Happy Tails Letters
Laguna & Nyx
One day, I found myself browsing the Dumb Friends League website, and before I knew it, my boyfriend and I were at your shelter looking at cats. I met a beautiful tabby named Laguna with no teeth and his tongue hanging freely from his mouth, a tear in his ear and a scab on his back from allergies. He was immediately loving and wanted to cuddle in my arms. I fell in love and we took him home that day. Laguna loves baths, grunts instead of meows, and loves to be cradled like a baby.
After a few months, I thought Laguna could use a friend. We visited your shelter multiple times and finally brought home a young female tortie named Nyx. She is a playful, talkative girl who loves to be petted and is slowly getting more comfortable with cuddling.
Laguna and Nyx follow me around, greet me at the door when I come home, and hop in bed when I retire for the night. I have become “that” lady who takes hundreds of pictures of her cats!
Thank you for the devotion of the volunteers and the kind hearts at the Dumb Friends League for giving them a second chance at a new beginning.
—Amanda F.
Kylie’s choice
I came to the Dumb Friends League in search of a kitten. My mind was set on a black kitten, no ifs, ands or buts. When I entered the counsel room with two younger, black cats to view, Kylie leaped into my arms before the door was even shut.
Not a kitten, not black either—but instead a 5-year-old, gray, tabby/bobcat mix. I had never before seen such a beautiful and friendly cat. At that point, I knew she had chosen me, and I wasn’t about to let her go. The next day I was able to bring her home, where she was instantly a part of the family, and everyone who meets her falls in love with her.
I discovered she is a Pixiebob, a breed known for having unusually strong bonds to their family or a single person—and it shows. Since adoption, Kylie has not missed a single night sleeping beside me for the duration of the night, nor does she fail to wake from a sound sleep when I walk up to the front door. Now, two years later, she is curled up purring on my lap and watching me type this letter. I am thankful every day to have Kylie in my life; I couldn’t ask for a better companion.
—Andrew W.
Morty: A senior sweetheart
We saw Morty, a 10-year-old Shih Tzu, on your website right before Christmas and fell in love with him! We have a 12-year-old Lhasa Apso named Bijou and a 7-year-old Shih Tzu named Toby, and they are so wonderful. We had hoped that Morty would melt right in . . . and he has. It feels like he has always been in the middle of our sweethearts.
Our kids love the idea of having older pets because they need and deserve extra attention. Our kids are 17 and 11, and both can’t get enough of their pets, all between 7 and 12 years old.
We would love for people to know that even if it’s only for a few years, every day counts, and although it’s sad to lose them sooner rather than later, it means so much to the little loves. They are so grateful for each treat and belly scratch. They get to be loved again, and they get to know that their licks and cuddles count again. That’s priceless.
I have often said that as much as I love my family, these little buggers appreciate what we do so much more than people ever could or do. I tell anyone I talk to that these seniors are the best friends you could ever have. Our kids agree. All pets deserve a cozy couch and a warm lap to call their own forever.
Thanks so much for taking such great care of Morty until we found him; we love him so much already.
—Shannon W.
Koda: Safe Forever
It has been two years since we adopted Koda from the Dumb Friends League. My mom went to find a dog the week before Thanksgiving, and within a couple hours, I received a call from her telling me she had found the perfect little man. When she first saw him, he was sitting by himself staring out the glass. She asked to visit with him, and after just a couple minutes fell in love. He was scared, but the wonderful people there assured her that he was a great dog.
It took a little while for Koda to get past some of his fears and realize he was never going to be left again and that he was safe forever. Koda now has the best life a dog can ask for, with a black Lab sister and a Swiss mountain dog brother. Even though he is the smallest, he sure doesn’t think he is and is the man of the house. He loves to go for long walks and play with his stuffed animals, and he especially loves winter so he can wear his handsome sweaters.
We just want to say thank you so much to the Dumb Friends League for taking such great care of our baby and bringing him into our lives. He is such a blessing.
—Lindsay and Sharon M.
Not-too-large Sarge
You knew him as T.J., we call him Sarge, and my kids call him their best friend. A few weeks ago, I opened the Dumb Friends League email newsletter and skimmed through it like I always do. That day, I decided to click the link for adoptable pets and browse.
The first photo to pop up was Sarge—and he was ours from that moment on. I emailed Sarge’s photo and description to my husband, whose response was, “We don’t want a large-breed dog.” I called and found out that Sarge was only 55 pounds; large, but not huge.
Another email to my husband. No response. Darn . . . maybe it wasn’t meant to be. About an hour later, my husband called to let me know that he was standing at the Buddy Center, looking at a “sweet, mellow German shepherd who is the most beautiful shade of red.” It was Sarge. We took our boys down to meet him, and Sarge came home with us the next day.
I wanted to share Sarge’s story because I know people are hesitant to adopt older dogs. Sarge is 5 years old, so not too far from being considered a senior in dog terms. But that makes him a little more mellow and so sweet with our young boys. He has a lot of life ahead of him, and he’s been such a wonderful addition to our family.
Thank you for the work you do, and for giving these animals a place to live while they wait for their forever homes!
—Grace Curnutt
Shy cat snuggles in secret
I couldn’t be happier with these two cats! Rocky and Emma are all settled into their home. They love to snuggle on the couch. Without fail, when you sit on the couch, one or both of them will be curled up or sprawled out next to you (or on you!) within seconds. They are both adorable, goofy and totally chill ... just what we were looking for!
Rocky seemed a little standoffish when I first met him at the shelter, but I fell in love with his eyes. It turns out that he’s a stealth snuggler! The other day, I woke up from taking a nap to Rocky curled up around my head happily trying to groom my hair. When I met Emma, she was absolutely adorable with her white paws and cute little face. She loves attention, and because she is SO FLUFFY, she certainly gets it! Thanks for the great cats!
—Laurel Ackerman
Samson & Eva: A match made in heaven
My boyfriend and I had been talking about getting a friend for our 3-year-old golden retriever named Samson. We both had been doing research to come up with the perfect breed match for Sam and our lifestyle. All of our research was thrown out the window on a Sunday afternoon at the Northfield Stapleton shopping center. There is a small Dumb Friends League adoption center there where we met a Doberman named Spike. My boyfriend loved Spike and Spike loved him. Unfortunately, Spike didn’t care that I was even in the room.
We decided to go to the shelter on Quebec Street and look at the adoptable dogs there. After meeting another dog and deciding he wasn’t the right fit either, we asked to meet Eva.
Eva is a greyhound/Lab mix who is absolutely gorgeous and has the most kind eyes I’ve ever seen. The gal who was helping us told us that Eva was shy and to approach her from the bottom and not from the top of her head. We were immediately in love with her. She was sweet, trusting and incredibly gentle. She knew how to sit, shake and lie down too!
We asked to have our golden meet her the next day to see if they would get along. It was a match made in heaven! They have been best friends from the day Eva came home. We love to watch them run, tumble and wrestle together. Eva also loves to take sunbaths in the backyard and cuddle up on the couch with whoever is around.
We could not have asked for a better dog to join our family, and we’re incredibly thankful that we were lucky enough to adopt her.
—Emily Adkisson
Shiloh finds happy trails
When I started looking at adoptable horses at the Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center, I already had two companion horses and a third horse with a heart condition. I have been riding for 20 years and wanted a horse I could take on forest trails near where I live.
I noticed Shiloh’s photo on your website because she is a Missouri Fox Trotter. I’m familiar with that breed since I used to live in Arkansas, and I had always wanted one. They have the smoothest gait and lots of endurance—a horse you could ride for hours. I also didn’t want a big horse, so Shiloh looked perfect for me.
I made an appointment to meet Shiloh and really liked her. It was clear she had been pretty well trained and ridden in her former life, although she was still a little nervous. We bonded right away, and I adopted her the following weekend.
Shiloh is doing just great and getting along fine with my other horses. The whole experience of adopting her was fantastic. Thank you for Shiloh.
—Cindi Israel
Phearless Phoebe
I adopted Phoebe about a month ago and it was the best decision I’ve made! I feel so lucky to have her since she was brought to the shelter because she was “too afraid of everything.” My heart melted when I heard that.
After the first weekend of having to carry her up and down the stairs, putting her in the car and taking 10 minutes to walk a block, she assimilated to our new life together and now we are hiking and playing with other dogs and kids. It seems as if she isn’t afraid of anything! She is the goofiest, sweetest pup who loves to cuddle, and I am so thankful she is my lifelong roommate.
—Kayla Mahoney
Monty: A dog in disguise
On June 3, 2010, I lost my best friend, a chow mix named Nikita. We also have two male Siberian huskies that I love dearly; however, I missed a chow face in our home. I spent a little time every day looking at pet adoption websites for a pair of chow eyes. Finally, one evening, I found them: 4-month-old Monty.
I will not forget the moment the Dumb Friends League employee brought Monty out to meet me. He said jokingly, “You know, we have cute dogs, too,” and I laughed because nothing could’ve been cuter than this chow pup who looked like a teddy bear. After spending some time with him, we decided to adopt him.
We love him dearly. He does not replace my late Nikita, but his chow eyes ease my pain. He does not act like a typical chow; rather, he’s a golden retriever trapped in a chow body, and he is the happiest boy ever. His little tail wags nearly as fast as hummingbird wings! He is full of energy and loves playing with his big brothers. Thank you, Dumb Friends League, for giving me another pair of chow eyes to love.
—Rhonda Green
Charlie + Tilly = love
My husband and I had been looking for a dog for about a year. One morning, I was doing my daily Internet dog search when I came across the sweetest face I’d ever seen. It was a picture of Maximus, an 18-month-old boxer mix. We live in Greeley, but headed to Denver in the blink of an eye. Once there, we discovered that Maximus was on hold. Ten minutes before his hold expired, the family came to visit him. We were heartbroken, but decided to wait. To our surprise, they decided he might work better in someone else’s home. Not even five minutes into our visitation, we knew he was meant to be in our family.
It’s been almost three years since that day, and Maximus—now Charlie—is our pride and joy! Charlie adapted to his new life and big kitty sister very quickly. A year after adopting him, we noticed that he was creating a special relationship with a shelter kitten we were fostering. We decided to adopt the kitten, Tilly, and they are still inseparable. We’ve caught them snuggling on countless occasions, and they love playing hide-and-seek with each other.
Thank you for Charlie. He is such a GOOD boy! We often wonder where he was and how he was raised during the first year-and-a-half of his life. If only he could talk! We might not have his words, but we have a wagging tail—the testament of a happy dog.
—Rachel and Joel
Dog lover develops taste for Pickles 
When I moved into my first apartment, I was overwhelmed at how empty life was without animals. My boyfriend and I moped around without really knowing what was getting us so down. Then one day we both realized it was too empty and quiet without a furry friend. We both worked and went to school, and knew it was not the right time for a dog, which was our preference as we both grew up as self-proclaimed “dog people.” One day we drove by the Dumb Friends League and decided to take a peek.
That’s when we met him. Pickles was a big, orange tabby with a twinkle in his eye. He squawked as we walked by, staring us in the eye as if saying, “I dare you to walk on past.” We stopped, and that was the moment I fell in love. He was the missing link in our lives. Pickles is charming, cute, playful and a cuddle bug to boot. He has more personality than any cat I have met in my life. Soon after, we got him a friend, an 11-year-old calico named Kaylie who is also the most wonderful love bug.
My cats adopted me and stole my heart. I cannot thank you enough for giving me the two loves of my life. I have had the good fortune to adopt five animals from the League, ranging from babies to seniors, and every one has been the most well-adjusted, sweet-natured, amazing companion I have met. Thank you for your tireless dedication to my furry friends, and I look forward to future adoptions from your facilities.
—Mallory Knight
Emma the explorer
I wanted to let you all know how well Emma is doing, and what a difference a few weeks can make. She is playful and getting into everything! It is wonderful to see her curious about the world and exploring everything.
As much as I hope I have made her life a little better, I must say her antics and affection have certainly added a little more joy and laughter to mine.
I have sent a few pictures, and like any proud “mommy,” I don’t think they do her justice . . . she’s so pretty!
Thank you for the wonderful work you do, and thank you for Emma!
—Denise Hull
A tale of two Lucys
For some reason I went to the Dumb Friends League not really sure what I was looking for. I was walking around when a sweet volunteer with a cane found me in the cat section. She took me around and as I was ready to leave, she mentioned a cat that just came in named Lucy. It caught my attention because my beloved miniature dachshund who passed away after 17 years was also named Lucy.
Lucy the cat was 6 years old and was brought in a week prior because the owners couldn’t take her to where they were moving. I was a little hesitant, thinking I would want a puppy or a kitten. But I took the chance.
What a blessing this little cat has become in my life. She is so loving and so good, and she snuggles with me all the time. We are the best of pals now, and I am only too happy we found one another. I was a dog lover, and I used to be a person that always wanted a puppy or a kitten, but Lucy changed that. I think back now and say, I saved her life. And in a way she saved mine. Every being deserves a chance, regardless of age. Thank you Dumb Friends League!
Stuart C.
Rocky “the dog I needed”
In February 2009, I wanted to look for a small dog to help in my recovery from recent heart surgery. My sister took me to the Dumb Friends League, where I found a cute, furry little 8-month-old bundle of fluff, but my counselor realized the puppy was too much for me to handle and made another suggestion. She brought in a sad-looking Chihuahua mix that was a special-needs 5-year-old who liked having his belly rubbed. Once I picked Rocky up to give him a hug, I knew he was going home with me that day.
He was perfect for me. And, as it turned out, I was perfect for him, as he had been so abused, he never came out of his sleeping area. For the first year, I kept him warm, fed him, got him medicated, spoke softly, never said no and loved him from afar. During the second year, he began to come over and sit next to me on the couch while I watched TV. He also stopped running away from other people and dogs, and learned how to greet a dog by sniffing. These were all huge milestones in this little dog’s life.
Last year we moved to a first-floor apartment in a very quiet location with lots of grassy area. Every day since we moved, Rocky has exhibited new doggie behaviors, including becoming master of his domain and running! He also loves to be massaged, talks when he has important things to say, recognizes who is coming to visit by the car door lock sounds and enjoys doing meditation by chanting. To say that he saved my life would be an understatement.
Without the Dumb Friends League, I would never have found joy, unconditional love and happiness with my boy. They knew exactly what dog I needed and not the dog I thought I wanted.
Debra C.
Xander, the blue-eyed heart healer
In the middle of December, my beloved cat, Jagger, passed away. I was truly heartbroken as he was such a loving member of my family. I knew that I would want another cat, but decided to wait a few weeks before entering the Quebec Street shelter. On January 2, I thought I’d take a peek, but I told myself I wouldn’t adopt just yet. That promise was broken once Xander was lifted from his carrier and placed on my lap. Our entire visit, he never once got up from my lap. He purred and purred and rubbed my hand with his head. From the first moment I laid eyes on the blue-eyed kitten, I knew I was done for. After bringing him home, my joy has never been higher. He makes my life so much better and brings laughter in all sorts of ways. I am so glad I was able to give this kitten a forever home and thank whomever made me step into the shelter that day.
Eve Morton
Kiah: From Telethon to Tail-a-thon
Kiah was a little shy at the get-go. We brought her home and she immediately learned to use the doggy door at our house and roamed the backyard, making it her own. She ate a full bowl of dog food, drank a big bowl of water and later crashed out underneath our coffee table. I believe that was totally expected seeing the day she had just had at the telethon!
The second day was a lot more rewarding, as we really got to see Kiah come out of her shell. She started wagging her tail and came to us when called. She loves playing with my other dog, crashing her whole body on the floor and letting him play with her paws and belly. It was really comforting to see her playing so well. My son warms up to Kiah by giving her a big hug in the morning. When she is lying on the ground (which she tends to do a lot), my son lays his head on her chest and kisses her. It is so great to have another dog that I can trust with my family.
Jennifer Alley
Mouse the Cat
When I first got to the Buddy Center, I wasn’t even attempting to adopt a pet. I already had one cat and a dog, and for apartment living, that’s plenty. But my friend convinced me to take a look around, stating Apollo (my other cat) might want a companion, so reluctantly I took her advice. I went to the back room where there are a bunch of cats. Right away I saw these beautiful, bright green eyes staring back at me under a blanket of white fur. I thought I had just seen the most beautiful cat in the world! From there I thought, “Well, it won’t hurt to fill out the personality profile just to see what comes up.” And what do you know? The white cat named Mouse was number one on my list! I asked a volunteer about the cat, and he said that Mouse had been in and out of the shelter for a long time and had been through at least four previous owners. He stated that Mouse was an older cat. I just couldn’t imagine why no one wanted to keep such a beautiful cat. Finally I was able to see Mouse, and it was love at first sight. Mouse now lives with me, my boyfriend, my lab, Cassie, and his brother kitty, Apollo. He likes to hang out in his kitty condo and curl up on the sofa or in a lap. Mouse has a big personality and he is one of the most cuddly kitties I have ever known. I am so glad I adopted Mouse, and he will always have a forever home with me.
Nicole Bishop
Confessions of a former cat hater
I am a good example that an animal can change the way one views life and love for others. I grew up with a dog and have always thought that dogs were loving and caring, but that cats were not since I had very limited exposure to cats. I used to hate cats because I thought they were all mean and impersonal, and I even bought a calendar called the “I Hate Cats Calendar.”
To make a long story short, after meeting my ex-girlfriend’s very loving and personable cats, my hardened heart was totally melted away by them. I am now a proud parent of four loving cats and cannot even think of living life without any cats. I think of them all the time and miss them when I am not with them. They act like I am their everything and give me so much comfort and love. Most of all, I learned how precious lives are from them.
I am forever thankful for my little kitties and tell people my story every chance I get. I adopted three of my kitties when they were about 3 months old from the Dumb Friends League two years ago.
I drive by the Dumb Friends League on the way home and see people dropping their pets off. It really makes my heart sad because of how sad and scared those little animals might be, but I also feel hopeful that those unwanted animals will find loving homes that really welcome them.
Thank you,
Tosh