Meet Lily Breed: Chocolate Lab Gender: Female Age: 7 years old Parent: Eric and Laura

How long have you had the pet?
Almost 7 years
Where did you get your pet?
From a local couple
Where does your pet sleep?
At the foot of our bed
What does your pet like to eat?
We feed her NutriMax, but she loves to eat bits of fruits and vegetables when I prep dinner. The only things she won't eat are onions!
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
Does you pet have any nicknames, and if so what are they and why?

What do you love most about your pet?
What I love the most about Lily is that she lives in the moment. She reminds me daily that our energy is better spent enjoying the simple pleasures that are happening right now, instead of worrying about something that happened yesterday or might happen tomorrow.
Favorite trick? Favorite toy?
When she was little she used to take a deep bow to stretch, so I gave the action a name and taught her to "take a bow" on command for treats. It's a real treat for guests.
What is your pet's favorite past time?
Taking long walks with us is her very favorite thing to do.
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?
Crate training is invaluable and obedience training is really important. I think everyone who has children should first have to train a dog. It teaches you the importance of consistency and follow through.
What is your most memorable experience with your pet?
How she greets me when I come back from a trip. She's so happy to see me she smiles (yes dogs do smile) cries and wags her whole body at the same time. It's nice to feel so loved!
If your pet were a movie star, who would s(he) be and why?

What would your pet say about you?
She would say that Laura is the disciplinarian and that Eric is the pushover, but she still knows how to get around both of us with her big brown eyes and playful grin!

Meet Phoebe Breed: Lab/Shep Mix Gender: Female Age: 1 1/2 years old Parent: Terri

How long have you had the pet?
9 months
Where did you get your pet?
BACC
Where does your pet sleep?
On her bed in our bedroom
What does your pet like to eat?
It's all good
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
Does you pet have any nicknames, and if so what are they and why?
Phoebe-weebee; Poo girl; Frisbee girl
What do you love most about your pet?
She minds *very* well, even to come if called while chasing a squirrel!  She loves to cuddle, and always aims to please.
Favorite trick? Favorite toy?
FRISBEE!!!!
What is your pet's favorite past time?
FRISBEE!!!!
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?
A tired dog is a good dog.  Be consistent, be patient, and let it socialize with other dogs & people whenever possible.
What is your most memorable experience with your pet?
My other dog (a Shepweiler) does not fetch.  He guards.  But when we first brought Phoebe home she seemed interested in playing fetch so we'd throw tennis balls for her and she'd bring them right back and drop them at our feet.  One day I couldn't find a tennis ball, but I did find an old canvas frisbee that my other dog never liked.  So I threw that for Phoebe and WOW!  She leaped about 3 feet into the air, twisting around and catching the frisbee like a champion disc dog!  We haven't touched a tennis ball since.
If your pet were a movie star, who would s(he) be and why?

What would your pet say about you?
They love me lots and throw great FRISBEE!!!

Meet Malcolm Breed: Beagle and more Gender: Female Age: 4 years old Parent:

How long have you had the pet?
1 1/2 years
Where did you get your pet?
City of Bloomington Animal Shelter
Where does your pet sleep?
On our bed.
What does your pet like to eat?
Chicken and fish.
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
Does you pet have any nicknames, and if so what are they and why?
Princess. Because she is.
What do you love most about your pet?
She's weird.
Favorite trick? Favorite toy?

What is your pet's favorite past time?
Napping.
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?

What is your most memorable experience with your pet?

If your pet were a movie star, who would s(he) be and why?
Grace Kelly
What would your pet say about you?
You need more exercise. Let's go to the park.

Meet Ruby Breed: Shephard/Terrier Gender: Female Age: 5 Months old Parent: Rob

How long have you had the pet?
2 months
Where did you get your pet?
Bloomington Shelter
Where does your pet sleep?
My Bed
What does your pet like to eat?
My Shoes.
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?
Stock up on carpet cleaner.
What would your pet say about you?
That I am a bed hog...and I work too much.

Meet Goose Breed: Domestic Short Hair Gender: Male Age: 3 years old Parent: Lydia

How long have you had the pet?
8 months
Where did you get your pet?
BACC
Where does your pet sleep?
Anywhere he wants in the apartment
What does your pet like to eat?
Strangely enough, Goose prefers his dry cat food (Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat) to treats.
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
Does you pet have any nicknames, and if so what are they and why?
Goose's nickname is Sticks because his front legs are very skinny and stick-like.
What do you love most about your pet?
His chirping. Goose chirps all the time. He rarely meows. He's also a wonderful lap cat and a great cat to nap with.
Favorite trick? Favorite toy?
Goose loves bottle caps: plastic soda bottle caps to metal beer bottle caps, he loves to bat them between his paws and chase them around the house.
What is your pet's favorite past time?
Aside from sleeping, Goose loves playing with his rope and chasing his brother, Binx, best. Humans are required to throw the rope for him to pounce on, so he's forced to pick on his older brother when the humans don't want to play. For his age, he's an extremely playful kitty.
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?
Be patient with your pet, and let your pet take the lead. Let his/her personality come out and let him/her show you what s/he likes and doesn't like.
What is your most memorable experience with your pet?
Goose and his brother Binx accompanied me and my aunt to a small island in Georgian Bay, Canada, last summer. The cats made the 12 hour drive and thirty minute boat trip with impressive calm. I'd only had Goose for a few weeks then, and he'd been an outside cat with his previous owners, so Goose disappeared every morning before dawn, going who knows where, to reappear at sunset for supper. On a two acre island, he couldn't really get lost, but I worried about him nonetheless. As the days progressed, Goose spent more and more time near my aunt and I, and less time in his hiding spots (which we never found). He knows that island better than any human ever will.
If your pet were a movie star, who would s(he) be and why?
Goose would be a kind-hearted trouble-maker like Adam Sandler.
What would your pet say about you?
That human should play with me more often!

Meet Boston
Breed: purebred Shih Tzu
Parent: Elizabeth

When I first met Boston, a Shih Tzu, in January of 2006 at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, he had four strikes against him and I immediately said, "No." Strike one: He was 15 pounds and bigger than that lap dog I wanted. Strike two: Fleas and allergies had left him with several open wounds and very little hair on his tail, and hind quarters. Strike three: He had a mouth of rotting teeth. Strike four: He was 13 years old.

I returned several times to the shelter looking at a few smaller dogs but did not want them. With Boston still on my mind, I learned that the Rescue people for special needs animals would not take him and that he did not have an "angel" for foster care should his time come.

So in February, with my husband's half-hearted okay, I adopted Boston. Before he could go home with me, he had to be fixed and a kind veterinarian removed the rotten teeth.

During the first week I wondered what I had done as Boston walked with stiff legs and had difficulty traversing the one small step in our home. Then one day, he found a toy, and when I threw it for him to catch he moved with more ease and returned the toy for several more throws.

Now six months later, Boston is well-known by the children and adults in the neighborhood. On his walks with his leash he enjoys the children calling his name and running to pet him.

The allergies and fleas have been controlled so his hair has grown back. He also gets frequent grooming sessions.

He walks with a haughty jog and can run and jump so that I sometimes call him Wild Thing. He has been called "sweet, well-behaved, pretty, handsome, wonderful and delightful."

I want to thank his prior owners and the Animal Shelter for giving Boston another chance. He has brought much joy, fun and love to our home.

Meet Otis
Breed: Basenji Mix
Parent: : Rosanne and Bob

We adopted Rally on July 3, 2006, and renamed him Otis. He has been a total joy in our home. He is the sunshine of our lives. Otis is such a good boy. We plan to have many happy years together. Thanks for letting us adopt him into our family!

Meet Cyrus and Sedaris
Breed: Cats
Parent: Mary

During an internship this summer at the Shelter, I came to adore two magnificent felines: Cyrus and Sedaris. I adopted Cyrus and Sedaris on August 17, 2005.

Although fur does fly at times, I could not imagine my world without them. They have become two of my very best friends; they have added to the quality of my life.

Meet Goose Breed: Domestic Short Hair Gender: Male Age: 3 years old Parent: Lydia

How long have you had the pet?
8 months
Where did you get your pet?
BACC
Where does your pet sleep?
Anywhere he wants in the apartment
What does your pet like to eat?
Strangely enough, Goose prefers his dry cat food (Science Diet Adult Indoor Cat) to treats.
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
Does you pet have any nicknames, and if so what are they and why?
Goose's nickname is Sticks because his front legs are very skinny and stick-like.
What do you love most about your pet?
His chirping. Goose chirps all the time. He rarely meows. He's also a wonderful lap cat and a great cat to nap with.
Favorite trick? Favorite toy?
Goose loves bottle caps: plastic soda bottle caps to metal beer bottle caps, he loves to bat them between his paws and chase them around the house.
What is your pet's favorite past time?
Aside from sleeping, Goose loves playing with his rope and chasing his brother, Binx, best. Humans are required to throw the rope for him to pounce on, so he's forced to pick on his older brother when the humans don't want to play. For his age, he's an extremely playful kitty.
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?
Be patient with your pet, and let your pet take the lead. Let his/her personality come out and let him/her show you what s/he likes and doesn't like.
What is your most memorable experience with your pet?
Goose and his brother Binx accompanied me and my aunt to a small island in Georgian Bay, Canada, last summer. The cats made the 12 hour drive and thirty minute boat trip with impressive calm. I'd only had Goose for a few weeks then, and he'd been an outside cat with his previous owners, so Goose disappeared every morning before dawn, going who knows where, to reappear at sunset for supper. On a two acre island, he couldn't really get lost, but I worried about him nonetheless. As the days progressed, Goose spent more and more time near my aunt and I, and less time in his hiding spots (which we never found). He knows that island better than any human ever will.
If your pet were a movie star, who would s(he) be and why?
Goose would be a kind-hearted trouble-maker like Adam Sandler.
What would your pet say about you?
That human should play with me more often!

Meet Boston
Breed: purebred Shih Tzu
Parent: Elizabeth

When I first met Boston, a Shih Tzu, in January of 2006 at the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, he had four strikes against him and I immediately said, "No." Strike one: He was 15 pounds and bigger than that lap dog I wanted. Strike two: Fleas and allergies had left him with several open wounds and very little hair on his tail, and hind quarters. Strike three: He had a mouth of rotting teeth. Strike four: He was 13 years old.

I returned several times to the shelter looking at a few smaller dogs but did not want them. With Boston still on my mind, I learned that the Rescue people for special needs animals would not take him and that he did not have an "angel" for foster care should his time come.

So in February, with my husband's half-hearted okay, I adopted Boston. Before he could go home with me, he had to be fixed and a kind veterinarian removed the rotten teeth.

During the first week I wondered what I had done as Boston walked with stiff legs and had difficulty traversing the one small step in our home. Then one day, he found a toy, and when I threw it for him to catch he moved with more ease and returned the toy for several more throws.

Now six months later, Boston is well-known by the children and adults in the neighborhood. On his walks with his leash he enjoys the children calling his name and running to pet him.

The allergies and fleas have been controlled so his hair has grown back. He also gets frequent grooming sessions.

He walks with a haughty jog and can run and jump so that I sometimes call him Wild Thing. He has been called "sweet, well-behaved, pretty, handsome, wonderful and delightful."

I want to thank his prior owners and the Animal Shelter for giving Boston another chance. He has brought much joy, fun and love to our home.

Meet Otis
Breed: Basenji Mix
Parent: : Rosanne and Bob

We adopted Rally on July 3, 2006, and renamed him Otis. He has been a total joy in our home. He is the sunshine of our lives. Otis is such a good boy. We plan to have many happy years together. Thanks for letting us adopt him into our family!

Meet Cyrus and Sedaris
Breed: Cats
Parent: Mary

During an internship this summer at the Shelter, I came to adore two magnificent felines: Cyrus and Sedaris. I adopted Cyrus and Sedaris on August 17, 2005.

Although fur does fly at times, I could not imagine my world without them. They have become two of my very best friends; they have added to the quality of my life.

Meet Ruby Breed: Shephard/Terrier Gender: Female Age: 5 Months old Parent: Rob

How long have you had the pet?
2 months
Where did you get your pet?
Bloomington Shelter
Where does your pet sleep?
My Bed
What does your pet like to eat?
My Shoes.
Does your pet like car rides?
Yes
What advice would you give to a new pet parent?
Stock up on carpet cleaner.
What would your pet say about you?
That I am a bed hog...and I work too much.