Pets for Vets is helping our Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans transition back to civilian life by bringing together a homeless pet and our returning soldiers while showing both that we have not forgotten them. Through our partnership with Pets for Vets, AAA has been identifying great shelter dogs for placement in this amazing program. Spyder, a Mexican hairless dog, is one such dog. CBS produced and nationally aired the story of how Spyder was recently placed with United States Army veteran Specialist Leif Meisinger. Leif suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and many other physical and emotional injuries from his tour in Iraq. He is optimistic that Spyder will help keep his mind off of the horrors he had to endure, help him manage his anger and provide him something positive to focus on throughout the day.

Watch the CBS story below by clicking HERE!

In the words of the amazing person who rescued Simone almost a year ago:

“I doubt you remember us from last May (“Nuts for Mutts”), but I thought you might still appreciate an update on one of your protégés you named Simone, a 3 yr-old  black Chihuahua, that no one wanted to adopt.  She was afraid of everything and everyone, afraid to even bark, and didn’t even know what a toy was for.  She would hide if the doorbell rang.  She could only identify with my 14 lb. mixed terrier then.

Well, that was 8 months ago and she has become a real dog!  (Her name is Goodall after the primatologist Jane Goodall now.)  She is a wonderful watch dog, extremely affectionate and playful; housebroken; and I can’t even get her to bite even if I play roughhouse with her.  She is not afraid of any dog or cat in the neighborhood and is beginning to warm up to petting by visitors.  I can pull her tail, play with her feet, rub her tummy, and stick my fingers in her mouth to check her teeth.  She adores the terrier but gets a little bossy with him tho they have never had a real argument.  She is still leery of being picked up but otherwise is a total Velcro dog.  I cannot sit down without her wanting to be in my lap.

I know you and your group work diligently to save and place these lost animals.  This is my way of applauding you for a job well done and to offer you a follow-up success story.

We wish you many more success stories with happy endings in this coming year!”

Another one of the many forgotten souls at the Baldwin Park shelter and on his way to being euthanized, Bruno (now Tosh) was rescued by a AAA volunteer and matched with a wonderful family who loves him so very much. Just read their own words below:

“Tosh has been nothing but a complete joy for my daughter and myself, since he has come into our lives….. He is a well-behaved rottie, with the temperament of a sweet baby bear, except when he’s in “protection mode”, which only happens when someone he’s never met before comes into the household without knocking…..just the way we want him!
I live in a rural part of San Diego, and my daughter lives in Manhattan Beach.  Tosh travels back and forth, and is mostly with her in L.A., but comes for “short vacations to his countryside home”, when her schedule gets a little hectic, and is staying with us now for about 2 weeks.  When he’s here, we hike with him off leash about 3 miles a day, with our other two dogs, which keeps him happy and content.  When he’s in L.A., he knows he has the job of being my daughter’s protector, and friend, and I feel so much better knowing he is living with her.  She takes him on walks 3 times a day, along with lots of car rides, which he loves! There really isn’t anywhere he can go in that area off leash, but he seems happy and proud just to be casually walking by her side. He’s a very low-maintenance dog, who loves just laying around, wherever we are……. getting Tosh is one of the best choices my daughter has ever made……he’s the perfect dog for us!”

Have a great life and make us proud Tosh!

Selena was a completely forgotten soul at the shelter and it took two angels to save her life. A volunteer who took it upon herself to bring this sweet and yet forgotten creature out of her cold and lonely kennel during our volunteer day at the shelter so that she could be photographed and networked and the angel who saw her plea for help and rescued her directly from the shelter. The following is a description from the second angel.

“Thank you all for your work and saving these animals. I originally e-mailed you all regarding “Phyllis” the lab two weeks back. When I went to the shelter, I also noticed “Selena.”  She was timid, young, but I could tell–deserving if given a chance. I watched her on dogsindanger.com and noted her “review date” had come up. When we called the morning of 1/06–there was no interest, and following my intuition I BEGGED my mother, to drive out from Irvine and save her for us. These are her photos—one while at the shelter and a few recent pictures.  She was 25 lbs a week ago–and had PNEUMONIA. We got her on doxycycline and she has gained 5 lbs in ONE WEEK.  She was not being treated for anything when my mom arrived to save her. We love her and she fits in very well with our other 6 month old puppy. Both he, and her, are healthy. They both go back to the vet on Saturday. Just wanted to send you some positive feedback, that you make a difference with your work.  When I first turned Tilly out Wednesday PM in the backyard grass, she LEAPT like a bunny rabbit–so much so, that I almost called her “Bunny”.  I have NEVER seen a dog leap and bound with such glee….and that she did with pneumonia.  Made my heart glad!”

Simply amazing

Marbles (now Lucky) was rescued from the East Valley Shelter with not even minutes to spare. An Animal Advocates Alliance volunteer made it to the shelter to rescue this wonderful boy when the shelter was about to kill him. What followed can best be summarized by the adoptive families words that follow:

“My mom is super grateful for Lucky.  I was at my parent’s house all last week  (Lucky is still there) and my mom was saying that she really wished she could somehow let the family who probably gave him up know that he has landed himself in an ideal situation where he is loved by everyone he comes in contact with.  He has a new sister Lola, a little 12 pound Havanese, he has a long distance brother, my little Keyser, and another friend Lucy, all of whom he sees frequently (living with either Keyser or Lola).  He has tons of furniture to lounge on, including a warm bed with my mom and dad every night.  He has probably more snacks than he would ever need.  Oh, and he has put on 12 pounds since I got him and is now a very healthy and fit 66 pounds.  The vet said he’s in great condition and really fit.  He has a huge back yard where he can run around like a maniac, although I think he prefers sunbathing to running unless he’s patrolling the grounds with Keyser.  Most importantly, he has two proud parents who love him, I love him as though he is my own, and my niece loves him like he is hers.  She loves to lay on him and play with him and he is so gentle and loving with her in return.  Although I know we can’t tell his owner that he is in a great situation, I am hoping that you can pass this on to the lady who rushed to get him out of the shelter that Monday when you and I couldn’t.  I am eternally grateful for her.  I just want her to know how appreciated she is and what her kind act has led to.”

Have a great life Lucky and hope it’s filled with as much sunbathing as you want!

Our sweet girl Edina has found the perfect home and here’s what Edina’s new mom Lisa has to say:

“Ink is my new forever friend who loves everyone she meets – and vice versa. She loves both the people and the dogs at the dog parks she’s visited, has made fast friends with my sister’s sage older shepherd mix Bernie and my young nieces and nephews, and even my 19 year old cat. She walks around all day wagging her tail looking for fun and snoozes either all stretched out or curled up like a bug in my lap. Here she is hiking with her friend Linus. She’s the beautiful ink-black one on the left! Thanks, Animal Advocates Alliance for helping make the perfect match!”

We are so happy for Lisa and Ink and this seems to be a match made in heaven. Have a great life!

Brothers Chuck and Fred were rescued by a AAA volunteer from the Downey shelter when their owner was about to abandon them at the shelter. Now here is what their new human parent has to say about them: “Chuck & Fred have made my 1-bedroom apartment into a home and have won the hearts of our neighbors in the building. Fred is mischievous, playful and loves to talk and Fred is sweet, mellow and loves to wrestle with his brother. Any time any of our neighbors walks by our front door — looking to say hello — both of the boys run to the screen to peer out and meow “hi”! I’m so happy to have them and so thankful to AAA for bringing them into my life.”

AAA volunteers brought Buddy to the Best Friends super adoption event in November. Buddy had already been at the Baldwin Park shelter for a month and was desperately seeking his forever home as he was in danger of being euthanized. That is when Buddy’s guardian angels, Cathy and Bruce spotted him and fell in love. By that evening, Buddy had been groomed, fed and fitted for his special Christmas sweater. Bruce takes Buddy for longs walks and they enjoy watching Sunday football together. Bruce feels blessed to have found Buddy and there is no doubt the feeling is mutual. In Bruce’s own words: He [Buddy] has been a blessing for me!”

Romeo has finally found the perfect home and here’s what his new mom had to say: He sleeps curled up next to me with one paw over my stomach and his head on my chest. he is the most loving dog, I can’t even tell you. Loves to give kisses. He is so smart too. I taught him how to shake and how to “leave it.” Romeo was recently included in a Thanksgiving celebration at another home that included 13 people, a baby, and another dog and he did great. Romeo now goes running daily and to the park where he has made friends with another dog. The new adoptive family just adore him and it is clear that Romeo knows he is in his forever home and his real personality is coming out. Have a great life Romeo!

Kobe has found his way home from the tough, dirty and lonely streets of LA. These words from Kobe’s new proud parent paint a thousand pictures. We hope you enjoy as much as we did!

“A little about Kobe and Shia… they are getting along great and playing all day long. I think Kobe misrepresented himself as being the perfect gentleman, as he has an extremely curious and mischievous nature. They are now doubling the mischief and have together:

* opened the kitchen trashcans and spread the contents all over the house,
* continued the hole that Shia started digging in the garden. I think they are aiming for the new tunnel across the Pacific.
* torn apart a teddy bear that was at least 4 feet up on the shelf.
* destroyed in half an hour a Kong toy that reads as “indestructible” on the attached advertisement. They must have been part of the company’s test crew. They won, the toy lost! They ate all the remaining parts of the toy as well, ball, cords and all!!!
* chewed up a pair of drumsticks that my son had left on the floor. They are just tidy!
* managed to reach a platter of cookies that was on the counter top in the kitchen. They have a fondness for snickerdoodles and thumb cookies, but left the plate and the plastic bag intact.

Shia has taught Kobe the benefit of the 10 minute massage in the morning, so they lie side by side on my bed until they get their fill of scratching, rubbing, stretching and all the works.

Other than that, they are more than friends and a couple of times my daughter and I asked them to “get a room!” as we had never, EVER, seen dogs make out before! You have to see it to believe it, I did not know dogs could french-kiss, but I will get you the pictures to prove it. Thanks to you and to your wonderful organization, Shia has found her soulmate and I could not be more happy.”