ROCKY’S STORY

2 ladies who had been helping to take care of a dog in a bad situation contacted us. These ladies were providing love & shelter the best that they could for a large dog. Unfortunately, this sweet Rottweiller mix was being kept outside.  Of course, this was the hottest part of summer & they felt that they had to do something to improve his quality of life.  They were able to raise the money to take care of his shots, heartworm test & surrender fee for admittance to HAS. 

        When Rocky arrived, you could see his eyes light up!  He was immediately introduced to his new digs that included an air-conditioned kennel, his very own Kuranda bed with blanket, his own big cold-water pail, and plenty of good food & treats.  When he walked into the yard the first time (a scary thing for some dogs), you could tell the joy & sense of freedom in his every mannerism.  The spacious yard & baby pools won him over instantly.

Rocky responded very well to the structured environment that we maintain at the shelter.  He soon turned into a very well behaved, housebroken young man, ready for a family.

One morning, we came in to find Rocky’s kennel floor, covered in blood.  He had developed a major intestinal infection that required over a week of hospitalization, intravenous fluids & medications. This treatment also cost the shelter thousands of dollars.

 During his hospital stay, one of the veterinarians & her husband fell in love with Rocky.  However, their house was full of their own animals.  They told one of their friends about him & after he was out of the hospital, Sam came to the shelter to meet Rocky in person.  They seemed to hit it off right away.  However, we do ask our potential adopters to think about the commitment they are about to make to one of our animals.  So, Sam returned a few days later with his fiancé to meet Rocky.  Just like Sam, she took to him right away.  After taking Rocky for a 2 week home trial, they finalized their adoption & made Rocky a permanent member of their family.  In the short time that Sam has had Rocky, he looks completely different.  He is more toned (they run together daily) his coat looks extremely healthy & has a beautiful sheen to it.  And of course, there is that light in his eye that every healthy, well taken care of & unconditionally loved animal should have.

        We would like to thank the wonderful ladies who saved Rocky & cared enough to raise the money for him to come to HAS.  Where most people would have seen a big dog that needed to be turned in to animal control, they saw a special dog that they wanted protected & loved And we really want to thank Sam, for coming forward to adopt Rocky.  Where some people would overlook a dog that just went through a life threatening, expensive illness – Sam saw a wonderful young man who needed a family.

Chumps , Adopted 20 February 2011

Emma, Adopted November 20, 2008 Just a note to let you know how Emma is doing. She has adjusted beautifully to her new home. She has the run of the house and uses the crate only to sleep in at night which she still seems to want to do. She is able to run in the back yard whenever she wishes and is taken for a walk in one of our parks daily. She is eating well. She is a very sweet dog and it didn't take me long to fall in love with her and she really returns that love. She is at my side almost constantly and seems very happy and contented with her new surroundings. She is scheduled to be bathed tomorrow and will be checked by the Vet next week. I am so glad I adopted her. Have a Happy Holiday Sincerely, Miriam

White Toe, Adopted September 30, 2008 Greetings from White Toe Hi, my name is White Toe....I lived at the Highland Animal Shelter ever since I arrived there with my sibling, Pete. I was named "Repeat" at the time we came to the Shelter as young cats...while my brother Pete found a home pretty quick, I remained at the Shelter for several years. Although I lived in one of the free rooms (which really helped me to socialize with other kitties)....everybody seemed to overlook me. Finally, a nice family took an interest in me! They decided to bring me home, and give me the chance I had been waiting for. Being a friendly cat, I integrated very well into my new family, which includes seven other cats! I really appreciate all the Shelter volunteers have done for me....many people ignore the love that adult cats like me have to offer! If you are thinking of adding someone special to your family, please give my friends at the Highland Animal Shelter a chance....Many mature pets, young pets and pets with special needs are praying for their lucky break....to find a forever home. You just don't know the unconditional love that awaits you! PS, in case you're wondering, my family re-named me White Toe....look closely at my right foot! Christy

Lucinda, Adopted in late December 2008 Changed her name from Lucinda to Spot About a month ago my wife and I adopted a black 6-7 month old kitten named Lucinda. We gave her a separate room at first and a very long transition to share space with our other cat, a 4 year old male named Pepper. They get along very well now and play together often. They love to wrestle. Pepper can't keep up with her energy for more than about 1/2 hour and has to retreat under a blanket for peace to recharge, but he always comes back for more later. We call her Spot now and she is very affectionate and playful. Spot likes us all and is very happy here. She is a very sweet cat. Both of our cats are inside cats that have chips and have been fixed. Dan

Algy, Foster Care Every week after volunteering at the shelter, I would hate to leave Algy. He was a thin, scruffy, lonely little cat. So, I decided to foster him. After getting him home, I discovered he was completely deaf. But that doesn't stop him. He adjusted to the house with 3 other cats and a large dog without a fuss. He is a sweet, gentle, quiet old man. The only thing loud about him is his purr! When he wants attention, he quietly comes near you and taps you several times with his paw. He has put on weight and spends more time grooming himself, and on a rare occasion chases one of the younger cats through the house. It has been a wonderful experience fostering Algy, watching him thrive and giving him the extra love and care he needs in his "golden" years. Amy

Leonard & Warren - Adopted, November 2007 Both are fat cats now. Leonard is my guard cat. He is down in my shop with me every day and he makes a real nuisance of himself when someone is trying to pay for their purchases. He bite the pen as they are writing, and if they by chance give him a little pet on the head he is in their face for more and more. I have to put him down on the floor so they can finish. He also guards me when a dog is out of their cage. He will stand between me and the dog and just dare him to come closer. He really looks very innocent and inviting, and then comes the whap on the head. No claws are out but he is not one to be pushed too far. He will also jump up on the grooming table while I am grooming a dog just to say hi. Leonard is the stinker, literally. He waits to pass gas until he is in your lap. He also plays fetch just like a dog. If he hears a wrapper of any kind being torn open he is up in your lap in a heartbeat. He want you to roll it up and throw it. He will then retrieve it and play with it a few seconds and then bring it up on your lap and drop it waiting for you to toss it again. When I cut some treats in half for take home bags in my shop and they hear the squeek of the cutter, both are downstairs in a minute. They know I am cutting something that tastes good and they will probably get some if they stick their noses far enough in the jar. Neither has warmed up to company who visit upstairs. Hey disappear and you won?t see them again until everyone is gone. But downstairs in the shop they are much more comfortable. Maybe all the dogs in the cages barking remind them of the shelter where so many good hearted people gave them a warm place to live and good food for their bellies and lots of love until they came to their forever home. Thanks to all who gave my boys such good care while they were there. Bunny and Dan Korte

Sunray & Aretha This is my beautiful, yellow tabby, Sunray who I adopted from the Highland Animal Shelter. How fortunate for me to find such a wonderful cat in need of a good home. She is a sweet, gentle kitty who loves to curl up on my lap and watch Wheel of Fortune when I come home from work. She enjoys quietly watching birds from her favorite sunny window in the morning and taking afternoon naps in the recliner. When Sunray and I recently moved from our apartment to a new house, we adopted a second kitty from the Highland Animal Shelter. This is my newest little princess, Aretha, who keeps me entertained. Aretha enjoys being a clown. She is quite a lively kitty and loves to play and explore her surroundings. She enjoys playing "Chase me, Catch me" with her older friend, Sunray, when Sunray isn't taking her afternoon nap. There is never a dull moment when Aretha is around. ;-) Aretha is so glad to finally have a home. She shows her love every day by giving her own version of kitty hugs and kisses. Pat, Highland Animal Shelter Volunteer

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