Alumni Tales

Walter Is the Perfect Addition

My husband and I adopted Walter (a.k.a. Merlin) this past November, and we've loved having him in our home. He has been the perfect addition to our little family. He loves to go on long walks and play with his toys, but his favorite pasttime is probably curling up on our bed and snoozing! We couldn't have asked for a better friend and companion than him. Thank you to the Maryland SPCA for granting us the opportunity to provide a home for Walter. He has returned the favor ten fold.—Laura

Sadie Returns Home

I received Sadie (a four-month-old Boxer) seven years ago as a housewarming gift. After she turned one, I brought another dog home to be her playmate. I spent a lot of time out of the house and felt bad leaving her alone. After a few months, the dogs started fighting, so I took the other dog back to the shelter where I got him. After some time, I tried again. Same thing—they got along okay at first, then started fighting. Thinking the third time is the charm, I brought home a female puppy. They got along great for over two years, until the puppy got bigger than Sadie. I swear I was afraid the vet was gonna report me as a dog fighter!!

As Sadie was obviously the problem dog, I found a home for her where she was the only dog. I told the new owner to let me know if there were any problems, because Sadie was still my "baby" and I wanted to keep tabs on her. Then the owner felt he could no longer take care of her properly and took her to the MD SPCA. This happened the same week I started volunteering at the shelter. When I saw her in the kennel, I cried. I also accepted the fact that she was meant to be my furr-ever friend.

The staff at the shelter were SO compassionate about the situation and let me bring Sadie home that same day! I still have to keep the 2 dogs separate, and I am lucky to have enough space to do that. It seemed a nuisance before, but that whole "fate" thing got me!! Even months later, the staff still asks me about her and how things are going. They are great people and truly care about the animals they care for!! Thank You!!!—Ruth

Hunter Keeps Us in Stitches

I visited the MD SPCA in early December of 2007, just to look, as I missed my four legged family on the West Coast. After visiting twice and seeing that so many needed good homes, I decided to adopt another 'kid.' So, I narrowed it down to two, both boys. One was a medium size, younger guy. The other was a four-year-old big guy that had 'resided' at the MD SPCA since the previous August (4 months). I took both out, played with both, walked with both and still couldn't decide. Then I saw Hunter's reduced fee for adoption. It wasn't that he was cheaper. Instead, I realized that, as an older, bigger dog, he had less of a chance of being adopted. Done and done! Hunter came home to Canton with me! We stayed in Charm City another three months. Then I took Hunter on a roadtrip to my house on the West Coast. Wow, what a trip with a baying Treeing Walker Coon Hound! We bought a lot of toys and chewies along the way, got stuck in a huge midwest ice-snow storm and finally made it to Portland, Oregon. Hunter quickly 'kissed up' to his older sister, Ginger (who was rescued from Baltimore Animal Control). Today, they both enjoy running, chasing squirrels, patrolling the 'perimeter' and giving the 'business' to other dogs, loud trucks and postmen who dare walk by their house. Lately, he has been 'the talk' at local baseball event, "Bark in the Park." He made it on the online homepage of the daily paper (quite a star!). At night, he loves to curl up and snuggle with us and Ginger. Boy, does he snore! Hunter has been the perfect addition to the family. He does a great job of 'exercising' old Ginger and keeps us in 'stitches' with his comedy routine. (It's a Treeing Walker Coon Hound thing.) A huge thank you to the folks at the MD SPCA for all that you do for four legged friends and a big hug for uniting me with Hunter!!!—Peyton

Hailie Is a Wonderful Girl

Hi! My name is Hailie, and I was adopted on 12/31/04 when I was about 11 months old. It was the third time I had been at the MD SPCA. "The third time is a charm," as the saying goes. I think I was back so many times because I was an escape artist. After mom and dad brought me home, I escaped off and on for about six or seven months. I would climb over the four foot fence around the yard. They would get so upset with me, but I was just exploring my new digs. They finally took me to meet Mark Katz, and he helped me learn to be a good girl. Well, five and a half years later, I am what some would consider a "couch potato." I enjoy lounging in the driveway, on the sofa or on the bed. Give me a big, fluffy pillow, and I'm happy! I love chasing squirrels and deer, but my most favorite thing to do is walk on my leash in Oregon Ridge Park.

My nickname is "Orange Dog" because of my beautiful coat, and my parents tell me all the time what a wonderful girl I am. They say I'm the best and are thrilled that I am a part of their family. True love!!!—Tim and Kathy

Buttons is So Darn Cute

We had just lost our cat of 16 years when we saw Bon Bon on the Saturday morning news and immediately fell in love. Her name is now Buttons, and what can I say about her? She is constantly making us laugh with her antics. She is the most curious cat we have ever seen. Her favorite game is hiding in soda boxes and running in front of us when we walk by. She also likes to have her paws brushed. She actually holds them up to be brushed! We always say she knows we can't get mad at her because she's so darn cute! We just want to say thank you very much for allowing us to make her part of our family. It's the best decision we ever made.—Joseph