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Merlin
Pet parent: Gina
While shopping at Petsmart, Gina decided to look at the animals up for adoption. “With two cats, four Tokey geckos, fish, and a new baby, we never thought we would actually adopt another pet,” Gina says.
“A tiny black and white kitten, the runt of the litter, was curled up in bed sleeping and caught her eye. My husbandknew that if I held the cat; it was going to come home with us,” Gina says.
Though Gina worried about the added responsibility after just returning to work from maternity leave and adjusting to be a working mom, she watched her husband holding the kitten and smiling and that’s what sealed the deal.
“Merlin has to be the most affectionate cat we have ever had. He has the biggest personality! We have had Merlin for over a year now and not a day goes by that I don’t wonder what we would have done without him in our lives,” says Gina.
Per parent: Julie
Travis is a Dachshund, Beagle, Lab, Basset mix who proves that God has a sense of humor! "Travis is a great teacher, a referee, a world-class kisser, and a court jester," says pet parent Julie who met Travis when she was a PetSmart pet trainer and adoption center associate.
Travis, his mother, and his siblings were found in a dumpster and Travis was the last one left for adoption when they came to the adoptions center. "For some reason, everyone wanted to adopt the girls," Julie says. "One night I brought him home to see how he'd adapt and, after a discussion with my family, we agreed that Travis would stay."
The rest is history! Today, Travis goes to work 5 days a week and is a very important part of Julie's PetSmart: he greets customers, he lets everyone know how important training classes are and he even helps teach! Furthermore, he helps to socialize puppies and he keeps the associates smiling with his tricks.
"Travis touched my heart when he was just a funny looking pup at the adoption center, and everyday since I am grateful that a PetSmart Charity rescued him," exclaims Julie.
Pet parent: Heather
While working for a local no kill shelter as a canine coordinator, pet parent Heather received a call about a Chinese Crested that was on the euthanasia list for being shy. “I decided to save the dog sight unseen,” Heather says. “When the vet tech brought him out a moment of confusion went through my head as I looked at this tiny, bald, shaking dog with his tongue hanging out."
When Archie was at the adoption site, people pointed and laughed and asked if he was sick or diseased," says Heather. Then she decided to take him home.
“People aren't sure how to pet Archie. I've seen a lot of hand sanitizer used when people think my back is turned. Little kids tend to throw rocks. Strangers exclaim ‘What an ugly dog!’.”
But Heather has never seen Archie as ugly. When he entered and won The Ugliest Dog Contest though, Heather then had to admit that she is pet parent to the ugliest dog in the world. Now I can truly say ‘My dog is uglier than yours!’.” Heather says.
Pet parent: Catherine
Fat Louie (on the right) may look mad in this photo, but his (and Bentley’s) ears are actually always folded down because Louie is a Scottish Fold! Far from being mad, Fat Louie is a happy-go-lucky, patient, fellow.
Pet parent Catherine doesn’t know how Fat Louie ended up at Table Mountain Animal Shelter but she is glad he did. “He’s been a lesson in a life well lived. He teaches me what it means to muddle through the world happily, trusting people and doling out love even when the future may be uncertain or the present is scary.”
Lou’s been through enough in his eight years that he could have become a bit weathered around the edges. Instead, he’s patient, ready to enjoy small pleasures, and full of pride in the beautiful, white coat.
Lou has always protected Bentley. Here, they are photographed on a long, cross-country move, during which Bentley slept the majority of the time and Louie kept his arms around him, comforting him with periodic grooming and a watchful eye on his surroundings. Louie is a protector, a playmate, a confidante, and best friend. Fat Louie is the greatest. And he isn’t even that fat anymore!
Pet parent: Julie
“I just want to thank PetSmart and the charities that work together with them for the fantastic job they do in helping the many, many animals in need,” says PetStylist Julie.
Last December, when Julie was walking through the store, her eyes met with the beautiful blue eyes of a tiny white kitten in the store’s adoption center. “It was true love at first sight,” Julie says. “Abby was found abandoned in a yard under somebody's grill. I have no idea what her first few weeks of life entailed, but I can tell you that she is a spoiled little princess now -- liked by all members of the family and, as you can see from the photo, is great pals with her brother Bailey.”
“As a PetSmart associate, I see every day just how top-notch our charity organization is. I am proud to work for a company that gives so much. And it makes me extremely happy to know that the only time Abby is found under a grill now is when she is licking up the drippings from our family cookouts!”
Pet parent: Brittney
PetSmart associate Brittney remembers the first day that Buster came into her life.
“I was 10 years old and had just moved. I didn't really know anybody and my dog had recently died. My mom decided it was time for me to get a new dog. I wasn't too thrilled but when I walked into PetSmart, that’s when I instantly fell in love with Buster.”
“He was jumping through the cage, licking my hand, and had a huge smile on his face, as if he knew I was the one. He has already been returned to the rescue group 3 times because people did not have time for him. We decided to take him home,” Brittney continues.
“We took him home and he was the best dog. He has changed my life in many ways. I count on him and he counts on me,” Brittney says. “Every morning when I wake up he's right there next to me smiling and happy to be in my life.”
Pet parent: Jennifer
As Jennifer parked her car at the PetSmart where she works, she spotted an Upper Valley Humane Society volunteer with a purebred Boston Terrier. “I couldn’t believe the dog was up for adoption!”
“We can't handle four dogs!” her father said. So Jennifer went to work knowing that Kiki, the Boston Terrier, would probably be adopted swiftly. When Kiki was still up for adoption the next day, Jennifer's brother and father drove up to the store.
“That loud beating-heart-in-my-throat love came when I looked over at my Dad was holding both Mackenzie and Kiki,” Jennifer says.
Now Kiki loves to nap on the sofa, eat treats, play outside, go for car rides, go for walks--all the same things our other dogs LOVE,” explains Jennifer. “She was the missing puzzle piece in our family. I am pleased to say that she and April (as Kiki is now known after about 12 name changes) played for the first time the other night until their tongues were falling out of their mouths, and they have been fast friends ever since.”
Pet parent: Jennifer
In January '05, Jennifer saw a Lhasa Apso named Hobo on Petfinder.com. "He was so incredibly cute," says Jennifer who has a soft spot for the breed. But her mother was hesitant to adopt another dog as the family already had one Shih Tzu named Rolo. Jennifer gave up on the idea. Until Indigo Rescue volunteers brought an adorable Lhasa Apso into Jennifer’s store, and she fell in love again!
"My mom agreed to meet the dog and adopted him! When she told me the dog's story and mentioned that his name was 'Hobo', I was in shock!" says Jennifer. "This was the dog I had seen on Petfinder.com two months earlier.
Hobo officially became part of Jennifer's family. "He is just the sweetest dog ever!" she says. "He doesn't bark much but does get excited when we visit PetSmart. He loves it there!"
Hobo and Rolo get along wonderfully. "I believe firmly that fate brought us together. He has a great home, a healthy diet and the ultimate lifestyle. I can't thank the Indigo Rescue enough for bringing us Hobo," Jennifer says.
Pet parent: Gina
While shopping at Petsmart, Gina decided to look at the animals up for adoption. “With two cats, four Tokey geckos, fish, and a new baby, we never thought we would actually adopt another pet,” Gina says.
“A tiny black and white kitten, the runt of the litter, was curled up in bed sleeping and caught her eye. My husbandknew that if I held the cat; it was going to come home with us,” Gina says.
Though Gina worried about the added responsibility after just returning to work from maternity leave and adjusting to be a working mom, she watched her husband holding the kitten and smiling and that’s what sealed the deal.
“Merlin has to be the most affectionate cat we have ever had. He has the biggest personality! We have had Merlin for over a year now and not a day goes by that I don’t wonder what we would have done without him in our lives,” says Gina.
Pet parent: Ally
As PetSmart Trainer Ally helped prepare the adoption center, she asked if one of the available dogs could help her with her classes. The SPCA volunteer suggested an outgoing cute little black puppy, but when Ally locked eyes with a very timid blonde Shepherd mix, she said “That’s the one.”
The dog ran right up to Ally and hopped into her lap! “Those sweet, caring eyes melted my heart,” Ally says. “And within ten minutes of walking around with her; she picked me. Her name is Angel. We’ve been together for about 4 months, and I couldn’t ask for a better dog. She's so much more outgoing now; she just needed someone to love and trust,” Ally explains.
Angel absolutely loves going to work with Ally everyday. “She loves doing tricks for me just to please me, not just because she knows I have a treat. She's by my side through everything. She's actually under my feet right now! Angel has found someone who loves her and gives her what she needs: a friend and a home.”
Pet parent: Jennifer
“As a Pet Care Manager at PetSmart, I care for many animals before they go to their forever homes,” says Jennifer. “I truly believe in forever pets.”
In December, Jennifer went to the adoption center at her store and there was the most precious kitten she’d ever seen. When Jennifer held her hand out, the kitten began purring loudly. “My heart cried and I cried,” Jennifer says. “I looked at her and she looked at me. I bit my lip and kissed her on the forehead and placed her back in the habitat. I called my husband and told him about this beautiful kitten I had bonded so quickly with.” Jennifer’s husband agreed to meet the kitten.
Today, the kitten, now named Smudgey, is Jennifer’s bundle of joy! “She is such a wonderful addition to our two kitties who love their new sister,” Jennifer says. “She keeps everyone on their toes and keeps me soundly asleep at night—her purr that acts as my lullaby! My husband and I both feel very lucky that this little girl chose us to be her pet parents.”
