Success Stories

Success Stories

Pyewacket – A Success Story

In the end of 2005, Pyewacket was rescued by a local resident who found him wandering around the neighborhood. The man who found him was instantly attached and brought the new stray home and named him Pyewacket. From the start, Pyewacket was a wonderful boy whose only mission was to get as much attention and affection as possible. Pyewacket’s new “dad” already had many dogs who did not want a cat around, and after months of trying to get everyone to get along, Pyewacket’s dad knew he had to find Pyewacket a home where he could relax and get all the love he deserved. We were contacted and took Pyewacket in, and we promised the wonderful man who rescued Pye that we would find him the purr-fect home – no matter how long it would take. Pyewacket’s dad left in tears.

Pyewacket tested positive for the FIV virus (insert FIV link here) and though he was just about the best boy around, he continued to be overlooked by potential adopters who knew only the myths about FIV and not the facts. Even though the POA Placement Team educated everyone they could about FIV and explained that FIV+ cats live long, healthy lives and can even live in homes with FIV- cats, Pyewacket remained with us. Months went by and Pyewacket became very stressed and unhappy – he knew he belonged elsewhere. He became unpredictable with people and the other cats and sometimes swatted at us or the other cats, which made it difficult to find him a home. We knew that behind the bad behavior was a boy who just wanted a family, a couch and a lap to sleep on. Everyone at POA loved Pye so much! We would talk to him everyday and tell him “we’ll find you your new family soon Pyewacket, just hang in there”.

Pyewacket would always be roaming the shelter looking for love and scratches, and particularly loved when we had Board meetings and Membership meetings. He would hop up on the table, stretch out in the middle of all the papers and purr, or he would hop from lap to lap making him impossible to ignore. Late into the evening when a volunteer would be at a desk working, Pyewacket thought nothing of planting himself down on the desk and nudging the volunteer in the face with his head! After many months, his behavior turned around again, and he became the loveable, sweet, even-tempered boy we knew he was. As Pyewacket’s one-year anniversary with us approached, many volunteers began to get a good feeling about Pye – we knew his time was coming! Ten days before his one-year mark, a wonderful couple came in one evening and saw in Pyewacket what we did – an amazing boy who would complete their family. This couple understood the facts of FIV and knew that such a young healthy boy, regardless of his FIV status, would be with them for many years giving them the love and companionship that they sought. They also knew that by adopting Pyewacket they were rescuing not only Pyewacket, but another cat that POA can now take into Pyewacket’s space. It was a win-win situation for us all, especially Pyewacket!

When news of Pyewacket’s adoption spread, POA volunteers exploded with cheers! And even though we miss his face every time we walk into the shelter and our next Board meeting will be boring without him, we know that Pyewacket is where he belongs - with wonderful people who will love him forever, and whom he can love back!

Since Pyewacket’s adoption, we have received wonderful updates from his new mom and dad. They said that they could not imagine having adopted a better cat and that he is just fantastic! But of course, we already knew that!

Now Gilligan is on Santa’s “nice” list. But he didn’t start out there….

Gilligan, along with another Pit Bull cross, was rescued from the Wethersfield Meadows after being dumped by men who used the dogs as part of a fighting ring. Both dogs, physically and mentally scarred from their recent misadventures, were happy to be welcomed into the welcome arms of POA volunteers. (The men were arrested.) While Gilligan seemed friendly, his prior experiences left obvious effects...he was aggressive with other dogs, and he was highly cage aggressive, barking, growling and exposing his teeth to anyone who approached. But once out of the cage, he was friendly and happy with everyone he met. Right away, POA realized that this dog had a good soul, just waiting to be exposed. After months of positive training and lots of attention from many people inside and outside POA, Gilligan rose to the top of the POA dog scholar list. Despite his initial “baggage,” Gilligan became a highly exceptional ambassador for his breed and for POA. Now in a loving home that maintains his training, Gilligan excels at obedience, he loves to meet people, and he plays exceptionally well with other dogs.

In a recent visit by POA to the boys of Scout Troop 156 in Glastonbury, Gilligan came along to demonstrate how harmless and well-behaved a Pit Bull can be.

Diamond

Diamond is a sweet, sweet Siberian Husky who was minutes away from being euthanized because her owners couldn't afford a fence and when left to her own devices, Diamond had a penchant for the neighbor's ducks. She spent the first 8 years of her life living in a garage, no way for a fun-loving, affectionate girl like this to live. Huskies love to be outdoors, even in the coldest of winter, but they still need to belong to a pack, whether human or husky. We literally rescued her from the injection she was about to receive from the vet who desperately did not want this to be her fate. From the minute anyone meets her, they fall in love with the dog whose eyes sparkle like diamonds.






		Diamond (3rd back on the right) and her Team Mates

While some dogs are beginning to think about retirement at 8 years of age, Diamond is just beginning her new life with Tom and Joanne, and their 9 huskies, going for sled rides, relaxing in her kennel, playing with her new team mates, and being part of the Iditarod demonstrations Tom and Joanne give at schools and boy/girl scout meetings. Each of their dogs get lots of daily playtime and special attention. For anyone who is unfamiliar with sled dogs (and those who love them), theirs is a life filled with fun and play; not abuse or harsh treatment. Huskies live for the run - when the sleds come out, the huskies are filled with excitement, hoping they will be chosen to be part of the team that day.

Tom's and Joanne's idea of a vacation day is a day spent with their dogs! How wonderful that they were lucky enough to find their passion in life, and how lucky for Diamond that she found Tom and Joanne.

Amos – A Success Story
Amos spent 14 months at our cat shelter before he found the perfect home!

Born in June of 2001, Amos and his two brothers came to POA when they were 5 months old. Amos was quickly adopted, having spent just two weeks with us. His two brothers were adopted by a POA volunteer. Sadly, Amos was returned to us 3 years later when his family moved out of state. When Amos first came back to us he liked being brushed, rubbed and held, though he was a bit intimidated by the other cats. This was surprising, considering Amos’ size: he’s a big boy! Amos did not adapt well to shelter-life. After a few months with us, he became a bit cage aggressive; this can happen when a cat feels threatened or vulnerable in his cage. Because of this, we always made sure to take Amos out of his cage for his love and attention and brushing. As even more time passed, Amos kept to himself and didn’t enjoy the activity and noise of adoption days. We all loved him so much but as each adoption weekend passed Amos remained with us. We all just hoped and prayed someone would come along and see Amos as the wonderful cat we knew him to be. We were certain he would blossom once he found a new home! A whole year came and went and Amos remained with us. However, we began to see wonderful changes in our boy Amos; he began playing with the other cats and once again, he enjoyed all the love and attention lavished on him by POA volunteers. Whenever a volunteer would walk into the cat room, Amos would spring to the front of his cage, just waiting to be let out so he could play with his furry mice or just lay on the floor watching everyone. The Placement Team made a pact to show Amos to anyone and everyone who came to adopt a cat and finally – after 14 months - our dreams came true! A wonderful couple came in to adopt a black cat and wound up taking two of our biggest boys: Amos and Bonzai. From the moment they walked into our cat room, they couldn’t believe how handsome Amos was; it was a match made in heaven!

Amos and Andy (formerly Bonzai) settled into their new home wonderfully and they both couldn’t be happier. Though we all miss seeing Amos’ handsome face every day, we are thrilled that he found his forever home!

Diamond

Diamond (3rd back on the right) and her Team Mates

Amos – A Success Story Amos spent 14 months at our cat shelter before he found the perfect home!

Amos – A Success Story
Amos spent 14 months at our cat shelter before he found the perfect home!