Alumni Tales 8

Alumni Tales are stories of happy pet adoptions from the Maryland SPCA. If you have an SPCA adoption story you would like to share, please go to our Alumni Tales Submission page and tell us yours. You can read more great stories on our Alumni Tales 7, Alumni Tales 6, Alumni Tales 5, Alumni Tales 4, Alumni Tales 3, Alumni Tales 2, Alumni Tales 1 and More Tales pages.

Wally Makes us Smile

I wanted to share this story about Wally (formerly Tyson). He makes us smile every day and is a testament to how great it is to ADOPT a dog. We can't thank Larry (Exam Room Supervisor) and the SPCA enough. —Leigh

Boots Can Play for Hours

Boots (formerly Bootsie) has been a great cat from the day I brought him home from the SPCA. He's extremely social, frequently sleeping in the bed or with our other cat. Boots was even friendly with a dog only a few days after moving into a new house. He can play for hours with his favorite toy, a twist tie on the kitchen floor. His nickname is 'Dishwasher' because he seems to eat whatever we have on our plate. We're glad that we found Boots and that we are able to give him a good home. —Sarah

Spooky Enjoys His Forever Home

Hi SPCA!
This is Spooky, formerly know as Snoopy. I was adopted around Halloween, so my new mom renamed me Spooky. Mom lost her beloved Pretty Boy (aka Diamond) last October. He also came from the SPCA in 1994. When she came to the shelter looking for another "pretty boy," she and "Daddy" met Michael Dopkin, a neighbor of Daddy's, who volunteers at the shelter. Michael gave me a sterling recommendation, so thank you, Michael!
As you can see from the photo, I'm sitting on my new window seat where I can look at all the wildlife outside. This is my second favorite spot; my first being my mom's lap.
Thank you so much, SPCA and all the good people who took care of me until I found my forever home. —Spooky (adopted by Kathye)

Lily Is The Best

My boyfriend and I went looking for puppies, and when we showed up to the puppy nursery in the back of the shelter, we only saw one small brownish puppy sleeping on the floor, but we noticed there were two signs on the cage with only one dog. We asked for help, and when a lady came back and lifted up the little make-shift bed, a small puffy blonde little girl came crawling out. She seemed scared at first, but when we were able to play with her in one of the private rooms, she was full of energy and life. She even peed on my boyfriend to claim him as hers! She has been nothing but the best since the first day we took her home. She is the most gentle, loving, playful little girl we could have asked for. It was recently her first birthday, so we had to celebrate with a cake and doggy ice cream! We wanted to thank The Maryland SPCA for being a great shelter, and we look forward to being able to take home another wonderful pet/friend in the future. —Noelle

Kassidy Is a Happy Dog

My name is Kassidy (formerly Ying). My mom and family adopted me when I was five months old in March of 2008. We currently live in Baltimore City. When my mom went to the MDSPCA, she had just lost her previous dog that she had had for almost 13 years. She went to the MDSPCA two weekends in a row to find the ideal match for her. That second Saturday, my family spotted me, the quiet puppy sleeping the entire time while the others were barking and carrying on. When our adoption worker was doing our paperwork, she stated that I was very bossy. For the next month, I continuously heard from my mom that she did not agree with the adoption worker. After a month to present, however, my true personality of being the 'boss' has been displayed.

In my home, I have a huge back yard that I have to myself. I often go to the dog park and boutique on a biweekly basis. Because I recently began digging holes under the fence and exiting the yard, I now get walks on a daily basis where I see and enjoy the Irvington community. Overall, I am happy and appreciative to have a caring family, food to eat and a bed to sleep in every night. My family has been very patient with me over the past year. Mom, I am so grateful for you and the MDSPCA! —Kassidy Eve Sears

Wiley is a great Partner

I remember looking online at all the local shelters...I was ready for a cat, and figured I'd aimlessly wander until I saw one that caught my eye. Wiley's blue eyes immediately grabbed my attention. I had to meet him. The next day I stopped by The Maryland SPCA and met Wiley, and I knew he had to come home with me.

He had been dropped off for spraying and never using the litterbox. I can happily report that in the almost two years I've had him, I have yet to have a discipline/behavior issue. We've learned to work together, and he's become a big mama's boy. He's also gained 2 pounds from the 6 pounds he weighed when I picked him up. He's become a beautiful, talkative partner in crime, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you, SPCA, for helping me find my best friend. —Laura

Bandit is a Great Dog

I wanted to sincerely thank you for taking such great care of Bandit before we adopted him. Bandit had been in other animal rescues, and we sincerely appreciate you keeping/caring for him until we found him.

He is a great dog! Bandit actually thinks he's a lap dog, not a 85 pound Malamute! He enjoys taking his daily walks to the park and sleeping in on the sofa. (He's not much of an early riser.) We enjoy every day with the newest member of our family. Thank you again. —Jennifer

Hera Is a Furry Bundle of Joy

We adopted Hera on November 14th, 2007. We had just moved in together and needed a furry friend to complete our transition. We found Hera at The Maryland SPCA. She was the last of her litter to be adopted but has adjusted so well. She loves sunning herself on the balcony, sneaking a bite of food from mommy's plate when she thinks no one is watching, cuddling on daddy's chest and sleeping on her "blankie" the whole night through. We recently added a new kitty to the mix and though Hera's a little jealous (she's always been the baby), they seem to be warming up to each other. This family couldn't be more complete. We truly look forward to coming home to Hera greeting us at the front door, clinging to our leg as if she hasn't seen us in ages, quickly flopping over to have her tummy rubbed. Thank you, Maryland SPCA, for giving this furry bundle of joy! —Justin

Thorin is such a blessing

This thank you has been a long time coming. Often I stop to think about writing the SPCA a letter or thank you note for bringing the newest member into our family.

My husband and I adopted Thorin, a domestic short hair cat (formerly named Major Tom), about a year ago. He has been such a blessing in our life! We looked specifically for a cat that would get along well with dogs (we already had a two-year old Alaskan Malamute), and we found that in Thorin. We can't imagine our home without him. His constant curiosity, frequent wrestling matches with the dog (He usually wins!), and playful antics always keep us entertained.

Thanks to the SPCA staff and volunteers for helping to heal hearts and complete homes. Your knowledgeable staff, with their patience, effort and generosity, have touched countless lives—both of the animals and their families. —Sean & Laura

Tilghman Is the Most Lovable Dog

Most people tell us how lucky Tilghman (previously named Bandit) is that we found him, but in fact, we think we are the lucky ones. As a mature couple without children at home, Tilghman has become our baby. From day one, the three of us bonded like we have been together for years. Tilghman is the most lovable dog of all, and his only fault is that he doesn't like to be left home alone. Even though Tilghman has taken over the guest room during the day as his own, the three of us sleep together every night in our bed. Tilghman now weights close to 90 pounds and likes to stretch out, so he gets the majority of our bed! We are so thankful for Tilghman in our lives and love him tremendously. Thank you, MDSPCA, for allowing Tilghman to come home with us! —Buz & Cindy

Blue Gets Better All the Time

I had been visiting The Maryland SPCA for about a year when I finally met Sequoi, now named Blue. He was in the kennel next to his four siblings, a mixed litter of yellow Lab & Husky. He was separated because he wouldn't let his brothers and sisters eat or sleep in peace. When I asked to see him, the volunteer on duty asked if I was sure, but I saw something special in his little face. He was so friendly and loving, and loved to have his belly scratched. He came home with me the next afternoon to meet my 16-year-old twin boys. They all fell in love with each other! He is a little bit of a chewer, but that's all the puppy in him! He gets better all the time, and his favorite thing to do is lay on his back for a belly rub! He listens very well and loves to run with us, doing about 3-4 miles a day with somebody in the family. Thanks to all the volunteers and donors for such a wonderful "foster home" for these great animals! —Lisa

Abby is a Wonderful Dog

We were looking for a puppy after our dog had died so we went to the SPCA and came across a little Lab mix that was three months old, and we just knew that she was the one. We asked the volunteer to take her out, and she was just so sweet. Previously named Lily, she is now called Abby and has a very nice home. She is now about five months old and is just a joy to have. She is very playful and loves to be around other dogs. When we first brought her home, she was kind of shy, but she came out of her shell after two or three days. Thanks for letting us adopt such a wonderful dog. —Tracy

Thanks for holding me until my new owners came and thanks for my new home. —Abby