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Lindi - Adopted from VBAC&AC 

Delilah - Adopted from VBAC 

  April - Adopted from VBAC

 Buddy - Adopted from VBAC

 

Roxy 

Roxy was recently adopted form VBAC

 Bodhi and Peenie

 Bodhi and Friend Champ

Riley 

The shelter was ear-shatteringly noisy with all the dogs pounding at the edge of their cages and barking.  Riley was quietly curled up in the corner watching us withbig eyes.  Not fearful but not affected by all the noise.  He hadbeen there for a month. The dog next to him kept growling and barking at himand he seemed oblivious to it all.  We decided that this was a good sign.

When they put him on a leash to bring him out to the car for us he was jumping up and down and bitingthe leash.  We were worried that maybe he was not so calm after all, buthe quieted right down and rode nicely home in the car.  David followed theadvice about bringing home a shelter dog (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/adoptingrescuedog.htm I highly recommend this) and took him for a 2mile walk before bringing him into the house and then kept him on the leash totour our yard and home.  This was to let off some of his energy and establish his place in his new “pack”.

He started the walk with the jumping and biting at the leash, but by the time he got back from his walk, Riley was walking rather nicely beside him and not pulling on his leash at all.  He learned sit instantly and is very confident but calm.  He is totally bonded to David and follows him everywhere and curls up by his feet. 

We were a bit worried about adopting with so little information about him but have found him to be friendly to all other dogs, no aggressive traits, and very tolerant and friendly to people including small children. No barking so far. To our surprise, he is totally housebroken and very calm and settled in the house.  Outside he is very active and we have much work to do here as he still will run off when not leashed (probably how heended up at the shelter).   While walking him someone commented thathe was a great looking dog and asked what kind of dog he is.  We said "He’s the animal-shelter-mixed-breed-needs-a-home kind.”  He said, “The best kind!”

We think we rescued a winner and he seems to be very happy to have a home.  What a happy ending!  Riley is the perfect dog for us, but we would imagine there were probably many dogs that we could have loved to adopt.  Hopefully they will have happy ending too.

David and Georgia Jones

Cinco and Milo

Update on Harley (Bailey)

 

Beast

Brookdale Farm Happy Adoption - October 10, 2009

Emme - October 4, 2009

Angel after being adopted a year ago...

Happy Adopters and Dogs Going Home 

 Mokka 

This is Kira now named Mokka after three months of loving. 

Sadie

Lilly finds a new home

Buddy Finds a New Home and a New Name - Rugby

A great success story for a great pet 

Hey!!  I'm Rugby ... do you like my grin?!?! 

 Rugby and his new brother, Mason keeping guard!!

Dog Days of Summer - First Landing State Park

Lucky Dog, Lucky Family

Madeline and Monty 

~

080 Going to a Happy Home 

Maximus on the Way to a Loving  Home! 

Lucky Kitten Goes to a Loving Home 

Charlie 

Happy Dog Goes to a Loving Home

 Lucky dog adopted at Brookdale Farm 20090525

 Ama-Chan

Bailey was this little girl's name when she was at AC.Her

name is now Ama-Chan  and she is happy, healthy and

spayed a week ago!!

Brookdale Farm - Chesapeake - Adoption Event 

 One happy dog going to a loving home

Sassy and Ollie 

The Crown Family 

~ 

Roscoe adopted at Brookdale Farm 20090517 

Joy adopted at Red Wing Park Wellness Event 20090516 

Happy Together

Successful adoption at PetSmart May 2, 2009 

May 1, 2009 

 Shop owner on dog: 'I know for a fact he saved our lives'

1 of 2 | Click for more

Christopher Selby kisses his pit bull, Rico, who recovering from a gunshot wound the dog sustained during a robbery last Sunday night. (Preston Gannaway | The Virginian-Pilot)

By Kathy Adams

The Virginian-Pilot

© April 23, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

When Rico woke from his nap Sunday evening, he was ready to play.  But the two men who had entered GFY Clothing, a screen printing shop on South Birdneck Road, were in no mood for fun.

They spotted Rico, a year-old pit bull, and one of them shot him in the head with a .45-caliber handgun. Despite the injury, Rico attacked, clamping onto one of the men’s arms and buying the shop’s employees enough time to escape.

“I know for a fact he saved our lives,” said Chuck Smellinger, 34, one of the shop’s owners. “It was amazing, because I’ve never seen him act out aggressively.”

The bullet struck above Rico’s left eye and exited through his chest, hitting one of his back legs. Fortunately, it didn’t pierce his skull.

“The vet said, 'You’ve got a super dog,’” said owner Christopher Selby, 31, who adopted Rico a few weeks ago from his previous owner, who couldn’t care for him anymore. Selby was out on a date at the time of the shooting, and Smellinger was dog-sitting at the shop.

Rico was back home by Wednesday and, other than feeling drowsy from his medications, is the happy-go-lucky puppy he was before the shooting, Selby said as the pit bull sat on his lap at GFY Clothing.

“He’s still cool, he still wants to cuddle and play,” Selby said.

It’s unclear whether the canine will regain full vision in his left eye.

For now, the city has agreed to pay for the dog’s medical bills, which totaled more than $900, Selby said. But he’s working to raise money in case he’s asked to repay the costs.

A fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday at Chicho’s Pizza on 29th Street and Pacific Avenue, and a portion of the proceeds will go to pay Rico’s bills. GFY Clothing will sell “I love my pit bull” T-shirts, featuring Rico’s freckled face, for $10.

If the person who shot Rico is caught, officials hope to make him repay his medical bills as part of his sentence, said Animal Control Officer Jane Cason.

Police had not made any arrests Wednesday, a police spokesman said . The two men did not steal anything valuable from the shop, Smellinger said.

Rico’s heroic act speaks well for pit bulls, especially because he didn’t attack first, Smellinger said.

“Anyone who has a pit bull and doesn’t fight it will tell you they’re the smartest, coolest dogs,” Selby said. “It’s 100 percent the image and the owner and the socialization and how they’re raised.”

Rico will make an appearance at Saturday’s fundraiser, sporting a sparkling “bling-bling” collar, Selby said. “He’ll be treated like a hero for the rest of his life.”

Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com

 

 

 

 

 

Phoebe 

 

 

 

 It’s been almost 2 months since I received a call that the young, short-legged Beagle that I was on the waitlist for, was ready for adoption and could became a member of my family.  Phoebe (as she is now known) is adorable and delightfully sweet, smart and devoted. She has stolen not just my heart but also the hearts of family, friends and everyone else she has met.  No one can believe she was an unclaimed “pound pup”.    I am so happy that I made the decision to adopt in lieu of buying.

 

Thank you for all that you do, especially the maintenance of, and updates to, the beachpetpals.org website with its option for visitors to register and be notified of new arrivals and then view their pictures, which is how I learned of, and first fell in love with, Phoebe.

 

-Phoebe’s Human.

 

 

 

Copper and Bronz 

 

 

 

 

 Copper

 

Here is a success story from VBAC that has already

played out in its entirety as my beloved COPPER

passed away 2 years ago tomorrow, on February 15,

2007.  She was a Basset Hound Mix.

But the one remaining thing from the long story of

her wonderful life is the love that existed between

us and shall remain viable for as long asI live.

COPPER'S life with me exemplifies what a FOREVER

home really means.

 

 

 

 

Bronz

 

Here my gorgeous girl Bronz adopted from VBAC in July.

I have sent a hard copy picture of her to VBAC so everyone

could see how, within 8 weeks of her adoption, she had

already begun blossoming into the happy, feisty, drop dead

gorgeous miniature dachshund that she now is. Her dull eyes

turned literally brighter and more alert, her thin coat

grew and thickened, her cough disappeared, her frail

underweight body gained a much needed pound, all her shots

were administered, her heartworm test was negative and she

began prevention, and when all that occurred and her vet

was satisfied that she was strong, she was spayed and had

her teeth cleaned at the same time. She evolved from a very

timid frightened dog to a playful feisty one.

She was a shelter statistic at VBAC for

10 days but she will now only be a statistic

as one of the dogs I have owned and will

love and adore and who will make me smile

until she joins my other beloved dogs

in wherever it is that specialdogs go when theyleave their master.

My thanks and gratitude go to long-time

employee and now retired, Donna, at VBAC

and all the other employees and volunteers

who, through a series of ironic circumstances, helped to effect this darling dog coming

into my home.

And it was deja vu as 16 years before BRONZ came to

me on July 20, 2008, my forever beloved

COPPER came from VBAC in 1992 and graced

my life for the next 14½ years. No words can ever

really express the great love and symbiotic relationship

I shared with COPPER  for her entire life after she was

adopted when she was just 4 months old.

For all the love I have found simply by

visiting VBAC a couple times in 16 years,

I am eternally grateful.

Nancy B. Roth

Norfolk, Virginia 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John and Jasmine 

 

 

 

We named her Jasmine and she is loving life now. She's laying here in the studio. I work out of the house so I'm with her all the time. Very nice for both of us. The SPCA has offered to take care of her spaying and any other medical work, including her leg. That to honor Jasper, our chocolate lab that died last year. He was the Scoop the Poop dog. I designed the poster and have done a bunch of work for the SPCA over the years.

The lady that runs Animal Control called me and asked if they could do a story. I said sure. So Jasmine will now become a star and probably insist on only the best kibbles and bits.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Baby and Teeko

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

In May of 2007 I went to animal control to “just look” with my then 8 year old daughter when we came upon a beautiful 6 month old long haired cat named “Baby”. It seems his owner was sick in the hospital and was not coming back out. I instantly formed a bond with “Baby” and adopted him right then and there. In December of 2008 I once again took my daughter, now 10, to animal control, just to look. I think I am just a pushover because I found “Teeko”, a 6 month old tabby to adopt. I was hesitant to being “Teeko” home for fear he and “Baby” would not be compatible. Wow! Was I ever wrong, they are the best of friends as the attached photo illustrates. Both of these cats and the joy in our lives and keep us so entertained. I couldn’t be happier with the gifts animal control gave to us.  Thank you from the Dudek family!  

 

 

 

 

 Coco

 

 

 

Thank you so much for all you and the volunteers do for the animals.  I was interested in volunteering but never made it down to get my background check.  I receive your emails and because of them when we had to make the heart breaking decision to put one of our dogs down, we did not hesitate but to see if we could adopt one of the dogs from animal control.  We went one rainy Friday evening in October  and was so saddened to see all of the dogs.  We were taken back a bit by the condtions. I did not know what to expect but this was hard to take for an animal lover like me.  We were not able to play with the dogs because there had been a parvo outbreak.  We decided on one little chocolate lab with very bad skin and signifigant hair loss from a flea problem.  We didn't know anything about her personality or how she would get along with our other chocolate lab but something told us she was the one.  It was her first day being place for adoption.  The officer was very kind and stayed after hours to fill out the adoption  papers.  We took Coco home and gave her a much needed bath, I do not think she had received one.  She played with Bailey and seemed to make herself right at home. The next day she started to act sluggish and feel very hot.  We took her to the emergency vet and found out she had pneumonia.  We had to keep her seperated from Bailey for 5 days and called Animal Control to let them know she was VERY sick.  Now that Coco is all all better, fixed,  has put on 15 pounds, and all of her hair has grown back,she is an amazing dog.  She is so loving and smart.  I am not sure what would have happened to her if she would have had to stay in animal control but she has a great home now. I now tell everyone about animal control dogs and show off Coco as a great example of what you can find.  Thank you for making all of us aware.  I wish I could take them all.

   

 

 

 

 

Ginger Holidays wishes do come true!  Here is Ginger with her new family, just in timefor Christmas!

 

 

 

Dale's babies...adopted from VBAC last summer.

 

 

 

Landry

Just a little update on our boy. He is doing really well and he is such a character and he is SMART!It only takes him at most two attempts before he picks up new tricks ( he can high five and spin nowalong with his other tricks).We did the Animal Advocates Walk for Paws Fundraiser (he is wearing his participation bandana in the pic above) this past October and once he calmed down a little (so many things to smell!) he was a very good ambassador! He got lots of attention and pets! He and Lala get along really well.

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Boomer He is such a sweet and very playful dog!  He fetches and listens really well. Now he is back to a normal pup and we just love him! Selena

 

Bella Grace

This one is an absolute utter gem. We are ecstatic with our new family member. I kept asking PETA for a dog as they kept sending me emails about helping dogs, but they always just asked for more money. When I return from FL I will simply switch my monthly debit from them (it is not much, but all helps) to your organization.

 

Bella’s official name is Bella Grace (the names of both my grandmothers’). She has come with all the manners you could ever hope for in a dog. She is tired, but she is now snuggled in bed sleeping with my brother. That is where she will sleep every night. We are so delighted to have her. It was bad timing because I will have to put her in a kennel for a week when I go to my parents’ for Christmas (I heard Care A Lot has a great one, please let me know if you have some suggestions). I don’t travel often, but I am glad I didn’t pass her up for that reason. Anyway, there are times when you look at an animal straight in the eyes and immediately just know (love at first sight). She is the dog I have been seeking for quite some time. She seems very relieved to have a home, but she still seems a little unsure if this is really hers…. I know she’ll catch on real fast!!

Thanks so much for such a great find,

Suzanne Schott and Bella Grace

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Bodhi

I am sending a couple pictures that my husband took of Bodhi today.  First, in case you’re wondering about the name, it means enlightenment, one who attains nirvana, and all the psychological roots of greed, jealousy, hate, etc are removed.  It’s always present in the mind, it just needs the mundane to be removed.  In the next to the last picture, Flash is in the foreground and Bodhi is lying by the door.  We liked the meaning of the name, and some other stuff I can tell you later because it’s getting late and we have had a long day.  When we arrived back at home, we took Bodhi, Peanut and Flash for a walk around the neighborhood, about an hour or so, then came back and everyone chilled for awhile. 

 

 

Then later we took all three over to Patuxent Park, it’s about 2 miles from our home, and once you are there you can’t believe you are still in a city.  I’m not sure how many acres it is, but there are lots of hiking areas, hills, etc, 3 ponds stocked with fish, the Patuxent River runs through it, lots of trees, old barns and cornfields, and all protected park land.  We walked about 3-4 miles there and all are tired.  Had dinner after we got back, the dogs did.  Bodhi finally ate some Evo food this afternoon, it’s an organic high protein food made by Innova, and he had not been hungry earlier, probably because his stomach was upset, and he had vomited.  Tonight he ate like a champ, organic yogurt, organic baked chicken, organic veggies, and Evo.  They eat better than we do.

Kind regards,

Cindy

 

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We just wanted to tell everyone how great our new addition "Luke" is doing. Luke came to us as an 8-10 year old black lab who went by the name "Beauregard". We heard he had been at animal control for awhile and had been passed over more than once. At first we thought that maybe an older dog would not be the best fit for Deacon (our 3 year old great dane). We thought that maybe we needed a tumble-proof puppy.

Our hearts went out for this ol'boy and we decided to give him a chance. What a good choice!!!  All the fun of a new dog and perfect manners to boot. Both he and Deacon (our 3 year old great dane) hit it off immediatly when they met. Luke can now rest easy knowing that he is a part of our family forever. We absolutly love him. He seems thrilled too!! We want to thank all of you for allowing us the opportunity to give this wonderful older gentleman a permanant home. We are still amazed that this poor fellow was left unnoticed for so long. He is definitely a diamond in the rough. Today we learned that he knows his basic commands, loves to shake hands, and will do anything...absolutely anything for a treat!!!!! What a wonderful dog. Thank you.

We wish all of you good luck in your neverending endeavor to give these beautiful friends of ours a new lease on life. Thank you so much for all that you do!!!

-Kelly and Erik

 

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Amber adopted # 20 Crissy, she is now Ginger, shown here with new pal Amaretto

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Hi! My husband and I adopted a black pomeranian, in cage R2 I believe. We adopted him on the 28th after having our name on his card for what felt like FOREVER! I think I drove my huband crazy, because I kept talking about the dog the whole time we were waiting haha! We named him Teddy.

Lisa P.

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Katie was at our adoption event at the Neptune Festival when she found her forever home!

 

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Hi there!

I wanted to tell you a "happy ending" story. I adopted my dog from Virginia Beach Animal Control. She is a boxer mix, about 40 pounds, and we named her Caliber. She is one of the smartest dogs ever! After a little work, and A LOT of medicine for kennel cough, she is the perfect dog. She knows all basic commands, and is very people oriented. Not the same dog that was in the kennel at the shelter, afraid and alone. She would much rather lay on your feet and get pet than play, and she is wonderful with everyone and everything!

 

Samantha

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I adopted my little man from an adoptathon at Care A Lot one Saturday, last October.  I could not figure out how a little one went so far without being adopted.  Well, when I approached, it was evident.  He was the meanest, nastiest little bugger I have EVER seen!  The volunteer said he had been abused and the trainer I had been working with said the same thing and that he had been kicked.  He is weird about feet and shoes.  He is 9 pounds, and looks like a chi shiba inu mix, if that's possible.  He is my little sweetheart.  He and my little yorkie poo are best friends.  We could not handle Pancho for about 3 months after we got him, but he learned to trust us on his terms, and we have all fallen madly in love with him! Thanks again.

Take care,

Barbara

 

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"I wanted to send pictures of the animals that we adopted. We got Jake the dog at the Neptune Festival and Milo the cat from the Va Bch shelter.  Both have adjusted to their new home and each other.  They have become happy additions to our family and they are doing great."

 

Robert S.

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Just thought I'd drop you a line and say Thank You!!!  

Camille (her new name) is doing well.  I took my mother to the shelter and since then they are inseperable.  Camille now has a loving home, huge backyard, free run of the home (and furniture) :) and well on her way to becoming the most spoiled child in the family! 

  

She is an amazingly wonderful animal and I can't believe that her previous owners never came in to claim her.  She is wonderful!!! 

 

Again, thank you and know that she is definitely a happy camper now!!

Thanks again, 

Camille's New Family

 

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I thought I would send photos of our successful adoptions. The first is Casey, a male black lab, Adopted April 29 08. Sassy dlh cat adopted 10/07 and finally Cooper a male lab/rottie mix, adopted 7/06.  Guess we have a thing for black animals!

Jen & Leo

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Dear Friends I would be so very pleased if you would reference our story.  I sure hope it will help convince someone to take their special dog home AND be as happy as John and I are..  Bailey was "Heaven Sent" and every single animal I saw that day was waiting for their "Special Someone."  Good luck and thanks again for Bailey. Robbie

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I just wanted to let you know how happy we are that we adopted our new dog from you yesterday!  We adopted the male pekingnese at Care-A-Lot on 7/7/07.  He came home with us and he and our dog immediately hit it off and are best friends.  I hope to send you pictures of us all together soon!  We appreciate all that you do for these animals and we absolutely love our new dog!!

Becky H.

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I know it has been a while, but I just wanted to let you know that all the cats are getting along just fine now. It is hard to believe that I have had the kittens so long! They both are doing well. Each weigh almost 10 lbs as of the most recent vet visit! They outweigh our other cat by about 3 lbs.  All three are rotten to the core and get into tons of trouble! I attached a picture of Winston (the blind one) it is a little blurry since he is constantly on the move!  Thanks again for all the help!

Mollie

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I just adopted a little terrier mix in December. She is 13 and I stumbled on your group at Care-a-lot pet store. Having two male labs that are just happy and fun loving she has become the grandmother of sorts. They seem to feel that it is their job to watch out for her. Savannah is a wonderful addition. Thank you so much.

Doris R.

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Here's two pictures of BahBah (he didn't answer to the names I was given, but answered to BahBah- we shouted a bunch of names at him & BahBah stuck).  BahBah

is an all around nice dog.

 

Stephen

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