PAWS Chicago Alumni
 

 
Dear PAWS Chicago,
We adopted Cooper (PAWS name Ross) from PAWS on Saturday, June 7th. We had no idea how much Cooper would change our lives. He is such a great dog.  He's so happy and the world's biggest lover. He loves to ride in the car and it looks like he's definitely a water-loving dog. He just started up his puppy obedience lessons this week and already knows "sit" and "lay". Only three accidents in the house during the month we've had him.
Ross
We are so happy with our choice to adopt Cooper. A big thank you to Annie at PAWS for introducing us to our new addition. - Ruben and Nicole Zendejas 
 
Chester
Hi PAWS Chicago,
Chester
(my main man), gives good luck kisses on my wedding day! Regards,
Andrea Szkwarko
 
Lara (PAWS name Jasmine) is doing great and keeping us busy. She is 14 weeks old now and we finished puppy preschool (socialization and basics) last Saturday. We'll begin more training on July 19 (more socialization, learning basic cues, etc.). We have found a superb training outfit in Oak Park that we are very pleased with. At her first day in puppy preschool, Lara was extremely shy and spent most of the time hiding under a chair. Well, check out one of the attached photos to see what happened to our "shy" puppy (shown here playing with an 18-month-old, 65 lb. Airedale). She is extremely playful with other dogs (and rabbits, birds,
ducks, and even the Hoover vacuum cleaner). House breaking is going fine, with only two accidents since we adopted her from PAWS on May 30. She is turning out to be quite a sailor as you can see from the attached photographs. We picked Lara when we came to see the puppies at PAWS last month because she was the only one with all her paws in the water bowl. We figured that she liked water, and since we sail a lot in the summer, she seemed to be the ideal crew member for us. Lara sleeps Lara
in her crate on the first floor of our house, but we gradually introduce her to our bedroom where we are creating a little corner for her. She is also very comfortable in the car and falls asleep right away (possible so that she will not have to experience my driving!). She has met tons of people of different ages, shapes, colors and sizes. She behaves very well when we cut her nails -- it's amazing what a piece of bacon can do! Also, she is very comfortable with people handling her, thanks to our daily handling routine that involves morsels of hot dogs! 
- Leo Irakliotis & Breeda McGrath 
 
Bear Dear PAWS Chicago,
We cannot remember what our life was like before Smokey became a part of it. She does everything with us and makes every second of the day more fun and meaningful. We love sharing our home with such a kind-hearted and sweet little girl and know how lucky we are to have her in our lives.
- Amy and David Cox 
 
Here is a picture of Toby (PAWS name Roscoe) who we adopted at Angels with Tails. He is doing really well. He pretty much ignores Mom and Dad and follows his big sister, Kaela everywhere. They are getting along great! He especially likes to be outdoors and enjoys playing in the Hostas (as you can see from the pic). Thank you for helping us find him and making him a part of our family.
Sincerely, Gwen Hayden  
 
Muenster Hi PAWS,
Everything is going very well with our puppy, his name is Bear (formerly Muenster) and he is the most easily trained puppy that I have ever had. He is already doing well in obedience classes and gets along well with other people and dogs. Thanks again for allowing us to make him part of our family.
- Kurt Hagemann
 
They always say you shouldn’t bring your work home, but the temptation of this quirky little fellow was just too much! Dante arrived at our household as a PAWS foster dog, but from the moment he trotted in the door, he knew he was a member of the family. Dante relishes sleeping on my pillow at night and entertains himself by batting his dog food around with his paws and tossing it in the air. Even though his cataracts are developing and his teeth are a little on the brown and crooked side (well, a lot on the brown Dante
and crooked side), Dante could not be a more gorgeous and joyful little creature. He is nine years young and happy to be alive - he reminds you what life is all about. I feel so fortunate to be his mom! - Delia Spears, PAWS Chicago Program Director  
 
Indie My husband and I adopted Indy (PAWS name Indiana) in January 2003. We both wanted a dog, but we didn't know if we could commit to having a puppy since we both work full-time. I began looking on the PAWS website and immediately fell in love with him. He is the epitome of a dog being rescued and given a second chance at life. PAWS took him in, pulled four teeth, treated his ears, medicated him, gave him proper nutrition and most of all, LOTS of LOVE!! We think we finally have  gotten his ears cleared up,
but as a result of years of infection, he is deaf. He is such a sweet and gentle dog, and everybody who meets him loves him and says what a wonderful dog he is. We absolutely adore Indy and can't picture our lives without him. We appreciate all of the work that PAWS does because many people would not have given a 10-year-old dog with multiple heath concerns a second chance in life but you saw something special in him and allowed his life to continue. For that, Kevin and I are forever grateful. - Mandy Chadwick 
 

Hello PAWS,
Belle (PAWS name Camille) has adjusted well to her new environment! She makes the cutest facial expressions! I'm always laughing - especially when she talks to the birds. She has a cute personality and has brought a lot of joy to my home.
- Sofie & Belle
Belle
 
This gorgeous boy is Buddy, formerly known at PAWS as Brutas. He is thriving in his new home and is a perfect example of a happy, well-adjusted rescued dog. Buddy is loved by his family and by all who meet him because of his sweet and gentle nature. He has truly been a wonderful addition to the Bilancioni Family! Thanks PAWS for saving Buddy!
- Bert & Patty Bilancioni
 
My husband, Bob and I adopted Bluto (PAWS name Little Bear) in February. I was a little afraid of placing a Pit Bull mix with our gentle Border Collie, Snooky. Boy, was I mistaken! Snooky has adopted the alpha dog role and Bluto is the sweetest, most gentle doggy in the world! He is such a great addition to our home and all of our neighbors enjoy watching them run, wrestle, play tug-of-war and ROMP in our yard. Thanks again to such a great organization
as PAWS, and the Humane Society where we adopted Snooky.  -Elaine & Bob Zelinski 
 
Cooper A few months ago, I adopted Cooper (PAWS name Austin) from PAWS and I wanted to let you know how happy we are. Cooper now spends his days playing with his best friend, Porter (formerly Lorenzo from PAWS - Class of '02) and the two of them have become inseparable. Porter has taken on the role of big brother and is introducing Cooper to all his friends around the neighborhood and at Wiggly field; but if anyone plays too rough with his little buddy, he'll come to the rescue. At home, if the two of them
aren't wrestling on the bed or playing "chase me", they stand guard at the window protecting us from the pretentious squirrel that taunts them from the trees everyday. Rest assured that Cooper has found a wonderful (permanent) home and a family that keeps him wagging his tail all day long. Many Thanks, Ryan 
 
Hi PAWS!
Just wanted to let you know how pleased we are with this adoption. Fritz is a very sweet and well-behaved dog who has given us minimal trouble. He gets along very well with our other dog, Kibbles. Both are a delight to have around.
Sincerely,
Shirlee Velazquez
Fritz
 
Jasper When I decided to become a foster mommy for a cat, my family didn't think it was such a good idea. I explained to them that I don’t get attached to every cat I meet and assured them it would be a temporary thing. A week later I was on the phone justifying to everyone why Jasper is so special and why I needed to adopt him. Jasper is about 5 years old, FIV+ and spent three months in a cage before moving into my apartment. Before that, he endured a rough life on the streets. I believe this is why he appreciates
everything I do for him so much! I have never met a more affectionate cat! At night, Jasper likes to sleep next to me with his head on my pillow or with his head on mine. Jasper is very friendly -- he is interested in meeting just about everyone I bring to my apartment. When I am home, he wants to be at my side at all times. When I found out Jasper was FIV+, I was a little concerned, but now I rarely think about it. I enjoy taking good care of him -- feeding him well  and keeping him on a multi-vitamin. I plan on him being as healthy and happy as he is right now for many years to come -- he deserves it! We are exactly what each other needs! Thanks so much! 
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Send your PAWS Alumni stories (100 words or less) and photos to alumni@pawschicago.org.