Adoption Stories From the Norfolk, SPCA

Tilley

After many dog discussions, my boyfriend and I decided we would begin the process of looking to rescue a dog. We had no idea what we were looking for, but considered a lab (we were both fans of labs). We went to the Norfolk SPCA determined to not adopt just yet, though, as we didn't want to rush into anything. We were about to go home when some of the volunteers suggested we meet the dogs outside. So, we went outside, and immediately saw this beautiful brindle puppy, peering around the corner of her kennel at us. She was 6 months old then, and no one had a clue what she was mixed with. All we knew was that she was rescued by Norfolk SPCA from a kill shelter in North Carolina. But it was love at first sight-- for all 3 of us! We couldn't get the adoption process moving quick enough. That was March of 2008, and we've been spoiling her senseless ever since. Last fall we moved to Virginia Beach and bought a house with a nice fenced in back yard where she can run in circles and have all of her friends over . Tilley lives only a short run away from her boyfriend, a brindle Boxer (when she's missing, we know exactly where she is). She requires a bed that is at least 12 inches off the floor (dog beds don't suit her, apparently). We take her almost everywhere we go. In fact, she was happily looking on as her parents got engaged :-) She loves the beach, loves chasing sand crabs, and doesn't mind being buried in the sand! She gives the most kisses of any dog we've ever met and she's incredibly gentle and sweet. She brings us so much joy. So here we are today, with our beautiful, brindle mutt. Whenever we speak to people who are thinking about getting a purebred dog from a breeder, we always suggest they go to their local shelter first. There are so many wonderful dogs that need a home. Tilley is a true example that it doesn't matter the dog's breed or the fact that they aren't 8 week old puppies when you bring them into your home. Not only does Tilley have a better life because of us, WE have a better life because of Tilley. From Carey Mosser   Raja Growing up, I wasn’t able to have dogs but we always had cats. So when my husband, Mark and I decided to add to our family we went to the Norfolk SPCA. We adopted our first fur-child, Milo, almost 3 ½ years ago. 3 months later we adopted another cat, Cali. After 2 years of just kitties, we started talking about getting a dog. Naturally, we returned to the Norfolk SPCA to look. After looking closely at all the wonderful animals they have at the Norfolk SPCA, my husband really liked a 4 month old pit bull puppy. Not knowing much about dogs, I was a little hesitant about getting a pit bull. After doing a lot of research on the breed, we decided to take her home. Riley has been the best dog. She is very sweet and has helped some of our family and friends get passed the assumptions and misconceptions they had about pit bulls. Riley is my horse dog. When my friends and I go on trail rides she follows along with us. I can even give Riley the lead rope and she will bring the horse into the barn for me! She is great with our nieces and nephew, and Milo and Riley can be found snuggling on the couch together! After having Riley for about 8 months, we decided she needed a buddy. Again, we went down to the Norfolk SPCA and found Reme, a 9 week old pit-bull puppy. Riley and Reme get along great. They can run and play for hours. Reme loves to go on bike rides and will never turn down a belly rub. After adopting Reme we thought that was it, 2 dogs and 2 cats, it was perfect. But upon a visit to the Norfolk SPCA, I met Raja, Reme’s mom. I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. Raja was found running the streets with a pregnant belly full of puppies. Animal control picked her up and when nobody claimed her, she, and her unborn puppies were scheduled to be euthanized. Fortunately, the wonderful people at the Norfolk SPCA saved her less than 24 hours before she was to be put down. After Raja was rescued she gave birth to 6 puppies. All of the puppies were quickly adopted but Raja was still looking for her forever home. When I heard her story it touched my heart. I spent the next few days convincing my husband that another dog was a good idea. After talking about it we took Riley and Reme to meet her. Right away, we knew she was going to make a great addition to our family. It was awesome to see Raja reunite with one of her puppies. And I know Riley is happy to have another female around to help keep Reme in line. If you would have told me a year ago that we would be parents of three dogs, let alone pit bulls, I would have thought you were crazy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Pit bulls get such a bad rap but they are the sweetest, most loving dogs. Our dogs have yet to come across someone or something they didn’t love. I will always be a pit bull mommy and hope that people realize it is the owner, not the breed, that determines a dog’s behavior. I often refer to my animals as my fur-children, and they are truly an important part of me and my family. My only complaint... there isn’t much room on the couch these days! Thank you to all the wonderful and caring people at the Norfolk SPCA for making our family complete! Ashley, Mark, Milo, Cali, Riley, Reme, & Raja Rogers Sketch makes a permanent mark! Sketch lived in our adoption center for several months waiting for just the right home.  It was a very special day when two Norfolk SPCA volunteers decided to adopt this special guy!  We just received a wonderful update from his new family: We are happy to report that Sketch is the champion swimmer at the dog park!  Who would have thought that those little stubby legs would love to swim!  He got in the river for the first time last week and after an hour, Kevin had to go in and pull him out of the water, he loves to swim!   We are so proud of him, he is blooming into a wonderful dog, we don't know what we would do without him! Live in the Norfolk, Va Area?  If you'd like to adopt a pet and believe in giving animals a second chance, take a look at what the Norfolk SPCA can do for you.