New best friends found here.

Email your VCHS adopted pet picture and story and we'll add it to this page!

My family and I adopted Lilah (right) just over a year ago, and we love her very much. She is such a well behaved dog that we have a hard time understanding why she was separated from her first family. Lilah came to us as a very mellow and fully trained dog, which instantly alleviated our fears of adopting a fully grown dog. Our two young children love her, and she is very patient with them especially our two-year old daughter. Our son bonded with her immediately, and she became an instant family member. She was just the dog that we were looking for. Lilah is a wonderful addition to our family, and we feel lucky to have found her.

Hi, me and my family adopted Tiki (right) before Christmas and I want to let you know she is wonderful, and we love her to bits. She is the best thing that happened to me this year. She fills my heart with joy and beyond. Having her around is like having a two-year-old child. She loves being naughty but she only does because she wants us to give her attention.

Jasmine (left), a VCHS resident for many months, was adopted by Capable Canines of Wisconsin and will become a service dog after training. What an honor! She is a loveable, large, stout Lab/Rottweiler mix. She was chosen for this very special role because of her good listening skills and willing attitude and because of her size; a large dog is needed for this family's need. In a phone call, we were told that Jasmine gets along very well with everyone, including kids and other dogs. Here are a few words and picture of Jasmine. "Here is a picture of Jazzy in her harness. She will be trained for an 8-year-old autistic child and will have to learn basic and advanced obedience, tethering to her new owner, alert the parent if the child has left certain boundaries, search and rescue, seizure alert and behavior calming. She will be with our service dog trainer for 6-9 months." Kudos to Capable Canines for selecting a shelter dog for this very special role.

Remember Luger? Our handsome, huge, extremely boisterous young Lab? Here is Luger with his new family in the photo at left. We hope to get an update from them soon!

We finally got a couple shots of Silas (right), renamed Mack. Actually we named him Lightning McQueen after the Cars movie star. Mack continues to improve. He's pretty good on leash, sits very well now, and is learning stay. His barking is pretty much under control now, and except for one bad night when he had an upset stomach, his house manners have been great. His cat manners still need working on, but for the most part he isn't too hard on them. Mack has learned to fetch very well. I think he'd play all day if my arm would last that long. I enjoy that; I've never had a dog that actually enjoyed playing fetch. So, he is alive, well and happy. We've had him on a diet, but I can't really see that he's lost any weight. I'll take him into the clinic and weigh him one day soon, just to see it it's doing any good.

Hello everyone back at Vernon Co. Humane Society! Do you remember me? I'm Mort, and I have remembered my manners with my new adopted masters. I get to run all around the farm, meet new animals; cows and cats. Speaking of cats ... My lady of the house has a house cat, and for the life of me I don't know what that cat is thinking! He just stalks me all over the house. No, he don't fight, maybe hiss, but this following a fellow around all the time makes me wonder what he is thinking. However, I just lie down on the cool floor and ignore him and he gives up and goes away. I had my lady of the house take a picture of me showing my handsome profile. I thought that you would like to see how sleek and shiny they keep me. And, if I'm extra good they will give me a bite of their table food, or even a doggie treat. After I got use to being on the farm, it really isn't half bad living. I love chasing birds, but you know, I still haven't caught any yet! I'll just keep trying! But, the best of all, is on the really hot summer days, they let me come in the house where it is air conditioned. That is a real treat! Gotta go now. Maybe when the weather gets a little cooler, my masters will bring me by and let me visit.
Sincerely, "Mort" from the Clark residence.

Just a quick note to let you know that Hobbes is doing great. He's adjusting well to his new home and just loves our kids. He's got a lot of puppy in him yet, but we are working with him and he's learning fast. He's making lots of friends with the neighbors and their dogs. He is such a sweet dog and loves everyone.

Josie and Winnie (formerly Sadie and Cheyenne) are doing great. Winnie is growing like a weed! They love going for walks and playing with our mini potbelly pig. Winnie and the pig are best friends. They sleep out in the sun right next to each other. Josie is very well-behaved, and hopefully Winnie will learn from her mom.

I just wanted to give you an update on T.J., whom we’ve actually re-named Jake. We tried out a couple of different names right away just to see how he responded, and he loved his new name so much that he had actually learned it within an hour of getting home! Jake is such an amazing dog, and we’re so lucky to have found him. As you know he’s been staying at my parents’ house for the last month, until I move into my new dog-friendly house next week. I can’t wait to bring him down to Madison with me. He’s had a great stay at my family’s house though, and he gets along very well with other dogs—he’s great friends with Callie, Gus, and Corky. His favorite thing to do (besides play fetch with absolutely anything) is to lay down in my lap and roll over so I will pet his belly!

Duffer is learning how to be a good house dog, and he is smart, so it's going pretty well. He wants to be a dominant dog and is very energetic, so we have our struggles sometimes, but he shows progress and seems to be a bit happier each day, so we know that we are on the right track. He suffered from shelter stress pretty bad and displayed aggressive behaviors that got him into a lot of trouble at the shelter. But we had an instant bond, Duffer and me, and I knew he was meant to be mine. My husband and I love him very much. Thank you VCHS for giving us a chance to help Duffer, and thanks to Brandon for all of his guidance and support. Anna

When I first brought June home from the Vernon County Humane Society, it took her a while to warm up to a new family. But, before we knew it, she was making us laugh so hard our stomachs hurt. It wasn't long after that I decided June's sister needed a loving home as well, so I went back to the shelter. We named her Midnight, and it suited her because, for the first while, she would only wander the house at night. Soon June brought out Midnight's playful side and the two are now quite the pair. Thank you Vernon County Humane Society!

Bandit, formally known as Balto, has been a very nice addition to my house. He is very well behaved. My niece and nephews love him. He is so great with them. Relaxing on my couch or on my lap are his favorite spots. I just love having him around. I hope everyone can find a pet as nice as Bandit.

Chyna has plenty of yard to explore. She now has a 40 foot 850 pound test cable so she has plenty of room to roam around the back yard. She likes to go for walks; you can tell when she gets hold of a scent (squirrel, deer, turkey doesnt matter) she goes into overdrive. Her nose works in double time and she runs back and forth (as far as the leash will allow) sniffing, wagging her tail and if the scent is strong enough she'll even whine a little and try to tug to get us to move faster. ... She's very much a people dog. So far she hasn't met anyone she doesn't like. ... She does not like having to get up early and get out of bed to go out, but we have to leave for work, so she doesn't have a whole lot of choice. We go for a quick walk, then I hook her up to her cable and she stays outside and roams around until my father-in-law gets up; then he lets her in and she usually goes back to bed for a couple hours.

Paris, who we have named Sadie, has become a wonderful addition to our family. We can not say enough good things about her. Who ever had her before us trained her very well. She is loving, quiet, playful, and loves to chase the squirrels across the yard. She has become a great sleeping companion for Jeremy, our five year old. She loves to ride in the car and goes with us all the time.

Opal, one of the dachshund mix puppies born to Pebbles in fall of 2005, is happy in her new home. Dennis and Julie say, "We sure are enjoying Opal. She sure is a cuddler and loves to take a nap in someone's arms all covered up." It looks like she enjoys napping with her canine babysitter too! Opal is mostly white with a few dark spots.

Hi Everyone—it's me Gus! I was a shy little puppy who was full of ticks and scared from being out on my own for so long. The nice people at the shelter gave me a warm place to sleep and lots of food to eat. Yanicka was one of the first people I met at the shelter. She plucked all the icky bugs off me and gave me a nice warm bath. Now I'm living at her house and I love it here!!! I have a big brother named Roger and we romp and play. Our favorite game is tug. My mommy and daddy say I'm such a good dog. I've decided I'm a couch dog and a lap dog. Having a family is so much fun! I hope you find your next furry friend at VCHS too!!! Love, Gus

Hello. My name is Miss Lemon. Miss Felicity Lemon. I was called Sylvia when I lived at VCHS for 9 months, but I reminded my new friends, Jim and Sue, of that stuck-up secretary who works for Detective Hercule Poirot on TV, so they renamed me. Turns out I'm not all that stuck-up, though. In fact they think I'm quite lovable. I amuse them by chasing my tail, talking to them in a purry voice, sitting on laps, and politely greeting guests. Sometimes I sleep in their bed, but I've become fond of a chair downstairs, too. I don't get into a lot of trouble. My only real vice is climbing up on the kitchen counter to watch birds outside the window. Oh. And eating. You might notice that I've put on a couple of pounds since you saw me last. But never mind that. I'm happy living here and Jim and Sue love me.

Sammy was an older dog who was at the shelter for months because no one wanted an older dog. He had cataracts and a broken fang. Apparently he had been dumped off, found around Genoa. He howled at the shelter, this mournful sound. Then Petco had an Adoption Day for VCHS, and although there wasn't room in Kim's van, Sammy's friend, volunteer Barb Karwoski, decided to bring Sammy in her car. He was adopted that day. But all was not well. After a week or so his new family returned Sammy to the shelter because he was restless at night and cried. Sammy wanted to be with people at night, not by himself. Later, Barb told his former family how unhappy he was back at the shelter, and Barb walked Sammy almost every day because he was so lonely. Then one night Sammy's former family called and said they wanted him back, wonderful news!!! They had new plans for him at night, and he would have his own pillow by their bed, etc. It worked great and they love him to death as does the little girl (photo at left). Sammy sleeps with her every night and is all adjusted now.

"Dear VCHS, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to adopt Jethro (photo at right). He was scared at first but he is so much happier now. He's learning how to play fetch and he already knows how to sit and lay down. I couldn't have asked for a better match! Thank you so much for helping me find a life-long friend!"

Duke was older, had a limp, cataracts, and was found wandering around town one day (photo at left). Very sad face, he hated the shelter. It looked hopeless--no one wants an "older" dog. We took him to Petco one day with 3 other dogs hoping they would find homes. Two did and Duke just sat under the table, very sad and quiet, not getting up at all. Until this lady walked by looking at the dogs. He got up and went over to her--they bonded right there. She wasn't even looking for a dog. One of her dogs had died recently and she was shopping for her other dog. It was fate. She happened to be a massage therapist and worked on Duke and turned him into a new dog. His eyes are clear, he plays ball and romps around. What a step up! He is happy!

Meet Scooby Doo, adopted in October by Joanne Stout and family, of Viroqua. They LOVE Scooby Doo. He has it made--look at these two guys watching TV, photo at left. He is a real member of the family.

"This is Maxx, right, adopted from the shelter in Nov., 2002, out in time for Thanksgiving! He was 8 years old then, a black lab/rottweiller mix. He had a family all his 8 years, kids and other dogs, but they had to move and couldn't take a large dog. He was extremely sad at the shelter. As I went up to walk the dogs as a volunteer, I fell in love with him. He seemed to know I would always be back. He is a gem. He is my house dog. He has a happy tail!" This success story is from Barb Karwoski, a former VCHS volunteer. Here is Maxx with Santa, at right.

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