PAWS Chicago Alumni
 

 

Hi PAWS Chicago,
My husband Semih and I adopted Bea & Opie about three months ago and things are going very well.  They are both full of energy and they seem very happy to be together.  Their vision problems don't seem to stop them from doing anything, and they love to play.  They've really developed distinct personalities - Bea is the female and is more dominant, always wants attention, and is the protector of the two. Opie is more easy-going, loves to play with toys, and is a total goofball.  We've had a lot of fun with them so far. They went through their obedience training class and did very well. We're thinking of taking them for some advanced training soon.
Bea is afraid of the flash (probably because of the vision problem), so
taking pictures of her is difficult!  Thanks so much for your help. We're so happy with Bea & Opie and really happy that we could give them a home together. - Katie & Semih
 
I wanted to let you know how well Astrid (now Lila) is doing! I'm attaching a picture from Christmas, when I took her home to Virginia to meet the family. My mom adores her, chased her around the house with her new toys from Santa (mom still has to adjust to playing with cats versus dogs!), and I think she and my dad both really enjoyed having a pet around the house again. Lila loved having the run of a big house, and tried every bed (a la Goldilocks!) to figure out which she liked best. Her favorite spot was right Astrid
under the Christmas tree, where she could watch without being seen. In fact, the only way to get her out was to start playing with the laser pointer on the floor. I'm looking into getting one made for cats, since she just loved playing with it! Back in Chicago, she's re-adjusted to the smaller space, but is just as much of a princess as ever! She enjoys watching the snow from the windows, and gets super-excited on the days when it's really been snowing hard. She wakes me up every morning around 8 and then 9, so I hardly need an alarm! I've really gotten to love that time with her. She's just such a sweetheart. But then, you already knew that! I just wanted to say thanks again for bringing Lila into my life! Best wishes for a great new year. 
- Meghan Ablott 
 

Dear PAWS Chicago,
Ally (PAWS name Erin) is doing great and is making new discoveries every day. She has found her toy box and has learned that there is such a thing as play time and toys. Now she will go to her toy box, rummage around in it for her toy of the moment and bring it to us to play.  She has also discovered that there is such a thing as chew toys, and it's okay to chew on them. Ally loves to run and she has gained about 15 pounds from
the time we adopted her and none of it is fat. She is in great shape, her coat is silky and shiny, eyes bright and she is such a happy dog.  She is the most affectionate dog I have ever had and she is not afraid to express it.  We are very happy she is a part of our family.  Thanks again! 
- Max and Kim
 
Dear PAWS,
I just wanted to send you updated pictures of Buddy Hackett.  He just turned three years old on April 6th.  He has been a great little doggie.  He loves to play with his friends and as you can see, he loves to dress up too! Thanks for bringing him into our lives.  We cannot imagine our life without him!
Love, Nancy, Joe, and Buddy
 
It was a rough start for Calvin (PAWS name Shuba), but thanks to the PAWS team, he is healthy and growing like a weed! Calvin is a wonderful addition to our home, he is very smart and excelling with his training. He is the star of his puppy class and often a little bored because he is so advanced! He is friendly to all walks of life and quite a favorite in our neighborhood, as well as at the vet.
We love watching him mature into quite a handsome man. We are not sure which way his ears are going to grow, but no matter what, he will be perfect. Thank you all at PAWS for your continual support and dedication. Here is a picture of Calvin in his tux getting ready for the Fur Ball, and one of, well, just Cal.
 
Cecelia Hi PAWS!
Just wanted to let you know that Cecelia (PAWS name Ci Ci) is having a wonderful time in Logan Square. We adopted her in late October, and she has adjusted wonderfully to her new home. Your spay/neuter clinic did a wonderful job with her surgery, and she recovered quickly. She's an absolute joy; we're lucky to have her.
 
Hi PAWS Chicago,
My name is Baci (which means "kisses" in Italian). My owner, Francesca, adopted me from the Run for Their Lives adoption event. I really like my new home. There are so many toys! They even have a cat. I started puppy kindergarten at PETCO, it was fun. I'm doing pretty good, although Fluffy the cat doesn't seem to like it when I chase him.
Baci
 
Grundy Dear PAWS Chicago,
Here's a picture of our cat Grundy (a.k.a. Billy and Rudolph), who we adopted at Christmas 1998. Now, he and his sister, Penelope (the orange one) have a whole house in Connecticut to explore. They didn't much like moving out here, but they've forgiven us. Anyway, thank you so much for rescuing him -- he's such a wonderful kitty and has brought us a lot of happiness. Every Christmas, we remember how lucky we are that you
found him. Keep up the great work that you do!  - Phoebe Hall and James Notzen
 
This is Al. We adopted him on April 14, 2000, when you brought him to Old Orchard Mall. I had sent my husband to the mall to pick up a table and he met eyes with Al and brought him home. Three years and 25 lbs. later, Al is happy and healthy. Our family is so enriched by his presence in our lives. He is absolutely the sweetest, most loving, most gentle dog and we are all so grateful! Thank you for rescuing him!
- The Epstein Family Michael, Jackie, Danny, Sarah and, of course, Al
Al
 
Sugar Hi PAWS Chicago,
You probably don't remember, but Sugar was a bit of a "special needs" cat at PAWS. She terrorized the other cats and Toni begged us to foster her for "just a few days, to give the other cats a break!" We did and fell madly in love with her. She hates cats, but loves people. She's as social as a dog, and as affectionate as an angel. So, this being the season for giving, I want to thank you for giving us the most precious thing on Earth: Sugar
Bear! You all refer to the animals as "angels with tails," but I think everyone at PAWS deserves that designation: tails or not. Thank you. - Toscha Mintert and Matthew Taylor
 
Here is a picture of Jack, my Australian Shepherd mix, and I in Vermont. I adopted him from PAWS Chicago at a Saturday morning event just before Christmas. He is doing great, despite struggling with the occasional house training accident. Our trip to Vermont was great, as he got to meet lots of other, bigger dogs, hike in the woods and snow, and meet lots of people. He was, and continues to be, the star of the show when meeting new folks. Thanks, Damien Casten  Damien and Jack
 
Pebble Pebbles (PAWS name Ro) is doing fine and growing like crazy! She just got her rabies shot yesterday and now weighs in at 21 pounds. She was 12 pounds just one month ago when I got her. She has started school and also goes to free puppy play at PETsMART. We also visit with the kids waiting for the school bus 2-3 times per week. She loves everyone, human or canine. She's getting along very well and holds her own when she plays with her brother, Blue. Thanks for a great puppy! - Nancy Bartosch
 
Hi PAWS!
Crooks (PAWS name Sammy) is the coolest cat in the neighborhood. He chose this pose, and wears it well. Personality? Like you wouldn't believe! Everyone meeting this little kitten is immediately smitten. How could you not be? He is 8 pounds of furry fury, and we loved every minute of his company. 
- Steph and Adam
Crooks
 
Dear PAWS Chicago,
Cricket (PAWS name Junipurr) took mere minutes to get adjusted to her new home and roommate, Zach. Though the adjustment took a little longer from his end, the two are now fast friends who enjoy playing, wrestling and napping with each other. It's been loads of fun having Cricket as a member of our household.
 
We adopted Erik and Marmalade (then, Misha) from the Clark Street location in November 2002. Erik had been in the clinic for quite sometime (he only has one eye and seemed to be a bit feisty with the other cats, perhaps that was why he was there so long). Marmalade was fairly new to the clinic. In any event, we fell in love with both of them and brought them home. They get along fabulously--playing and snoozing all day. Marmie has doubled in size and is happy with a little tummy scratch. Erik has become Erik and Marmalade
an avid hunter for every toy mouse in the house and has also become a seasoned connoisseur of steak and shrimp. Thanks so much for giving us these two little sweethearts. They add so much to our home! Attached is a photo of the two of them snoozing--one of their favorite past times. - Sandra and Nick
 
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Send your PAWS Alumni stories (100 words or less) and photos to alumni@pawschicago.org.