Dear DFL and animal lovers, It all started with a trip to the Buddy Center to donate some old cat toys, bed and harnesses. I was NOT planning on bringing a dog home. I already had my 2 cats, plus my brother and his girlfriend’s cat and dog living in my house. Having said that, however, I always have to at least go “look” at the dogs. I walked down the window admiring all the bigger dogs and a couple puppies but no one grabbed me hard enough to make me bring a 5th "4 legger" into my house. Again I was NOT looking to adopt, I was just "looking." I got to the end and was ready to go "look" at the cats when I noticed there was a puppy on the back wall in one of the smaller kennels.

Yvette (previously Bella) was curled up in a tiny ball, her head almost tucked under her body, and shaking all over. I tapped on the window lightly to see if she would look at me so that I could see her face. When I saw her big, sad, brown eyes my heart sank to the floor. I immediately asked to see her. When the adoption counselor brought her in, I found out she was shaking because she was terrified, not because she was cold. She wouldn't come near me. She just hid in the corner of the room. I picked her up and she put her paws on my chest, stiff legged, leaning as far back from me as she could get. It broke my heart that she was only 7 months old and that scared of humans. I put her on hold and went home and got my brother and his girlfriend's dog to meet her. When I got back, something amazing happened. Although humans were terrifying to her, a 70 lb, hyper, bouncing dog was not in the least bit scary. She chased him all over, running between his legs, sliding into walls, and racing him across the play area. Rosko was elated to have a playmate even if she was only about 1/7 of his size and pulled his ears and lips every chance she got.

I was hooked. I would have done anything to make her happy and Rosko made her happy, so I decided she needed to come home with me. I picked her up 2 days later after she was spayed. Once the drugs she had been given from being spayed wore off, I could hardly catch her to give her her additional pain killers, to take her out, to feed her, or to do anything at all with her. The only way I could get her to do anything was to get Rosko to do it first and she’d follow him. Over the course of about 2 weeks, I won her over by letting her sleep in my bed instead of her kennel and giving her a mound of treats anytime she got within 3 feet of me.

It’s been 9 months, and now she is my shadow. She has the funniest personality and more facial expressions than a human. I always know what she is thinking when she looks at me. Her favorite thing to do is go for walks. It’s taken a lot of trips to the dog park, and anywhere else that allows dogs to get her semi-comfortable with people. She still has a long way to go, but she is getting better.

I can't thank the DFL enough for providing animals a safe place to stay until they find a home. Yvette has changed my life in ways I never would have imagined. I learn something new from her everyday...even if it is just to pick my stuff up so she doesn't chew on it when she is mad at me.

—Lindsey
Castle Rock

Dear Dumb Friends League,
Eighteen years ago I adopted my very first pet from your Quebec Street shelter. He was a very sweet and shy collie mix that I named Kenya and he provided me with 16 years of joy and love. When he passed in October 2006 I thought I would never get over the sadness. As time passed, and the sadness turned to fond memories of having a tail wagging when I got home and a buddy to go on walks with, I started thinking I may be ready for a new dog. So in October of 2008 my husband and I visited the Quebec shelter once again to find a new friend.

My husband wanted a boxer and I wanted a German shepherd so we were elated when we saw a 1-year-old Boxer/German shepherd mix named Shepler. It was very important that we find a dog with a mild temperament because we have a cat (also adopted from the Quebec shelter) who is very picky about dogs in his home. So when we met with Shepler, he was very shy and timid and he was all skin and bones. I knew right then and there that he needed to come home with us.

We took him home and tried to figure out a name for him. Since he was so shy and scared of his own tail, we decided he needed a big name so we named him Sid Vicious. It was quite clear that Sid hadn't lived in a home before. He wasn't house broken, he didn't even know how to walk on a leash. He also suffered from severe separation anxiety and destroyed two couches, one chair, several pillows and rugs and broke a window. But with patience, time, training and a lot of love, we were able to build up his confidence and he has turned into the best dog we could have ever hoped for. He is the sweetest, most loving dog and he is now very obedient and we swear he has a sense of humor and does crazy stuff just to make us laugh. He even gets invited over to our friends’ houses for parties because he is such a pleasure to have around. Our dog-intolerant cat now plays with him after much prodding from Sid. We are so proud of our little guy and so happy that we were able to give him a home that allowed him to flourish and become the confident and happy dog he is today.
Thanks so much for all that you do!
Rachel and Michael Gelbman
Denver

Dear Dumb Friends League,

It was my daughter's 7th birthday and her Grandmother wanted to get her a kitten.  We already had 2 cats and a dog, but being a cat lover, I wasn't hard to convince.  I went to the Dumb Friends League to see two new kittens that had just arrived that day.

One was already gone, and the second was being looked at by someone else.  My heart sunk.  The other person decided against the kitten chose a full grown cat (how wonderful!).  That is when Boo (formerly known as Todd) became a part of our hearts and family.  He curled up in my lap in the viewing room and let me pet his belly.

Boo is now a huge lovey-dovey and grooms the dog, and the Grandmother's new kitten Cloe.  My daughter had the best birthday and birthday gift ever. 

She kisses Boo every day and when we drive by Dumb Friends League she says "that is the wonderful place that found Boo for me".  Thank you Dumb Friends League for helping all the dogs and cats you find forever homes.

—Phillip and Terri, Connor, Cassie, and the cats-Cairo, Mitsy, Boo and dog Pip!
Castle Rock

Thanks Foster Parents!
In November 2008, we adopted a sweet and fun-loving kitten from the Denver Dumb Friends League and named her Izzi (previously known as Neptune). In early December, we added to our family by adopting another cuddly and energetic kitten and named him Ernie (previously known as Wendell). As we understand, they lived with Foster Parents prior to being ready for adoption.

We did not have an opportunity to meet the Foster Parents, but we think of them often. These kittens are extremely sociable and such a joy, and we believe they owe much of their personalities to their Foster Parents.

Izzi is growing tall and she absolutely loves yogurt. She's a big fan of food. Fortunately, she's also a fan of chasing Ernie around the house, so she gets lots of exercise. Ernie is getting huge paws and we expect him to be a big cat someday. He is such a cuddly and loving cat, and also very playful. His favorite game is "fetch" with his toy mouse. When Izzi and Ernie aren't wrestling, chasing or snuggling with each other, they are snuggled with us.

It's clear to us that someone took the time to care for and socialize Izzi and Ernie, and we want their Foster Parents to know we are very grateful. Thank you!

Jennifer and Tom Shermer

Dear Dumb Friends League,
Hi! The name's Bob—I'm a 1-1/2-year-old English bulldog. I just wanted to let you know that I loved the 2009 Furry Scurry. There were so many humans there! And wow! There were a lot of dogs too. Bulldogs, Labradors, golden retrievers, huskies, poodles—oh my gosh I can't even remember all the dogs that I saw there. 

It was real nice this year the way the DDFL did the registration.  We got to weave in and out of these ropes, and then these very nice people told us which line to go and pick all the goodies my mom Nancy got for getting donations.    We went through that line in a flash!  My Mom also liked it when a nice volunteer held my leash while she went in the bathroom.  That means I met a new friend!  Oh yeah, there were these other nice volunteer people that handed out 'poop' bags so our Moms and Dads had no excuse not to pick up our messes we left.  It was just a great day at Washington Park on Saturday May 2, 2009 and I was completely tuckered out by the time I was done.   Check out the picture of me after the Furry Scurry.  Boy did I need a nap! Thanks Dumb Friends League, we will be back next year!!!

—Bob

Dear Dumb Friends League,

My husband, 2 yr old son and I live in Highlands Ranch CO. We couldn’t be happier with our dog Que- D.o.g.. Now I know what you are thinking, what kind of name is Que- D.o.g.? My son started asking for a dog at 11months. He would get so excited if we were walking and saw someone with a dog. I started asking my husband EVERYDAY for a dog, and he would say “NO, NO, NO!” It was really hard on me when we lost my cat a little over a year ago, so I started going on the DDFL web site every day and would even drive to both the Quebec St and Buddy Center locations with my son to look at dogs. I found some WONDERFUL dogs but none of them seem to be “our” dog.

Then one day I was on the phone with one of the shelter workers telling her what kind of dog I thought would be great for our life style. She told me about Butch, an Aussie. So I packed my son up in the car on Oct 21 2008 (Que-D.o.g’s 5th birthday) and we drove to the Denver location. When we first met Butch, it seemed as though he didn’t really want to have anything to do with us. But I fell in love BIG TIME. I put Butch on a 24hr hold and went home and told my husband that I found our “son”. He thought I was crazy.

The following day when I went to take Butch home, everyone at the shelter was so happy because Butch had not only been in the shelter once but twice. I was his 3rd owner. I was crushed to think that in 5 yrs he had been from home to home, had heart worms and come to the shelter VERY SICK. When I brought Butch home, my husband was shocked to see a 65lb dog in our house. But, he went up to Butch, sat with him, looked at me and with a smile said “That is one beautiful dog.” I couldn’t believe my husband felt the same way I did in just one short moment. He said “He is part of our family now, nothing bad will ever happen to him again, he’s our son.”

Marc came up with Que because he is a rescued dog, and I added the D.o.g.(De-o-gi) at the end of it. So that is why he is named Que-D.o.g. He has been so wonderful to us. He loves our 2 yr old and has no problem with our son ridding him like a horse or pulling his ears. Que-D.o.g even LOVES to have his teeth brushed twice a day. He is a big kisser and loves to cuddle.

I want to not only thank the DDFL for being so caring and helpful with our baby, not just once but twice. I also want to thank his past two owners. I hate that it didn’t work out for them, but I am thankful that he made it to us. He is so perfect and loving I couldn’t ask for a better dog. He is truly our Best Friend and new son in his forever home. I'm so happy that he picked us. Thank you so much for everyone’s help in bringing home Que D.o.g..

—Tracy, Marc, our son , and Que-D.o.g

My husband and I both had a dog we grew up with.  Adolescence is a difficult time, and our dogs gave us the unconditional love, acceptance, and companionship that our peers couldn't always deliver.  I remember telling my dog my deepest secrets when I was thirteen.  I knew she would keep them.  She always gave me a look of understanding, and she was the best listener!

When we got married 13 years ago, we decided we would get a dog when our oldest child was eleven.  We now have three children.  On Valentine's Day 2007 we took a family trip to the Dumb Friend's League.  We all took little slips of paper and tiny pencils and walked down the dog aisle at our own pace.  We decided we would schedule a personal visit with every dog that each of us was interested in.  We knew it would take awhile, and chances were that someone would be disappointed.  When we all gathered back at the entrance to hand over our lists we were astonished to discover that we all had the same I.D. number- and each of us only had one I.D. number.

'Sacha', as the kids would name her two days later, was an anonymous night-drop.  All they knew about her was that she was around one year old.  All we knew about her was that she belonged with us.  We brought her home and she is perfect.   She is happy, and cuddly, and gentle.  My husband swore that she wouldn't be allowed on any of the furniture.  When I brought her back from her first vet appointment, I told him that they said she had recently delivered a litter of pups that were most likely taken from her too young (they could tell by her abdominal skin and nipples).  My husband looked at her and said, 'You can sit on the couch.  Mom's are allowed to sit on the couch'.  She loves our kids and our kids love her.  She is friendly to every kid who traipses through our house, and gets along well with her cousin dogs.  She has brought joy to each one of us, and we can't imagine life without her.   And I suspect I'm not the only one who has told her a few secrets.

Thanks Dumb Friend's League!

Love,
The Keldin Family

Dear Denver Dumb Friends League,

In June of 2002, I adopted ‘Guido’ from your Quebec Street location.  At the time, he was a 37 lb 6 mos old ‘German Shephard/Lab’ mix whose last owners brought him back after he was too much too take care of.   The front desk clerk warned me that ‘Guido’ was terrified of cars and got extremely car sick.

‘Guido’ was renamed ‘Freedom’ and 6 ½ years later is now an 80 lb, car loving, tail-wagging, squirrel chasing, healthy dog.  We relocated to Gardiner, MT, on the boundary of Yellowstone National Park, several years ago and now have hundreds of acres of Forest Service land around us to play in.  At our house, he has his own personal doggie door, a deck to sun himself on, and a little fenced in yard.  Freedom now craves to go anywhere with us in the car, because now he knows there’s a good chance the car might take us to our favorite play spot.  When we take the five minute drive to this spot in the mountains, Freedom runs as hard as he can, chases a few pick up trucks as they are hauling firewood away, splashes in the streams, rolls in the dirt (in that order) and barks at as many squirrels as possible.  If dogs can smile, Freedom has the biggest grin a dog could have. 

I’m sure all dog owners think their dog is the best, but Freedom to us, is sincerely the best dog in the world.  He is extremely smart and even when he is off leash with a million distractions around him, he instantly stops when asked to.  He always waits around a corner and looks back to make sure we are close behind him.  Even though he may look like a mean, tough Rottweiler (aka Shephard/Lab), he is the sweetest dog who just wants to be loved.  His favorite word is ‘walk’ and his favorite toy is a beat up, stuffed cow that used to ‘moo.’  We really try on a daily basis to make his life as happy as possible, because that is what he does for us.

I recently married a wonderful man near our favorite play spot in the mountains.  When Bill first asked me out two years ago, he left a note on my doorstep addressed to Freedom.  In the letter, he invited Freedom to a trail near the Yellowstone River and that his owner should come along also.  Freedom waits by our door every day now for Bill to come home after work.  On August 2, 2008, Freedom, with his bow tie on, stood next to Bill and I, as we said our wedding vows.

I know you probably get a lot of letters so this one may be no different than the rest.  But we really want to say thank you first and foremost for keeping Freedom for almost two months after his first owners returned him.  There are a lot of shelters out there who just aren’t able to do that.  Freedom is part of our family and always will be.

Sincerely,
Heather Campagna Kisthart and Bill Kisthart

Dear Dumb Friends League,
My sister and I stopped into the shelter in February and fell in love with my then 10-month old doggy, then named Sarah, from the moment I approached her cage and she started bouncing around all over the place.  We took her home that day and she has been a perfect addition to the family.  She's the most loving dog I've ever seen and she loves attention.  I wonder if she didn't get held much as a puppy because anytime she sees someone sitting down, she goes and climbs onto the person's lap!  She also loves to be carried like a baby, despite her being far larger than one.  She'll always be mine and my family's baby!  She was very easy to potty train and is great about letting me know when she wants out.  Every morning at, or just around, 6AM, she hops onto my bed to stomp on my face!  I ask her if she wants to go outside and she bolts to the door.  Because of all of her crazy cuteness, I ended up changing her name to Saraw, so it's like Sarah + awww (like cute).  Her middle name is also Palin.  Saraw's been the perfect doggy for us:  she's cute, she's loving, she loves to play, and she's easy to train.  We all love our big baby Saraw Palin! Thank You,
Mike Cooper

Hi there,
I adopted honey at the Dumb Friends League almost a year ago. At the time Honey was a three year old female shepherd lab mix. She had been abused and was very shy, and did not like to be around other male or female people. I took one look at her and realized that I needed her as much as she needed me. I spent two hours in one of the adoption rooms sitting on the floor, petting her, loving her and pulling her closer to me. At first, she did not want anything to do with me or anyone else. After two hours, she "let me" pet her. She never growled or seemed bothered, but she really could have cared less if I was there or not.

After taking her home, she hardly ate anything. She was scared of me and everything around her. She had a few problems adjusting. She tore some blinds off my windows, Urinated on my carpet many times over. I ended up buying a carpet shampooer.

I took good loving care of her. I took time off work to be her friend and make her my partner and part of my family.

Now almost a year later, we are hardly away from each other, except for the time that I am at work. If I would take her to work with me I would. She is very loving, very well behaved, and knows some tricks. I believe that she has had some kind of law enforcement training considering some of the ways that she does some things. She does not like gun fire of any kind or 4th of July celebrations. She is a very quiet and loving companion that I am very proud to have her as my family member.

Sincerely,
Ron
Happy Dad

Last February, my husband and I were planning on adopting a little sister for our Brussels Griffon, Harvey.  Harvey was a grumpy 5-year-old that we had rescued the year before, and he spent most of his time sleeping and looking at us funny when we tried to play with him.  We thought a companion might bring him out of his shell.

I went to the DFL website everyday for almost threeweeks and looked at pictures, but we had our hearts set on a small, female dog- and those dogs seemed to be adopted as soon as they were posted. I did come to notice, however, that one dog’s picture was never taken down.  She was a 2-year-old terrier named Eileen, and she only had one eye.  She had been hit by a car and was brought to the shelter after her eye and hip had been removed.  Each day I visited the site I’d hoped she had found a good home- and each day her picture was still there.

We decided to go to the shelter one day after work, and I was secretly hoping I wouldn’t see Eileen.  When we got there, however, Eileen was in her pen, wagging her tail and jumping.  I knelt down in front of her pen, looked into her sweet face, and she licked the glass.  I knew she had to come home with us.

Eileen has been one of the greatest additions to our family.  She is so sweet and lovable, and never seems to run out of kisses. She burrows under the covers with us every night, and she sometimes gets so excited to see us that she chases her tiny tail.  Not only that, but she has brought out a side in Harvey we never thought existed.  These two dogs play and run together, and Harvey follows her everywhere. Neither will go to sleep unless the other is near, and they insist on sleeping in the same bed (even though it’s a tight fit).

I often say that Eileen was waiting for us to come get her, and that her picture stayed on the site for so long because she was meant to be a part of our family. I awake every single day to a kiss and a thumping little tail, and am so grateful to have found her.

Thank you for keeping her safe so that we could bring her home.

—Jessica