KIEFER
(we kept his name; he was named for Kiefer Sutherland because he has one blue eye and one green eye)
We adopted Kiefer in the spring of 2005. We fell in love with him on your website and arrived an hour early for the pet adoption. Good thing! There were 5 or 6 people in line behind us who were interested in him. I held his leash tight and would not let go! We arrived home and our four children spent the afternoon getting to know their new dog. That evening, I stayed up until the wee hours of the evening with Kiefer sleeping on my chest. We lay on the couch for four hours straight! I was so happy that he was so comfortable with me, and I think he was just relieved because he knew that he had finally arrived in his forever home. We thank you, Homeward Bound, for bringing us our new family member. He is the best dog we've ever had, and we are true dog people.

-The Flak Family

COOPER (formerly known as Mary-Kate)
I just wanted to take a minute to drop you a line and let you know how much we appreciate the wonderful job that you are doing with the entire Homeward Bound organization. Without you, my wife and I would never have had the opportunity to adopt our Cooper. I don't think that he ever made it on to the website, but I believe the foster mom's kids called him Mary-Kate. Let me assure you that he is nothing short of remarkable.

We have had Cooper for two and a half years now. He is the first dog we've had as a couple, and I can safely say, he is the best dog I have ever had...period. From the first moment we met him, he knew exactly what to do. I had been hounding my wife for months that I wanted a dog. I had been to the homeward bound website every week for months, and watched all of the dogs come and go, and finally, my wife agreed to go and LOOK. We picked out a couple of dogs that we were both interested in looking at, and decided to go to the Maplewood Petco adoption that Saturday. Once there, we were very dismayed to see that all of the dogs we were there to see were already out with other families and all were eventually adopted. Out of the corner of our eyes, we noticed that one little guy had all of his attention focused on us. He was happily wagging his tail and had his paws up on the side of his crate, and begging for us to come over. We said hi, and proceeded to look at some other dogs. None of which fit what we were looking for. Every time we walked through, this little guy stood up and paid attention to only us. Nobody else. (I guess it is true that THEY are the ones who choose YOU) Well, we eventually got this little guy out of his crate where he sat with his two brothers, and took him outside. Well, right from the get-go, he KNEW which one of us was the one that he had to impress. We sat in the grass, and the little guy just flopped over on his back in my wife's lap as if to ask for a tummy rub. That was it. My wife was in love with our new pal, Cooper.

Since that day, he has really opened up and become a very intelligent, loyal, loving companion. I cannot believe what a capacity for learning he has. His obedience classes were a snap. He took the classes the first few months after we got him, and he retains all of his knowledge even if we don't use certain commands very often. While out on walks, he has learned to stop, sit, and look before crossing the street (the first time we cross a street, he is so excited to be out walking that he forgets and has to be reminded, but from then on, he does it himself) Another of his amazing tricks is that he somehow figured out how to work a doorknob. Don't ask me how he figured it out, but he uses one paw to balance, and the other he uses to paw the doorknob in a downward direction until it opens. I'm not talking a lever style doorknob either (It took him about a minute to figure those out) I'm talking about a round doorknob. We have also started to train him on a few of the basic agility apparati to keep him challenged. He can do hurdles, and he knows the stop box, but that is it so far. In time, I'm sure he will master this like he masters everything else.

He loves going for walks, going to the dog park, hopping in the lake for a little dip, being a Clown/Mr. Popular at Doggy Day care, taking walks through the woods (gotta chase those squirrels), going for boat rides, cuddling with our 4-month-old daughter, and just being a part of the family for a lazy afternoon on the couch. He is personality plus every minute of his life.

Anyhow, I just wanted you to know how thankful we are to have Cooper in our lives, and how much joy he has brought to us over the years. My wife and I could not have imagined having a better dog, and look forward to the many happy years we have yet to come. We just hope that Homeward Bound will always be around to allow families the opportunity to adopt wonderful and loving animals like Cooper. We just wanted to let you know that all of your hard work is very much appreciated. I'll include some pictures so you can see what a handsome boy he is.

Ryan, Cara, Madeline, and of course, Cooper

GEORGE
In February '06 we moved into a new house and our dog Dallas needed a new friend. My sister previously adopted 2 dogs from Homeward Bound and higly recommended it!! We always wanted another dog and realized a puppy was not an option due to our changing work schedules. I checked the Homeward Bound website frequently, the day I saw George I knew we had to meet him. He was an abandoned red lab found in Brainerd, MN. Why he was abondoned is a mystery to us! He was already house trained and did not need to be crated during the day...perfect! Especially since Dallas, our other dog roamed the house freely while we were at work. We got to meet George at a scheduled appointment with his foster mom. It was love at first sight! He was a beautiful dog, a little underweight (65 lbs.) but that would be fixed quickly. George and Dallas have now become great friends! It was akward at first for Dallas our "only child" to share attention, but he has adjusted well. They love playing in the yard together, going to the dog park and many many walks. They have joined us on all of our summer vacation trips too. We could not have asked for a better dog and we want to thank Homeward Bound for providing such a wonderful sevice. George is now 85 lbs. and out weighs our Golden Ret. mix by a mere 2 lbs.! We have found a great companion for Dallas and would recommend Homeward Bound to anyone looking for an animal who needs a good home.

Thanks again,
Susan and Tad Peterson

BANJO
Dear Homeward Bound,

Well its already been a year and a half since I found the "right dog"... Banjo the Beagle. I had spent about 6 months looking for a dog: researching breeds, looking online, finding a dog I liked online but either getting there and it being adopted already or it's just not the right dog. (Side note: its ok to be choosy, its only fair to you and the dog that you are the right fit for each other). I knew I wanted a beagle and I knew within that the temperment I was looking for. It was a long six months of looking and nearly adopting a couple dogs, its so easy to want to take many home everytime you go, but I knew what I wanted and just hoped I would find it.

Well I nearly gave up but decided to go to an adoption day at the Eagan Petco, I didn't expect to find "my dog" since I had just been to a couple recent adoption days but thought I would try. I walk in and see the familar faces of the dogs still looking for homes and then I lean down and see this Beagle with his big brown eyes, floppy ears and white paws. He wakes up and jumps to his feet with his little white tip tailed wagging at full bore. I open his cage and he puts his paws right on my chest. I just knew from the look on his face that he was the dog I was looking for, I just had a feeling, many dogs are not themselves at these events so I suggest asking their foster family about them. But I held him in my arms and he just laid there, just happy to get attention. I carried him to the table and said I was convinced he was the dog I was looking for. They told me he just got brought in earlier in the week from his home in Kentucky... maybe it was fate that brought us together :)

Banjo has been great, he mostly follows my lead. If I want a relaxed night at home, he comes up to me and naps next to me. But at the drop of a hat he's ready to be outside, running around and doing his "beagle" thing... nose to the ground tracking something and if it's a real fresh good scent, his tail starts whipping around and he begins to bay as only hounds can do. Its amazing such a loud deep voice comes from his little frame. He has brought lots of joy into my life.

My advice to those looking for a new pet. Think about what you are looking for and research breeds you may be interested in. Then begin looking and try to be strong because there are so many great dogs but make sure you and the dog are the right fit for each other. If you don't find the right dog... keep looking... Banjo was so new to the rescue he didn't even make it on the website yet, so you may want to just stop by an adoption day, plus that gives you a great opportunity to get some personal hands on time with the dogs.

Thank you Homeward Bound!!!

SIRIUS (formerly known as Bond)
Dear Homeward Bound,

I always had a dog growing up. My husband, however was introduced to "doggie ownership" for the first time when we took in a little poodle mix from neighbors of ours who couldn't "handle" him anymore. He simply was a dog that needed more attention than they were willing to give, and who did things on his own terms.

It has been three years since we lost our little guy to old age, and I was getting "the itch." My husband, however, wasn't very receptive to my suggestions that it was time to get another dog. Despite his apprehension, something told me to check out your website (I had heard of HWB after a friend of mine adopted a hound mix from you a few months back).

I was amazed by what I saw, and convinced it was time. I did research on the best dog for our family (we have children) and convinced my husband it was time to check out one of your adoptions. Armed with my list of dogs that I wanted to meet, we arrived at the adoption. Having walked all around I just didn't know where to start. The names weren't up on their cages yet so I couldn't tell which ones were "my" chosen few. I was overwhelmed and almost ready to leave when my husband said "What's wrong with this one?" I knelt down, put my finger in the kennel to pet him, and He "melted" into the side of the cage.

An hour or so later we were leaving with our 1 - 2 year old black lab, Bond (now known as Sirius). He had tested Heartworm positive so we had to watch and help him go through that treatment, but he's been so well worth it. We ADORE him. He even went to Montana this summer on our family vacation! We often catch ourselves saying we can't believe a dog this wonderful was a stray. We wouldn't trade him for anything. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to have this wonderful dog!

-The Orn family

DONNIE (formerly known as Darwin)
Hello,

My name is Donnie (a.k.a Darwin). My new family adopted me this summer from Homeward Bound Dog Rescue on May 13, 2006. I did not feel up to par when I was first brought home. During the adoption process, the foster mom explained that I was being treated with kennel cough. Even while I was given antibiotics I had a rough time, I was coughing, sneezing, and hacking up phlegm. I did not have much energy to play or run, and was very short of breath. Fortunately, for me one of my new mom's is a breathing specialist, she is a Professional Respiratory Care Practitioner; with her trained ear, she knew I was suffering from pneumonia. My new veterinarian friend treated me with the correct medications to treat pneumonia in both of my lungs. I am better than ever after two months.

I have an older brother who is smaller than I am; I am now nine times his size. I weighed 35 pounds when I was first introduced to my new family, now I am 60 pounds. Nevertheless, my little brother loves it when I chase him outside and through the house. He loves to maneuver through obstacle courses, while I take short cuts to jump over them (couches).

Every morning one of my moms, take my brother and I for a walk before putting us to bed and then they go to work. We are so excited when they come home; I am not sure who is happier to see whom. We often serenade them when they come home, my brother barks while I howl in harmony.

My brother Francisco is super, he is teaching me all the ropes; even though he is much smaller, I respect him as the leader. He lets me drink out of his big water bowl and even shares his toys with me. When we play tug of war, he wins, but do not tell anyone I let him win. As I said, I am nine times his size my brother is a Chihuahua.

The nice people who took care of me previously in Kentucky and at my foster home originally thought I was a boxer-mix, but I am a true Plott Hound. I am related to Coon Hounds. My ancestry can be traced back to Germany. In 1750, Jonathan Plott moved from Germany to North Carolina, with the help of his brother they bred us particularly to hunt Bear and Boar. Due to our known intelligence, the Plott Hound was officially adopted as the North Carolina State Dog on August 12, 1989.

Although where I live, we do not have Bear or Boar, I still love hunting, and I love chasing after rabbits and squirrels when we go on walks. One of my moms lets me run after them sometimes; I think she likes to see me try to climb trees.

Sincerely,
Donnie, Francisco, Mary & Christina
St. Paul, MN

TUCKER (the no name Blue Heeler Puppy)
The "right" time to adopt a dog finally arrived about 2.5 months ago. I'd been browsing the website reading about all the dogs but was determined to keep an open mind and meet the dogs first before making a decision. That next Saturday we made our way to the Eagan Petco. We arrived early and witnessed the set up of the adoption area. It was during that time that I saw a girl bring in a small Blue Heeler puppy with the biggest ears I'd ever seen on a dog. I fell in love with him right away!

He was very shy and timid at first, but with one look into his blue and brown eyes you could see how much he had to offer. We took the little unnamed puppy home and named him Tucker. We have had trials and tribulations since. He conquered the stairs but couldn't seem to get over the kennel cough he came home with. He had ups and downs and the medicines didn't seem to be curing his cough. Turns out that his kennel cough was actually a severe infection in his throat and lungs. Numerous vet visits and medications later Tucker is finally kicking the infection. Thanks Dr. Diffel and the great staff Brooklyn Park Animal Hospital!

Tucker continues to amaze me with his resiliency and his good nature. Even after the vet poked and prodded him and stuck a tube down his throat he was all tail wags and affection. Tucker has always been a very energetic puppy but now that the infection is gone - watch out! This little guy loves to play - especially in a bucket of water, with his many squeaky animal toys, and with his best friend Buddy (his story is below).

Thanks Homeward Bound for brining Tucker into my life. He's the sweetest little (although growing quickly!) bundle of love and tail wags; I cannot imagine my life without him!

Keep on saving those pups!

-Tara

TUCKER UPDATE: Hi HB! I wanted to share with you how much progress Tucker has made since I adopted him 6 months ago. Tucker came home very shy and weary of new things and people (especially men). He's made amazing progress in the past 6 months. He is no longer afraid of sudden movements, normal house noises, and is starting to realize that the new people he meets aren't going to hurt him. That's not to say he isn't still cautious - he is - for the first few minutes he'll just watch them from a distance, then he'll slowly creep up to the new person, quickly sniff them, then retreat to a spot where he feels safe but can still observe. It's actually quite precious to watch! However, once Tucker knows you, he loves you! As soon as he sees you coming his entire butt and tail wag so fast and furiously that he can't walk in a straight line. It doesn't matter if you've been gone 30 seconds to go grab the mail or an entire work day - his enthusiasm at your return is equal for each occasion

As Tucker continues to come out of his shell his personality becomes more and more apparent. He is loving, loyal, and quite funny. For example when Tucker and his best friend Buddy are together and they come in from outside Tucker will run up the stairs and wait at the top knowing that Buddy will soon come up and he will be able to grab one of Buddy's ears and entice him into another play session. Also, when returning home from work each day, Tucker will great me and then run to find his Kong. He always grabs it by the big end and then barks. It's hilarious because the Kong acts as a muffler to his bark.

I could go on and on with great Tucker stories. The real point to my email is that deciding to adopt a rescue dog was the best decision I've made. Yes, rescue dogs do take more time and work to adjust to their new homes but once you start seeing the changes it warms your heart to know they are feeling at "home".

Hugs and tail wags,
Tara and Tucker

FINN BISCUIT (formerly known as Expo)
Dear Homeward Bound,

My HB story starts like most others-I had had a traumatic adoption experience at the pound, and was beginning to think that adopting a rescue dog wasn't for me. I e-mailed HB, and told the wonderful volunteers about my lifestyle and what I was looking for in an animal companion. Megan and Katie e-mailed me back a list of dogs to check out that Saturday. I drove out with low expectations, and was rewarded with the friend of a lifetime, Finn Biscuit, an adult Australian shepard/blue heeler mix. I can't thank HB enough for caring for Finn for the eight months he was with you, including when he was sick with heartworm. In other pounds, his time would have been up, and I would have never had the chance to share my life with such a loyal, kind, loving creature. Finn keeps me sane, loves me unconditionally and is great company on our long walks, dog park adventures, hikes, road trips and weekends at the cabin. Thank you, HB, for everything you did for Finn, and all the efforts you put forth for needy dogs just like him.

Best,
Meghan McAndrews

SID (formerly known as Huey/Dewey)
Hello! I want to thank you for our dog, Sid. He was called either Huey or Dewey when he was with you (his paperwork said both, as his brother must have had the same papers). We called him Sid Vicious as a joke, since he was such a sweet puppy, and then it stuck as his name. He was about 2 months old when we adopted him in November of 2004, and nobody had a very good idea about any sorts of breeds in him or how big he would be. He grew to be about the size of a Springer Spaniel and looks something like a Spaniel, Husky, Shepherd mix. He is a wonderful dog with a happy, loyal and laid back personality. I attached a picture of him as a puppy (maybe somebody remembers him), one with his roomate/girlfirend Mya (a rescued Jack Russell) and one of Sid's favorite things- going to the Boundary Waters every summer. He doesn't like to swim, but he really likes riding in the canoe and running around the islands. Thank you for all that you do to help animals. Sid thanks you, too!

Regards,
Christine

BRUTUS (a.k.a MISTER BRUTIE)
For quite a while we had perused your website, looking for a dog to adopt that would make a wonderful playmate for our 3 year old German Shepard mix, Killian. We finally decided to adopt another dog this past spring 2006 and we took Killian with us to the adoption days at Maple Grove. At our first adoption days, we saw Brutus right away. His crate was the first one on the end, and you couldn't miss him because he was barking loudly at every single dog and person. We decided to wait another few weeks and returned to Petco the next month with Killian. This time we saw Brutus again, but he was calmly lying in his crate, and he wanted his belly and ears scratched. He was a totally different dog. We read his bio over and over, and were surprised that someone would give up such a nice dog. Again, we decided to wait on taking a dog home. A few weeks later we noticed on the website that someone had adopted Brutus. But apparently he didn't work out in that home, because at the next adoption days in Eagan we saw Brutus again. We were able to take him outside and see how well he got along with Killian. They haven't stopped playing since. That day Brutus came home with us, and we absolutely love having him. His tail hasn't stopped wagging. Brutus has a tongue that will about knock you over when he licks. He shows his appreciation for his new home every day. He is the happiest dog we have ever seen, and wants to play all the time. He enjoys our fenced in backyard so much, it is difficult to get him to come inside. At 80 pounds, Brutus still believes he is a lap dog and loves to cuddle. Thanks to Homeward Bound for all of their time and effort spent in taking good care of Brutus until he found his home with us and Killian. (Brutus is on the right side of the pic.)

-Jeremy & Jamie, Maple Grove

BUDDY
When we decided to take the trip out to the Eagan Petco we were going to "look." We were amazed by all the dogs there but were head over heals when we met Buddy. He was calmly lying in his cage with a bone and was quick to give us kisses when we pet him. As soon as we took him outside to play it was a different story! The calm dog in the cage turned into a sniffing machine. His tail was going wild and he gave us a look like "Thanks for taking me outside!". At that point we knew that Buddy would be a very welcome addition to our lives. Buddy LOVES other dogs and wants to play all the time. If there aren't other dogs around his nose takes over and he's happily exploring every inch that he comes across. He also believes that he's a 36 pound lap dog and will climb right up whenever he gets the chance. Thanks Homeward Bound for taking such good care of him until he found his forever home! We hope to welcome another Homeward Bound dog to our lives soon!

NACHO
In 2001 I began volunteering for Homeward Bound by helping Cheryl at the Adoptions. At one of the adoptions, I saw what would become the most precious companion animal I have ever encountered. Her name was Nacho, she was a Chihuahua and was about 2 years old at the time. Her left ear had been bitten off at the top, and she had the face of an angel. It was instant love. I took her home and from that day on she was my constant companion. She went everywhere with me and not a night passed where she didn't sleep with me. She brought so much joy and fulfillment to my life as well as others. Her cute habits and loving personality made her a special special precious dog. I have had many companion animals in my life, but never, never have I shared the closeness and unconditional love that Nacho and I shared. One Halloween, she dressed up as a Taco! And she kept the outfit on all night! She always had to do what we came to term as prepping before going to sleep. This consisted of cleaning her paws for a very long time, and of course, then prepping us as well J

She had a favorite toy named Barney, and she loved to play with him. Everything about Nacho was special - I have never seen a dog that acts the way that she did.

Unfortunately not long after I brought her home, I found out she had Cushing's disease. She had poor health off and on, but always was a joy to be around. She was very possessive of me. After letting her outside in the morning, I'd lay back down and she would jump up on my stomach and growl at the other dogs if they tried to come near me! She was truly the great love of my life.

I could never begin to put into words how much I loved Nacho.

Tragically, On May 7th of this year, my beloved precious Nacho suffered a horrible death. I was so distraught; I was taken to the Emergency Room. I could not believe she was gone. The grieve was just too much. The pain of her loss has not lessened at all from that horrific day.

I had her cremated and her ashes returned to me. They are in a beautiful URN with a figurine of a Chihuahua on it. I also have a full memorial of her around it. Oddly enough, the night I got her ashes back, I accidentally dropped the Urn, (before her ashes were placed in it) and the left ear on the figurine had chipped off. This was the very same ear that Nacho had bitten off in the exact same shape. I knew then that my Baby girl was right here with me. I sleep on her little ring pillow every night and also with her pink blanket. I wish I could say that the pain has lessened but it just hasn't.

I since have adopted 2 more dogs, and I love them dearly. I love all my animals. But I will never feel the love I felt for Nacho and the special bond that we shared. Everyday I cry, and I just wish I could reach out and touch her and tell her everything will be ok.

Nacho lives on in my heart, although I can say that my life will never be the same. I have an emptiness that simply cannot be filled. There was a special love and bond between here and I that can never be broken or shared. And I can only hope that someday the pain is less.

I can never begin to thank Cheryl Adams for allowing me to adopt Nacho. Nacho taught me how to love and she taught me compassion. And Cheryl Adams is probably the most loving, considerate, understanding, giving woman I have ever met. She has done SO much for me, and for many others as well. I am truly blessed to have her in my life. She is a Precious Angel with a loving dedicated heart.

I know that my Nacho has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and that I will see her someday, I truly believe this. I will always remember her, keep her in my heart and I will never let go. Thank you Nacho for loving me and being so much a part of my life. Thank you for the years of happiness and great joy you gave to me. And please forgive me for not being able to save you. I will see you again. I love you.

DeAnna Brayton
Coon Rapids, Mn.

JOAN OF ARC (formerly known as Honey)
Remember me? This is Joan of Arc. You used to call me Honey. I just wanted to thank you for taking such good care of me and helping me find my new home. My parents adopted me back in September 05. I went home to a cool back yard and a new big brother to play with. Thats him in the picture with me. His name is Chaucer. He is on the left. He understood right away that a woman is in charge and lets me boss him around. That is so cool. We both have an endless supply of bones. I usually want the one Chaucer is chewing on. He He He. The best thing though is the end of the day when I curl up on the couch and turn into a 70 pound couch potato lap dog. Thank you again; Joan of Arc, Chaucer, Mike and Sue.

JACK (formerly known as Chipper)
For over a year I have stopped by your site to look at dogs and read the success stories that other pet parents have submitted, wondering what I would say. It has been nearly a year since I adopted and I figured it was time, so here is my best effort:

When I adopted Jack, formerly Chipper, Memorial Day Weekend of 2005, it was my last attempt to consider a rescue dog, before purchasing a pure bred animal from a breeder (since I was looking for a "small dog"). I did not want to make a mistake by choosing the wrong one, so my sister came with me as the voice of reason. That Saturday we walked into the Petco in Eagan and when we saw his eyes (yes, one of each color) and sweet face, there was no turning back (my sister turned out to be a great sales lady). I adopted my German Shepard mix 10 minutes later. The next few months were tough, with separation anxiety and some "messy" health issues. But through it all he had the personality of an angel and any chance he got, all 40 lbs of him (that was his size at the time) would try to crawl on my lap and smother me with kisses. Jack has never had a shortage of energy and love to give out.

Thankfully, over the last nine months he has simply blossomed into one of the best dogs I have ever known. Now weighing a petite 65 lbs, his health is stellar. Add that to the fact he is great with the kids, cats, and strangers, and when it comes to other dogs, no one plays like my boy. In all the time I have had him in my family Jack has done nothing but improve my life and the lives of those around him. To put it all in a nut shell, I want to thank Homeward Bound for all they do and for bringing "Chipper" to Minnesota last spring; my family will never forget it.

-Sarah Tetzlaff, Apple Valley

SOPHIE aka: Sophie-Doodle, Sophia, Sophie Beatrice, Piglet (formerly known as Taffy)
I adopted Sophie (formerly known as Taffy) on a Saturday in April at the Fridley PetCo. I looked for a dog at area humane societies the previous weeks but hadn't found one that I really loved. I had pretty much given up after several searches and resigned that I would get a dog "at a better time." I was at work one Friday afternoon thinking about how fun it would be to take a dog to the dog park, when I decided to "Google" 'dog rescue in Minnesota'. It didn't take long for me to find your wonderful program and I was instantly hooked by your mission, values, and the endearing pictures of the dogs looking for homes. As I scrolled down the page I suddenly stopped when I saw Sophie, a beautiful pug-lab mix with white-blonde fur and a smile that pierced my heart. Her description stated that she had had a teenage pregnancy and my heart leapt out of my chest! This beautiful, sweet dog was just what I was looking for!

I arrived at the PetCo the following morning second in line and remember peering through the window to find Sophie. Suddenly, I saw Katie bring her in on her leash and watched as Sophie patiently sat in her cage waiting for someone to approach her. After the doors swung open, I rushed in, grabbed her, and have never looked back. Sophie has been a wonderful dog who hardly ever barks, loves to snuggle, and really loves her bones! Everywhere she goes she receives complements on her appearance and demeanor and she is a favorite of both dogs and people alike at our local dog park.

Sophie is my little shadow who patiently waits outside the shower curtain as I shower in the morning and gives me loads of kisses each time I walk through the door. She loves her twice-a-day walks, trips to the dog park, chasing squirrels and rabbits, swimming in the lake up at our cabin, and chewing her toys. Sophie has been such a blessing in my life and I wanted you to know I've recommended your program to several people I know. Thank you for all your hard work. I'm not sure who was rescued - Sophie or myself.

UPDATE: A year has passed since Sophie (formerly Taffy) joined my life and what a fun year it has been! As a new never-had-a-dog-before owner I've discovered the wonderfully sweet world of dogs and the joy they all possess in their doggie hearts.

Sophie brings me unending joy and laughs everyday. Every morning she greets me with her little pink nose and a few kisses prodding me to wake up so we can enjoy our morning walk. A lover of nature, Sophie enjoys all the new spring smells, watching birds out the window, and romping through the open fields chasing after tennis balls. Every Saturday and Sunday mornings are spent at the dog park with lots of doggie friends. In fact, we've met a Homeward Bound alum (Cheese) there and the owner and I bonded over our wonderful rescued pups!

I recently moved home with my parents and my Mom (who also has never had a dog) is now a Sophie enthusiast who sings to her every morning. My Dad spoils her with bones from the butcher shop and long car rides. It is so fun watching Sophie interact with them. She's always ready for snuggles, belly rubs, and is ever so smart and polite.

I am amazed at your dedication to the wonderful dogs you save. I check your site once a week to check on the other pups in hopes that they will soon be adopted into a loving home.

With much love and admiration,
Katie & Sophie

MOUKI (formerly known as Tails)
We adopted Mouki (formerly Tails) September of 2005 from Homeward Bound at Petco in Maple Grove, MN. He is half Pit Bull and half Australian Shepard, he was a cuddly 18 pounds when we adopted him and is now a 53 pound ball of energy at ten months old. He is extremely loving, and is always excited to see my husband and I. Mouki loves to sit on the couch and look out the window but playing frisbee is his favorite sport. He also loves hiking in Lutsen, taking a bath, riding in the car and playing with other dogs. He is extremely friendly and social to people, young and old, as well as other animals. Even though he is six times the weight of our cat Marylin, he allows her to boss him around!! He is a wonderful addition to our family and we can't imagine our lives without him.

Thank you Homeward Bound,
Holly and Steve Krueger

SCRAPPY (formerly known as Casey)
First of all I would like to thank homeward bound and all of their staff for doing such a wonderful job in the whole adoption process. It was great from the first email. I was able to get lots of information to help me find the right dog. I went in to Petco with the intention of "just looking" but I found Scrappy (used to be Casey) and this little angel just grew on me from the first minute I got her. Ever since the first day I got her which is almost a year and a half now she has been a great dog in every way (except she does not like to be left alone because she is soo spoiled) and every day I feel lucky to have such a great dog. In this picture she even helped me propose to my fiancee by carring the ring to her in this little bag. Scrappy is a wondeful dog and I am soo glad I found homeward bound rescue because she makes us smile every day!

Thanks so much homeward bound!! Keep doing what you are doing!!

CLAIRE (formerly known as Faith)
Dear Homewardbound,

We would like to thank you very much for what you are doing. We adopted Claire (formally known as Faith, the Dachshund Corgi mix) on April 16th 2006 at the Maplewood Petco. We just wanted to tell you that she is doing great. We adopted her for our mini Dachshund, whose name is Carl to play with. It was funny because we adopted our mini Dachshund Carl from you guys right before Christmas last year and those two dogs are funny to watch them play. There both really good and we are glad that we saw her there and Carl and Claire are just the right size for each other. She seems to be enjoying herself, especially since we have a big fenced in yard for her and Carl to play in. She really seems to enjoy the Booda bones from Petco that we got for her. Thanks again for all you guys are doing. We really love Claire and she fits in really well with our family . Carl really loves having another little friend to play with.

Thanks again,
Jocelyn, Mariel, Rodger, Mark, and Nikki

TATER (formerly known as Dante)
Hi there! A few months ago I discovered Homeward Bound's website and one evening saw there a picture of a 4-year-old rescued Jack Russell terrier. There was more narrative about him than some of the other dogs--you could tell his story had touched hearts before my own! He was originally taken out of a puppy mill at age 3, from a barn with over 400 dogs. He lived with an adoptive family for about a year--they never had him neutered and dropped him off one day at their local humane society. His name then was Dante and Homeward Bound rescued him from being put down at the shelter and had him neutered--and fostered him for a good number of weeks. He was so traumatized and shy no one picked him at those sometimes rather chaotic Adoption Events because he would just face into the corner of his kennel and tremble. His foster family said he really responded best to other dogs. Well, we had those! As you can guess we went to the next Pet Adoption Day (more than hour's drive from our rural home--I just knew he was supposed to be my dog!) and I made a beeline for him and brought him home on 11/26/05. His new name is Tater, because he is a real "sweet potato pup" who has none of the hyper, sometimes aggressive personality traits more typical of his breed. It has taken a few months for him to really believe he is loved and here to stay. When he first came home, I had to carry him everywhere with me as he just cowered wherever you put him, he was so scared and confused. He has come a long way very fast! He now has a big family of two doting human parents and three canine girlfriends, one of whom is an Italian greyhound who has only been with us for a couple of weeks now. She is still a puppy at 1 year old and she totally worships him on sight--great for his self-esteem. :) They run and wrestle with each other for long periods every day and she likes to nap on top of him... Our elderly poodle has always loved him, too, he is so unassuming and gentle. We have one larger dog, a 12-year-old collie mix who is very nervous herself, and Tater can actually get her to play! He did great with making friends with our three cats as well. Best of all, he has really started to love and trust his people and shows it! What more could our animal-crazy household ask for in a dog? I am attaching a couple of pictures of Tater engaged in his favorite activity, snuggling on the couch with two of sisters (and me too, when I'm not taking the picture!). Thank you so much for giving our sweet boy another chance in life.--I can no longer imagine mine without him!

-Carol

CALYPSO "Caly" (formerly known as Bippety)
We saw a picture of Caly on your website right before Christmas 2005 and couldn't get her out of our thoughts. We were in love with her before we even met her. Everyone in our family went to the adoption on Dec 31 in Eagan to adopt her. Caly is a small 18# Beagle that is about 5 years old. She came from Kentucky. She loves her sisters, Tammy (lab) and Abby (basset) - they act like they have known each other all of their lives. We are training her to ring the bell to go outside and she is getting the hang of it pretty well. She loves to be outside in our fenced yard and chase the rabbits and lay in the sun. We love her being a part of our family. She is a very spoiled little girl. We like to take her back to adoption days to see her Foster Mommy - Cheryl. We are so thankful for Homeward Bound and all you do for the animals. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have our little Caly.

DeWayne and Linda - Maple Grove
Calypso Belle

JAYDER (formerly known as Jayd)
We would like to put our special little guy on the success story page because he is just that! Well actually he is more of a Cinderella story...my mom once asked me if we heard him saying his prayers of thanks at night!

His name is Jayder (formerly Jayd). Well actually through no fault of his own his formal name is Jayderson McGee Keefe...it kind of just happened! He is an 8 year old Miniature Pinscher, I never in my life thought I would have one of these little yippers!!! Anyway, he is the light of our lives! He's an only child right now and enjoys being the one and only grand-dog in the family. He is quite spoiled with that title as well-he received more Christmas presents than my husband and I did combined! We think his favorite present was the winter coat his grandma bought for him!

Jayder has made the biggest difference in our lives. The love he gives us extends past the dog/master relationship (I'm sure you can tell based on how we refer to him...). He is definitely our "son". He has his own room with his own TV to watch during the day while we are at work. He usually watches movie like "All Dogs Go to Heaven," "Lady and the Tramp" and "101 Dalmatians." Once we get home all attention is on him! From playing catch with his friend Mr. Chuckles (a small stuffed monkey) to snuggling on the couch watching Animal Planet (mostly Animal Precinct because he likes to watch puppy mills taken down since that's where he's from) we make sure he knows how much we love him.

We adopted Jayder in October of 2005. He has been nothing but a joy for us since then. He is fully trained and sometimes too smart for his own good! We are celebrating his birthday (the day Homeward bound rescued him) this summer with a big b-day barbeque!

We can't even begin to tell Homeward Bound how much they have changed our lives by bringing Jayder into them...Now before we get to misty eyed we will say this: Thank you Homeward Bound for all that you've done and all that you do. Your establishment and those like it make all the difference. Without you...we would have never been blessed with our son Jayderson McGee Keefe.

-Bre Keefe

NOVA (formerly known as Toreen)
Dear Homeward Bound,
We adopted a dog from you in April 2000. She was about 6 months old. Her name is Nova (p/k/a Toreen). We love her dearly. She is very sweet. We volunteer through the Animal Ambassadors program (Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley) visiting seniors at a nursing home and we participate in the reading program through the Humane Society and Hennepin County Library. Nova enjoys people so these have been great activities to do with her. I had surgery about a year ago and she handled it great. She was comfortable walking with me on crutches and helped out by picking up dropped pencils and papers which were difficult for me to reach.

Thank you for being there to help the dogs and a lot of people.

-Melissa Winn