When a pet who has been in our shelter is adopted and goes off with his or her new family, we breathe a sigh and say there was a happy ending.  But, in truth, it's a happy beginning...for the animal and for the family who opens its heart to their new furry family member.  Often, these happy families write to us and tell us about their new joy.  We would like to share some of these stories, letters and photos with you.

Here I am ... doing what I was born to do ....pulling the sled with my best pal Snippy!  I am on the left...Snippy is on the the right we look very much alike!    ... I have a great life!                                                                                        ~ Love Hopi Note:  Hopi (formerly named Ivy) was adopted by the March Family and regularly works with other dogs pulling sleds.  Click for more photos of the sled dogs in action.

Well, it's been a little over a week.  And Bello has moved right in. He is as smart a whip and has the personality to match.  The time you guys at Dessin have put into to him shows, he is very well behaved.  We have a female Greyhound rescue also, and the two of them have become each other's shadows.  It's really neat seeing the dynamic of the two.  We LOVE him !!   He is a wonderful addition to our family.  Thanks for all the work you do . . . Bello has a new loving home !!!                                                 ~ Cindy Yanetta

Lilly is our little princess, she has settled right in and is as comfortable as can be, you would never know that she has only been with us for 3 days. She is very obedient, loves her walks, has started to give "kisses" and sleeps in the bed with us, on her own pillow, next to her brother Max!
     Lilly and Max are getting along quite well, they play and enjoy treats and neither one tries to steal from the other. Lilly has quite an appetite and she finishes her food quicker than Max, and believe me, Max is quick!! Lilly and Max spend quite a bit of time outdoors on our deck and she has discovered rabbits and deer and loves to bark at them.
     Lilly had her first appointment with the Vet today, although reluctant to get in the car, she finally did...the Vet has pronounced her very healthy in all respects, other than she needs to gain some weight, but, only 4 pounds!!
     I wanted to thank every one at Dessin for giving Lilly such wonderful attention and care, she obviously has been well taken care of. I will send you updates on Lilly from time to time. Thank you very much for all of your effort and hard work.
                           ~ Sincerely, Carol James

[Jack] is WONDERFUL! He is acclimating to life in our household just fine. George (our other dog) and he get along great, they play and play and then they lay down together and take a nap. They take turns eating out of the food bowl and water bowl and he's great about going outside to the bathroom and everything. Thanks so much again. I'm not sure that we will be bringing him to puppy school, due to the amount of time that we will be investing into remodeling the house this summer, but I will surely teach him all that I learned from bringing George there last summer.
     ...He's such a wonderful addition to our little family! ... We are just so happy to have him. He's slightly spoiled, but that's okay with us! ... Thanks so much and I look forward to getting the new newsletter!             ~Jamie Roche

Just wanted to let everyone at the shelter know how happy we all are with Mason..... ~ June Thompson Blaine

Sandy, adopted summer 2007. She is the sweetest dog - and a clown! She loves to be right in the middle of the action and thoroughly enjoys her rides in the truck with her "sisters" Booie (a shep/collie mix ) and Lucy (a Jack Russell). She sleeps next to our bed (protecting us) and loves to run on our property. She is very gentle and respectful to our 2 kitties, too. Thank you for bringing us together!                                                                 ~ Jeff n Sue Richter

Just wanted to let you know that Diesel is doing fine. He really is a great dog! He has settled in. You sit down on the couch at night and he just plops down on the rug and is content to hang with you.      He seems to already know some commands like sit, down, come, etc. I started him in an obedience on Monday and he's the best student! Couldn't care less about the wild, barking yellow lab on the other side of the room. ... I even gave him a bath on Sunday and he was great. Didn't fuss or try to run away.      The two cats are very wary of the new dog and he's curious to meet them. Once they get over their fear, I'm sure all will be fine.                        ~ Regards, Pat Bishop

I just want you to know that Augustus (Gus) is so thankful to be alive. He is happy ALL the time, no matter what, and he and Noah get along fantastic. I will bring him by for a visit someday so soon. You're not going to think it's the same puppy. THANKS AGAIN.

  
 

     I was just visiting the Dessin Animal Shelter website, looking up information for Laura Talaga's amazing journey and reading the Success Stories, etc. 
     I simply wanted to say 'thank you very much' for our beautiful, sweet beagle we adopted back in October of 2004.  He was known as 'Leroy' and when we saw his picture in the newspaper my husband and I knew we had to have him.  We renamed him 'Calvin' (my husband's name is Roy) and he has been an absolute JOY and we are very grateful.  He is a very 'easy' dog, a very loving dog and I just can't believe whoever owned him wasn't looking for him.  He chases squirrels and chipmunks, has protected me and my husband (once each) from a black bear that comes through our yard and accompanies me on walks at Promised Land State Park. 
     He has only gotten lost once (excitedly following an animal trail) and the lovely older couple who found him called the 1-800-number and we were reunited within an hour (he went about a 1/2 mile up the road.)  "Home Again Companion Animal Retrieval System" did reunite my worried & tearful face with our happy, dirty dog. Thank goodness!!  Boy, did he have an adventure on that trip.

     Just wanted to say thank you and send a photo of 'Leroy' in case anyone there remembers him & was wondering how he is doing.  WE'RE ALL TERRIFIC.                              ~ Sincerely, Carie & Roy Fisher

   

Gypsy, a darling little Cattle Dog mix pup, was located by her new family at our Petfinder location. They came in to see Gypsy and fell in love!  Now she's in her new home and, as you can see, it's another happy beginning!

Hello and Merry Christmas,

 Thank you for the Christmas card. I am glad to see you still have a website. Thought you might like to see BB and his sidekick Wally. BB has gained some weight  and now has the ability to take down the bigger Wally in wrestling. He has become quite the character. He is my alarm in the morning by pawing on my face (not using his nails-amazingly!) One thing about BB, he does not  like to be ignored. He also has to see everything Wally is doing.

Good Morning,

I just wanted to share a picture of Hazel.  She hates the camera.  This is the best picture I could get. 

She is the best. We are so blessed to have her.  ... 

Happy Holidays.

~ Lori Delamarter
 
 

Hello Dessin Shelter,

We just want to thank you for doing such a great job with the animals! Wendy is the love of my daughter's life. They are inseparable. My daughter thanks you!

Thanks again.  Merry Christmas!

~ The Eckel Family

Before grooming	After grooming

All the stories aren't as dramatic as Dakota's.  But the love that Dakota found and gives back in kind is representative of many of the happy beginnings.

Eight month old Dakota was delivered to the shelter by the state police because his owner was arrested for drunk driving.  He not only found a loving home, but found a new career in doing good for others.

Divo	Brownie

In March of 2003, 2 very unusual dogs came into our shelter.  A little research proved successful in identifying them as Ovcharkas (pronounced uhf-'char-ka).  Divo and Brownie have ultimately found loving forever homes.  For their full story, click here.

The official registration and financial information of the Olga and Dorothea Dessin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of  State by calling 1-800-732-0999.  Registration does not imply endorsement.