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Updated May 31, 2006

Kelsey

"If you go to the Pet Stories for 2005, you will find one from when we adopted Fonzie (Gromit at the HS) in March. As some of you know, shortly after we adopted him, Fonzie got very ill with heart disease and we nearly lost him. But with medication and love, we were able to keep him in our home for a year before having him euthanized, a sad day coming almost exactly a year after losing Daisy. We had made a promise we weren't going to jump into adopting so soon again - and we were able to keep that promise, until I spotted Kelsey on the HS website. I asked Bob if he had looked at the site in the last couple of days - he hadn't (or didn't admit he had) so he took a peek. Of course, he called to see if she was still available! The person he spoke to said the people who surrendered her said she wasn't completely housebroken - and so we decided to sleep on it. We talked about ways of handling this problem and decided to go for it.
	Well,the upshot is we have an adorable beagle who has not had ANY problems with accidents or anything else for that matter. Kelsey is a sweetheart - well behaved, follows the simple commands of sit and stay and is just a joy. The ONLY problem, as far as Bob is concerned, is that Kelsey wants to spread her affectionate presence at night rather than just sleeping beside him. The green-eyed monster strikes again! Kelsey has brought something special to our household!! And we love her for it!" Karen and Bob Grant

Updated May 29, 2006

Foxy Cleopatra

"I just wanted to write to let you know that Foxy Cleopatra aka Julie, the kitten I adopted late April is doing great in her new home. She always purrs whenever anyone picks her up and is very affectionate. I couldn't be happier with her. I'll send some pictures of her in her new home (we even built her a castle out of cardboard boxes which she loves)." Thanks for everything, Kim

Updated May 27, 2006

Nico

"Just a quick note to give you an update on Nico, a white shepherd that I was fortunate enough to adopt this month from you. Nico has a wonderful disposition and is the perfect dog for me, the companion that I have been searching a long while for. He took only a short time to adjust to his new home and his vet has given him a clean bill of health. Please pass on my thanks to the original owners of Nico. Obviously, someone has spent a lot of time with him training and I am very, very thankful. He listens so well and is a pleasure to spend time with. Nico and I walk three times a day. He is wonderful to walk with on and off leash staying right by my side.
	This week we started biking and again he is right by my side. He is a calm, gentle dog that loves to go everywhere with me. Last weekend it was fishing and he enjoyed both the boat and the fish! I have found a true friend and companion in Nico and I just love him. I hope that we have many, many years ahead of us to adventure through together. Thanks again to you and his original owners." With Appreciation, Patti Rendell

Updated May 11, 2006

Paislie

"Hello staff at Sault Ste. Marie Humane Society,

I am not sure if this is were I should be sending this to, but I would like to share a wonderful story about my cat Paislie that I adopted from you. It has led me on a path of cat loving that I must share. I think I need to tell you as part of my grieving process too. She passed away in December 2005. I am still not quite over her, however we have suffered 4 losses in the past 5 years and it has been very taxing.

Those staff and/or volunteers who have worked at your shelter since February 1988 might want to read this too.

I just want you to know that each cat that walks out of your doors has a special story. Some you may hear, but I'm sure you don't hear many. I want to thank you for giving me my Paislie. I was 19 years old, and had moved into my first apartment on Pim St. I had grown up with a cat and could not wait to start a 'family' of my own. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do for the animals in your shelter. I apologize for the length of this e-mail in advance.

In 1988 I adopted my cats Paislie and Summit from you. They were 8 weeks old I believe (April of 1988 - born in February of 1988). They were the only cats available. The other siblings were still in the cage with them, but they had all been adopted. I eagerly brought Paislie and Summit home and we lived together beautifully.

That fall I had decided to go back to school, and headed off to Toronto. My mom graciously took both Paislie and Summit in to her
house until I finished school. During the first year I was in school, poor Summit was found in a yard not too far away. He had apparently been poisoned we think, and had passed away. I was sad, and could not wait to get my Paislie with me!

In September 1990, I flew back home to the Sault for a visit, and brought Paislie back to Toronto with me. We were together again!

In December of 1990, I adopted Oscar from a pet store at the Eaton Centre (haven't done that since!).

In September 1991 I met my husband and we became a couple in January 1992 (we married in 2001).

It is summer 1992 and both Paislie and Oscar have now become indoor cats in the big city of Toronto. It wasn't easy at first, but it was the best decision. When you grow up in the Sault and the cats we had were always outdoor cats, it was odd to have them only inside. We had lots of toys and big scratching posts for them and everyone was happy!

In August 1992 we brought home Nikolas from my husband's friend at work. They said he was ready to go home, but we later found out he was only 4 weeks! As a result, he was terribly bonded to both of us. He was very clingy and needed to be near us all the time, even through his adult years. We didn't mind at all!

In July 1994, we got Miel from an apple farm in Brampton not really looking for a cat - she just happened! We drove by and saw a sign, and we are so glad we stopped! She was very special as she was a CH cat (cerebellar hypoplasia). She was born in April of 1994. She was living outside and we could not allow her to remain in that environment. She was a beautiful, soft, short-haired calico. She ended up being everyone's favourite in the house! Even with her wobbliness, and determination, she could do anything! She was also the cleanest kitty ever - her fur was always super soft, and the white areas gleamed!

In August 1996, we obtained Lami as a 10 day old abandoned kitty from my husband's school. My husband called me in a panic and said that Lami was just screaming (literally) for someone to help him. Of course we took him right away to the vet. He was a tiny little orange and white kitty. He was very sickly and the rest of the litter passed away at the home of the vet who came to pick up the rest of the litter from the arboretum at the school where the nest was. We nursed Lami back to health, but it was very scary for the first couple of months. We almost lost him a few times. He had many problems - kidney disease, dental problems which required the removal of almost all of his teeth except for a few in the front, and nuclear cataracts. He was very very small for a very long time, always looking sickly then suddenly he grew into the most beautiful kitty! The vets at the specialists clinic had said that he may live up to five years based on his kidney function at the time. We were prepared for that short journey with him. He ended up as a large long-haired cat!

All together there were now 5 cats who all got along!

Sadly, Nikolas passed away from kidney failure in 2001. It was sudden and very very sad. I grieved his loss terribly for a long long time, and still I grieve. He was 'momma's boy', and slept on me every night. It is difficult still when I think of him.

In 2003, Lami had lived longer than anticipated, and at just shy of 7 years old, he was suffering in the final stages of kidney disease and we had to put him to sleep. It was the first time either of us had to do this, but we were with him the whole time. Our vet was wonderful. We are so glad we were there with him. This was a hard grieving process, but at least we were more prepared than for Nikolas. My husband suffered the most as he was such 'daddy's boy'.

And then there were 3 (Paislie, Oscar, and Miel).

In September 2002, we brought home Lucy from a friend - we swear she was Nikolas's reincarnate and it was an emotional day. She was so tiny and gray - just like he was.

In April 2003 on Easter Sunday, we brought home Sophie from a friend. I had always wanted another orange kitty! She was born the day before Paislie in February!

And then there were 5 again!

In December of 2004, Miel became ill with diabetes. Her diabetes was uncontrollable. Our vet (cat hospital specialist) had her files all over the USA and Canada to keep trying to come up with a solution. Test after test was done. The only thing left was to do an MRI to rule out a pituitary tumour. Sadly in March we had to put her to sleep. The post-mortem was pituitary tumour - inoperable. This was even more tragic than Nikolas for both of us as we were her nurses night and day for the past 4 months. We were emotionally and physically exhausted. Again, we chose to be right there with her the whole time. It was very very peaceful. She would have been 11 in April 2005.

And then there were 4.

Paislie now 17, Oscar now 15, Lucy now 2, and Sophie 1, were coping with all of our losses. Paislie and Oscar had now been through the loss of 3 friends. The dynamics in the house shifted every time as it will with cats.

Paislie was losing weight through the summer of 2005 and our vet helped us with her - fluids, a lot of free feeding, medicine for her tummy, and all sorts of other things. She was doing better, but age was creeping up on her and her kidneys were failing. She continued to lose weight - then gain a little, then lose etc. This cycle lasted through the fall. She was virtually deaf and blind by now also. She had difficulty getting onto our bed where she was every day and every night. We made her a step so she could get up more easily.

By October, she had to be put into isolation for periods of time as we could not leave her on the bed any more. We spent a lot of time with her.

In December 2005, we could tell it was time. We made an appointment to see if there was anything further that we could do for her, and not too soon as she was really on her last day and we called the vet to let her know we would be changing the type of appointment. As with all of our appointments, we arranged it at the end of the day. We peacefully put her to sleep and cried and cried for her. She was my first and even before my husband. I grieve her loss terribly. She was 2 months shy of her 18th birthday.

Fortunately, we still have Oscar who will be 16 in September 2006, Lucy who will be 4 in August of 2006, and Sophie who just turned 3 this past February. With so many losses, we are not in any hurry to adopt a cat. We are actually considering getting a small dog! I know nothing about dogs, but I am researching!

I thank you for this lovely journey with Paislie, and please continue doing what you do. For every person who adopts a pet from your shelter, I hope they will give the love that all pets deserve. Paislie brought me years and years of companionship and we miss her dearly.

I have attached two photos of Paislie that were taken in 2004."

With love and thanks,
Kathleen van Graft (nee Gulyas)
Oshawa Ontario

Updated April 20, 2006

Oakley aka Sedona

"Hi, We just wanted to give an update on Oakley aka Sedona. A few months into adopting her we put in a Pet Story however since then she has done much more. She has successfully completed basic and advanced obedience courses and is one smart lady. She was suspected to be a Shepherd/Bull Mastiff mix, however, as she has grown up, she looks more and more like a Boxer or Great Dane! She is very large for a female so everyone leans more to the Great Dane side.

She loves playing with other dogs at the park, lazing around in between us on the couch and going to the groomer. She is one of the only dogs we know that loves to lay in the tub and get pampered. She has brought so much joy and love to our lives in this past year of having her. She is now over a year old and was 3 months when we adopted her and we love every moment with her. Thank you for our "pumpkin" she's the best companion!" ~ Brekyn and Chris Click here for Oakley's original story. She was adopted in April 2005 (second story down the page).

"I attached pictures of her when we adopted her (the day of), that is the first picture."	"The second is 4 months into having her as she is growing fast!"
"The 3rd one is of her being the queen of our bed (she takes up a lot of room)."
"The last one is of her chewing her BIG raw hyde she loves so much. Thanks again!"

Updated April 13, 2006

Rogue

	"Hi, Just wanted to let you know how happy we are with Rogue. She has settled in very well with her new friends Taz and Tutu. She is a joy and just loves to play. We are really glad that we were able to adopt her. Thanks." Sharon and Gord