success stories

Bo and Lacey

"I didn't have much of an opinion on pit bulls when I starting volunteering at the HSWM in the summer of 2011, but it did not take me long to form an opinion. After I had taken a few adoptable pitties on walks, I was in love with the breed's wide smile and desire to please. In June 2011, I adopted Lacey (formerly "Jenna"), a ten month old pit bull mix. I love Lacey's attitude about life; she thinks everything is exciting and every person and animal is her best friend.

Because she was so full of energy and loved playing with other dogs, I decided in September 2011 that I needed to adopt her a "sibling". I adopted Bo (formerly "Spencer"), a four month old pit bull mix, from the HSWM. They are the best of friends. Lacey's outgoing personality has really helped Bo's shyness and fear toward new situations and people. We go to parks, beaches, and pet stores, and people are surprised by how sweet pit bulls truly are. Bo loves being pet by young kids; he sits very nicely and will gently lick their faces. Lacey's enthusiasm toward life makes me smile every day.

The HSWM is wonderful, and I am thankful for the work they do to save so many dogs, and especially for understanding the pit bull breed."

Amanda M.

Bow

"I have always been a huge doggy person growing up. We've always had great family dogs and when I bought my first home in July of 2012 I knew I wanted a dog of my own. I moved in with my boyfriend and his dog, Cassie. After settling into our home, my boyfriend and I decided we wanted to get Cassie a friend.
 
We went to the Kent County Humane Society just to look around, not setting our minds on bringing a dog home that day. We decided to walk around the kennels and see if any dogs stood out. When I walked up to Bow's (formerly Buddy) cage I knew he was a great dog. He stood right up came to the door and started pawing at the cage and wagging his tail. I couldn't believe how well mannered he was for only being a year old. We kept walking around and I said lets go back and see what that black lab is up to. After saying this three times, my boyfriend told me to fill out adoption papers. I just knew that I already loved him and wanted him to know I wanted to give him a forever home.
 
Because we had another dog in the home, we had to go get Cassie to meet our new four-legged friend. When they met they just sniffed each other and didn't really want much to do with each other. The animal behaviorist told us that they would warm up to each other. The important thing was that neither dog showed any aggression.
 
Now they are the best of friends. They run around the house together and even cuddle on the couch together. I am so happy that we decided to go to the humane society that day and adopt a new part of our family. I am forever grateful." 

Abby M.


Dewey 

"I wanted to take a moment to thank you for helping us find the perfect companion in our dog Dewey. In April of of 2011, we began the process of finding a dog to adopt into our active lives. On one of our first stops, we found Dewey. Right away we fell in love with his calm demeanor and cuddly nature (and his giant ears!). In the past year he has yet to grow into his ears, but has grown into our hearts. The little black puppy we adopted has grown into a handsome, active, and smart (and somehow brindle!) dog that is always ready for the next adventure. He is such a "mystery mutt" that we have fun hearing people guess as to what his mix is, although most people are quick to see the hint of pittie in him. We still don't know what else, but are perfectly happy with our unique Dewey-dog. Dewey is everything that we could have wanted in a dog; he loves to travel, hike, play frisbee, go to Mom's races and Dad's soccer games, and more than anything, to snuggle at home on "his" couch. Dewey is also extremely loyal to his people; when Mom is working late into the night on her graduate schoolwork, he will lay at her feet for hours until she is done. We discovered at a young age with him that he LOVES hiking. We took him to the U.P. where he did 15 miles along the North Country Trail and only stopped because no one else could keep up with him! At night while camping, he won't sleep in his lux dog bed, but prefers to snuggle up in someone's sleeping bag. Love truly is sharing a sleeping bag with a 60 pound dog for a week!  

Thank you again for helping us find Dewey. He is curled up next to me drooling and snoring contently as I type this, so I think he says thank you too!"

Emily P. and John M. (Dewey's loving mom and dad)

 

Mabeline

"It's February 2012 and I had finally talked my boyfriend into accepting a furry feline into our lives. I was browsing online and found the perfect cat! He was adorable, he was amazing, he.. Was adopted. Then I saw Mabeline in the window waving around saying "Pick me, pick me!" I knew right away that she was perfect and I still can't stop flooding my friends with photos of her and all the adorable things she does.

I learned that she is a Korat, and that she was found on the streets by a couple that wasn't able to keep her due to their apartment. She loves swatting at the TV while I play Mario Bros, looking out the window, ... and walking across my keyboard to cozy up to me as I type this. :) Mabeline definitely picked me, and I couldn't be happier!  :) I just... absolutely love this girl!"


Kasondra S.

 

Maggie 

"Maggie is doing great, she is a very happy dog and still gets very excited. This picture is from Christmas, the Christmas that she pulled stockings off the mantle and ate the girls' candy while we were asleep. Maggie is the perfect dog for our active family and she likes camp, eat, and play tug-of-war."



Jessica B. 


Maximus

"In February 2010, I came across a picture of the most handsome Rottweiler mix (Alfie) I had ever seen on Petfinder. If Salvador Dali painted a Rottweiler, it would have looked like him!

My kids and I went to meet him at the Humane Society. Because he was and adult dog and brought in as a stray, I went with the mindset of caution. My kids' safety always comes first. When he came into the room, he was friendly but not overly so (typical of Rotts with unfamiliar people). My daughter (then 7) told him to "sit" and he did immediately. HE WAS THE ONE!

Since bringing him home, we have been so pleased with his gentle demeanor toward family, friends, our other dog (a rescued dachshund), as well as numerous foster dogs we have had. He also listens incredibly well and is smart as a whip! He has been such a welcome addition to our family. He also helps provide us with a sense of security. Although he rarely barks, he will if a stranger comes too close. Not in an aggressive way, in "a back off I don't know you" way (typical Rotty).

We now call him Max. Named after Maximus in the movie, Gladiator, a strong but gentle soul, smart, dedicated to his family and protective when need be.

Thank you for taking him in, caring for him, and allowing us to adopt him. I ADORE the Rottweiler breed (he is the second we have had) and he is a fine example of how fine this "bully" breed is."

Sue W.

Molly

My husband and I adopted “Cuddles” now called Molly from the Humane Society of West Michigan. She is considered an American Pit bull mix. I think she truly adopted us, because we fell in love with her the day she picked us out at the Humane Society. I know this breed gets a lot of bad publicity, but she is such a loving dog. She loves playing with the kids in our neighborhood. But I think her most favorite thing is going to doggie day care, and playing with her numerous four-legged friends. I understand that someone from your organization rescued Molly from another shelter, where they euthanize any dog that has Pit bull in them. This person from your organization saw that Molly had potential to be adopted, and had her transferred to the Humane Society of Michigan. We are so happy with Molly, and are so grateful to have her. Thank you to everyone involved in this great organization!

Jackie O.



If you have a success story you would like to share with us, please email it to NCook@hswestmi.org.  Thanks in advance for helping us spread the word on the success and importance of rescuing animals!