polish again.”
Submitted by Miss Kitty's Cat House
Volunteers from Miss Kitty's Cat House were at PetSmart doing adoptions at Christmas time. They were situated right next to the area where another group was doing Santa photos for people and their pets. One of the Santa volunteers, Bob, visited our kitties before starting his shift.
Bob, all decked out in his Santa suit, looked like he could grant anyone's wish. We told him the kitties were wishing for new homes for Christmas. Could he see what he could do? He chuckled and looked at them. He stopped in front of Magic, a sweet little four-month-old tortoiseshell kitten.
"Santa" told us he and his wife had an adult tortie at home that looked just like Magic and they had been thinking about getting a companion for her. Santa decided it was meant to be and adopted Magic on the spot. He called his wife and told her about Magic. She came to PetSmart to meet their newest family member. She was thrilled with Magic, and Santa and Mrs. Claus took little Magic home with them to the North Pole.
Magic's Christmas wish came true – she got a wonderful family to love and care for her.
Submitted by Upstate Animal Rescue of SC
Betsy is a 5-year-old Shi-tzu Mix who was found in a puppy mill in South Carolina living in deplorable conditions. She had to live in a dark barn in a 2 x 4 rabbit cage, with no way to stand or sit.
Betsy was so matted Upstate Animal Rescue volunteers had no idea what breed of dog she was when they first found her.
After many months of good food, a good warm home and several great hair-do's from PetSmart in Anderson, South Carolina, Betsy has finally found the forever home she so deserves.
Betsy visited PetSmart in Greenville one Saturday and, after meeting and greeting all the lookers and admirers, her new forever mom walked through the door and it was love at first sight. Betsy now has another brother and sister in the home, and as you can see in the photo, she is loving life.
Betsy thanks PetSmart for allowing her a place to find her new forever home.
