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Spencer
Pet parent: Laurette
In October 2001, a very good friend of pet parent Laurette suggested rather persistently that she needed a dog. Reluctantly, Laurette accompanied her friend to PetSmart just to look at the dogs up for adoption.
“PAAW had a photo album with several pictures of dogs awaiting adoption for us to look at while we waited,” Laurette says. “When they arrived, almost before they placed the puppies in the pen, I saw this animated ball of white fur in my friend’s arms. I signed adoption papers and purchased “dog stuff” for the wiggly and social fur ball.”
Spencer is now 5 years old and about 50 lbs. Laurette brings him to PetSmart occasionally to visit, and each time someone comments on how beautiful and happy he is. Since attending obedience classes at PetSmart, Spencer is well adjusted, obedient, and a wonderful addition to Laurette’s home.
Pet parent: Dianne
Pet parent Dianne was shopping when she spotted Angel, an eight-year-old, 6-pound Toy Poodle sitting very small in a large cage. “You have to see this dog,” Diane told my mother as she brought her into the store. A man, the dog’s would-be foster parent, was holding the dog. When Diane’s mother reached out, Angel went willingly into her arms. The two bonded immediately.
“We were told Angel had been brought to a vet for euthanasia, but he refused, believing that her flea allergies and severe arthritis could be managed,” says Diane. “But this isn't about us saving Angel's life. It's really about the change she made in my mother’s life. My mother is 83 now. It's hard to find activities to interest her, but Angel provided the answer—instant love in a small package. She is a tiny miracle with a very large heart. Angel is not just another pretty face…she is a devoted companion, cheerful entertainer, and surprisingly effective watchdog. She and my mother share many challenges (including blindness and diabetes), but they found each other to love unconditionally,” says Diane.
What more could anyone ask?!
Pet parent: Kimberly
Even though pet parent Kimberly is a PetSmart Charities volunteer who has seen other people’s lives change for the better when they adopt an animal, she’s experienced that changer herself as well.
“I adopted "Pookiebear" in December of 2003,” Kimberly says. “He had been returned from his original adopter who claimed that his teeth were bad and that he hid from them. The moment I laid eyes on this cat it was true love.”
“You see, my "Pookie" (as I refer to him) has a breathing difficulty and is on medication for the long term. He is also 9 years old. I have 5 cats ( ALL adopted from shelters) and he acts like the youngest. He has changed my outlook on life," she says.
Pookiebear has taught Kimberly and her family the true meaning of the phrase "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." He has made them laugh when they wanted to cry, smile when they wanted to scream, and hug when they wanted to just be left alone. “I thank God every day for my Pookie, and cannot imagine a day without him,” Kimberly says.
Pet parent: Nicole
Pet parent Nicole had no idea that she was going to fall in love with a Great Dane when she walked into PetSmart.
“A volunteer was holding "Lord Jake" on a leash and I knew I wanted him. My husband was hesitant, since we already have 2 Labradors but my 7-year-old son convinced his daddy to come see the dog.”
“Lord Jake was a gentle giant. My husband was instantly in love,” Jennifer continues.
Nicole and her family knew he was perfect for them. As soon as Lord Jake came into their home, he began playing with the family’s other two dogs and he curled up on the couch by the end of the night.
Lord Jake has gained weight and his black coat is glossier than before! And, since he was already a year and a half old when he was adopted, Nicole and her family didn't have to go through any potty training or puppy training (“A real bonus of adopting from PetSmart!” she says.). “Our pet food bill has gone up (Lord Jake eats 6 cups a day), but the level of love in our home can't be topped thanks to Lord Jake!” says Jennifer.
Pet parent: Reba
In 2005, during Hurricane Katrina, pet parent Reba’s 10-year-old mixed Shepherd suffered a stroke and had to be euthanized after a painful week-long struggle to save him. “I decided the pain of losing him was too much and felt I couldn’t get close to another animal,” she says. “A month after, I was at PetSmart,” she says. The Shelby County Human Society just happened to have animals up for adoption at PetSmart that day.
“My eyes went straight to a little, 7 or 8 pound brown puppy with bulging eyes. She was a terrier mix by the name of Macaroni,” says Reba. “I will never forget the look on her face as I walked over to the animals. It was love at first sight. My empty heart was suddenly full again.”
That puppy’s name is now “Abby.” She is two years old and 19 pounds of pure sweetness. “I know that God had a plan to mend my heart that day by sending me in to PetSmart,” Reba says. “As a matter of fact, I am the proud pet parent of 3 shelter animals now. And they are all wonderful friends.”
Pet parent: Misty
It was February 19, 2006 when pet parent Misty had moved to a new city, Tracy, CA. “I went into PetSmart right before it closed to look at the cats. There were young ones, old ones, black ones, and then there was Frenchie...a 12-15 pound gray female, with awesome yellow eyes. I was sold.”
“I signed the papers and I was hers,” Misty says. “She was in good health, a couple years old and was surrendered because her family couldn't support her anymore. She was very loved.”
When Misty relocated to Hayward, CA, even though their apartment is a bit smaller, Frenchie loves to sit by the patio door and bask in the sun. Every morning around 3 a.m., she wakes Misty up to remind her to go to work.
“When I come home from work, she is at the door waiting for me,” says Misty. “I couldn't imagine my life without Frenchie. She is a loveable, friendly cat who enjoys a lot of attention, something I can afford to give her.”
Pet parent: Tess
Pet parent Tess remembers the day as though it were only moments ago.
“My children and I woke early one Saturday morning and I quickly asked each of them how they felt about a kitten!” she says. “We headed to PetSmart and there she was,” Tess says. “Our Tibz.”
“She spent the first half hour riding in the hooded sweatshirt while we shopped for all the new kitten supplies we would need (and of course some extras),” Tess says.
Tibz was the family’s first kitten and but their home now includes two additional kittens as well. “Mittens joined our family when we wanted Tibz to have a playmate for the long days we were away at work and school. Mittens and Tibz quickly learned how good it felt to be hugged and loved by one another,” Tess says.
Even with Tibz and Mitten at home, Tess and her family figured it couldn’t hurt to have a third cat. So they adopted Boots. “Our family was missing an important piece. The adoption program through PetSmart and Help for Homeless Pets of Billings, MT, was the perfect place for us to find our final piece,” Tess continues.
Pet parent: Laurette
In October 2001, a very good friend of pet parent Laurette suggested rather persistently that she needed a dog. Reluctantly, Laurette accompanied her friend to PetSmart just to look at the dogs up for adoption.
“PAAW had a photo album with several pictures of dogs awaiting adoption for us to look at while we waited,” Laurette says. “When they arrived, almost before they placed the puppies in the pen, I saw this animated ball of white fur in my friend’s arms. I signed adoption papers and purchased “dog stuff” for the wiggly and social fur ball.”
Spencer is now 5 years old and about 50 lbs. Laurette brings him to PetSmart occasionally to visit, and each time someone comments on how beautiful and happy he is. Since attending obedience classes at PetSmart, Spencer is well adjusted, obedient, and a wonderful addition to Laurette’s home.
“Since Spencer moved in and wrapped himself around my heart, life is happier, funnier, and generally better. He makes me laugh every day,” Laurette says. “I believe that my friend was right; I needed a dog in my life to open a world I didn’t know existed. I’m glad I listened to my friend.”
Pet parent: Danette
It was February 1999 when pet parent Danette’s German Shepherd passed away. “My other dog went into a deep depression and wouldn't even go outside if I didn't go with her,” Danette says. “ I thought a new canine friend might help so I stopped by the Humane Society of Utah and in the very last run, was a husky mix curled up as small as she could get.”
“I guess you could say she adopted me!” Danette says. “I renamed her Isabeau.”
A few years later, when Danette’s other dog passed away of old age Isabeau needed a new friend. That's when Isabeau and "Roger" met. The people from Best Friends let Danette take Roger home overnight for a "sleepover." Roger had been at Best Friends for about 2 years so he wasn't used to being in a house. But he settled in right away.
Roger was renamed "Buster" and Danette believes that it truly was fate that he was at Best Friends for so long and she met him at his first adoption event. It happened to be my birthday when I signed the adoption papers,” Danette says. “Buster has been the very best birthday present EVER!”
Pet parent: Jennifer
Pet parent Jennifer grew up in family who loved dogs. But, one day, feeling quite down as a teenager, Jennifer saw a little chubby exotic shorthair. "She meowed at me and rubbed her head through the cage," Jennifer explains.
Within two weeks, Meatloaf (as the kitty is now named) and Jennifer had a bond that she could not explain.
"Meatloaf really feels connected to my family. We all love seeing her thrive and it seems that she "knows" how much we love her. After adopting Meatloaf and realizing how people can impact an innocent creature and how they can impact a whole family I will adopt any pet I take into my home," Jennifer says.
And Jennifer says she will never ever forget Judy, the PetSmart Adoption Center associate who helped bring her and Meatloaf together. "I hope she reads this and understands what a special human she is! She has helped to make sure a wonderful animal is loved and appreciated," Jennifer says.
Pet parent: Jessica
In November of 2005, pet parent Jessica returned to an empty home after a year long deployment in Iraq. Her husband was still in Iraq and would not be home for a couple more months.
“My house felt so empty and lonely with no one in it but me,” Jessica says. “So one morning she went to PetSmart and looked at all the animals. That's when she saw her; this little scared black kitten hiding in the corner of her cage all alone. As soon as I picked her up, she began to purr and lick my hand. I instantly fell in love.”
“She not only kept me company while my husband was overseas but she had become apart of our family,” Jessica continues. “A sweet cat needed a sweet name, so we named her Pear. A few months later once my husband got home, we decided to expand the family. We got Pear a brother; a fluffy bright orange tabby that we named Harley.”
