Happy Tails Adoption Stories
"BJ"
Hi Guys!
This note is a long time in coming. Mom has been after me, so I'm dictating and she is typing.
It is almost three weeks since I moved to Livingston. When we were pulling away from the shelter, I started barking. I barked and howled the whole way over to Livingston.
When we got to my new home, Mom said "Wow, that was fun!" I really missed you guys and I sat out at the gate and howled and barked for 2 1/2 days, but I guess you didn't hear me. My new sister Blake (I call her "the Blakester") asked Mom if she could return me and get a parakeet instead. Mom said "absolutely not." She kept telling me that this was my "forever home"; that she loved me unconditionally, and I could keep crying if I wanted to but I would be using up good energy. I decided that the accomodations weren't bad - the food was pretty good, the Blakester and I had two beds each, and we got to go swimming in the creek almost every day. We go for rides in the car, walks in the park, we recycle, and we go up to visit my new cousin a lot. The ladies who deliver the mail and some of the neighbors come by everyday with treats for us. I had to go to the Vet last week and he took an X-ray of my shoulder. He said that I was a really good boy and he gave me some treats too! Well, I'd better get going and help Mom. I stay pretty close to her. Sometimes she calls the Blakester and me "velcro." Mom decided to wash the covers for our beds and put the beds out in the sun today. I certainly don't understand why, they were just beginning to smell really good.
I love you guys,
BJ
"Blake"
Hello Everyone!
I just wanted to say "hi" too. I couldn't believe it when Mom brought BJ home. She told him to wait in the front yard and went to let me out so that we could be properly introduced. He bolted up the front stairs and ran right over me! I thought tha I had been hit by a steam roller! He cried a lot at first but he has gotten over that. He is really a great brother. He knows that I have some issues around food and sometimes he leaves some in his dish, lays down a few feet away, and then lets me finish it. I think that he is telling me that he won't take my food and that I can have some of his and that he understands. When Mom took him to the Vet, I got really upset. I didn't understand what was happening and was worried that he was going away. When he got back home I cried, I kept kissing him and jumping all over him! He just kept wagging his tail. I know that he loves me too. I don't feel lonely anymore. Mom said that our family is now complete. It just feels right having BJ with us.
You wouldn't believe how beautiful I am. I have put on a few pounds and my ribs don't show anymore. BJ and I are now taking fish oil every day and my morning limp is gone. We got brushed this morning and are very "shiny." Mom says that I am the prettiest girl in the neighborhood. BJ is quite handsome too. Sometimes he is a bit of a goof ball, but when he sits at the front door on the porch, he looks so stately and dignified! He's my best boy!
Mom said to say "Thanks" for taking such good care of us and loving us until she could.
Love you guys,
Blake (aka "The Blakester"
)
"Beatrice" aka "Beatrix" & "Chloe" aka "Violet"
We adopted Beatrice (was Beatrix) from the Heart of the Valley Shelter back in April. When we first met Beatrice, she wasn't feeling very well and she seemed very stressed inside the shelter, on our getting to know you walk...she was very well behaved but not very "into" us. But something about her told us that she was the one. Once we got her to the vet, we found out that her sick feeling was just food allergies and she doesn't have to take her tummy pills anymore now! She felt better right away and is now the most loving, cuddly, expressive and patient dog ever! I bring her to work with me every day and she just eats up all the attention she gets (I own a store that sees lots and lots of kids every day). Her job is the be the store greeter, and she does her job well! All the customers look for Beatrice when they come shopping! She was even in a short lived TV commercial!
Her favorite activity is playing ball! I mean, she LIVES for playing fetch! Good thing my husband has an excellent arm! She loves her big backyard to play in, but seems to love being on the couch just as much. Beatrice goes with us everywhere. She goes to work in the morning and comes home to play, we only make dinner plans at outdoor dog friendly restaurants (the Garage is her favorite), and she even attended our wedding!
We know that Beatrice was raised with a "brother" (Diesel) who is still up for adoption at the HOV, which breaks our hearts. We were so surprised at just how well trained Beatrice was before we adopted her. She knows WAY beyond the basics. She knows to stay on the sidewalk, and doesn't require a leash at all in our quiet edge of town neighborhood, she clings close to her people's sides! She doesn't chase other dogs, she is perfect with cats, and just seems to know basic English. Training her on new rules is easy as can be! She is great with kids (she has tolerated 5 toddlers petting her at one time...which I admit I hovered over at first out of concern, but she just ate it up!) We are guessing that Diesel is also very well trained, and would make such a wonderful addition to anyone's family. These dogs were raised together according to their files, so if he is anywhere near as well behaved as Beatrice, he would make a perfect companion.
We adopted Chloe (was Violet) from the HOV in March of 2008, within weeks of buying our first home. Chloe was 3 years old when we adopted her and she licked us incessantly when we first met her. She also made some hysterical escape attempts from the "getting to know you room" (she really thought that window on the door was an escape portal). We were in love. She doesn't try to escape anymore though. She is such an attention lover. Reading on the computer? Chloe is in your lap. Laying in bed? Chloe is laying on your chest, all stretched out and blissed out from all the petting. Chloe has such a special and unique personality, we just love her so much!
So now we have a massive animal family: Boxy the box turtle (Ian has had her for 27 years), Franklin the rescue box turtle from a Colorado reptile shelter who was found with a broken shell outside in CO (clearly not his natural habitat), Chloe the HOV beauty kitty, Tealc the semi-feral dog attacked farm kitten (who also turned into a total love), Snakey (the recovering weed whacker whacked snake who will be released in late September) and Beatrice, our wonderful doggie who loves all the animals in the house.
Thank you to the HOV for bringing us together with our family :) Our pets bring us so much joy, and we always have someone to talk to!
"Celine"
We love Celine...she's a little "odd" in some ways but a real people-lover, too. She's very happy here. The fence you see in the background goes all the way around our yard, so she is and feels very safe. She loves wandering around the yard and exploring. There's plenty to keep her interested.
"Mabel"
It was not love at first sight - for either of us. For two weeks, I unsuccessfullyattempted to connect with this stranger at the end of a Humane Society leash. I'd never seen a dog who didn't love me. She didn't.
We were so very different. Mabel was 23 pounds of skin, bone, and brittle blonde hair. I was 10 times her weight, robust and brunette.
Her tail was constantly between her legs in fear and sadness. I'm a rainbow clad professional clown - really.
Her demeanor was one of fear, distrust, and trepidation. I am generally at ease, loving, and over-trusting.
She was a toxic refugee from a meth house. I don't even use chemicals to clean.
She had been repeatedly turned down by people because of her looks. OK, so here we may have one thing in common after all.
That's when everything changed. I was not going to accept her being judged unacceptable because she didn't look like the petite possible Lhasa Apso cross that had been advertised. This long legged, demure critter deserved to be loved just as she was, as did I, and we were going to make it happen, whatever it took! I think she may have rather stayed with the "cell mate" who attacked her regularly, than to have trusted a human again. From our very first night together, I knew I had to deserve and earn her trust. For decades I'd wanted to see Merle Haggard in concert and I had a ticket for the night I brought Mabel home. She needed me more than I needed Merle, and that was the first of many modifications we've made in order to create the relationship we have.
Physical traumas have been, at times, daunting. At one point, Mabel lost most of her hair. Our local vet was wonderful, but this was a time when even the combined minds of Bozeman's best animal health care providers, paired with the scientific talents of veterinarian hospitals throughout the country couldn't help. In desperation, I contacted a highly gifted animal communicator who put me in touch with Dr. Pitcairn. His secretary responded immediately, because of his respect for the communicator, and the dire and urgent information she told me pass on to him. By the very next morning, we were in Jackson Hole, in the extremely wise and healing hands of a Pitcairn trained vet. Within a few months health, vitality and lots of hair sprang forth.
Emotional traumas have surfaced too. We use them to build an even stronger, more trusting bond, using gentleness, love and compassion - the complete opposite of the tools which were used to beat her down. Sadly, there are still times, after five years together, when Mabel cringes, each time proving that my best efforts cannot erase the terrors of her early life.
Mabel loves to learn and her confidence soars when given new "games" to master. Agility, tricks, canine freestyle dancing, focusing, calming techniques. Local instructors have taught me the techniques which have helped Mabel to blossom. Our relationship has grown in such a truly rich and precious way. Nancy Tanner, Nancy Creel and Linda Holenstein have helped me to become a better dog person and Mabel to become a better person's dog.
Mabel is now a fit 34 pounds, has the softest flaxen hair you've ever petted, and deeply intelligent, communicative eyes. Her health, vitality and emotional well-being have evolved past what anyone who knew her five years ago could have ever imagined.
It is with some sweet pride that I tell you that she just passed the AKC Canine Good Citizenship test. I would encourage all dog owners to take pre-test classes, and the CGC test. When people ask what this "CGC" thing is, I let them know that a dog who wears this title is a confident, calm, composed, cognizant, compassionate being. May we all be so.
Clown photo courtesy of Ed Thomas. Photo of Mabel and Judy courtesy of Laura Schaap.
"Symphony"
Thank you so much for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to take care of Symphony. She has been a blessing to our family. She loves to go hang out in the yard with her harness on. She loves to hang out in the bed, on the couch, on the rug in the living room... anywhere we are, she usually is. She was officially dubbed the team mascot for the Helena All Star 12 and under traveling baseball team. Although she couldn’t travel with us much because it was so hot, the boys always had her in the backs of their minds. We have 3 cats and 4 dogs, and they all love her very much. Even the Jack Russell, although for obvious reasons, he is not allowed near her when she is not in her cage. But even he has not shown any animosity towards her. How could you not love Symphony? She’s the best ever!
"Saidi"
Dear Heart of the Valley,
I am so happy in my new home! My family takes me everywhere with them. We go camping, fishing, hiking,
boating, and running! My mom and I run for an hour, three to four times a week. It didn’t take me long at all to
run as long as her, but she was nice and worked me up slowly! I’m always
ready for fun. I wake everyone up with sweet kisses and encourage them to
take me out to play.
I love my kids. I let Tyra the little four year old girl, lead me
around and thinks she’s in charge. She and Keyton, the 6 year old, are
always hugging me, laying with me, throwing me a ball and I run around them
making sure they are being good. Kyler the 13 year old, is always taking me
for walks with him when he goes anywhere. My family almost NEVER leaves
me home alone! Thank you for letting me have the family I picked . I knew
when CJ walked in, that she was the one for me. I stood up on my gate and
licked and whined at her to come see me. Mom loves me alot, too. She takes
me every time she goes anywhere! She’s given me pet names like, “Saidi
Lady”, “Saidy Lady Bug” “Lady Bug” and “Love Bug”. She is the exact master I
needed to keep me in my place with firm commands and lots of together time.
And I have so much fun riding in the back on Dad’s truck, too! He even taught
me how to be a good girl when he’s fishing. I don’t swim where his line is, and
I’m not allowed to eat the fish when he brings them in... but I just LOVE the
way they smell!
Mom keeps me well groomed. She keeps my long Airedale hair clipped
short on my face. She says it makes me look like a girl this way. She’s always
brushing me. Which I enjoy... I usually fall asleep!
When I turn two on the 23rd of July, mom is getting me a big bone! I
love bones! I carry a chew bone in my mouth and follow mom from to room so I can be near her. I lay down at
her feet and chew away!
Here are some pictures of me and my family. I’m so happy here, and they are happy with me. They say I
am smart. I learn all their tricks and commands by the second time! I’ve learned their rules, and I know what
makes Mom happy. I know they don’t want me to chase cats, and I’ve learned to get along with the two that live
here...but....I just can’t resist the chase when they run!! I never hurt them, though. I just put my nose on them
when I’ve caught them. I know I’m not supposed to. Mom says it’s the Airedale in me. I’m trying!
Thank you for giving me such a great family.
Saidi
"Juniper" aka "Belinda Carlisle"
This winter we adopted the best dog in the world (we think so) from HOV. Her name was Belinda Carlisle,but we changed her name to Juniper. Thank you so much for everything you all do at HOV. I just wanted to send some photos and an update on her. She has been the best addition to our family! She is with us everywhere we go and we simply cannot imagineour family without her!
My husband and our children absolutely love her, as do I!
"Arlie"
a shy kitten becomes a sweet companion
Arlie joined our family in November 2008 and we are very happy she did. At that time, our household had been made up of 2 “aging” humans and a sweet cat named Patches, whom we had adopted from the shelter in 2007. When we decided to adopt a second cat, we wanted to be sure that the new cat would be friendly to our Patches, who was shy when she first came to our home, but has slowly become a wonderful companion cat.
Finding the right cat seemed like a daunting task. Although I volunteer at the shelter and knew some of the cats well, it was hard to decide on just the right one. The shelter staff provided the help I needed. When Kelly, the feline supervisor, talked to me about Arlie, I thought right away that Patches would like her and that both my husband and I would love her. She was shy and, although she seemed a bit scared of the busy shelter atmosphere, she was very sweet. Could she learn to love our home and be comfortable in it? I think shy cats can become great companions in the right home. Patches did. I was sure Arlie would too, in time.
When Arlie first came home, she hid most of the time. We had set up a room for her so she could be comfortable and safe. She came out to eat and to use the litter box, but she was nervous in her new home. My husband and I wondered how long it would take Arlie to come out of her hiding place. Again the shelter staff had the answer: “Shy cats require more patience and understanding than confident cats. Arlie will come out when she was ready”. I knew from my experience with Patches that it might take as long as a week or more. The key was to let the cat, herself, make the decision when it was safe to come out. Slowly, Arlie would come out to visit us. She loved to be cuddled and to play. It was wonderful to see little Arlie ready to take on her new world. Everyday, Arlie became more confident and curious. Soon she was ready to meet Patches.
Arlie’s first few meetings with Patches were a bit rocky, but soon they started to accept each other and are now great housemates. Arlie still has her shy moments, but that is who she is. Every day with every new experience, she develops more confidence. It is amazing to see how far Arlie has come and to watch her become a fantastic family member.
I am so grateful to the people of Heart of the Valley for introducing me to Arlie. They are excellent advocates for all the cats at the shelter. Prospective adopters sometimes overlook the shy cats, but these cats can become great companions if matched with the right home. My husband and I are lucky to have found Arlie. She is a wonderful addition to our family and I can’t imagine our home without our sweet feline companion.
"Penny" aka "Gracie"
Hello everyone, I just wanted to share some pics of Gracie in our new home in Texas, she is doing great and I decided to change her name to Penny (kind of like a new beginning for both of us), she responds to it pretty well. Since we got here we've been to the vet a couple of times for routine stuff and to check out those red eyes...(it looks like she needs surgery in the near future). We also go to the many parks in our area and walk around the neighborhood. She is such a good dog!
Thank you all for taking such good care of her and giving me the opportunity to adopt a wonderful companion!
"Toes"
I remember the day we brought home Toes, my mom picked me up from school and there was Toes wondering what was going on. When we got home we had the area all set up for Toes in the TV room. At first we were wondering how she was going to feel in a new place, but she jumped on the couch and made her self feel at home.
We adopted Toes in October, the day before Halloween and now we have had her for about four months. We made Toes an indoor cat but she still enjoys looking out the window in my bedroom. Toes has found a few places that she calls hers around the house one of those many places would be my pillow at night and when I’m at school Toes likes to lay on the beanbag chair or lay on the back of the couch in front of the pellet stove.
One of the funniest things about Toes is when she goes down stairs because here comes Toes thumping down the 14 steps with here bouncing bag of blubber rocking side to side. When we adopted Toes she was over weight but we are hoping that going up and down the stairs and playing tag with are other cat will help her lose some of it. She’ll have to stop stealing pretzels if she expects to lose weight though!
Toes rules the roost with the dogs in the house and lets them know she should check out their food dishes prior to them getting to chow down. Our other cat, Kippy, is more reluctant to let Toes rule the roost. Toes will sit up and beg for food, and you have to watch her that she doesn’t steal your food.
"John Wayne"
The story of how John Wayne came to live in Portland has it’s roots, and is eternally indebted to a little terrier mix angel who appeared on my doorstep in Dallas, Texas, around Thanksgiving 1998. My Rottie named Tweedyl had passed away just three months’ prior...and then, amazingly, along came PeeWee. We were the best; inseparable; we did everything, and went everywhere together. He was perfect in every way imaginable. On September 23, 2008 in the course of just a few hours, he was struck down with per-acute autoimmune hemolytic anemia. There was nothing anyone could do. Following his passing, the next three months were the darkest days of my life; my grief could not be underestimated. Then.. my neighbor’s sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Dan Miles came to light. Rita continues this story for a bit:
Rita Miles of Livingston writes: My family home in Garden Home, Oregon, a Portland suburb, is across the street from Jana’s house. I often visit my sister, who still lives there, and met Jana some years ago. We lost our longtime companion dog Tucker in September, so when my husband, Dan, and I began searching for a new dog in November, Jana’s loss was also on our minds.
I noticed John Wayne on one of our first visits to the animal shelter. John Wayne caught my eye because at the time we visited, all the other dogs were barking and he was not. He was standing talking to some people with a very happy grin on his face. I didn’t realize on the first visit that he had had surgery and was missing one leg. I mentioned his happy face and non-barking to Jana via email. She requested we visit him and so Dan and I went over to take him out for a romp and also participate in a cat test. We were happy when he and the “test cat” rubbed noses and went their separate ways. Jana will continue:
Early December I called the folks at Heart of the Valley a couple times inquiring about John Wayne, attracted by his huge smile and glowing eyes in his HOV online photo. His expression awakened my heart from it’s shattered condition. Alas...another Angel entered my life. I “made a deal” with the wonderful people at HOV, begging them to let me “reserve” John Wayne with my check, and promise to drive from Portland to Bozeman as soon as the winter storms provided a break. Two planned trips were postponed by terrible snow and ice storms. On December 26, Rita’s sister, (my neighbor) Alta and I started our journey through snow blizzards, and ice to reach John Wayne.
We arrived at Heart of the Valley on December 29...a beautiful cold but sunny day. En route, I had many very tearful PeeWee flashbacks and all kinds of doubt about adopting a tripawd, a dog I didn’t even know, feelings of not yet ready for another dog..and more. When we met, I was struck by John Wayne’s sweet spirit and smile. We played out in the snow laden field and I was committed to him immediately. It was tough leaving the Heart of the Valley people. I owe them so much for bringing new light into my life.
John Wayne, (who happens to be a great guard dog), has found home. Clearly, his cowboy hat and bandanna collection provide a great entree’ into his fun loving “I’m from Montana” spirit! Right now, he is sleeping, dreaming, maybe about his friends at Heart of the Valley, to whom he owes so much gratitude! Thanks very much to all!
"Trixie"
We want to let you know that Trixie is a wonderful pet. After we got through a surgery toremove a plastic bottle cap she ingested during a walk, everything has been smooth sailing. She is playful, loving and smart...and has adjusted to San Francisco city life quite well. She is an excellent frisbee dog as you all predicted. Everyone in our family is grateful we found her - and grateful to you for providing her such loving care in between her families.
"Shicklgruber" aka "Tangerine"
"Ich bin ein Feliner" Shicklgruber relaxes after occupying yet another country - err, room at the Van Why House. He was adopted from the Heart of the Valley over the Summer, and is doing great. His rather astonishing resemblance to a character from the 1930s and 1940s who held a rather loud executive position in Europe belies his sugar pie personality. He purrs louder than he meows and trots after my wife and me like a puppy. Whenwewent to the shelter, a young man was lavishing him with affection. It's obvious that HOV isexcellent at acclimating kittens to human touch - something that is so vital when they are young. "Gruber," at risk of resembling people gushing over their pets, as you and yours so often hear and to which point I will avoid, is simply awonderful, joyful and joyous pet. And as regards all those who have contacted HOV saying the pet they adopted there is the best in the world - they are all sadly incorrect, as the greatest pet you've ever produced is, as I speak, pawing through an atlas to a map of France, worried about his performance at Dunkirk and emailing Mouseolini.
"Holly" aka "Holiday
A Heart of the Valley Hero
Holiday (Holly to us) joined our family in July. She quickly became acclimated to our home and to us. In fact, it was love at first sight for all 3 of us. She has been awonderful companion to Verne, in particular, who spends his days at our home...this is just as I hoped it would be when I adopted her. Today, she is not only aloving companion, but a hero in our family. On October 13, 2008, 
just after 4 am, Holly got up from her bed in our bedroom and began pacing around our bed and nudging me. Iawoke to her anxious movement. I realized quickly that Verne was not in bed, but in the bathroom. Just then, Iheard a loud thump coming from the master bathroom; I rushed, with Holly close at my side, to the bathroom door, pushed it open to find Verne collapsed on the bathroom floor on his back, out cold. I grabbed the phone and dialed 911. The Bozeman FireDepartment and the ambulance crews arrived quickly. They went to work immediately to assess Verne's physical condition. Holly and I sat together watching the intense action. We consoled each other as our best friend was put on a stretcher and taken to the hospital for care. Holly knew, before this event occurred, that something was wrong. Her keen sense of this made it possible for me to swing into quick action to take care of Verne. Holly, our hero, to be sure!! We bless the day we went to Heart of the Valley and adopted her. She is a most wonderful member of the Klingensmith Family.
"Ginger"
When I met Ginger one year ago she was scared of the world. She was scared of noises, people, otherdogs, new things, etc. Most of all, she was scared of being a loving, playful animal and unable to connect with humans. Today she’s not only a ‘love bundle’ but reaching out and making a difference in the Bozeman community as an ITA Outreach Therapy Dog. Ginger is helping the kids in the schools work on their reading skills and sharing fun times with the teenagers in the local Youth Home. Eventually we’ll also look forward to adding the hospital and nursing homes to our reach. Ginger is as happy and well adjusted as anyone could dream. Tennis balls, sticks, mountain streams, and hikes are all favoriteparts of life now. Nancy Tanner helped me help Ginger bridge the transition between Heart of the Valley and her new life. The downtown vendors like Barkenhowell's and Country Bookstore also embraced her ventures into the ‘real world’. We want to thank everyone for making the difference. I know there were several volunteers who gave tireless energy to her through the years keeping her up and healthy. Thanks for being a part of our community and facilitating the amazing gift of love between Ginger and me.
"Inu"
Inu is doing fabulously. We love him. He sure is full of love and affection and seems to like nothing better than to sleep in my lap and nuzzle me...My stick-in-the-mud dog "D.O.G." refused to play with Inu at first, but now she can hardly help herself! It is so fun. Inu also gets to play with kitty Cocoa...They play so hard that when they go to sleep at night they just wrap eachother up with their arms and fall asleep. We all enjoy Inu so much. He sleeps with me most of the night, but sometimes with D.O.G. in her bed. Once again, I want to thank all those folks at HOV who saved Inu's life and enriched ours in doing so.
"Bubba Duke" aka "Famous Amos"
We recently adopted Famous Amos, the beautiful boxer. We have renamed him Bubba Duke and he is working out beautifully in our home. What a superb canine - well-mannered, soft-spoken, and a true lover! He fits in great with our other two dogs...being an older dog he is teaching the puppy some well-needed manners...and our Mo cat and Bubba Duke have become fast friends. A HUGE thank you to all of you at HOV, including the volunteers: everyone we dealt with that day made us more aware of how much these animals are treasured. A special thank you to the vet (Dr. Crista DeJoia) as she requested one last check-up to remove Bubba's stitches and check the progress of his healing. He looks great!
"Sassy" aka "Spoofer"
Hey guys, this is Sassy, formerly known as Spoofer… My adoptive mother said I reminded her of Sassy from Homeward Bound, which I agree. I must say I am very happy in my new place… It’s nice being the only cat in the house and getting all of the attention… I know when it’s night time, that’s my favorite time. When I see mom undoing the bed I run as fast as I can and jump up on the bed and get into my spot and sleep the whole night. Guess where that is…right in between mom and dad underneath the blankets… I have lots of toys – my favorite is a little ball with a bell in it. I kick it all around the house…Well that’s the majority of what I have been up to lately… I love it here in my new home!
Meow,
Sassy
